Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

I am going CRAZY.....I can't decide on which path to take. I am very ambitions and extremely competitive, but I don't know what career I want to choose. I'm creative and imaginative, so Film, Acting and writing have been in consideration. On the other hand, I want to make a lot of money, but I want to know that I'll have job security so I've been thinking about law school also..... WHAT SHOULD I DO??!! Is there some kind of personality test I can take to figure out which career would be?

From: Gianna Natale, Sophomore, BU


ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Gianna -

1. Don't go crazy--you still have time to make the right decisions.
2. Don't limit yourself to the either/or options you listed--there are many more to be considered.
3. Take career planning tests thru the Career Planning office there at BU. Although the actual tests may vary from college to college, most career planning offices can help you with personality tests (such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or Kiersey Temperment Sorter), interest tests (such as the Strong Interest Inventory), values tests (such as SIGI) and aptitude tests. However (and this is key), don't just take the tests--spend time with a career planning professional to help you interpret and apply the results.
4. Try out (i.e. intern or volunteer) the profession(s) you have an interest in. Sometimes they sound great in a theory, but are completely different in practice (the legal profession is an example of this). Get as much practical experience in the field before you commit your life to it. This will help you not only in sorting out what you actually want to do for a living, but also will provide you with the work experience to set you apart from your competition.

Knowing what you are looking for is one of the keys to successful job search. You are starting down that path early, giving you time to properly research and prepare.

Do you have a question that you would like to have answered here in this forum? Send your question direct to Brian Krueger.

All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.