Virtually no one in the U.S. is doing what they want to do. According to a 2013 Harris survey, only 14% of people in the U.S. workforce believe they have the perfect job, and more than half of the workforce wants to change careers.
If you’re one of these people who aren’t satisfied with the direction their career is going, or if you simply want to make more money, or would like to do work that’s more fulfilling, then perhaps you simply need some advice. Here are a few of the best tips career counselors have to offer.
Think About Going Back to School.
Going back to school is an obvious way to get ahead, but career counselors warn that it’s less of an effective strategy nowadays. More and more of the workforce is getting degrees, making it less of a competitive edge. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go back, though. Career counselors suggest heading back to school if you know what you want to do, have the time to go to school, and you can afford it. If you do decide to go, you’ll need to prepare. Consider enrolling in LSAT test prep courses or GRE test prep classes to help you have a better shot at getting in to your desired graduate program.
Consider Switching to a Position That Companies Need.
If you want to find a new career that pays more, you should consider getting a degree with the best job opportunities. Career counselors advise getting a degree or a certificate in nursing, elementary education, finance, or communication. Elementary education positions have salaries upwards of $50,000, while the other three can get you a salary of over $65,000.
It’s Up to You to Figure Out What Will Make You Happy.
If you want a more fulfilling job, you’re going to have to figure that out on your own. Career counseling can only help you figure out a plan to get to a position, and not necessarily what position would most satisfy you. Career counselors can only guide you, not tell you what you need to do.
If you feel like changing positions, career counselors advise getting some test prep review in to get back in to school, getting a degree for an in-demand position, and thinking about what makes you happy.
If you have any questions about these career counselors’ advice, feel free to ask in the comments. See this link for more.
