Career Planning 101
It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start thinking about what you might want to do in your future. Thinking about what interests you can help guide you towards the type of education you may need after high school. For example, if you like science and working with people, you may want to become a medical assistant, a nurse, a physician’s assistant, or a doctor—and each of those require different types of education.
Not all careers require a 4-year college degree but most require some sort of training or skills. Being a medical assistant, a farmer, electrician, builder, or chef often requires learning through apprenticeships, 2-year college, or trade schools. There are many different paths to finding a career that suits you—and if you have an Alfond Grant, you can often use it to support many of these paths.
It’s also important to remember that while preparing for a career in high school can be very useful, not everyone decides on or follows a single career path from a young age, and that’s perfectly fine too.
If you’d like to explore career options, here are some things you can do to get started.
Explore Your Interests
A great way to begin thinking about the type of career you may be interested in is by taking a career assessment quiz. Best of all, with these types of quizzes, there are no wrong answers!
Try the My Next Move O*Net® Career Exploration quiz or the College Board’s BigFuture quiz to get started.
Another way to explore what you like to do is by joining a club, or participating in a sport or extracurricular activity.
Identify Your Strengths and Skills
Think about what you like to do in and outside of school.
What are the school subjects and activities that you enjoy the most? Are you good at math, science, writing, or art? Do you enjoy woodworking, auto mechanics, or music? Recognizing your skills can help you pinpoint careers that make use of these strengths.
When you get out of school for the day, what do you typically do for enjoyment? Can your love of reading turn into a career as a journalist? Does your passion for building turn into a career as an architect? Do you love to figure out how things work and think maybe being an electrician would be a great career path?
Talk to teachers, mentors, friends, or family members about your strengths—these don’t always have to be related to the classroom.
Planning your Path
Consider Your Future Lifestyle
Think about what kind of lifestyle you want. Considering these factors can help narrow down your career options.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want a job with regular hours, or am I open to more flexible or unpredictable schedules?
- Do I prefer working indoors or outdoors?
- What type of work environment do I prefer?
- Do I want a career that involves travel or allows me to work from home?
- What type of lifestyle do I want and what do I need to earn?
Check it out! Claim Your Future is a fun online, interactive tool that encourages students to explore education after high school, future careers, and money management.
Research Different Careers
Once you have a better understanding of your interests and skills, start researching careers that align with them. Look into:
- Job descriptions: Learn about daily responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications.
- Education and training: Find out what kind of education or training you need for different careers.
- Work environment: Research what a typical workday is like in various professions.
Check it out! Career One Stop helps people explore different jobs. You can find helpful tools such as videos about jobs, information on how much money you can make, and what education you need for different careers. The Maine Department of Labor lists in-demand career opportunities in Maine.
Gain Experience
Try to get some hands-on experience to see if a career path is right for you. You might:
- Intern or volunteer: Find internships or volunteer opportunities in fields you’re interested in.
- Job shadow: Spend a day with someone working in a career you’re considering.
- Part-time jobs: Take on part-time work in a related field to gain experience and insight.
Check it out! Live and Work in Maine has a dedicated job board to help you explore career opportunities across the state. You can also search for internships, seasonal roles, or temporary work.
Talk to Professionals
Reach out to people who work in careers you’re interested in. They can provide valuable insights and advice. You can:
- Conduct informational interviews: Ask professionals about their jobs, what they like about them and what challenges they face.
- Network: Attend career fairs or industry events to connect with professionals and learn more about different fields.
Check it out! LinkedIn is a great way to network and connect with professionals in a field you are interested in. Setting up a profile is easy, and you can add to it as you gain experience in any field of work.
Set Goals and Make a Plan
Once you’ve gathered information, start setting goals for your career path. This might include:
- Choosing a major: Decide on a major or field of study if you plan to go to college.
- Developing skills: Identify any additional skills or certifications you might need.
- Planning for the future: Create a roadmap for reaching your career goals, including education and job search strategies.
Check it out! The College Board’s Big Future site has some additional goal setting activities for students to consider.
Stay Flexible
Remember, it’s okay if your career interests change over time. Choosing a career path is a journey, and it’s important to take your time to explore and reflect. Stay open to new opportunities and be willing to adapt your plans as you learn and grow.
The good news is that if you have an Alfond Grant, you can use it to support your future. You have until age 28 to use your grant and you can check the estimated value of your grant anytime!
What career options are popular where I live or where I want to live? If you want to stay in Maine, the good news is there are many opportunities for a great career no matter what your interests are! The Maine Department of Labor’s website is a great place to start to look for some in-demand career opportunities in Maine.
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