By Wanda “Sistah Soldier” Petty,
President & CEO, SHE VET, iNC.™
Deciding on a career can feel daunting and a bit confusing regardless of the level of experience you may have and depends on additional conditions which should not be overlooked. Most of the time, employment is chosen because of previous experience, or someone mentioning “you’d be good at this”!
Now more than ever, it’s crucial to choose a career that will make you happy. We’re in the technology age, and employees are mixing telework with office work. So, it’s imperative to have flexibility, and if that’s the case, why not enjoy your work. Here are five things well worth considering that will help you narrow the decision process and guide you to a more purposeful position.
Skills. To decide where you’re going, you must consider your current status. What level skillset do you currently have? Is it really what you’d like to do in the future? If not, you have the power to change it all! Can any of your skills be transferred? What’s the observation of the future outlook for the career you’re considering (use the department of labor chart)?
Interest. Make a list of various types of activities you enjoy doing consistently. This can be as simple as walking outdoors, communicating with others, working indoors, helping people. Or, perhaps activities like organizing, and don’t forget your hobbies such as cooking or traveling.
Values. These are essential considerations such as having time to spend with your family, being off on Sundays for worship, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the ability to spend time exercising, earning livable wages.
Style of work desired. Do you prefer to work indoors, or outdoors? In a corporate office environment, or in the field not having an office at all? The choice is optional. You just have to choose.
After you’ve considered each of these areas in an authentic way, you’ll discover the best approach for you to obtain your vision. By using this guide to understand how to decide on a career, you’ll access a natural result. To learn more ways of choosing a new career or job, visit sistahsoldier.com and consider taking a career assessment, or enrolling in personal and professional development courses. It’s time to begin strategically designing your next career move.
Sistah Soldier is an inspirational activist who helps veterans, women and minorities step into the call of God for their lives. She creates online courses and trainings to assist women transitioning in their careers. She’s the CEO, Host, and Executive Producer of the SHE VET™ iNSPIRES.com Television Show, and the Executive Recruiter for SHE WORKS Digital™. Learn more at sistahsoldier.com.