Nowadays, a lot of folks seem to have it all twisted. They ask you what you "want" to do. They ask you what you "like" to do. They push you towards university, encouraging you to get knee-deep in student loan debt. Then once you have this degree of debatable value, you scramble to find work that suits your interests or matches your academic accomplishments. This approach, in my opinion, is totally backwards. Whether you're fresh out of high school, or even if you're not so fresh, there's a better way to go about it.
The Traditional Route
Think back to when you were younger, maybe still in high school. Remember those career guidance sessions where the counselor would ask you about your interests and then suggest corresponding careers? "You like animals? Consider becoming a vet!" or "You're good at drawing? How about graphic design?"
But here's the thing. Your interests aren't always going to line up with demand in the job market. Plus, what you enjoy as a hobby may not necessarily translate into something you'd enjoy as a full-time job.
A Different Approach
Instead of trying to align your interests with a career path, you should be looking at what the job market actually needs. Scour job offers, dig into LinkedIn, Indeed, and job fairs. Investigate what jobs exist, where the high demand is, and what skills are fetching the best salaries.
You might be surprised at what you find. Many high-demand careers require skills that can be learned through short courses or even self-study, rather than a four-year degree.
Picking from the Pool of Options
Once you've gathered a solid understanding of the job market, pick out the careers that have strong potential. Then, equip yourself with the skills needed for those jobs. This might mean going to a trade school, getting an online certification, or picking up a new skill set on your own time.
Now, I'm not saying you should choose a career you'll hate just because it pays well. Instead, pick something from the high-demand careers that you can see yourself doing. Chances are, once you start working and seeing the benefits of your choice, you might start liking it a lot more.
Start Working, Start Winning
When you follow this method, you're positioning yourself in a market where employers are actively looking for you. You've already set yourself apart from the crowd who are trying to force their degrees to fit into the job market.
Sure, there might be challenges along the way, and it won't always be easy. But remember, the road to success is rarely a straight line.
In the end, it's about being smart about your choices, getting ahead of the game, and setting yourself up for success. If you follow this strategy, I can guarantee you'll find yourself on a promising career path sooner rather than later.
-William
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