5 Vital Things to Consider Before Stepping into a New Career

It is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of your life when you are stepping into a new career and starting afresh. However, your job may not always be your ‘dream’ career path, and no matter how much you love it, there will be some tough times and hectic tasks that you will need to complete.

Sometimes you will win and sometimes you may be met with failure but how you choose to learn from it depends on how well you know the job and how good of a match you are for the position. We have compiled a handy list of things you should consider before making a leap of faith and starting a new career.

1. Always Put Your Happiness and Passions First

As cliché as it may sound, this is one of the most important things to consider when you are in the process of picking a career path for yourself. Afterall, you do not want to skip from one job to another without at least putting in a year or two of good hard work to strengthen your CV.

If you are stuck doing a job you do not enjoy or appreciate, then you may feel like you are wasting your time. The right career can help you feel fulfilled and excited to get to work every day. When you pursue a career you love immensely, you are naturally good at it because of how much effort you invest in it.

Ask yourself what your strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, passions, and visions for the future are and plan according to your desires. If you enjoy communicating, building relations, networks, and getting in touch with people, then consider job opportunities in marketing, public relations, or human resources. Working as an event organizer may not be something you would enjoy because your talents and hobbies are simply not aligned with it.

It takes time to figure out what it is you truly enjoy and would not mind pursuing for a couple years. Our interests are vast, so be sure to explore different paths and be candid about what truly brings out the best in you.

2. Ensure You Have the Right Education and Training

For most careers, you are required to have sufficient knowledge, education, or experience in the field before you are considered a professional or senior in the job. When you pursue a medical degree, you need a few years of training and residency so you can get a flavor of the real perils of the job and its perks too!

You cannot become a nurse or a doctor without a medical degree, so whatever career paths you shortlist for yourself, make sure you have the right qualifications for them.

If you are on your way to college or just about to select a degree to pursue for the next few years, ask yourself about the kind of learner you are and if you are truly willing to put in the years of effort required to attain these credentials.

If you are someone who enjoys hands-on learning and art, you may be interested in pursuing a degree or apprenticeship in fashion design, art, etc. Traditional learners may benefit from a degree in humanities instead.

Whatever career you envision yourself pursuing, you will need some experience or knowledge of it beforehand and that could be done with appropriate degrees such as for medical sciences, etc., or apprenticeships for hairstyling, makeup, and others.

3. Gauge the Social Environment

Not everyone is comfortable with a busy job that keeps you on your toes for 8 hours a day, or that requires you to socialize with people from all circles of life. Ask yourself where your social strengths lie and decide accordingly.

Being self-aware is crucial to picking the right career for yourself. If you are introverted, then you may be happier working a nine to five desk job. On the other hand, extroverts may excel at jobs that offer greater stimulation and require socializing and interpersonal skills.

The social environment of your potential career path can be crucial especially if you have certain demands or expectations from your future employers. Today, equality and a politically correct environment is fundamental for the success of any organization, but many still lack the inclusive atmosphere that women, people of color, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ minorities may desire.

Always do your research on the industry of your choice and see if its environment complements your social requirements, temperament, and whether it offers enough opportunities to grow and excel.

4. Consider Your Style of Work and Ethics

Every individual is different in their work style and ethics. Some work well under pressure, strict deadlines, and a proper task delegation system, while others may thrive on a more flexible work environment.

The best advice to follow is to pick a career path that is conducive to the environment in which you operate the best. If you enjoy teamwork or bringing your own unique style to align with your work, consider whether your preferred career paths offer these opportunities.

5. List Your Priorities

Perhaps one of the most important things to consider is your hopes, expectations, and priorities in your new job. Make a list of everything you deem is important for your future and growth.

Are you someone who thrives on working on their own schedule with no one to answer to? Do you enjoy setting your own limits and making your own schedules? If so, then starting your own business after a few years of experience may be just the right path for you.

If you value the safety of having a job more than the risk of starting your own business, then apply for stable positions in your industry of choice.

Whatever you choose, make sure that your personal priorities come first.