How to understand yourself and choose the right career?

Hi Aya,

Thank you so much for your question.  Figuring out the right career path to take is a big decision that can have implications for the rest of your life.  There are many factors to consider.  Things such as earning potential, risk, personal satisfaction; and more recently whether it is a job that allows you to work from home or remotely.  Often there are also pressures from our parents or others.

Though I don't use it for other applications, the Meyers Briggs test is a scale that can be very useful in determining a career path to follow.  It is a personality test that measures Introversion/Extroversion, Intuitive/Sensing, Feeling/Thinking, and Judging/Perceiving.  The guidance departments of many high school and universities use the test to help students determine the field to go into.  I certainly think it would be worth your while to take the Meyers Briggs.  It is widely available in a book called Please Understand Me; which also gives an overview of the personality types.  There may be more specialized books pertaining to careers; though I do know that Please Understand Me does give a few suggestions for careers for which each personality type is well suited.

A very common quote in popular culture is "do something you love and you'll never have to work another day in your life."  I would certainly recommend putting pen to paper when you have some fields you are considering.  What are the pros and cons of each type of job?  Listen to your body.  Does one job fill you with dread?  Does another job fill you with joy? 

Often we are taught to ignore what our bodies are telling us, but this information is vital.  One thing I am convinced of from doing counseling for the last 25 years is that money cannot buy happiness.  I have had millionaire clients who are absolutely miserable and lower middle class clients who are happy.  Our relationships, our health, and so much more are even bigger determinants of our happiness than our career.  I would strongly encourage you to seek counseling to help with your dilemma; as well as to be as happy as possible. 

According to Acceptance and Commitment therapy, work is but one part of our lives.  The other three are relationships, play, and personal health.  All four areas must be attended to and an imbalance in one can affect the other three.

In any case I wish you the best of luck in making your determination.  Please know that it is possible to be happy no matter which path you choose.

Sincerely,

Jim Grande, LCSW-R