Find Your Dream Job: A Guide Starting With High School
December 6, 2016
Find Your Dream Job: A Mini-Guide Starting with High School
Many students graduate college with little to no idea about what they want to do. Like the admissions process, the job hunt process is growing increasingly competitive. And working a dead-end job where you feel more like a drone than a person is no way to really live your life.
Ideally, you would find the hobby or topic that interests you most and happily work in that sort of industry, making a good salary and just leading a happy life. Just as you start preparing for college in high school, you should be proactive in thinking about your future job plans. Identifying your interests early—in high school and throughout college—is a key step towards finding what you love. If you’re struggling to find your dream job, here’s a mini-guide to get you started.
Learn About Yourself and Your Passions
There are all types of personality quizzes and other resources available online to help you learn a bit about yourself and what types of careers might be suited to you—if you don’t already know. You might also take advantage of career resources and interview with professionals who might be able to point you in the direction of a specific career tailored to your unique gifts. Find out what you enjoy first, and then you can start the real research.
This process starts as early as high school. Identify your favorite classes; pay close attention to what you enjoy reading, and the sort of topics or activities that get you excited. Knowing what you’re passionate about is a key part of applying for college, choosing a major, and finding a job after graduation!
Start Researching Career Options
Every career is likely to have a slightly different path to achievement. You can use this amazing career infographic from Graduation Source to get an idea of a few different career paths and how to make it from start to finish to find your dream job. By exploring the many different options available in you industry, you should be able to find some position you’re bound to enjoy. You might even find career options you never knew about.
Begin Acquiring Education and Experience
Once you narrow down your dream job positions, start looking into the requirements and qualifications. Enroll in classes if necessary, or learn about other affordable ways to acquire the knowledge you need—even if it means going to the library every day for a while. If your dream job involves a particular skill or talent—such as athleticism or drawing—then practice whenever you have free time.
Professional experience is also important, but it can be hard to come by without the right connections. You might even consider inquiring at businesses about what they’re looking for in a candidate, and build experience with lower level positions if necessary. Using your pre-professional and career development resources on campus is another great option for making connections, coming up with ideas, and gathering information.
Apply to Jobs Even If You Lack Experience
While you’re building your education and experience, you can still apply to open positions that match your dream job criteria. Even if you lack the required experience, it’s worth giving it a try. If you aren’t selected for a position, you still get the experience of interviewing and going through the application process. If you don’t get a position for any reason, try to follow up and find out what you could do better next time.
Be Realistic When Assessing Your Future
While it would be ideal for everyone to find a job in an industry you love, this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes people simply lack the talent or skills necessary, and they might need to shift their focus to a different line of work that still makes them happy. You might have better luck to find your dream job if you start while you are in your 20s or 30s. However, remember it’s never too late to pursue your passions. With enough motivation and determination, you might surprise yourself.
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