The Right Choice- Four Ways to Choose a Career

Choosing a career can be one of the most important decisions of your life, but many people make the choice in funny ways. Then, of course, there are the good ways to choose a career that so few people figure out until they've made the wrong choice. Let's talk a little about the wrong and right ways of choosing a career.

1. Falling Into It: Now sometimes this way of choosing a career actually works, but that's seldom the case. And if it does, then the person who fell into the career is not usually prepared for it. These are the people who can't make up their minds, and when they realize they took one extra psychology class, they decide that must be their calling since otherwise the class is a waste. I knew a few people like this, and I think they're working at McDonald's now.

2. Letting the Parents Choose: Considering how little most people want to listen to their parents and take their advice, a lot of people mysteriously allow their parents to choose their career for them. It really makes no sense whatsoever, but it's very common. So, the parents say, "Be a lawyer," and the student goes to law school, hates every minute of it, and then becomes a burned out lawyer before even starting their first job.

3. Following the Career Counselor's Advice: Some people actually walk into the career counselor's office looking for a magic answer. They wait until the counselor says, "You might like ____," and then immediately begin signing up for courses in that field. It's only when they get out into the job force that they realize how much they actually hate their new job. These are the people you see wandering around the job place looking dazed and confused when they realize that the career counselor wasn't trying to give them the magic answer.

4. The Right Way: Now some people choose a career the right way. In this scenario, the person asks for the advice of friends and family. They know us best and can tell us about our talents, which we can't often see well. Then, we maybe take a few career tests to determine what areas we might like. After that, these people shadow someone in the different professions in which they're interested. Finally, they take a few classes and make their decision. These people usually love their jobs because they knew what they were getting into and were prepared for the good and the bad of the profession.

I hope that as you make your career choice, you choose the right way. The other ways may be sufficient for making a decision, but the right way is a requirement for choosing a profession you'll enjoy and that can support you throughout the years.

Amber Smith is a feature writer for CareersandEducation.com. Review more of her work and read about using a Career learning center and explore her thoughts on online degree programs and online colleges.