Choosing or changing a career is an important decision that will greatly shape one's lifestyle. For many, starting a career or changing careers can be a stressful event. It may be made more difficult by the tough economic times. A good therapist--particularly one with a specialty in career counseling--can help make the choices easier. 

Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Career

There are questions you can ask yourself when choosing a career to help make the best career decision: 

• What do I enjoy doing?
  
• What kinds of activities are fun and fulfilling for me?
  
• What am I good at?
  
• What is my skill set?
  
• What qualifications do I have, such as a degree or experience?
  
• How much money do I think I need to make to feel satisfied?
  
• What jobs are available in the place(s) I’d like to live?
  
• Do I want to travel?
  
• What are my values?
  
• Is it important to me to be of service to others, or am I simply interested in a decent living?
  
• Do I desire fame?
  
• Am I looking for intensely challenging work, or something relatively easy?
  
• Am I willing to do what others tell me without questioning, or would I rather make most decisions on my own?
  
• To what degree do I need stability and security?

Therapy Helps with Coping with Stress from Returning to School and Working Full Time - Case Example

Mandy, 30, is unhappy in her career but not sure how to make a change. She does not enjoy her job, which she took straight out of college just to pay the bills and in which she now feels stuck. She would like to help people, and to make a little more money. However, most of the jobs she thinks she would like require more education, and she cannot afford to stop working. Working at her job and going to school sounds stressful and frightens her. Mandy meets with a therapist who helps to normalize her feelings, and then discusses with her her fears about going to school while working full-time. Soon, Mandy becomes quite clear that she cannot stay in her job, and that whatever difficulties she might face, she needs to continue her education and change careers. The therapist helps her identify resources, including financial aid resources as well as stress management skills, so that she can continue to work while completing school at night. She also points out to Mandy her own strengths, which are apparent in the job she is doing, including the ability to multitask, work long hours, and complete difficult tasks on her own. This gives Mandy more hope and confidence that she can finish school and keep her job in the meantime.

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Last updated: 04-15-2013