Dream careers are typically linked to one’s skills and interests. Turning your passion into profit is easier said than done. However, if you’re diligent in your efforts, you can create a career around your skills and interests. In this article, we’ll discuss how to match the things you’re interested in and have a propensity for to your future career.
Brainstorm Career Approaches
Start by brainstorming a list of your interests and skills and how they could align with a career path. For instance, if you’re good at painting, write “painter” as one career path. At this stage, jot down whatever comes to mind. Even if you don’t have any interest in being a painter, it might come up again in another way.
If you enjoy studying human anatomy and holistic health, perhaps a dental assistant program is best for you. Don’t judge what comes to mind; these are all suggestions you can get creative with and ditch those that don’t work later on.
Let your creativity flow and consider all your options before dismissing any ideas. By maintaining an open mind, you can think outside the box and end up with more career possibilities.
Narrow Your Options
Once you’ve established a list of skills and potential career paths, circle your top five options. From there, consider why you would be inclined or not inclined to pursue those options further.
With this step, you get to know yourself more by factoring in your likes and dislikes pertaining to your skills, interests, and career. You can use this information moving forward, regardless of whether you choose to go with any of the options you’ve circled.
Know Your Nonnegotiable Variables
Factor in the aspects of work you are not willing to tolerate. For instance, if commuting to work sounds like a recipe for disaster, leave work opportunities that require a commute behind. Instead, focus on the career variables you want to see in your future career path.
When you know what you’re looking for in a career and what you don’t, you have more direction to move forward with a suitable career path. Say you enjoy earning money via commission. That means work that includes these opportunities (real estate, for example) should be considered.
If your interests are predominantly focused on finding a work-from-home position, a non-negotiable for you may be working remotely. Hybrid or nomadic work opportunities may be of particular interest to you. Try to align your interests and skills with these opportunities when they cross your path.
What Leadership Style Do You Respond To
There are many styles of business leadership. Whether you plan on being a boss or having a boss, it is essential to factor in the leadership styles you respond well to and those you don’t mesh well with. If you prefer a stricter style, you might have a knack for business or EHR management or be the type to run your own business.
Knowing where you fall can give you further insight into how to best utilize your interests and skills from the context of a career. Positive reinforcement and team environments are two aspects of newer leadership styles that you should consider, regardless of the fields you’re looking into.
Find Your Ideal Career Path
Get your ideal career path by focusing on getting creative. Brainstorm a list of ways to utilize your skills and interests for financial gain and see where your ideas take you. Consider your non-negotiable factors and what you want to include in your future career. Mix all of these variables together and see what career options you have to work with.
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