How to Plan a Career 8: Use Skills & Training You Possess

This continues my series on how to plan a career that will bring you satisfaction & earnings

Once you decide what occupation you will pursue, you begin preparing to move into the occupation. Hopefully, you reviewed both the Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET as part of your decision making process. In addition, I hope you talked to several people working in the occupation that interests you. Then, you studied what you learned and selected a career that will bring the most satisfaction while providing adequately for you and your family.

You Already Bring Some Expertise

You already bring the passion, skills, and expertise to the career if you followed our model.

• You began your research by analyzing what you love to do
• The Motivated Skills Test gave you a list of skill you delight and enjoy using
• You identified skills in which you are highly proficient and competent
• You probably found a way to do the skills that you enjoy doing
• Therefore, you already received both training and experience in some skills

.Getting a 2nd Bachelor’s Degree

You may already posses a college degree. You may have chosen an occupation that typically specifies a different degree than you received. You may think you need to go back to college and get a second bachelor’s degree.

Getting a second bachelor’s degree generally wastes your time and money. There are only four occupations that require a specific Bachelor’s degree to work in that occupation: accounting, engineering, nursing, and information technology. Most companies will accept a specific degree or one “in a related field”.

Instead, invest in a master’s degree or certificate. Graduate degrees carry more legitimacy than two undergraduate degrees. Frequently, a master’s degree will take less time than a second bachelor’s. You can also complete a certificate program in a few weeks or months. They can enhance your degree at a fraction of the cost.

Recognizing the skills, experience, and training you already possess can get you started in your chose occupation. They can get you started.

Join me Friday when we discuss getting more education or training for your future career