Finding Your Career Path

Are you finding it challenging to answer, “What should I do with my life?” If so, you’re not alone. Let’s explore effective tips to help you find your career path.

Some people seem to have their career path figured out early in life. I, however, was not one of those people. When asked about my future, my answer varied greatly—from teaching to nursing to modeling—it was clear I had yet to find my path.

As I progressed through high school, I explored different subjects, but none led me to a definitive career. My interests touched on art, languages, and social sciences, yet I remained uncertain.

Exploring College Major Options

Entering college without a declared major was my initial step. General education coupled with varied subjects like social sciences filled my schedule. However, my career path still felt obscure, leading me to venture into multiple majors before landing on anthropology with a minor in sociology. The path ahead remained unclear, but I trusted that with a degree, opportunities would emerge.

After finishing college, an exploration trip around Europe inspired me. Reflecting on cultural courses, particularly one on global birth practices, I discovered my calling—to become a midwife. Back in the U.S., I eagerly pursued nursing school, feeling for the first time that I had found my true direction.

Finding Contentment in Nursing

Several years and a nursing degree later, I worked in a pediatric hospital unit. Contrary to my expectations of maternity care, I found pediatric nursing more appealing. Nursing satisfactions included helping others and engaging in critical thinking. Nevertheless, challenges such as staffing issues, demanding hours, and workplace stress became overwhelming. Burnout pushed me toward more administrative and research roles within healthcare, none of which ignited passion or enthusiasm.

Balancing Motherhood and Work

My daughter’s birth changed my perspective significantly. Realizing my desire to be at home with her, I prepared financially to transition into this new phase. Despite initial plans to be a stay-at-home mom, the diminishing savings prompted me to seek home-based income. I avoided typical nursing roles, aiming to maintain flexibility for parenting activities.

Carving a New Career Path at Home

Searching online for remote work unveiled numerous scams but also led to uncovering legitimate opportunities. Friends, family, and my professional network became invaluable resources during this time. Eventually, I secured part-time remote work with a publishing company, performing marketing tasks.

Innovating with a Blog

The breakthrough came when I started pondering why others might be struggling like I had been. Inspired, I launched The Work at Home Woman blog to share insights into finding a rewarding home-based career. Venturing into blogging opened doors; my understanding of the niche grew, followers increased, and monetization strategies matured. Three years later, I transitioned to full-time dedication to the blog, surpassing my previous nursing income, and enjoying unparalleled job satisfaction. Now, Mondays bring excitement, no longer dread.

I invite you to consider some strategies for finding your perfect fit in the working world. Keep following along for insightful career path tips.

Actionable Insights to Discover Your Career Path

1. Begin with In-depth Self-Discovery

The quest for the right career starts inwardly. Identify what fulfills you and what exhausts you by questioning your preferences and skills. Some guiding questions include:

• What situations invigorate you most?
• Which activities feel draining?
• What natural skills can you leverage?
• Are additional studies an option for you?
• When asked for advice, which topics are most frequent?
• If finances weren’t a concern, what would you pursue?
• What job aligns with your vision of success?
• Do you have entrepreneurial aspirations?
• What are your immediate and future objectives?

Patterns emerging from these reflections can guide your career exploration while highlighting areas and industries to avoid. For broader self-discovery probes, consider this list of questions by Tim Ferriss.

2. Embrace Knowledge Through Reading

Post-discovery, deepen your career insight by reading. A pivotal book for me was What Color is Your Parachute? Still a bestseller, it offers evergreen career advice. Expanding your library with newer career books can provoke new ideas and strategies. Make reading a habit, as it will keep you ahead in your pursuits.

3. Utilize Career Assessment Resources

If clarity remains elusive, turn to professional assessment tests. The Myers-Briggs career test, though costly, aligns personality traits with occupational satisfaction. Alternatively, explore free options like the Enneagram test, which can reveal fulfilling paths (mine steered toward entrepreneurship).

4. Give New Experiences a Chance

Breaking out of habitual routines often leads to discovery. Engage in fresh activities like classes, networking, or hobbies to expand your understanding of potential careers. As I transitioned away from nursing, immersing myself in related communities revealed a world of possibilities; every interaction opened more doors. Embrace change—test new waters with job applications, side hustles, and learning opportunities.

5. Gather Real Insights Through Informational Interviews

Once you identify an area of interest, conduct informational interviews with professionals in that field. Prepare questions focusing on job satisfactions, challenges, and daily routines to gain a candid perspective. This can also serve as networking to enhance connections in your field of interest.

6. Explore Podcasts and TED Talks

For learning on the go, podcasts and TED Talks are spheres of inspiration and insight. If unsure where to start, curated lists for job seekers and entrepreneurs can guide you.

7. Conduct Skill-Based Job Searches

Explore new occupations by searching databases like Indeed for jobs aligned with your skills instead of specific titles. This method uncovers job titles you may not have considered before. Using this approach, new doors and unanticipated interests may reveal viable career paths.

8. Seek Volunteer Experiences

Volunteering offers firsthand insight into a profession while benefiting your community. Testing roles through short-term volunteer efforts, as my daughter did with veterinary work, can affirm or reposition career ambitions.

With options ranging across sectors, finding a meaningful position is simple. Visit VolunteerMatch to locate opportunities near you.

9. Consider a Career or Life Coach

For personalized guidance, a career coach can be transformative. Offering tailored strategies, they support you in clarifying and pursuing your career aspirations. While rates vary, this investment can ahead monumental progress in realizing a fulfilling career path.

When choosing a coach, prioritize experience, feedback, and credentials to ensure value. Guidance from trusted sources can help assess the suitability of a coach for your needs.

10. Test Drive a Side Hustle

Venturing into side hustles offers a risk-free environment to explore potential passions. With minimal initial investment, you can test the waters of various fields—whether freelancing, pet care, content creation, or others.

If passion follows, scaling the side hustle into a thriving business is an option. Conversely, moving on invites exploration of new ventures. Versatility defines paths to success.

11. Leverage YouTube for Learning

YouTube serves as a crucial educational tool, offering free access to skill development and career insights. Case studies, tutorials, and vlogs present real-world insights aiding clarity in professional pursuits.

Wrapping Up Your Career Path Journey

Ultimately, finding fulfillment demands curiosity, perseverance, and openness to new experiences. My path unfolded through incremental steps, stretching over decades and numerous roles before yielding a rewarding career.

Are career decisions looming large? Rest assured, continued exploration and learning promise resolution. Your journey can be simpler with consistent effort and heart—stay patient and flexible.

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Originally published on September 6, 2018. Content updated March 2025.