Finding your Perfect Career

We all want that career where we love our job so much that we forget to have lunch. We want to be fulfilled and, as the famous quote goes, love our work to the point that we “never work a day in our lives.” As with most adages, though, this is easier said than done. Most adults will tell you that it took a number of not-so-great jobs before they arrived at a satisfying career. Others may be in the process of changing careers or going back to school. And still others continue to explore the job market. The point is that it’s not always a direct path to career satisfaction. That being said, it’s never too early to start thinking about where you’d like to go career-wise. In fact, the formative years of middle and high school can be fertile grounds for beginning to find your passions and think about future endeavors. Below, we’ll share some tips for arriving at a fulfilling career.

There’s No Right or Wrong Path
You’ll often hear a lot of noise about what careers are “good” and which are “bad,” which make money and which don’t. It is important to block out the noise and follow your passion. There is nothing wrong with a career that isn’t all about the money. In your true passion, the time you spend making a difference is more important that the money you accumulate. Jim Rohn said it eloquently: “time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” Spend that precious time doing something you love and don’t let outside noise influence the path you follow.

Think Big
Neil Armstrong, for example, probably didn’t get as far as he did by thinking small. While maybe you won’t be the first person to colonize Mars, you should still dream big. From big aspirations come important and life-changing careers. Why settle? You’ve probably heard the quote “shoot for the moon, if you miss at least you’ll land among the stars.” Apply this logic to your search for a great career.

School Counts
It can be easy to write off the importance of school when thinking about your future. You know the old kid saying, “when am I ever gonna use this?” The truth is, you never know. I, for instance, was an English major who constantly questioned the worth of learning anything math-related during my high school and college years. Now, as a graduate student in Social Work, I need to understand statistics in order to do research. How I wish I’d paid more attention to math stuff back when I was in high school. The point is you never know where you’ll end up; career paths often follow a zigzag, so really anything you learn may wind up being helpful to your career.

Keep an Open Mind
Just as school provides a base from which to build your knowledge, it also provides an opportunity for personal exploration. Use your electives to explore possible future options. Take that psychology course, go to that lecture on something you don’t know much about, join that club that takes you out of your comfort zone. Down the road, you’ll be glad you did not box yourself in and opportunities will present themselves more readily if your mind is open and receptive.

Going global
You hear it all the time: we live in a global society. This interconnectedness across the miles and cultures means ever more career opportunities. Factor in the prevalence of technology and you’ve got innumerable ways to connect to the global workforce. I know people who Skype with business overseas, facetime with corporate offices across the country, or teach and tutor students all over the globe. The opportunities to expand your reach and share your talents with a worldwide audience is now easier than ever.

Seek Mentors and Experts
Tutors, college advisors and coaches, job coaches, and mentors can help you along your journey to a fulfilling and meaningful career. Be sure to tap into these valuable resources to open doors for you that you might not have considered and to assist you in making the most of your talents and passions. iAchieve Learning has at your disposal a multitude of helpful resources for career planning. While daunting, thinking about your perfect future need not be something you need to go through alone.

Written by Phil Lane