Whether starting your career or looking for a change, you may be wondering what jobs lead to the best career. The answer to this question is different for everyone as it must include your skills, your personal preferences, characteristics, and traits – who you are. Choosing a career path depends a lot on your short and long-term goals.
But what is a career path? A career path is a sequence of jobs that can lead to better jobs or next career steps. The path may or may not be linear but usually involves vertical growth or advancement.
What Is an Example of a Career Path?
Career paths will typically move you through a particular industry or organization. Sometimes larger organizations will have designated career paths and defined steps needed to move from one role to another.
For example, if you started a career path in customer service, you might start as a customer service representative. From there, you might become an account representative or do inside sales. After that, you might specialize even further in the product or service then become a team or sales manager.
How Do You Create a Career Path?
As you consider a career path for yourself, first identify all the roles within that particular field. You may want to do some research by reviewing job postings from companies or online searches.
Next, list out the skills required for each role and figure out where you fit in. Do you have the skills needed to move from one role to another? Will you gain the new skills required in the course of your work or will you need additional training?
If you will need additional training, research your options. Training can be offered by the company or in some cases, outside the company. Training could be anything from online coursework to certifications.
What Are the 6 Career Paths?
Career paths usually fall into career “clusters.” Clusters are groups of careers that are similar. While the career paths for individual roles may vary, the skills and personality type required may have a lot in common.
Below are some of the major industries and some considerations for each:
1. Arts and Communication
Careers in this cluster require creativity and innovation. Career paths include advertising, journalism, and broadcasting.
2. Business, Management, Marketing and Technology
If you enjoy leadership, organization, or planning, this might be the right career fit. Career paths include accounting, human resources, sales, marketing, and finance.
3. Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
People in this career cluster are mechanically inclined and enjoy solving problems. Career paths include architecture, mechanics, repair, and construction.
4. Health Sciences
This field includes caring for others who may be sick or understanding diseases. Careers in this field include dentistry, medicine, and therapy.
5. Human Services
For people who love working with other people, this career cluster requires friendliness and cooperation. People working in human services want to make things better for others. Career paths include education, law and law enforcement, and social services.
6. Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences
This career cluster has roles for people who love being outdoors and are interested in the natural world. Career paths include agriculture, earth sciences, and wildlife management.
What Is a Good Career Path?
For each individual, a good career path aligns with their skills, personality traits and preferences. Career goals can be fluid. You do not need to know exactly where you will end up, however, it helps to identify the industry in which you want to work.
Some industries have many interrelated paths, so if you begin in one and find that it is not a good fit, you can make a change and leverage some of your transferable skills.
A lot of this may have to do with your personality type. Some enjoy people-oriented industries and working with clients. Others are more numbers- or task-driven.
To help you understand if a career path is a good fit for you, read job descriptions for roles that interest you. As you read the job descriptions, ask yourself if you can do the job but also, will you enjoy the work? Doing work that is fulfilling and enjoyable goes a long way to creating a career path that is a good fit for you.
What Is The Career Path For You?
By choosing a career path, you can start to look forward to future opportunities. As you develop a resume and cover letter for your career path, you’ll want to consider how to best market your skills, credentials and talents for your industry.
Now that you have identified a career path that fits your goals, you may want help making your resume stand out. We can help you create a personalized resume that will get you more interviews. Contact me today to get started.