Step 3: Narrowing down your options

Now that you have discovered several career options you will want to evaluate which of these most closely matches your personality, interests, and values. You may want to consider the following questions and develop a chart listing pros and cons for each career.

• Are you willing to spend the required length of time in school or training for the career?
• Is the education/training available in your area or are you able to relocate?
• Are opportunities for the job growing or reclining?
• Is the salary acceptable ?
• Does the career match the values that are important to you: ex, working alone or as part of a team, having variety or following a routine, etc.

Hopefully Steps 1, 2, and 3 have allowed you to come to a conclusion about the career that is best for you and you are ready to start on the roadway to your future by developing your action plan in Step 4.

If you still need assistance you might want to try some of the ideas listed below.

Talk to a Career Counselor: Make an appointment to talk about your career plans with a counselor using the numbers below. Please bring a copy of any assessments you have completed. Talk with a Career Counselor at 540-868-7235.

Consider ‘Job Shadowing’: ‘Job Shadowing’ is observing a professional working in a career of interest to you.

Schedule Occupational Interviews: An appointment is made to ‘interview’ a person about his or her career.

Seek the guidance of a friend, employer, faculty or family member: People with whom you have close relationships can offer observations about your talents and interests and might bring to light a career you haven’t considered.

Contact LFCC faculty to learn more about specific fields of study and majors.