Potential Magazine College and Career Organizer 2020 | Page 12

career planning
dream
job
Sponsored by:
What’s Your
Dream Job?
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to do work you actually like!
Choosing a career that corresponds with your skills and interests gives you the best chance at
achieving career satisfaction. Do you know what your skills and interests are? Have you thought about
jobs that correspond? Have you explored all of your options for getting the job of your dreams?
Successful career planning follows three basic steps.
Understanding what you are good at and what you like
will help you to better decide on a path that has the most
potential for you to enjoy the work you’re doing every day.
• Take an aptitude test to determine your strengths.
• Take an interest inventory that will help you understand
your interests.
• Answer these questions (and be honest with yourself):
- Do you have a clear picture of your unique skills, talents,
and qualities?
- Are you motivated to fulfill the time and financial commitments
required?
Once you have decided on a potential career, begin
taking concrete steps to prepare yourself for entry into
that field. Remember: Your dream job might require
education, training, and experience you can gain over
time, so make plans you can implement now in pursuit
of long term goals.
• Sign up for courses that will give you exposure to topics in
your chosen field and help you develop related skills.
• Make yourself competitive.
- Participate in extracurricular activities that allow you to shine.
These experiences will make your application stand out regardless
of what you are applying for.
• Compare the paths you can take after high school to get
started in your dream job .
Research jobs that match your unique skills and interests.
• Look at the education and training requirements for
occupations you’re interested in.
• What are your options to get the training? Are you willing to
make the time and financial commitment?
- Do you need a four-year degree? Which institutions offer related
degrees, and what are the entry requirements?
- Are there certifications or licenses you’ll need?
- Does a military service offer the job you’re considering? Officer or
Enlisted?
• Get involved: Visit workplaces, volunteer, or shadow
someone on the job.
Did you take the ASVAB? If so, you can use our tools to help you accom-
plish everything mentioned here. Use the access code on the bottom right
of your score sheet to login at asvabprogram.com.
Ask your school counselor when the ASVAB Career Exploration Program
(CEP) is available at your school. It is not just a military test—it is a FREE
career planning resource you can use to establish your career goals and
12 | College Organizer 2020
- Can you get started in your career and gain required education
along the way?
- Consider institutions offering the degree or certification you need.
Is the cost of tuition in line with the average starting salaries?
- Are you interested in a military service option (Active Duty,
Reserve or National Guard) to subsidize the cost of your education?
• How will you fund your choice?
- Have you gathered the required documentation?
- What are the deadlines for applications?
- Do you meet the minimum requirements to receive funding?
• Identify potential employers.
- Review the duties and requirements of their sample job postings.
- Write a resume and cover letter, or begin completing entry
applications.
It’s impossible to predict the future—just focus on making the
best decisions based on what will help you move closer to your
goal. When it comes to the unexpected, review these tips and
adjust accordingly!
make a plan to get where you want to go.
The ASVAB CEP offers an aptitude test and an interest inventory to help
you identify your skills and interests, a career catalog so you can explore
careers that match, and activities to help you make an action plan. Find
out more at asvabprogram.com.
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