Finding a Career

Choosing a career is a big decision — and there are no right or wrong options. The journey to find the perfect fit can take many forms, from honing your skills and speaking with professionals in different fields to researching specific jobs and organizations online. But the most important thing of all is to take your time. As exciting as the journey may be, it’s not a race.

Careers 101: Warming Up

So, what is a career? Simply put, it’s an ongoing journey of building skills and gaining experience. You can build a career at one company, within one industry, or over the course of several different occupations and fields, but ideally, it’s a trajectory of work experience that results in a clear set of competencies, financial stability, fulfillment and success. Curious about what kind of career is right for you? Let us help you find out.

Start by Assessing Your Strengths and Skills

Behind every great career is someone who knows themselves and how to use their strengths and passions to their advantage. If you’re still figuring out how to do that (and at this point, it’s totally cool if you are), try asking yourself the following questions:

Start by Assessing Your Strengths and Skills

What Excites You?

What are you passionate about? Do you have a specific product or service you absolutely love, or a cause you want to work for?

What Are Your Strengths?

Do you love science? Do you dabble in photography or music? Is there a specific skill you have — and are there any jobs where that skill might give you a leg up?

What Do You Value?

Do you work to live or live to work? Is a job all about making enough money to pursue your goals, or do you want something that does more than keep the lights on?

What Are Your Long-Term Goals?

Looking to climb the corporate ladder? Get an advanced degree or two? Fill up your passport? Own your own home before 30?

What Tasks Do You Find Least Enjoyable?

Are there certain things, and types of jobs, that you already know you don’t like? That’s just as important to understand as you narrow things down.

Which of Your Skills Could Use Improvement?

Be honest: What do you need to work on? Not necessarily just skills from school but things like leadership and time management too.

Based on your answers to these questions, you might now have a better sense of what you’re into. If you’re still not sure or could use a little more inspiration, try taking our pathfinder quiz to discover options tailored for you. Take the Quiz

Explore Various Career Fields

If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life — or, at the very least, you’ll enjoy your work much more. As you consider how and where to start your career, focus on jobs and fields that tap into your skills and interests. In addition to good old-fashioned research, you can also gain a better understanding of your options through job shadowing, volunteering and internships. And, if it helps to organize your thoughts, consider setting benchmarks for your career plans. If you like checking off boxes or solving one problem at a time, a little structure can go a long way.

Test Your Skills and Strengths With the ASVAB

Whatever kind of employment you’re seeking, taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test can be a great first step toward a successful career. It’s one of the most well-respected tests for assessing strengths, interests and career potential in both the Military and the civilian sector — and a valuable tool to keep in your back pocket as you plan your future.

Understanding the ASVAB

Careers That Let You Put Your Creativity to Work

Got a creative spark? Then you should be exploring roles where thinking outside the box is part of the job!

Why Your Career Choice Matters

A career is more than a job. Chances are, it will influence everything in your life, from your day-to-day activities to your long-term happiness and well-being. While that may seem like a lot of pressure to get things right on the first try, remember that some of the world’s most successful people have made careers out of second, third and even fourth acts. If you end up having second thoughts, you can always try again. And if you make the right choice, the benefits won’t stop with a paycheck and health insurance.

A truly successful career can often reward you with a lot more:

Personal Fulfillment

Finding meaning and purpose in your job, from helping others to practicing a skill or craft you enjoy.

Growth Opportunities

Building expertise in your field and being rewarded for successfully applying your skills. This includes everything from promotions to acceleration programs.

Stability

Feeling secure about your job and the organization you work for, from your salary and benefits to the long-term outlook of your employer.

Work-Life Balance

Enjoying a life outside your job, and having co-workers and bosses who respect that.

Paths to Employment

Every job is different, from the hours you work to the type of work you’ll do. While not all jobs fit within the following categories, they’re good to know as you start to weigh your options:

Full-Time Work

Jobs that require 35 to 40+ hours of focused work each week, typically with competitive pay and benefits.

Trade Careers

Jobs focused on skilled labor, like plumbing or carpentry, attained through specialist training and certifications.

Military Opportunities

Jobs within the six branches of the U.S. Military, from cybersecurity to constructing tunnels, that offer clear pathways to success and generous benefits.

Government Opportunities

Jobs within the federal government, from administration and logistics to construction and transportation, serving communities nationwide.

Apprenticeships

Hands-on training programs that help people learn skilled trades while working with experienced professionals.

Internships

Short-term work programs that offer practical training, information and networking opportunities within a specific industry.