Education and Training

When investigating different career alternatives, one constant factor you have to consider is your level of skills, education, and training. Each occupation requires a particular set of them. Now that you have chosen a specific occupation as your dream job, you will want to look again at exactly what qualifications are needed. (If you haven’t done this step yet, now would be a good time to do it.)

After you have identified the qualifications you need, the next step is to decide how you will go about acquiring those you don’t have. Quite often, you will need to return for some type of schooling to get a specific degree, diploma, or certificate. Or it may require developing certain skills through less formal channels.

Whichever route you need to take, keep the following points in mind:

• Double check the importance or necessity of the qualifications. If further schooling is needed, make sure the program or courses you enroll in are recognized by employers. This can’t be stressed too much. You don’t want to spend four years in college getting a degree that nobody in your chosen occupation accepts as valid.

• Contact the school or schools that offer the program you plan to take to make sure you have all the requirements you need to enroll in the program.

• Don’t wait until the last minute to start investigating your options. Talk with your parents, teachers, or career counselors about the choices you plan to make. The less hurried your decision, the more likely it will be the right decision.

Return to our Next Step index