Choosing the right career can be difficult, but having a clear career direction will help you land a job. With a little hard work, some planning, and some serious reflection, you can set yourself on the path to a career that gives you satisfaction and an income that can provide for you and your family.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Consider Your Interests
Step 1. Consider your dream career
There's an old saying that when you're trying to choose a career, you should think about what you would do if you didn't have to work. If you had a billion rupiah and you could do anything, what would you do? Your answer to that question, although it may not literally be the best career, can give you insight into what you should be doing.
- If you want to be a music star, consider audio engineering or music composition. These careers are easier to pursue and much more likely to succeed and provide you with an income for the future.
- If you want to be an actor, consider working in media broadcasting. You can earn a degree in communications or climb a position in the chain of command at a local news or television studio.
- If you want to travel the world, consider becoming a flight attendant or flight attendant. This is a great way to earn a living and pursue your dream of traveling the world.
Step 2. Consider your hobbies
It's easy to turn a hobby or something you love into a future career. Many hobbies relate to needs and positions in the real world. Think about what you love to do and how you can turn that hobby into a career.
- For example, if you enjoy playing games, consider becoming a video game designer, programmer, or QA specialist.
- If you like art or drawing, consider becoming a graphic designer.
- If you like sports, consider teaching and getting certified as a coach.
Step 3. Consider what you enjoyed at school
Academic subjects are very useful for future careers but maybe you should get more education than other types of careers. Your favorite high school subject could very well get you into a future career but you have to be willing to make it happen.
- For example, if you like chemistry, you can expect a career as a lab technician or pharmacist.
- If you like language lessons, consider becoming an editor or copywriter.
- If you enjoy studying math, consider becoming an actuary or accountant.
Part 2 of 4: Consider Your Skills
Step 1. Think about what you excel at in school
Think about the subjects you excelled in at school. While it may not be your favorite thing to do, choosing a career based on your skills can help you excel in that field and give you a secure future.
Take a look at the examples in the previous step if you need ideas on this
Step 2. Consider what skills you are good at
If you are particularly good at a certain skill, such as repairing or making something, this could land you in a great future career. Further education may or may not be required, but a skilled workforce is usually required and you will find finding work in this field quite easy.
- For example, carpentry, car repair, construction, and electronics work will benefit people who are good at fixing things or who work with their hands. These jobs also tend to be stable with good pay.
- Other skills, such as cooking, can easily be turned into a career.
Step 3. Consider your interpersonal skills
If your skill lies more in communicating with other people, there is also plenty of work for you. People who have good communication and interaction skills with others can easily make careers as social workers or in marketing and similar business positions.
If you're more of the type who likes to take care of others, consider nursing or working as an administrative assistant or office manager
Step 4. If you don't know, ask
Sometimes it's hard for us to see what areas of life we are good at. If you're not feeling good at anything, ask your parents, other family members, friends, or teachers what they think you're good at. Their ideas may surprise you!
Part 3 of 4: Consider Your Current Circumstances
Step 1. Explore yourself
Knowing what you should be doing in life sometimes requires a better self-awareness. If you want a career that makes you truly happy, you must have a very good understanding of what you want and what you enjoy. For some, this means taking special time to decide what is important to them.
There's nothing wrong with this, so don't worry. It is more important for you to determine the direction of your life as early as possible, than to enter into a career that makes you hate your life
Step 2. Consider your financial situation
Your ability to pursue or change careers may depend on your financial situation. Some career paths require specialized education and are sometimes expensive. However, don't feel that no cost is holding you back from getting the education you want. There are many government programs that can help you pay for your education costs, such as scholarships, grants, and internships.
Step 3. Think about the education you must have when embarking on a career
It is important to consider what education you already have or will have when you start pursuing a career. If finances are preventing you from pursuing further education, you may want to consider the education you already have. You may need to stay at the high school level or college degree if there are limitations or other obstacles. If you find there are job limitations related to your level of education, talk to a career consultant to find out what options are available to you.
Step 4. Think about going back to school
If limitations don't prevent you from pursuing further education, you may want to consider this option. Not everyone excels in school or requires a college education, but most career paths have to do with the training you can undertake and this will help your career advance more quickly.
Polytechnics, for example, may be a good option for those who choose not to pursue an education at a traditional college
Step 5. Do more research
If you're still confused, consider doing more research on this topic.
Part 4 of 4: Consider Your Future
Step 1. Consider a career you have access to
Consider what career options are available for you to enter easily. This is a career where you have the necessary skills as well as an “insider”. For example, working for the same company as your parents, working in the family business, or working for a friend. If your options are limited, then choosing a career that you can easily enter may be the best option.
Step 2. Consider your future financial security
One of the most important things to consider is whether the career path you choose will provide you with the level of financial security you deserve. In other words, will you be able to make enough money to provide for you and your family?
Remember, this doesn't mean a lot of money or enough money by other people's standards. What matters is enough for you and what you want in life
Step 3. Consider the future stability of your job
It is also important to consider future career stability. The job market fluctuates because society requires different things at different times. Certain jobs are always needed and others are often unstable. You should consider whether the career you have chosen is stable enough for you and your wishes for the future.
- For example, today many people go to law school and owe hundreds of millions because they think they will make huge money in the future. However, the need for legal positions is not as high as in recent years and now these people have huge debts and have no way of paying them off.
- Another example is working as a writer or a career based on freelance work. Sometimes you will have a lot of work but there will also be years where there is hardly any work. Working this way requires a special level of discipline and determination and it's not for everyone.
Step 4. Read a career guide
One way to assess career options is to look at the information in career guides. This is a guide containing statistics, what educational information is required for various occupations, what the average person earns in a career in that field, and how the demand for those jobs tends to go up or down.
Tips
- Rarely do people immediately know what career is right for them and it usually takes several years to settle on the path they are following. So don't feel like you're left behind!
- If you don't like your career, change it! Sometimes it takes a little more effort, especially when you're older, but it's something anyone can do.
- It's not the end of the world if you choose a career that isn't something you dreamed about or didn't do as a child. If you have a job that doesn't make you miserable but provides you and your family with a secure future, you will be surprised at how happy you are with your life and career.
Warning
- Be wary of jobs that promise easy money. Such a thing is very rare.
- Don't be attracted to Ponzi schemes or similar types of scams. It could land you in debt and even go to jail.
- Be wary of job offers abroad. Do thorough research on any company before you go for the job. At best risk you will be deceived… at worst, die.
