Finding a career for you

Just do what you love and the money will come. That's the advice everyone gives, but what does it really mean?

As children, we all dream of doing great things with our lives. Some of us grow up seeking careers as astronauts, rocket scientists, engineers, presidents, and congressmen. We're shuffled through the school system and told to "go to college so that you can get a good job." So, we apply for colleges and pick our majors, hoping that the university will accept us. Once the acceptance letter comes in the mail, we pack our things and leave our families to get an education, hoping to graduate with a degree and a job so that we don't have to move in with our parents again.

At this point in your life, you have probably finished your degree. You may want to do something fun, like travel the world so you can find yourself; or you may decide that you need further education in a specific field because you aren't sure what you want to do yet. If you have just graduated from college, then you probably haven't had enough experience with the outside world to decide what you really want to do in life. Perhaps you have taken a Myers-Briggs test or something like that in high school, but you still are somewhat clueless about how you want to spend the rest of your life.

If you are looking to go to graduate school, don't go without having a clear idea of what you want to do first. Graduate school is when you have to get serious about the career that you want to pursue and you are ready to carve a career niche for yourself. Lots of people go to graduate school because they want to avoid the workforce or they have no idea of what they want to do. If you do this, you'll end up becoming frustrated with your program and waste money on tuition. I highly recommend you enter the career first before you commit your life to it with more schooling.

Tests like the Myers-Briggs test won't give you very much insight into what you really want to do with your life. The best way to find out what you want to do for the rest of your life is to try out a bunch of different jobs and environments, and do it often. This might mean any of the following: taking time off to travel the world, starting a side business, volunteering, taking a bunch of low-paid jobs in new industries (or freelance/intern these various jobs as a trial.)
World travel can open up your eyes to wonderful business opportunities. “Why isn’t this French product in the US?,” you may ask yourself. Or, “Portugal residents could really benefit from this skill I have to offer.” You may find a need and then capitalize on it. Ideas will be sparked just being out of your comfort zone.

Volunteering can teach you about what you find rewarding in a career. It’s also a great place to start networking. It may also teach you that the combination of the two is the perfect balance. Maybe both serve a different purpose in your life and thus, a career switch is no longer necessary.

Freelancing or working for minimum wage and job hopping every couple months is a great way to get your feet wet in new industries. Also, you’ll learn quickly if you absolutely hate certain jobs. Each career you identify as not for you, the closer you are to finding one that is. If you can enjoy it with low pay, imagine what it will do for you once you are handsomely compensated for your work.

Lastly, don't do what other people tell you to do, as you will end up living someone else's life and making them happy instead of yourself. This goes for anyone in your life, no matter how influential they are. (Your parents mean well, but you’ll have to take a stand eventually.) Also, learn to define success on your own terms. Success is whatever you define it as, and you can set a low bar or a high bar for yourself. Most importantly, don't let anyone other than yourself define you and who you are. As long as you are happy, nothing else matters in life. And don’t worry, recognizing that happiness may come with a lot of trial and error.