How to Figure out your Dream Career Path

They say – if you find a job you love, you would never have to work a day. As clichéd and corny as this ancient saying sounds, the fact is this is absolutely true . When you enjoy doing what you do for a living, your profession doesn’t just limit to being a chore for you. You get excited waking up every morning to go to work. Each morning that brings a new challenge along excites you rather than wearing you down. And then there is this sense of fulfilment and accomplishment that only prevails in you when you do something you truly believe in.

The fact is – being able to earn money to pay your bills and put food on your table is an inevitable part of adulthood. From your mail man to the guy on your grocery shop counter to your gardener to your doctor to your masseur, every individual is a working citizen who’s earning for himself or his family. But only a handful among them had actually found their true calling and had loved doing what they do since day one. Blessed are the people who could actually figure out earlier on their own what is it that they love and then pursued a career in their field of interest. Others just learn by trial and error.

An interesting study was conducted on a controlled group of New York City’s professional that revealed successful individuals who were satisfied and contented with their career choices actually happened to change their career THRICE in their lives. So – if you find yourself stuck in a 9 to 5 desk job that you are not so fond of, it might not be too late for you to actually pursue your passion. And we might just be able to help you do that.  

#1 Figure Out what Excites You

Don’t sign up to be a librarian if you are not a book person; or a banker if numbers make you nauseous; or a college professor if interacting with a bunch of teenagers in prolonged hours gets on your nervous. The first step towards finding your dream career is obvious: figure out what is it that brings you joy or excites you or plays with your fancy. Is it numbers; is it science; is it arts and crafts – just keep your options open. Don’t worry too much about your college major; you might as well have a MBA degree and choose writing as your full-time career. As long as it brings you joy and satisfaction, it should be your life-long career choice.

#2 Be a Realist Judge of Your Talents & Abilities

It’s highly recommend to pick out a field that excites you but simultaneously be mindful of what you are actually good at. Your natural talent and ability is what would be your inner drive for the most part of your professional life. All of us are born with our natural gifts. Some of us are great speakers, some great painters, others better planners. Try to realistically evaluate your strengths and weaknesses before picking a career for yourself.

#3 Enroll in a Course You’re Passionate About

Well – get enrolled in a degree program or a short course in the field you deem the most appropriate for you. Three months into the learning seats of a subject you felt earlier you had an interest it would actually unfold the depths of your passion. It would also clarify for you if you are naturally good in the area of your interest or not. Sometimes, it really clears you head and help you decide the right career path.

#4 Take a Career Quiz

Just for some fun and giggles, take one of those ‘which career is right for you’ quizzes available for free on the internet. Some of them are very thoroughly well-planned and well-thought that they actually have the ability to predict the right career choice for you based on your aptitude, interest, taste and temperament. It would take you hardly five minutes and no money to do this.

#5 Internship is a Great Way to Start

Before you fully commit to a full-time career, testing the waters with a small internship might be a great idea to see if the said career is right for you. If you’re still a student, don’t miss any chance of utilizing your summers or even spring breaks and take as many internships as you can. As an adult, if the cash flow isn’t a problem for you, take up some internships before fully committing to a career, this would be a great way to analyze how you truly feel about a profession or industry.

#6 Have a Mentor in Life

Sometimes all you need to find your calling is just a little inspiration, encouragement and a little nudge. It’s pretty alright and even recommended to have a mentor in your field that you can look up to or he could help you figure out your career choices. It would be better to learn from his experience rather than committing your own mistakes along your own journey. An old college professor, a close family member or a friend – anyone can be that mentor for you in life.

#7 Create a Job for Yourself

The job market might be saturated right now but if you are creative, bold and daring you can create your own place. There is no need to ‘fit in’ the boring traditional 9 to 5 jobs that are offered to you, create your own position and designation. You are creative with a sharp eye for interior and ambiance? Be the event consultant at an event planning firm. Do you have a voice and a message to get across? Be a motivational speaker and help people dealing with their own dilemmas and set-backs. The options are vast and unlimited, you just have to be creative and use your full potential to create a job that you know you would enjoy the best.