How do I decide on a career?

[DavidaAC]

I've read and heard about many different careers over the past few years, and I can't seem to choose one. The advice I get the most is to "follow my dreams/passion," but I don't agree with it.

How do I decide on a career? Even if I can't decide right away, I wanted some advice that would help me to make a decision eventually at least.

 

[Bluerose31]

I've read and heard about many different careers over the past few years, and I can't seem to choose one. The advice I get the most is to "follow my dreams/passion," but I don't agree with it.

How do I decide on a career? Even if I can't decide right away, I wanted some advice that would help me to make a decision eventually at least.

Think about what you would most like to do. Do you like helping people? Are you good at math? Do you like to sell things? Over time you will be able to decide what you most like to do and then you can find jobs that do those same things.

 

[-Luca]

Learn about yourself, what activites you enjoy doing whilst also evaluating your strengths and weaknesses, usually by school achievements. What do you do in your free time? I am sure you have many hobbies, by looking at your cute little buddy in your picture!

What really helped me to filter out a lot of career options was to think, "If I was to wake up at 5:30AM for the next 40 years of my life working at this job, would I dread it? Or would I wake up with a smile on my face ready to start the day?"

Hope you decide a career in the end!

 

[frienden thalord]

Focus on whatever honors God. a simple gardner is a great job if one loves the Lord.
as you seem to already know , money don't matter. If you want to raise animals and sell them, do that.
what do you have peace with. Don't let money be the goal, just let God reveal for you what His desire is.
the poorest man can be the happiest if he knows Christ .
you seem to like animals. Maybe work with that. I missed you davida . I was worried a bit
because in one of your last posts you seemed to be having a hard time .
glad to see your back.

 

[Hidden In Him]

The advice I get the most is to "follow my dreams/passion," but I don't agree with it.

This is still your best advice ultimately, but I understand your compliant about it. It may be many years before you eventually "fill out" into your calling and what you were created to do.

How do I decide on a career? Even if I can't decide right away, I wanted some advice that would help me to make a decision eventually at least.

Pray that He directs your attention to something that would be both profitable and interesting to you, and keep doing so until you have a peace about it, and you start to see some opportunities opening up.

 

[-Hannah-]

When I had to choose what to do, I thought about where and how I was needed the most, given my abilities and personality. But change often comes to life, whatever you choose now may be only a starting point. I studied Chemistry and until now I've never worked with that. If my goal was to have a career, being the best at one thing throughout the years, I would have chosen my subject much more carefully. Probably Mathematics, because it opens many doors. With this I want to say: the more specific is your choice now, the more you will have to work in case you change your mind.
Whatever you do, make sure God is going with you. Pray and trust that He guides His precious children.

 

[frettr00]

Do a self assessment on what you like and dislike in a job. Personally my main thing is not working a job that I hate because what's the point if you're going to go through life miserable. Money comes second for me so I work low stress easy jobs that don't pay much. It may be different for you though.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

The advice I get the most is to "follow my dreams/passion," but I don't agree with it.

As one who did follow her dreams and passion, I can say that there wasn't a single day that went by that I "hated" working. I changed jobs a few times, changed direction a few times, but it was all under the umbrella of my passion. Now I'm teaching, taking my passion to another generation of people.

 

[HereIStand]

I've read and heard about many different careers over the past few years, and I can't seem to choose one. The advice I get the most is to "follow my dreams/passion," but I don't agree with it.

How do I decide on a career? Even if I can't decide right away, I wanted some advice that would help me to make a decision eventually at least.

Be practical and don't put off the decision for too long. If the decision involves going to school, try to go full-time if possible, and away from home if possible. Going to school part-time locally and working locally can make finishing school more of a challenge.

 

[Christie insb]

How do I decide on a career? Even if I can't decide right away, I wanted some advice that would help me to make a decision eventually at least.

Other people have given you good advice. I just wanted to add that this decision is not forever. You can always change your mind and whatever experience you have with your first career, you will learn a lot and have a chance to serve God wherever you are. I majored in English in college and when I decided to go to graduate school it was in social work. I had other career goals and jobs along the way and the combination has helped me get where I am with my own perspective. Pray and don't take it too seriously. God will guide your path.

 

[DavidaAC]

Think about what you would most like to do. Do you like helping people? Are you good at math? Do you like to sell things? Over time you will be able to decide what you most like to do and then you can find jobs that do those same things.

I do like helping people, and I'm working on selling things online right now. I'll have to think about that more because I haven't given it much thought yet. Thanks for your help

Learn about yourself, what activites you enjoy doing whilst also evaluating your strengths and weaknesses, usually by school achievements. What do you do in your free time? I am sure you have many hobbies, by looking at your cute little buddy in your picture!

What really helped me to filter out a lot of career options was to think, "If I was to wake up at 5:30AM for the next 40 years of my life working at this job, would I dread it? Or would I wake up with a smile on my face ready to start the day?"

Hope you decide a career in the end!

I don't really have free time except on Saturdays. Even when my family and I are on vacation, I still do school and any work I have to get done. I love to talk about Jesus and study the Bible though, and I also like to garden, knit, bake/cook, take care of animals, do experiments (which I can't do now because my mom told me not to), etc.
Thanks for your advice!

Focus on whatever honors God. a simple gardner is a great job if one loves the Lord.
as you seem to already know , money don't matter. If you want to raise animals and sell them, do that.
what do you have peace with. Don't let money be the goal, just let God reveal for you what His desire is.
the poorest man can be the happiest if he knows Christ .
you seem to like animals. Maybe work with that. I missed you davida . I was worried a bit
because in one of your last posts you seemed to be having a hard time .
glad to see your back.

I'm definitely not focused on money. I'm more focused on having a job so I will have something to give, like Ephesians 4:28 says. I don't need much money myself.
I was having a hard time, but I'm okay now. Thanks for the advice.

This is still your best advice ultimately, but I understand your compliant about it. It may be many years before you eventually "fill out" into your calling and what you were created to do.

Well, I don't agree with it because I just don't think God wants me to follow my own dreams, based on what I've learned from the Bible.

Thanks a lot to everyone who replied

 

[Hidden In Him]

take care of animals

This could be one area right here. If you love animals (as your avatar clearly shows), you could consider going into veterinary work.

Well, I don't agree with it because I just don't think God wants me to follow my own dreams, based on what I've learned from the Bible.

Not gonna push anything on you here, but please consider this. Many falsely assume that their personal interests are not of God, and therefore should be avoided. What you eventually find out later in life, however, is that the unique interests you have are actually placed there by God, and are a clue to finding your true nature and your true calling in Him.

But it's a matter of discerning between godly dreams versus fleshly ones. There are a lot of "dreams" we can have that are utterly worldly and have nothing to do with us and everything to do with fulfilling worldly lusts, such as becoming a famous musician or actor and having people falling at our feet. But when it comes to good, godly dreams that are in line with your unique interests, these should not automatically be cast aside as something "sinful." They may be clues to what God created you for, both now and in eternity.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

Well, I don't agree with it because I just don't think God wants me to follow my own dreams, based on what I've learned from the Bible.

Did you ever think that when God created you, He created those hopes and dreams within you along with the talents you have?

 

[-Luca]

Did you ever think that when God created you, He created those hopes and dreams within you along with the talents you have?

I totally agree. God has given all of his children gifts, lets make the most of 'em!

 

[PloverWing]

How do I decide on a career? Even if I can't decide right away, I wanted some advice that would help me to make a decision eventually at least.

One thing that can help in your decision is summer jobs and internships, if you can find some that are related to your interests. It lets you try out a job to see if you like it. Part-time jobs on campus while you're in college can help, too. Through these kinds of short-term jobs, I discovered that I was a really awful waitress, but a reasonably good math tutor, and I enjoyed designing software.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

I've read and heard about many different careers over the past few years, and I can't seem to choose one. The advice I get the most is to "follow my dreams/passion," but I don't agree with it.

How do I decide on a career? Even if I can't decide right away, I wanted some advice that would help me to make a decision eventually at least.

Your lifelong career is being an ambassador for the Lord as long you live.
You see, when you sought the Lord for salvation, you choose to
follow Him, to honor Him and uphold The Word of God.
You are no longer your own, you are His.

Now, while you live on this earth, you'll need a source of income...
the majority of us do have to get a job (earn money).
Personally, I really didn't think of having a career...I wanted to work and do
what I'm really good at and that's taking care of people...I've done
odd jobs like: babysitting, housecleaning, cleaned cars, factory work etc.
What I'm gifted at is being a caregiver and that's the type of work I've
done the majority of my working years and was very happy helping people
who needed assistance.

 

[Sketcher]

Are you good at it?
Do you enjoy it?
Can you realistically make a living doing it?

If so, that's a career. Lots of people choose college majors that get them into debt, but don't get them jobs that pay the bills. Don't make that same mistake if you can avoid it.

 

[Shepherd Dzvetero]

There's a lot of career choosing quizzes out there. I would recommend the one made by College Board because they are big on university info and career planning so their algorithm has more thought and money out into making it. It just asks your questions about likes and preferences and matches you with careers that uses them.

 

[tturt]

To make informed decisions, we need lots of information. It can be beneficial to shadow a professional already in the field you are considering. Search on-line for those forums. Usually there's not a perfect job.

 

[Tolworth John]

Get the best, most practical education you can, concentrate on what you are good at and what will help you get a job.
i.e. unless you are really, really gifted drop art etc.
Talk to people in your church. What do they do for a living, what qualifcations are needed, what is the job like etc.
Your church is a fantastic job/carears advice resource giving advice on many different jobs, investigate them all.