Choosing a career in today?s world can be a tough decision. Most careers require some amount of a college education or minimally, a couple of years in a trade program. Colleges and even trade programs cost money and without proper knowledge of the career, you could end up wasting money. There are a few factors to consider when choosing a career to pursue.
Your interest and ability to do the career
It is important to understand what the career entails because this is a job that you will be doing daily, for the rest of your working life. If you are good at computers and enjoy it, you might do well in a tech type career. If you enjoy doing household tasks like replacing your water heater, you might enjoy a career in plumbing. Always consider your interests and abilities to do a job before joining a career program.
The amount of schooling or training required
You will also want to consider the amount of schooling or training that is required to enter into a career. Some career industries, like the medical or legal fields, require many years of college and then post graduate training. Then, a few years are spent in an internship role. Even professional plumbing services require some amount of training to learn everything you need to. You need to learn tasks like how to install a water heater properly, how to efficiently handle kitchen sink plumbing, and techniques for professional drain cleaning. Additionally, some tasks will be advanced, like replacing your water heater, making both training and an apprentice important.
Job outlook
You don?t want to spend a ton of time and money training for an industry only to have job numbers decline. Always pay attention to job outlook expectations. Know where your intended industry is going and what the rates of employment have already shown. There are some fields, like the medical and computer industries, that will be around for many years to come. People will always need medical care and computers are on an uptrend. Another promising industry is the plumbing field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there should be a hiring spurt of 21.3% for plumbers by the year 2022, which translates to about 82,300 new jobs. People will always require professional plumbing services like replacing your water heater and fixing clogged drains and toilets. Additionally, many of the structures today were built many years ago, leaving current plumbing systems outdated. The growth of employment will be due to the need for updated plumbing systems.
Pay and quality of life expectations
Although you want a career that is fulfilling and that you enjoy, you also need to make a good living. Always consider the amount of income that you require for a good quality of life. Some careers simply do not may much. Others, require that you are in the field for many years before seeing a significant income. Make sure you are aware of income expectations. Spending a ton of money on college for a job that will not pay off your student loans can be problematic. Trade programs are generally known for being affordable, short, and helpful in getting your foot into a trade career.
Work environment
Many workers do not ever consider their future work environment. If you need to be on the go constantly, working in an office in front of a computer all day long would not be ideal. If you do not enjoy doing things like replacing your water heater or dealing with strong smells, becoming a plumber might not be a good idea. If coworker connection is important, also consider this. Some industries, for example, are highly gender dominated. The plumbing industry employs only 1.1% women.
There are many important factors to consider when choosing an intended career path. You want to choose something that interests you, but you also want to find something that you are capable of, has a good job outlook estimate and meets your work environment and income expectations.
