Deciding What to Look For

Figuring out what sort of job to get is hard. There are lots of different jobs out there and you have to find one that interests you and that you are qualified for. Of course, you want to find a job you can do well and that earns you money. But you also want to make sure your work helps you develop new skills that you can use at future jobs.

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If you don’t know the answers, don't worry, most people don't! This page will help you think about things to consider and can help you answer these questions.

What Are Your Interests?

Interests are things you like. Try to think if your interests could become your future career. For example, if you have a blog and enjoy writing, maybe you could become a journalist. Plenty of other hobbies could become careers that are enjoyable and fulfilling. For example you might like to do the following:

• Gardening
• Doing repairs around the house
• Playing video games
• Cooking

Interests can also be based on what subjects you like at school. If you are good at math, there are many career options for you in the sciences and engineering. You might not yet know how to do some things that interest you — for example, you may be interested in becoming a doctor, but haven’t yet started medical school — but the training and education is available if you want it.

Think about all of your interests and which ones you might want to do in the future at a job. There are many nonprofit organizations that can help you explore your interests and begin planning a career. America's Job Centers of California (AJCCs), formerly known as One-Stops, can help you figure out what sort of work you’d like to do. Find a local America's Job Center of California (AJCC) (One-Stop).

What Are Your Skills?

Skills are things you already know how to do. Think about your skills and which ones you might want to use in a future job. For example, if you are already good with computers and you like to work with them, you may want to think about a career as a computer technician. Skills help you decide what types of jobs you can get right now.

Of course, if you don’t know how to do something, you can always learn how! Your current skills may limit the job you can get today, but they don’t have to limit your long-term career goal. It just means that you will have to learn those skills through an education program or find a job that offers on-the-job training.

What Is Your Career Goal?

Each job you get is a stepping-stone. You will probably have many jobs before you reach your long-term career goal and have plenty of experiences along the way. You want to make sure that the jobs you get help you reach your final goal.

This means that when you decide whether to apply for a job, you need to think about whether it will help you reach your final goal. Here are some ways in which a job could help you reach your career goal:

• An entry-level job at a company in a field that interests you can lead to promotions at the same company or a higher-level job at another company after a few years.
• A job at a company that offers on-the-job training will help you learn skills you need to reach your long-term goal.
• Some jobs that aren’t directly related to your career goal will require you to practice skills that you will need for your dream job. For example, if you work at a store and help with customers, you will gain experience working with the public and that skill can help you in many fields.
• A job at a company that will help you pay for your education.

How Much Money Do You Want to Make?

Money is one of the biggest factors in choosing a job. We all need money to pay our expenses. Some jobs pay a lot more than others. As a young person, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get a job that will make you rich right away. However, if you have a long-term goal of making a lot of money, that may impact what sort of work you look for today.

For instance, if you want to become a lawyer, you first need to go to college and then to law school. You'll also have to do internships at law firms. Other types of skilled work also pay well and require different types of preparation. For example, if you want to become an electrician, you may need to do an apprenticeship.

Some professions don't pay as much, but they can be very satisfying. For example, if you become a teacher, you'll know that you are doing an important job that truly helps people.

How Does Your Disability Influence Your Job Choice?

Depending on your disability, you may not be able to do certain jobs. For example, some jobs require heavy lifting and if your disability prevents you from lifting heavy objects, you may not be able to do that type of work.

Because of your disability, you may want to work from home, have a flexible schedule, or work part-time. Some jobs and employers will be more adaptable to these types of options. Some employers are actually looking for people who can make these sorts of adjustments to their schedules.

Think about these issues! While employers must supply you with reasonable accommodations so that you can fulfill the obligations of your job, employers do not have to change the fundamental duties of a job because of your disability.