Many of us have grown up thinking the main point of work is to bring home enough money to live comfortably and to pay some bills. While making enough money to support you and your family is important, it’s not the only reason. You must also enjoy what you are doing. If you get started on a career path and really don’t like what you are doing, it can take a toll on your physical and mental health. You may feel burned out and frustrated, anxious, depressed, or unable to enjoy time at home knowing another workday is ahead. As a teenager, you are exposed to what I consider the “hot jobs”, you know, sports, hair and beauty, doctor, lawyer, etc., but there is so much out there for you to do, if you just “Do Whatcha Like”!
You are more likely to be successful in a career that you feel passionate about. The first step to choosing a fulfilling career is to uncover the activities that get you excited and bring you joy. The luckiest people in the world are those who can earn a living doing something they enjoy doing. Once you have figured out exactly what it is that you enjoy doing, now is the time to start researching career opportunities that require those skills or that involve those things you enjoy doing. Every year the news and magazines are full of “hot jobs,” often in new fields that may be emerging. One good way to figure out what careers are available is to look through the classified ads in your local newspaper. That will help you to figure out local opportunities, or a New York Times or Business Week can help to identify the trends in the world and what’s the latest in jobs in the market. You can also do some research on job sites like Monster.com, by typing in some key words related to the types of things you like to do.
Here are some helpful hints to job searching:
1. What do you like do?
2. What jobs allow me to do that/what type of jobs are available?
3. What do I need to do to prepare for this job?
4. Talk to people who do the job.
Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to Doing Whatcha Like!!
For More Information regarding Career Coaching for Youth, Professional Development, Workshops/Seminars or to invite us to participate in your next event, please send an email to 12kaky@gmail.com