Discovering your next career path can feel like falling down a rabbit hole, but it can be an exciting journey of self-discovery with the right approach. Here are some activities to help you uncover your next career move:
Self-Assessment
Start by looking inward. Reflect on your interests, strengths, values, and career aspirations. What activities energize you? What skills do you excel at? What causes or issues are you passionate about? Self-assessment tools like personality tests and interest inventories can provide valuable insights into potential careers that align with your unique characteristics.
Create a Wanderings Map
The Career Wanderings Map is a reflective exercise that helps you identify themes and patterns in your past experiences. Find a blank piece of paper and markers, and create a visual representation of your journey. Note wins and successes but also challenges and failures. This can reveal connections you hadn’t noticed before and suggest potential directions for your future career.
Skills Inventory
Conduct a thorough inventory of your skills. This exercise helps you identify what you’re good at and where you might have skill gaps. It’s also an excellent way to find active language to demonstrate your abilities when discussing yourself or updating your resume.
Perfect World Scenario
Imagine your ideal work situation. Consider factors like attire, commute time, work environment, and what success means to you. This activity can help you prioritize what’s most important in your next career move.
Research and Exploration
Once you have a sense of direction, research potential career paths. Use resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to explore different career groups and gather information about specific roles. Pay attention to job duties, required education and training, salary ranges, and employment outlook. O*Net is another resource to leverage.
Informational Interviews
Reach out to professionals in fields that interest you for informational interviews. This is an excellent way to gain firsthand insights into potential career paths and discover possible experiential learning opportunities.
Company Research
Investigate companies in industries that align with your interests. This can help you understand the current job market and identify organizations where you might want to work.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Consider internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs in fields you’re curious about. This hands-on experience can provide valuable insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of different roles and help you make informed decisions about your career path.
Collaborative Concept Mapping
Visually connect your classroom learning to potential future careers. This exercise can help you see how your current skills and knowledge apply in different professional contexts.
Attend Career Events
Participate in job fairs and career events. These provide opportunities to learn about various industries, network with professionals, and practice promoting yourself to potential employers.
Remember, career exploration is an ongoing process that requires curiosity, resilience, and adaptability. Be open to new experiences and be willing to pivot as you learn more about yourself and the professional world. By engaging in these activities, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the twists and turns of your career journey and uncover exciting new possibilities.
One tool I haven’t talked about above is using a Career Coach. Coaches help you think through priorities, decision criteria, accountability, and more to unlock the insights you need to progress toward a new path.
Ready to make a pivot and need help? Book a one-on-one to explore how a coach can help you navigate a move at https://bit.ly/10withJaime.
