(By Julie Nielsen) When the sky is the limit and you can choose any career path you'd like, you can begin to feel completely overwhelmed—especially if you have interests that span several fields. Have no fear, though. There are plenty of ways to set yourself in the right direction when it comes to choosing a career. You just have to put on your explorer's hat and dive right in. Here are three great ways to figure out what you're meant to be doing for a living!
1. Are You Predominantly Right-Brained or Left-Brained?If you use the left side of your brain, you are said to be more logical, analytical, and geared toward numbers. If you use the right, it is believed that you're more creative, intuitive, and adept at art. There are plenty of tests online that you can take to determine which side of your brain dominates—or if you use both pretty equally—and from there, you can start exploring career fields that are more suited for you. If you're a hardcore left-brainer, for instance, you're probably not going to want to be a poet or a painter. Similarly, a staunch right-brainer may not do too well pursuing a career in economics.
2. Take Classes!
We're not telling you to enroll yourself in college full-time, although that's not always a bad idea. Check out your community college and look into any classes that you might be interested in. If you're thinking of possibly owning your own company, look into your college's business classes. If you want to be a journalist, check out their English program. This will give you an idea of your likes and dislikes. Talk to guidance counselors and professors to see what opportunities would be available to you should you decide to work toward a specific degree or career path. There's most likely a lot that you don't yet know.
3. Join a Club
They're all over the place; you just have to look for them. There are websites specifically designed to allow you to search for clubs pertaining to your interests. You can also check places like your local library or recreation center for a list of nearby groups. Sign up and get a taste of what you may be interested in pursuing further. Exchange phone numbers with other group members and meet with them on your own time. Absorb as much information as you can to figure out what arenas catch your attention the most.
You can also utilize the power of social media sites like LinkedIn to make connections with industry experts and join number of career groups, company networks and HR groups to hunt and bargain for a good job to build your career to the next level.
You can totally find the right career for you; you just have to do a little extra homework. It also helps to sit down and write out your goals for the next several years in a handy little timeline. Make a plan and take advantage of the resources available to you in order to stick to it! Remember: The world is in your hands, and the possibilities are endless.
Julie Nielsen writes for BecomeCareer.com where you can get more tips on choosing a career.