WCIYP (The Five Ways To Change/Choose Careers)

Contemplating a career change or actually pursuing one can be an exciting journey. However, being cautious of common obstacles involved with a career change is nearly as crucial to consider. Moreover, the following list identifies eight cautions to be aware of that relate to choosing or changing a career according to What Color Is Your Parachute, and I believe that each offers valuable insight to topics that are often overlooked in the job-hunting process.

1.)  Go For Any Career That Seems Fascinating Or Interesting To You

It is always a good idea to follow your dreams and desires, but make sure to actually interview or question people who are already in the line of work that you plan to pursue, at least to make sure that it is something worth investing ample time into. Also, do not be afraid to ask those in a specific industry the best techniques to secure a position, as it could be very valuable information.

2.) In Moving From One Career To Another, Make Sure That You Preserve Constancy In Your Life As Well As Change, During The Transition

Basically, don't change everything about yourself, especially the values and beliefs that define you as a person. These may include your character, faith, values, or skills.

3.) If You Can, You'll Do Better To Start With Yourself And What You Want, Rather Than With The Job-Market, And What's "Hot"

In other words, adopt the "Parachute Approach" to job-hunting in order to demonstrate your passion towards potential employers. If an employer notices your enthusiasm or drive to succeed, it becomes that much more likely that you can earn a position.

4.) The Best Work, The Best Career, For You, The One That Makes You Happiest And Most Fulfilled

Below is a list of traits that are most commonly associated with happiness in the workplace. Usually the traits involve using or understanding:

• Your favorite transferable skills
• Favorite subjects, fields, or knowledge
• Preferred environment and people
• Preferred working conditions
• Preferred salary
• Preferred goals and values

5.) The More Time And Thought You Can Give To The Choosing Of A New Career, The Better Your Choice Is Going To Be

There is no need to rush into selecting a career path. Take your time, and be sure to find something that you are passionate about. There is nothing worse than taking a job simply to say that you found work. It is better to extend the job-hunting process as opposed to being miserable at a place of work that does not match your skills or interests.

6.) If You Are Young, Or Relatively Young, It's Okay To Make A Mistake, In Your Choice

The only way to learn from your mistakes is to inevitably make them. So, do not fret over the past, but instead learn from your past mistakes to improve on them in the future.

7.) Choosing And Then Finding Employment In A New Career That You Find Really Fancy, Should Feel Like A Fun Task, As Much As Possible

Although the job-hunting process can be frustrating at times, it should ultimately be a fun experience if you are doing it correctly. After all, the whole goal of finding a job is to locate a company that matches your interests, beliefs, or skills.

8.) One Final Caution Here: If You're Just Graduating From High School, Don't Go Get A College Degree In Some Career Field Just Because You Think That This Will Guarantee You A Job! It Will Not

The book stresses this point greatly. Instead of going to college to merely earn a degree that is known to land a job, its is more beneficial to find something that you are passionate about. For me, that passion is marketing. More specifically, I have a strong passion for sports marketing and wish to find a job with a professional sports organization or agency.