Monday, November 1, 2010

Importance Factors When Choosing A Career

A career differs from a regular job in that a regular job is primarily a means to earn money and offers very little in the direction of our personal growth and development. On the other hand, a career is a lifelong occupation which not only offers financial security, but a host of opportunities for the actualization of our potential as well. Choosing a career is an unavoidable decision for anyone who intends to pursue his or her tertiary education. As such, it is of paramount importance to consider with care several factors when choosing a career. In this article, we will look at four crucial factors that should be considered when making a career choice.

First of all, it is wise to consider the satisfaction that we can gain from a potential career. The reason for this is simple. If we can derive satisfaction from a career, it is more likely for us to stay motivated and enthusiastic throughout the course of our career. Conversely, if very little satisfaction can be gained, we will find it immensely difficult to maintain the mental fortitude required to remain productive in a career. In order to find out if we will be satisfied with a particular career, it is advisable to do ample research on the career that interests us.

A factor that is related to satisfaction is talent. If we possess a natural inclination towards a specific field, it logically follows that we will find it more enjoyable, if not easier, to excel in a career within that field. However, it is worth noting that sheer talent alone is insufficient to attain excellence. One needs to combine talent with equal parts of diligence in order to be successful. To determine if we have the aptitude and flair in a certain skill, we should give ourselves a thorough and honest self-assessment.

The third factor that should be considered when choosing a career is prospects. Prospects pertains to the opportunities for advancement in a career. In this regard, it is pertinent to consider the availability of promotions and also increments in salary. It is pointless to remain in a career that stagnates us since we have only one lifetime to maximise our potential and become the person that we wish to become. To find out more about the type of prospects that a career might offer, it is worthwhile to do ample research and by talking to those who are already employed in the field that we are interested in.

At its most fundamental level, employment is an exchange of time and effort for monetary gain. Thus, we arrive at the final criterion that we ought to consider when choosing a career, which is income. The salary or income that can be earned from a career should be commensurate with our professional qualifications, experience, diligence as well as the amount of time that we contribute. Income should a deciding factor when choosing a career for the simple fact that we should be rewarded appropriately for our expertise and contribution towards the company which employs us.

Given the fact that our career is a profession that would occupy a large portion of our lives, choosing a career is a decision that should be astutely considered. To sum up, four factors should be duly considered during the decision-making process. We should decide on a career which offers us satisfaction, the potential for advancement and a financially rewarding outlet to channel our talent.

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