Before doing things in a rush, take the time to consider what you do best, listing them down. It should be the things you enjoy doing and are good at; they are often will not differ significantly. Therefore, think of your interests and talents before you start contemplating your job options.
Do not have any favorites based on what earns you money and what doesn’t. Also, consider what people around you tell you about your conduct or hobbies. If they say you are good at making items with your hands, put that on the list.
Once you have the list, pick one item at a time, listing the skills and talents each requires. For instance, bird observation requires being attentive to detail.
After you pick such things out, you then need to focus on your training and experience. You might need to take some unusual classes to help you hone your skills.
Now think about job opportunities, giving some thought to occupations that utilize your talents. Then search the internet, inputting terms like career skills, job requirements, and qualification assessments for the respective careers of interest. Read this article from Quanta about where a career in life sciences could take you.
The next step is to narrow your options to around three or four. Change the list as you do this so that you arrive at what you feel confident about something that you will find enjoyable doing. Then of the three or four choices, review each to end up with one career that you are sure will be the perfect fit for your talents and skills.
You can then focus your attention on that new career, trying to learn everything you can about what you have chosen. Go back to the internet, visit the local library, and any other information resource that will help you know more.
While at it, consider checking with the local government employment offices to find out about job possibilities in your career of interest. Also, ask about any suitable or recommended training programs and possible unions.
Try to connect with a few people working in that career. Interview them but do not come across as though you are asking for a job. The objective is to learn what you can about the profession itself. Find out what successful professionals think and like about it, what skills are essential, and what it is like working in that field.
Allow yourself to change your mind if you feel things are not as you expected. If that is the case, you can then go back to the third step and reassess your options.
But also remember that a change in your profession does not have to happen if things are not as promising as you would like them to be; you can also consider keeping your old job. Retain your current work position as you search for something better. You are more likely to be a viable candidate for a job opening when you are already working somewhere. It can be an opportunity with your career that allows you to advance from a lower-level role in your professional field.
