How can a career align with my interests?



There are a few ways that a career could align with something you're interested in:



1. The career could involve working with people, places, or things you enjoy.

The business director in the video you just watched is passionate about surfing. He loves his job because he gets to work with surfboards. Think about something you love. Why not pursue a career that involves working with it? For example, if you're obsessed with computers, you might enjoy having a job at a software development company. Or, if you enjoy interacting with young children, you may find that teaching is your calling. Maybe you're passionate about music. In that case, a sound engineering career could be the perfect fit for you.



2. The career could involve engaging in activities you enjoy.

Do you love to write? Technical and creative copywriters are needed in every industry. Can't stop thinking about the science experiment you've started in class? Consider working in a lab! Or are you the kind of person that loves building things? If so, you might enjoy a career in construction. There are tons of careers that would enable you to engage in the activities that you love-- it's all about knowing what those activities are!



3. The career could contribute to a cause you feel strongly about.

Doctors are passionate about people's health. Teachers are passionate about education. Police officers are passionate about keeping people safe. If there's a problem you want to help solve-- inequality, world hunger, ocean pollution-- you could join an organization or profession that's dedicated to solving it. If what you're looking for doesn't exist, you could always become an entrepreneur and start your own organization!



What if I'm interested in a lot of different things?



Most people have a variety of interests. It can be overwhelming to begin exploring careers when you could see yourself in many different roles doing many different kinds of work, but don't sweat! Ultimately, the career you choose to pursue should not only align with something you're interested in, but it should also suit your strengths and priorities. When you factor those elements into your choice, it becomes much easier to make.



As you start exploring careers, try to keep an open mind. Learn about professions that align with as many of your interests as possible. While you research them, you'll start to narrow down your options according to lifestyles they offer you, the amount of education they require, and many other factors.



It's completely normal for people to try different career paths throughout their lifetimes. You may start off as an English teacher because you love reading, but then find that a career in book publishing might be a better fit. Pursuing a career that satisfies one of your interests could help you discover another profession that's even more fulfilling.



What if I can't think of any interests?



That's what we're here for! Whether you are interested in almost everything or you can't seem to figure out what you like to do, our Career Cluster Interest Survey will help you identify groups of careers that could be good fits for you.

1.
According to your reading, how can a career align with your interests?
Check all that apply

options:

it could involve working with people, places, or things you enjoy
it could involve engaging in activities you enjoy
it could involve a lot of relaxation at work
it could contribute to a cause you feel strongly about

1 answer

Based on the reading, a career can align with your interests in the following ways:

  1. It could involve working with people, places, or things you enjoy.
  2. It could involve engaging in activities you enjoy.
  3. It could contribute to a cause you feel strongly about.

The option "it could involve a lot of relaxation at work" is not mentioned in the reading as a way a career aligns with interests. Therefore, the correct answers to check are the first three options.