Have you ever spent several minutes trying to choose a restaurant for dinner or deciding what to wear?
Making choices in life is not always easy. So imagine how challenging it can be to choose a career, knowing it will take up a large part of your time!
In this article, we will explore a few ways to make a more informed career choice, including getting to know yourself better, gaining firsthand insight into a profession, and looking at future job market prospects.
Before Choosing a Career, Get to Know Yourself
When thinking about your professional future, it is important to start by getting to know yourself and understanding what matters to you.
What do you enjoy doing? What are your interests? What kind of environment would you like to work in? Do you prefer working with people, data, or things? Do you need a predictable schedule, or are you looking for more flexibility?
To gain clarity, you can make two lists:
- The essential things you definitely want in your future job.
- The things you would like to have but are willing to be more flexible about.
This distinction matters because no career is perfect. Every profession has its advantages and challenges. The better you understand your priorities, the easier it will be to identify options that truly suit you.
To help guide your career choice, you can also learn more about yourself by identifying which RIASEC profiles best describe you. This model includes six personality types that encompass personality traits, interests, and abilities (1). You can identify your three closest matches by completing this questionnaire.
Understanding the Day-to-Day Reality of a Profession
Our understanding of certain careers is often shaped by what we see in the media, on social media, or among the people around us. Yet the day-to-day reality can be quite different.
Observing a workplace firsthand allows you to discover the actual tasks, atmosphere, pace of work, and challenges involved. It is also an opportunity to speak with professionals and ask all your questions.
You may even discover that the same profession can be experienced very differently depending on the setting. For example, consider a pharmacist working in a community pharmacy compared with one working in a hospital. The role is fairly similar, but the environment is different.
Ultimately, nothing replaces firsthand experience when it comes to assessing whether a career is right for you.
What Are Some Practical Ways to Explore a Career?
Job Shadowing
Several programs offer opportunities to take part in job shadowing.
One example is JeunesExplo a program that allows high school and CEGEP students to gain firsthand experience in a field that interests them.
You can also contact employers or professionals directly to ask about the job shadowing opportunities they offer.
Sometimes, a single day of observation can confirm your interest or help you realize that a field is not quite right for you.
Student Employment
If you have the opportunity, taking a student job in a field that interests you can be very beneficial. Even if you are not doing the exact job you hope to pursue later, it allows you to spend time in that environment, observe how it operates, and meet professionals in their day-to-day work.
For example, if you dream of becoming a lawyer, you could work as an administrative assistant in a law firm.
Beyond gaining work experience, this is a valuable opportunity to find out whether you truly enjoy the setting. By observing professionals’ daily activities and speaking with them, you can gain a much clearer picture of what the career actually involves.
Volunteering
Often more accessible than a student job in your chosen field, volunteering is an excellent way to explore different work environments. It is also an opportunity to expand your network, develop your skills, and sometimes discover an interest in a field you had never considered.
Who knows? You might discover a passion for a sector you knew little about before.
To learn more, I invite you to read my article: Entering the Job Market Through Volunteering.
Open Houses and Job Fairs
Another way to gain a clearer understanding of a profession is to meet professionals and students at open houses or employment-related events.
These events are specifically designed to help you discover a career, a study program, or a workplace. You can ask questions, learn more about the requirements for entering the profession, and better understand the realities of the field.
Job fairs can also be an excellent opportunity to gather information and speak with people already working in the sectors that interest you.
Where Does the Job Market Fit In?
Finally, it is important to research the job market and the future prospects of the professions that interest you.
What job opportunities are available after graduation? Is the market highly competitive? Are workers in demand? Are there opportunities for advancement or promising salary growth?
These questions can help you build a more complete picture before making your choice.
For information about different professions and their employment prospects, visit the Government of Québec’s website: Exploring Trades and Occupations.
Finding Your Path Sometimes Takes a Few Detours
Ultimately, choosing a career can be difficult. Instead of seeing it as one huge decision you have to make all at once, start by taking it one step at a time: clarify what matters to you, find ways to discover the realities of the careers that interest you, and explore job market prospects.
Above all, keep an open mind. It is normal not to find your path on the first try. You are allowed to try things, make mistakes, and change your mind.
Would You Like Support as You Explore Your Options?
Choosing a career can sometimes feel intimidating, especially when you feel you have to make the decision on your own. That is why we offer a career counselling service to support you through the process. Our career counsellors are here to help you better understand yourself, explore the possibilities available to you, and gain clarity about your career choice.
Visit our website to learn more or sign up for our career counselling service.
References
(1) Government of Québec. Getting to Know Yourself to Make an Informed Career Choice.
