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Health & Fitness

Career Exploration Begins with Self-Discovery

For self-discovery, turn outward first.

Trying to decide on a future career when you are in high school is an often overwhelming decision. One of the first steps in choosing a career that fits is discovering who you are or how you are wired. I know this sounds cliché, but it’s true. What is cliché is the idea that in order to get to know yourself, you must isolate yourself, turn inward, and fill up pages in your journal. Although self reflection has an important role in self-discovery, it is not the first step. In fact, you must have something to ponder in order for a time of reflection to be worthwhile.  What I am suggesting is to turn outward and try something new, join a new extra-curricular activity, take an interesting class, get a part-time job, or learn a new skill. Trust me; you will uncover new and interesting things about yourself.

While you are learning a new skill or taking a new job or setting out on a new adventure, begin to pay attention to yourself. What do I like about this experience? What is it about this that I find fulfilling or energizing? What don’t I like about this experience? What is it about this that I find draining? Also, don’t underestimate the power of your seemingly insignificant part-time job, if you have one. Jobs can help you clarify your likes and dislikes. For example, when I was in high school I worked at the local supermarket. I found the job was very satisfying at many levels, including the interesting people contact and the ability to help people in a very practical manner; however, the downside of the job for me was the need to be extremely accurate and few opportunities to be creative. I learned that I enjoy careers that involve helping people, a focus on the big picture instead of the details, and the opportunity to be creative in problem-solving. This is the beginning of self-discovery.

Although career decisions can be intimidating, don’t let the “bigness” of the decision overwhelm you. Remind yourself that careers often unfold before us and seldom solidify before one graduates from high school. Your main objective right now is to begin to understand and know yourself so that you can make an informed and insightful decision about which career or educational path to begin.

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