In less than 10 seconds, you could probably think of a friend who's unhappy with their job and wishes they could be somewhere (anywhere) else. While you may not always be able to find the career that's perfect for you, it's possible to match yourself up with the job that fits your personality. It's much easier to achieve career goals when your job feels like a natural extension of who you are.
1. Take a personality test.
Part of choosing the right career for your personality is understanding what kind of personality you have. That's where taking a personality test comes into play. A personality test will show you your strengths and weaknesses. It can also suggest a string of careers that would fit your personality.
But keep in mind: personality tests aren't the end-all, be-all. You should absolutely use your results as a guideline to finding your career. But use your gut instincts and personal experiences to make the final decision.
2. Examine how you interact with people.
In choosing the right career for your personality, you should first determine how you want to interact with other people. Are you extroverted or introverted? Do you want to deal with people face to face? Do you enjoy answering questions asked by strangers, or do you prefer to keep to yourself? If you're shy, then customer service, for example, would be a bad career choice.
Having a clear sense of self-awareness is difficult, but this information is extremely valuable for your career. The way that you interact with people is a big deciding factor in which career path you take.
3. What kinds of hobbies do you have?
Some people dismiss their hobbies, as if these past times are simply a waste of effort. But your hobbies can tell you a lot about what your perfect career may be. Do you like to solve problems? Then you may want to look into a career in engineering or law. Do you like to work with your hands? Then you may be an auto mechanic or an architect. Your hobbies are gateways to your most prominent personality traits. If you can find a career that makes you feel like it's a hobby, then that's a big win for you.
4. What personality traits do you look for in others?
Who you associate with on a daily basis can also tell you a lot about your personality. If you tend to spend time with outgoing people, then you're probably an outgoing person as well. Look around at the friends you spend most of your time with, and their personalities will give you a keen insight into your own.
5. Bring it all together into your next career.
If you're really ambitious about finding a career that fits your personality, then you'll want to keep notes as you monitor yourself and talk to your friends. At some point, you'll sit down with your notes and decide what career is best for you. If your career fits your personality, then you give yourself the best chance at a happy life.
Record Number of Adults Returning to School
Adults considering a return to study may find they have more in common with the new kids on campus than they might expect - as record-breaking numbers of baby boomers are choosing to head back to education.
A study by the Academy of Art University in San Francisco found that nationwide, many of the 76.1 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964 are going back to school because there is "always more to be learned". Figures from the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) show that this generation and other "non-traditional" students now make up 57% of those on 4-year courses at public institutions and 50% of those at private universities. Furthermore, many are taking bachelor's or master's degrees to enhance their career prospects, using school to "move forward" in their working lives - otherwise known as higher education. And for older students, it is not a case of studying to pass the time. Instead, many would rather make a difference in the world or leave a lasting legacy, the survey found. Now, with the power of education, they can, it said. According to UCEA, online learning is a popular option among many higher education students with the number taking a course over the internet increasing 37% to 3.2 million in 2005.
New Study Finds Demand for Women in Psychology Field
A new study finds that while women are making strides in the workforce, there still is a lack of women in the medical field, especially psychology. For those thinking about a career in counseling or psychology, a postsecondary degree on a resume could help give potential female job candidates an edge.
According to the American Psychological Association's Psychological Bulletin, women currently make up only 50% of medical school students and is a contributing factor to the lack of women in top positions in the psychology field.The study also found a lack of female professors in the medical and science with women earning 29% of postdoctorate degrees in 2001, but making up only 16% of the faculty in the field.
The study concluded that it's important for women to build their confidence in science and math at an early age, which will help fuel an interest in pursing jobs in the medical profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job opportunities for psychologists are expected to grow by 12% through 2018.
Job Search Trend Finds More Adults Enrolled in Continuing Education Courses
As many job seekers look to increase their area of expertise or transition into a new career field, the registrar at the University of California at San Diego said enrollments are up at the school's division of adult education.
Mary Walshok, dean of UC San Diego Extension and co-author of the book "Closing America's Job Gap," said college graduates and professionals are enrolling in certificate programs in record numbers as they look to add more advanced training and relevant skills to their resumes. Unlike the 1950s through 1970s, when schools of continuing education and extension services were more like second-chance universities for adults who didn't have the opportunity to get a college degree, these programs today are hubs of education and training providing the practice oriented credentials which combined with a solid liberal arts degree make for globally competitive careers, Walshok added.Walshok said that peer colleges including the New York University, Harvard Extension School and the University of Chicago, all report similar increases in adult education programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals with an advanced postsecondary degree on their resume can earn $1,000 more per week than those with some or no college education.
New Report Sheds Light on Most Valuable Majors
A new report released by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce finds that having a postsecondary degree on a resume is worth the cost of a college education.
The report "What's it Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors," found that even with a large variation of earnings over a lifetime, all undergraduate degrees help workers earn more.Using census data, the study found that the top ranking majors for earned salaries were petroleum engineer, earning an average of $120,000 annually, and pharmaceutical scientist, who earned an average of $105,000 per year. When it comes to the liberal arts and humanities, the study found that despite the lack of a concentrated skill, the degree still scored high when it came to finding work. Liberal arts and humanities majors end up in the middle of the pack in terms of earnings and employment, the authors noted. "They are the third most popular major group, and earn median incomes of $47,000. Moreover, about 40 percent of people with these majors obtain a graduate degree, reaping a return of almost 50 percent."The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals with postsecondary degrees can earn $1,000 more per week than those with some or no college education.
The report "What's it Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors," found that even with a large variation of earnings over a lifetime, all undergraduate degrees help workers earn more.Using census data, the study found that the top ranking majors for earned salaries were petroleum engineer, earning an average of $120,000 annually, and pharmaceutical scientist, who earned an average of $105,000 per year. When it comes to the liberal arts and humanities, the study found that despite the lack of a concentrated skill, the degree still scored high when it came to finding work.The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals with postsecondary degrees can earn $1,000 more per week than those with some or no college education.
Data Finds Country Not Producing Enough College Educated Career Professionals
A new report finds that those without a postsecondary degree on their resume feel less secure about their future and their ability to find a good job compared to those who have completed college.
The new study by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, "One Degree of Separation: How Young Americans See Their Chances for Success," showed that 4 in 10 people between the ages of 26 and 34 want to go back to college to finish their education, but most of them do not know how to take out federal loans for financial aide. Of the people surveyed, those who had only graduated from high school said they were less likely to considered their occupations a "career." Those without a degree who were not working also felt that they were less likely to find a job within the next year compared to their peers who had graduated.The report recommends that colleges try harder to recruit lower-income students looking to return to school. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals with an advanced degree have the potential to earn $1,000 more per week than those who have little or no college education.
Some Older Workers Choose New Degrees Over Retirement
Older workers seeking to stay ahead of changes in the economy or expand upon their savings are commonly switching careers shortly before retiring. Though a wealth of experience aids these employees in making the lifestyle change they desire, some jobless older Americans are seeking new degrees to help them build credentials for a career change.
Though she'll be 60-years-old when she finishes school, Linnea Schmidt gave up her Florida pottery business, which was disturbed by the recession, to work toward a degree in business administration with an emphasis in healthcare management.According to the Sun Sentinel, unemployment rates among workers 55-years-old or older are at their highest since 1948.Betsy Richards, director of career resources at Kaplan University told the news source, "[Older workers] are coming back to solidify their credentials or transition to a new career." According to Richards, business, education, healthcare, criminal justice and information technology are the most common areas of study for Americans older than 55.A 2005 study by the Department of Labor Statistics found that 57 percent of U.S. holds maintained at least one retirement account, with the average sum in the accounts totaling $49,944.
APS Debuts New Clinical Psychology Publication
Psychology professionals know that it's important to enhance their resume by publishing their research papers in industry journals. Now, the Association for Psychological Science (APS) announced the launch of a new peer-review publication called Clinical Psychological Science
Editor Alan E. Kazdin said the journal will focus on publishing advances in clinical science, as well as provide a venue for professionals to publish cutting-edge research across a wide range of concepts and topics, including basic research applications, preventative treatments, methodologies, technology-driven models and test predictions.
In keeping with the standards set by our sibling journals, we are eager to represent, illustrate, and reflect Clinical Psychological Science at its finest, Kazdin noted. "I look forward to a diverse set of articles, contributors, and disciplines that will help understand and ameliorate clinical disorders and sources of impairment."
Other journals by APS include Psychological Science and Current Directions in Psychological Science.
APS is now taking manuscripts submissions and said it plans to publish papers online shortly after they are accepted.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for psychologists are expected to increase faster than the average of other occupations, by 22%, through the end of the decade.
Psychology Services Helping Treat ADHD Patients in New York
Professionals with a psychology degree on their resume help patients deal with an number of behavioral issues. Now, doctors at a New York psychology clinic say they are successfully treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, teens and adults through a variety of unique teaching strategies.
The Child and Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Program for ADHD, a division of East End Psychology Services in Long Island, said that its staff psychologists help evaluate ADHD patients for baseline functions including behavioral inhibition and organizational skills. The client then may undergo various therapies that include behavior modification and counseling, as well as cognitive therapy.
Dr. Joseph Volpe, clinical psychologist and coordinator of the program, said patients are trained to use new skills to success in the home, educational and work environment.Many people with ADHD struggle with executive skill deficits which are based in the biology of their brain, Volpe noted. "Thus, effective ADHD intervention involves strengthening the individual's executive functions, which directly impact academic, career and social success. Executive skills permit individuals to manage or self-regulate themselves and guide behavior across time." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for psychologists are expected to grow by 12% through 2018.
New Survey Stresses Importance of College Education
A new survey has confirmed what many job seekers already know - that having a college degree on a resume can help candidates find work. According to the annual Michigan State University College Employment Research Institute survey, employers will increase their hiring of new 4-year college graduates by approximately 5 percent over the next year, The Associate Press reports.
However, what type of degree you have on your resume may make a big difference in the type of job you find and how quickly you will be hired.The report found that most companies are not necessarily looking for advanced degree holders to fill open positions. Survey director Phil Gardner told the news agency that it appears as if most businesses are now more willing to hire applicants with only a bachelor's degree because they command less salary. He said that could be a problem for recent MBA degree graduates who don't have a lot of on-the-job training and are looking to find work in their field.
The top-school MBA grads aren't going to have a problem, Gardner said. "It's all these kids without a lot of professional experience that aren't at the top-tier programs that will probably struggle to find work that is an 'MBA job.'" Meanwhile, in Ohio, the state Board of Regents is trying to encourage more students and adults that adding a postsecondary degree to their resumes will lead to better career opportunities. A high school credential is simply a ticket to be working poor, James Applegate, vice president for program development at the Lumina Foundation, told a crowd at at a recent conference for Ohio college trustees. "And 22 percent of the current workforce – 36 million to 38 million adults - have some college but no degree."
Employment officials in the state said that up to 60% of all jobs in Ohio will require some postsecondary education credential such as a 2-year associates degree, 4-year college diploma or a technical certificate by 2018.In fact, another recent study noted that while higher degrees generally mean a higher salary, there are wide variations of earnings across all sectors and fields of studies. For instance, the report by Georgetown University noted that approximately 30% of associate's degree holders actually earn more than people with bachelor's degrees. Professionals with certificates in engineering earn 20% more than workers with a generic degree in an unrelated field.
Take Your Dog to Work!
Heading off to work and leaving your canine best friend behind – with his hang-dog look and pleading eyes -- can be enough to make you want to stay home and play fetch all day.
But thanks to a growing trend, you may soon be able to leave your guilt at the door: More dogs than ever are accompanying their people to work.
A recent survey by the American Pet Products Association found that 20 percent of companies now have pet-friendly policies. Even if your dog isn't permitted to set paw in your office on a regular basis, you may be able to convince your company to participate in Take Your Dog to Work Day, on June 26, 2009. Or you can create your own dog-friendly workplace by starting your own business. (Take the free entrepreneur test to see if you have what it takes.)
Here's some ammo that will help you bark up the right tree with your boss so that every dog can have his (work)day:
- Dog-friendly companies attract hard workers. In a recent survey, 66 percent of dog owners said they'd work longer hours if their dogs could join them at work. Almost half would switch jobs, and 44 percent would take a salary cut for the perk
Dorrie Krueger, who has been bringing her 100-pound dog, Milford, to work with her almost daily for 9 years at Build-a-Bear Workshop, based in St. Louis, is deeply grateful for this popular company perk. "I don't have the terrible guilt of leaving Milford behind, and I can – and do – stay extra long at work and not have to worry about going home and letting him out, "she says.
- Dog-friendly companies hang onto their employees. Since the vast majority of businesses, especially larger ones, don't permit pooches, those who land jobs with dog-friendly companies tend to stay on. "It's a great retention tool," says Stephen Fukuhara, director of facilities operations at Autodesk, in San Rafael, California.
- Dogs at work are stress-busting teambuilders. Petting a dog has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce stress. When dogs show up at work, they tend to be social lubricants who bring people together and attract lots of pats. "When someone is stressed, they pet Roman or another dog," says Fiona Nolan, an Autodesk project manager of her rescued mutt. "Everyone feels better afterward."
- Dogs rarely cause problems at work. Some companies have strict policies, others are more laissez faire. But tales of problems are few. (At Build-a-Bear, for instance, no dog has ever ripped apart a stuffed bear!)
It's a given that dogs who go to work have to be well behaved. But Liz Palika, author of Dogs at Work, suggests a few other qualities that are helpful for a dog who goes to work: "Dogs should not be food thieves, or have lots of flatulence, drooling, constant scratching, or barking."
Is a dog-loving office where you should be working? Take the free career interest test to find out the best work environments for you.
Working Moms Opt For Online Education
Online courses are a great option for working moms wishing to further their education and career.
Rani Kota is one career woman who found online courses the perfect solution to access higher education while juggling the demands of her family life and working full-time, Gazette.net reports.She told the website that online education allows her to spend time on her main priorities: her family and job.With new technology, anyone can do it if they are willing to and can find a balance, said Ms Kota of Frederick, MD. Local community college director of distance learning Jurgen Hilke added that online courses are "a lifeline" to people who would not usually have access to education that can improve their career options.
Some people are also better suited to online classes than traditional face-to-face education, according to the vice president of non-profit group Educause, Diana G Oblinger. She told PayScale that "many students literally find their voice" in online education, as they are more confident to contribute to discussions having had the chance to think before speaking up.Studies show students develop more self-confidence if they develop through online learning, Ms Oblinger concluded.
