Potential Magazine College Organizer 2019 | Page 12

career planning
dream
job
Sponsored by:
What’s Your
Dream Job?
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to do work you actually like!
Choosing a career that corresponds with your skills and interests gives you the best chance at
achieving career satisfaction. Do you know what your skills and interests are? Have you thought about
jobs that correspond? Have you explored all of your options for getting the job of your dreams?
Successful career planning follows three basic steps.
Understanding what you are good at and what you like
will help you to better decide on a path that has the
most potential for you to enjoy the work you’re doing
every day.
• Take an aptitude test to determine your strengths.
• Take an interest inventory that will help you understand
your interests.
• Answer these questions (and be honest with yourself):
- Do you have a clear picture of your unique skills, talents,
and qualities?
- Are you motivated to finish what you start?
Once you have decided on a potential career, begin
taking concrete steps to prepare yourself for entry into
that field. Remember: Your dream job might require
education, training, and experience you can gain over
time, so make plans you can implement now in pursuit
of long term goals.
• Sign up for courses that will give you exposure to topics in
your chosen field and help you develop related skills.
• Compare the paths you can take after high school to get
started in your dream job.
- Can you get started in your career and gain required
education along the way?
- Consider institutions offering the degree or certification
you need. Is the cost of tuition in line with the average
starting salary?
Research jobs that match your unique skill and interest
profile.
• Look at the education and training requirements for
any occupation you’re interested in.
• What are your options to get the training? Are you willing to
make the time and financial commitment?
- Do you need a four-year degree? Which institutions offer related
degrees, and what are the entry requirements?
- Are there certifications or licenses you’ll need?
- Does a military service offer the job you’re considering? Officer or
Enlisted?
- Are you interested in a military service option (active
duty, reserve or National Guard) to subsidize the cost of
your education?
• Identify potential employers. Write a resume and cover letter,
or begin completing entry applications.
- Review the duties and requirements of their sample job postings.
- Write a resume and cover letter, or begin completing entry
applications.
It’s impossible to predict the future— just focus on making the
best decisions based on what will help you move closer to your
goal. When it comes to the unexpected, review these tips and
adjust accordingly!
• Visit workplaces, volunteer, or shadow someone in a job.
Did you take the ASVAB? If so, you can use our tools to help you accomplish everything mentioned here. Use the access code of your score sheet to log
in at www.asvabprogram.com.
Ask your school counselor when the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) is available at your school. It’s not just a military test— it’s a FREE
career planning resource you can use to establish your career goals and make a plan to get where you want to go. The ASVAB CEP offers an aptitude
test and an interest inventory to help you learn about your skills and interests, a career catalog so you can explore careers that match, and activities to
help you make an action plan. Find out more at www.asvabprogram.com.
12 | College Organizer 2019
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