Remember when you were a kid and everyone would ask you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It's interesting that in Western society we usually stop asking that question of our children after age 10 or so. So our last response was usually in the doctor/lawyer/President-of-the-U.S. category. For many, the subject of career selection does not arise again until college graduation (and an uncertain future thereafter) is staring them in the face.

Spend the time necessary to analyze both yourself and the job market. In analyzing yourself, consider utilizing a combination of testing instruments and career counseling, both of which will likely be available to you for free (or at a minimal cost) at your campus Career Center office. The specific tests you should consider taking include the following:

• Personality: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Kiersey Temperament Sorter and others; will both analyze your personality type and compare how your personality type matches with various careers.
• Aptitude: Structure of Intellect (SOI) and others; will analyze your aptitudes for particular careers.
• Interest: Strong Interest Inventory (SII) and others; analyzes your personal interests and how they correlate with others who have been successful in a variety of careers.
• Values: System for Interactive Guidance and Information (SIGI) and others; examines your value system and how the priority of your values may work with (or against) you in a variety of careers.

In taking any or all of the above tests, you will likely see a pattern of potential career paths emerging, although it is unlikely that there will be a single career recommendation. You should combine the above test results with career counseling and career exploration to assist you in deciding upon potential career paths to pursue. We have the entire contents of the Occupational Outlook Handbook here online for you to use as a personal resource for career exploration.

It is vitally important to know what you want to do before you go out trying to find it. In seeking out your dream job, seek out a job you will love. There are far too many people in today’s work world who are grinding away at work they detest just to earn a big paycheck--and leading lives of quiet desperation in return. Do what you love and the money will follow. And if the simple satisfaction of a good day at work is not a strong enough argument for you, consider the longevity factor: a recent Duke University study of human longevity listed work satisfaction as the number one predictor of long life, even more important than good health habits or good genes. Live long and prosper.

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