Make Sure You Are on the Right Career Path

Identify your interests and align them to potential careers!

At times, do you wonder if you are doing what you were meant to do?  Do you find that your work has become one monotonous long drawn-out sentence?  Do you feel like the culture at your job may not be a good fit or you have more potential?  Have you been in a position so long that you are confused about your interests?  Have you settled for your current position to be safe at the cost of your full potential?  If any of these questions have crossed your mind lately, perhaps you need to reevaluate where you are in your career.  How do you even begin? 

If you would like to have a career that makes you happy, focus on your interests and strengths.  Finding a career that has duties that are appealing to you with a comfortable work culture will make your work more enjoyable and motivate you to advance along a career path.  So how can you identify what your interests and strengths are to get back on track or enter a new career path?  No need to start a soul-searching campaign at a remote retreat!  Consider the following factors when reflecting on where you are versus where you would like to be:

- Make sure your personality fits the career
- Find occupations that match your interests
- Align your location, experience, and salary expectations
- Determine what type of work environment will suit you the best

If you would like a little assistance, use online assessment tools to determine how well various careers will match you skills, interests and values. Consider the following:

- Interest Profiler: https://www.careersourcepbc.com/job-seekers/interest-profiler
- Skills Preferences: https://www.careersourcepbc.com/job-seekers/training-opportunities/skills-matcher
- Values: https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/work-values.aspx
- Overall Match: https://www.sokanu.com/career-test/

Keep in mind that what interests you today may not interest you tomorrow.  You have to keep your career path moving forward through professional development, networking and staying abreast of workplace trends.  Take a leap of faith, consider your options, and chart your own.

Written by Melanie Rebottini.