Here is a list of questions to find answers to before concluding that a career you think you’d like is really right for you, followed by sources of information for answering these questions:
Questions:
1.In general, why do you think you’d “like” this career?
2.Why is going into this career important to you? What values, needs, and goals does it satisfy?
3.What do you actually know about this career?
4.Do you have any direct experience in this career? Have you had any jobs or volunteer experiences?
5.Have you talked to people who are in this career?
6.Have you done any reading on the career?
7.What are the opportunities? What kinds of money can you make in this field, and where are the openings?
8.What would your typical day be like in this career?
9.What are the drawbacks, disadvantages, and roadblocks of this career?
10.Do your interests match the interests of others in this career?
11.Do you have the aptitudes, skills, and abilities to be successful in this career?
12.Do you have the education or training to get into this career?
13.Do you have the personality characteristics that will make you successful in the new career?
14.Do you have the motivation and energy to follow through and do what you would need to do to get into the new career?
15.
What are your “transferable” skills? That is, what skills or knowledge do you now have that you can use in the new career?
16.What skills or knowledge do you have that would not only be transferable, but that would also be a unique advantage in the new career?
17.What will it take to get into the new career? What kind of additional training, education, or experience would you need?
18.Have you developed a specific plan, including timetables and specific goals to be accomplished?
19.Do you have a network of support from family, friends, co-workers, or significant others?
20.Having answered all of the above questions, do you still “like” the career and think it’s a good idea to get into it, and why?I think you’ll find that there are many resources you can use to help you answer the above questions.
