Are you having bother determining what to do together with your life? Then, hold studying; I’m sharing some real-life ideas for locating your profession path.

Have you learnt how some folks develop up figuring out what they wish to do from a really younger age? Yeah, properly, that wasn’t me.

Each time folks requested me what I needed to do with my life, I’d reply one thing completely different: a faculty instructor, nurse, mother, mannequin, secretary, or flight attendant (I grew up within the Seventies, are you able to inform?). 

Even after I obtained to highschool, I nonetheless had no clue what I needed to do with my life. I dabbled in artwork, Spanish, sociology, and psychology, however I didn’t really feel a powerful pull in anyone path.

My School Years

After I went off to school, I began out as an undecided main. I took my fundamentals together with plenty of social sciences. And whereas I loved my courses, I nonetheless had no concept what I ought to do for a profession. I ended up switching majors quite a few instances till I lastly settled on anthropology for a serious with a sociology minor.

What did I plan to do with these?

No clue. All I knew was that if I obtained my bachelor’s diploma, every thing else would fall into place.

After faculty, I took two months off from my waitressing job to backpack round Europe and work out what I needed to do with my life. All through my travels, I saved pondering again to the folklore class I had taken. On this class, we discovered in regards to the various delivery practices from all over the world… Then, unexpectedly, it hit me—I needed to be a midwife!

After I returned to the US, I began researching midwifery and labor and supply nursing and determined to use for nursing college. I felt so proud that I had lastly discovered what I needed to do with my life.

Working as a Nurse

Quick ahead a number of years, and one nursing diploma later, I discovered myself working in a hospital on a pediatric unit (Yup, it seems I didn’t take pleasure in labor and supply like I assumed I’d).

There have been many issues I loved about nursing, such because the essential pondering concerned, the enjoyment of serving to others, and dealing with a terrific group. However there have been extra issues I disliked about nursing than I favored, reminiscent of staffing shortages, odd and lengthy working hours, coping with medical doctors who have been demanding, demeaning, and condescending, and don’t neglect the stress of getting sufferers’ lives in your fingers. In the midst of one quick yr, I went from idealistic and excited to completely burnt out.

From there, I went on to prior authorization for Medicaid, then to surveillance and utilization assessment, and eventually on to medical analysis for pharmaceutical corporations. These roles have been higher than my hospital days, however they didn’t deliver me pleasure. I usually dreaded going to work each Monday morning.

Turning into a New Mother

As quickly as I obtained pregnant with my daughter, I deliberate for my departure from the work world. Since I knew I’d be unemployed for an prolonged interval, I saved as a lot cash as I may throughout my final 9 months working as a nurse. I saved $15,000, which I assumed would final me a few years. However my financial savings dwindled a lot quicker than I anticipated. Though my husband’s earnings coated our main bills, I nonetheless needed to have cash for mommy and me courses, play-dates, and my common coffee fix at Starbucks. It was throughout this era that I began in search of work at home gigs.

I had no clue what I needed to do. What I did know was that I didn’t wish to put my daughter in daycare, and I didn’t wish to return to the nursing area. My objective was to make simply sufficient cash so my daughter and I may proceed collaborating in our outdoors actions.

Discovering My Profession Path

I searched on-line for work from home alternatives however encountered a bunch of scams. I learn tons of books on altering careers, beginning a enterprise, and dealing from dwelling. I talked with family and friends about completely different profession choices and had even thought of beginning a personal concierge or virtual assistant enterprise. I additionally requested previous employers and associates who have been self-employed if they’d any work that I may do from dwelling. My networking efforts lastly paid off, and I began working from dwelling, 10 hours every week for a small publishing firm, finishing advertising duties.

Beginning a Weblog

As soon as I had cash coming in, my thoughts was free to concentrate on different issues. And that different factor that saved popping into my head was starting a blog. If I had such bother discovering a home-based profession, there have to be different individuals who have been dealing with the identical points. It was right now that I made a decision to create The Work at House Lady.

For months, I researched work from home concepts, wrote content material, and brainstormed monetization strategies. Ultimately, I bit the bullet, hired a graphic designer, and created the web site. I formally launched on March 19, 2009.

For six years, I continued to do freelance work for the publishing firm and work on my weblog, which continued to develop by leaps and bounds. However I used to be stressed. My place with the publishing firm developed into a way more dynamic position, as did my running a blog enterprise.

Though my weblog was making a superb sum of money, I used to be afraid to let my freelancing gig go as a result of it offered constant earnings every month (by no means base selections on concern). I lastly determined to half methods with my freelance gig and concentrate on my weblog full-time. I ought to have made this break sooner, however reside and study.

Fifteen years later, I nonetheless have a profession that I LOVE. I by no means dread Monday mornings; in actual fact, I sit up for them. Relating to earnings, I make far more cash now than I ever did working as a full-time nurse. When you have got a profession that you simply adore, there’s no restrict to what you are able to do.

So, what ideas do I’ve for locating your profession path? Preserve studying; I’m attending to the great things!

11 Suggestions For Discovering Your Profession Path When You Really feel Misplaced

1. Do Some Self-Discovery

If you’re having bother discovering your profession path, it is advisable do a deep dive into what you need your life to appear to be. To determine your life goal, begin by asking your self some self-discovery questions. 

• When are you happiest? 
• What drains your vitality?
• What areas are you naturally expert in? 
• Are you keen to return to highschool? 
• What matter do folks at all times ask to choose your thoughts on? 
• If cash have been no object, what would you be doing proper now? 
• What makes you are feeling fulfilled? 
• What causes you anxiousness? 
• What do you assume your dream job is? 
• Would you want to start out a enterprise? 
• What are your short-term and long-term targets? 

By going via this listing of questions, you’ll start to see patterns develop, and you should utilize this data to discover doable profession paths. Conversely, in case you discover areas that make you sad or stressed, you may determine these careers and industries to avoid.

In case you want extra self-discovery questions, take a look at this list from writer Tim Ferriss, 17 Questions That Modified My Life. 

2. Change into a Voracious Reader

Now that you’ve got a greater concept of some doable profession concepts, you may delve deeper into the subject by studying some books. Don’t fear in case you haven’t discovered a doable profession path but; there are books that may assist! 

One guide that I learn after I was attempting to determine what to do with my life is What Color is Your Parachute? Your Information to a Lifetime of Significant Work and Profession Success. This guide has bought over 10,000,000 copies, and it nonetheless stays a staple amongst job seekers in the present day. The writer, Richard Bolles, updates the guide each couple of years, so it’s nonetheless related in in the present day’s job market. 

Some newer profession books that you could be wish to discover embody: 

Studying can spark new concepts, assist you to acquire useful perception, and study new issues. It’s additionally an affordable approach (or free in case you use your native library) to spend money on your self-development. In keeping with this TikTok video from Rachel Pedersen, the common individual solely reads 4 books per yr. In case you learn one guide every week for the following two years, you’ll be forward of individuals for the remainder of your life. 

And in case you’re keen on beginning a enterprise, I’ve a listing of top-notch entrepreneurship books right here.  

3. Take a Profession Evaluation Take a look at

One other method to discover your best profession path is to take a profession take a look at. There are various completely different on-line exams that may assist you to hone in on the right profession to your character. Some well-liked exams, just like the Myers-Briggs (MBTIonline Careers) take a look at, price $79.95 and can assist you to discover profession satisfaction by matching your character outcomes to completely different occupations and the way seemingly you’ll be glad in these roles.

Different career-related exams, together with some Enneagram character exams, are free. If you’re struggling to determine which profession path is best for you, these exams can generally make clear new profession concepts. I took an Enneagram take a look at a number of years in the past, and it was very correct in suggesting viable profession paths for my character: an entrepreneur!

4. Strive New Issues

One cause folks get stuck of their profession search is that they don’t go away their consolation zone. And imagine me, I’ve been there. It’s really easy to get caught up in doing the identical factor time and again; in spite of everything, we’re creatures of behavior. So, get on the market and take a look at one thing new. Take a category, attend a networking occasion, take up a brand new pastime, join an online course, and speak to folks, numerous them. The extra you open your self as much as new alternatives, the extra concepts and data will stream your approach. 

After I started in search of distant jobs outdoors the nursing area, I immersed myself within the profession house. I linked with folks on social media, learn career-related articles, attended networking occasions, and instructed anybody who would hear about my profession search. The extra I put myself on the market, the extra I discovered, and the nearer I obtained to discovering my dream job. Don’t be afraid to strive new issues. Apply for a special job, begin a side hustle, enroll in a free course, or return to highschool. Every new step you are taking leads you one step nearer to discovering your profession path. 

5. Conduct Informational Interviews

If in case you have some perception right into a profession path you’d prefer to discover, begin conducting informational interviews. With an informational interview, you speak to somebody who is definitely doing what you wish to do. As an example, if you wish to change into a nurse, you’ll speak to nurses who’re working within the space you wish to work in, and you’ll ask them questions on their position. 

Inquiries to ask could embody: 

• What’s the greatest a part of your job?
• What do you dislike about your job? 
• What do you would like you knew earlier than going into this area?
• What does a typical workday appear to be for you? 
• What was the hiring course of for firm ABC?

The objective of an informational interview is to provide the inside scoop about an occupation and generally a hiring firm. Getting a real-life account of what a task entails may also help you identify if that is certainly the precise path for you. Informational interviews can be useful for creating new connections and getting your foot within the door with an organization. Try this publish for extra data on conducting informational interviews. 

6. Hearken to Podcasts and TED Talks

Similar to studying books, listening to podcasts and TED Talks may also help you generate new concepts, encourage your self, and create optimistic habits. The beauty of this medium is that it’s available and may be performed when you’re driving, cooking dinner, or exercising. 

Unsure the place to start?

Try these curated podcast lists for job seekers and aspiring enterprise house owners!

• FlexJobs – 10 Inspiring Profession Podcasts to Add to Your Checklist
• The Work at Home Woman – The Greatest Podcasts for Rising Your Small Enterprise
• Vault – 10 Profession Podcasts to Assist You Discover Your Dream Job and Unlock Your Potential

7. Search by Abilities As a substitute of Occupation

In keeping with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 867 various kinds of occupations. With so many alternative jobs you are able to do, it’s seemingly that you simply’re not conversant in some roles that you simply may be keen about or certified for.

To seek out these thriller jobs, strive looking by your expertise as an alternative of occupation. You need to use websites like Certainly or Robert Half to perform this process. Simply sort in your ability and see what different occupations pop up. As an example, I typed in fast typist in Certainly, and the next occupations popped up: 

• Information Entry Clerk
• Chart Retrieval Specialist
• Doc Care Specialist
• Workplace Clerk
• Administrative Assistant

If you search by expertise as an alternative of occupation, you’ll study new positions which you could discover additional. If one thing piques your curiosity, you may conduct informational interviews to seek out out if it’s a superb match for you. In some circumstances, you could not want any extra coaching. 

8. Volunteer

When my daughter was youthful, she thought she needed to be a vet and work with animals. So, at some point, we volunteered at a cat sanctuary for 4 hours. Throughout that point, we scooped tons of of litter containers and cleaned up cat vomit. As quickly as we had cleaned all of the litter containers, we needed to begin over as a result of they have been soiled once more; there have been so many cats! By the top of our session, my daughter mentioned that she didn’t assume being a vet was for her. 

Volunteering is a wonderful method to give again to the group and discover out if an occupation is admittedly all it’s cracked as much as be. 

There are tons of corporations which might be very happy to have you ever work as a volunteer. I’ve volunteered for organizations just like the Texas Convention for Girls and Austin Girls in Tech, doing social media duties and roundtable talks. When my daughter was a freshman, she volunteered at our native library, reshelving books. 

Volunteer alternatives are limitless, and it appears nice in your resume! Try VolunteerMatch to seek out native and on-line volunteer alternatives. 

9. Rent a Profession or Life Coach

In case you’re having a tough time discovering your profession path and you’ve got the funds, hiring a life or profession coach may be a superb method to uncover new passions. A coach may also help you determine what you wish to do together with your life, set up a plan of motion, and hold you accountable in your journey. Some coaches even assist with writing your resume and interviewing expertise. 

Hiring a profession coach will price round $75-$150 per session (generally extra), however it might be well worth the worth in case you’re feeling caught. 

If you search for profession coaches, you’ll need to perform a little research so that you simply rent somebody who will give you plenty of perception and worth. Take a look at issues like their coaching, testimonials, evaluations, and years of expertise. This text has some useful ideas for figuring out if hiring a career coach is correct to your state of affairs.  

10. Take a look at a Aspect Hustle

Generally, discovering the precise path includes testing the waters, and what higher approach than to check out a side hustle? With technological advances, you can begin a aspect hustle for little to nothing, so there’s not a lot strain to speculate giant sums of cash.

In case you’re proficient in graphic design, video enhancing, or writing, arrange an account on Fiverr or Upwork and begin freelancing. In case you love creating content material for Instagram, strive monetizing your efforts via paid sponsorships and online marketing. In case you love animals, strive pet sitting and canine strolling with Rover. 

There are literally thousands of methods to launch a aspect hustle, and this offers you the chance to discover your required occupation with out quitting your day job or going again to highschool.

In case you determine you like the aspect hustle you began, nice, scale it, and make it your full-time enterprise. Don’t love your aspect hustle? That’s no drawback. Shut up the store and take a look at one thing new. 

11. Watch YouTube Movies

You may study absolutely anything by watching YouTube videos!

Not solely is YouTube an effective way to study new expertise, however you may as well acquire readability about what you wish to do. 

My daughter, a senior in highschool, had been waffling between engineering and structure as a serious in faculty. After watching YouTube movies in her free time, she discovered essential classes from others who’ve gone down these potential profession paths and selected a serious based mostly on real-life examples from different folks. 

Discovering Your Profession Path Wrapup

There you have got it: 11 easy ideas for locating your profession path!

One final piece of recommendation. It took me 30+ jobs and 37 years to seek out my best profession path. Don’t let different folks’s expectations steer you down the fallacious highway. Keep taking baby steps ahead, strive new issues, and study every thing you may. So long as you stay constant in your efforts and hold an open thoughts—you’re in your method to discovering your profession path, too!

Are you having bother discovering your profession path? Sign up for The Work at House Lady’s publication and obtain useful steerage and distant job leads!

Initially revealed on September 6, 2018. Content material up to date March 2025.