We spend so much of our time trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up. Going to college just ramps up the pressure. After all, we spend all that money and time on education so that we can have a satisfying and lucrative career. Most of us have had this same struggle and know that finding our calling in life can be a difficult process. Fortunately, options do exist that help us discover what we are meant to do.
Aptitude Tests
I once took an aptitude test that advised me not to be a truck driver. That judgment was sound: I have no sense of direction or spatial reasoning ability. For college students, more sophisticated exams exist that help guide them to careers that fit their interests.
The MAPP Career Assessment Test has helped people figure out their career paths since 1995. Based on answers to 71 “triads,” you simply choose which of the three statements you “most prefer” and which one you “least prefer”. The results of this testing, which has been endorsed by the psychological community, can give you a clearer career picture.
Volunteering
You may volunteer in hospitals, care facilities, animal shelters, legal aid offices or schools. Volunteers often get the least glamorous and most physically demanding tasks available at these workplaces, but they also get a better understanding of what the associated careers involve. This understanding may lead to the perfect career choice.
Volunteerism in college not only helps you choose a career; it helps you become a better person while building a strong resume, mixing personal growth with personal advancement.
Internships
You will benefit most in your search by obtaining an internship with a reputable company. Being an intern means you will not be paid, but the advantages of taking such a position are many. An internship offers:
- Work experience
- Improved work skills
- Networking contacts
- An “in” at the company
Most importantly, you will find out if the career is a good fit for you. Only by doing the job day by day can truly we learn if we can live with it on a long-term basis. An internship with an international NGO can really open doors for you. These non-governmental organizations work to better communities around the world and offer an impressive list of job opportunities for college graduates.
Whatever career you choose, whether it be politics, medicine, business, or something in international development, make certain that you have taken steps to see that it fits you and is truly your calling. In my experience, being a happy employee means I am a productive employee.
Global Nomadic offers Professional Internships, Volunteer Projects and TEFL Programmes in 29 countries worldwide. Start travelling your career today!
