KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING ON A FUTURE PATH

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!

Location & Mobility
Are jobs available where I want to live, or will I need to move? Is remote work an option?
​Work Environment & Schedule
Indoors or outdoors? Hands-on or behind a desk? Day shifts or rotating schedules?
Lifestyle Fit & Values
How will this career support the way I want to live—work-life balance, flexibility, helping others, creativity, etc.?
Growth Opportunities
Are there clear paths for advancement or further specialization?
Financial & Time Investment in Education
How long will it take and what will it cost to get qualified?

Personal Interests & Strengths 
What do I genuinely enjoy doing? Where do I feel naturally capable or curious?
Education & Training Needed
Do I need a 4-year degree, 2-year degree, certification, or on-the-job training?
Job Outlook & Stability
Is this career projected to grow in the next 5–10 years? Is it in demand locally or nationally?
Income & Benefits
Does the typical salary fit the lifestyle I envision (housing, travel, family plans)? What about health insurance, retirement, etc.?

TOOLS AND TIPS TO EXPLORE CAREER PATHS

CAREER & APTITUDE ASSESSMENTS

INTEREST & STRENGTH SURVEYS

Helps students match interests with career clusters (FREE)

Offers insight into work style and environment.

Connects personal skills to in-demand jobs.

Measures aptitudes like spatial reasoning, idea generation, pattern recognition and matches you to high-growth careers.

OTHER STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER

Journaling prompts:
“When do I feel most energized?” “What kind of problems do I enjoy solving?”

Job Shadowing & Informational Interviews:
Short, real-world exposure to various careers.

Clubs & Volunteering:
​Low-stakes ways to “try out” fields—robotics club, tutoring, yearbook, hospital volunteering.