When you were little, what did you want be when you grew up? Most kids have exciting dreams of becoming a ballerina, a rock star, even Batman! But most of us don’t end up living out the dreams we had as kids. Our adult reality is far different, but that doesn’t mean we have to work at a job we hate for the rest of our lives. In fact, one secret to a happy, lucrative career is to learn to love what we do. And believe it or not, that’s not as difficult as you might think.
Tip #1: Be Prepared to Work for What You Want
This runs counter to the idea that if you simply follow your dreams, you’ll be a success. But that advice neglects a key component to achieving the life you want — hard work. The truth is, everyone who makes it to the top of their field — the Michael Phelps and Beyoncés of the world — don’t get there by dreaming about it. They get there through persistence, constant practice, talent, education and making the most of every opportunity they get. Passion may give them a direction to move in, but it doesn’t guarantee their arrival.
Tip #2: Choose an Occupation that Makes a Difference
In spite of what you may have been taught about making money or climbing the career ladder, people tend to be happier and more productive when they have a job that is meaningful. According to The Muse, a popular site focusing on success in the workplace, meaningful jobs have three elements — they tap into our natural talents (jobs we are well suited for), they help us to help others (they provide a service), and they make an obvious impact (we can quickly see the difference we’re making).
Tip #3: Get Good at What You Do
Another key to career success is being good at what you do. Your ability to do something well breeds satisfaction and accomplishment, which add to our overall happiness level in life. Plus, when you build up skills that are rare and valuable — as in, much-needed skills that are in short supply, like nursing or automotive work — then you end up with more career capital. In other words, you’re positioning yourself to find more job openings, better growth opportunities and more lucrative career paths.
Tip #4: Identify the Best Career Opportunities
No matter how good you are at your work, if there aren’t any job openings in your chosen field, you’re in a bind. Many people make the mistake of entering a crowded field, guaranteeing it will be much harder for them to land a position. To avoid that trap, take a look at the work force right now and ask where the skill and knowledge gaps are. What fields have a need for more employees? What opportunities are there for the taking?
Today, there are many well-paid careers in fields where workers are in short supply. One area with is a serious need for knowledgeable workers is in technical fields such as automotive repair, diesel engine maintenance, HVAC, and welding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for skilled automotive technicians is expected to increase by 17% between 2010 and 2020, meaning over 848,000 jobs will be open and waiting to be filled. While many people may have basic car maintenance skills that they learned at home or in high school, the real need is for “master mechanics” — people at the top of their field, with the kind of expertise and skills that only come from a trained technical education and hours of practice. Technical careers can be highly satisfying as well, since the work a technician does visibly impact the lives of people in need of car repairs, construction, and maintenance of the basic equipment that makes it possible to live well.
Don’t take our word for it, listen to what master technician, Mike Rowe thinks about pursuing technical careers. You may be surprised what he says.
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A career in automotives, diesel, HVAC and refrigeration, or welding may be the answer you are looking for in your search for a good, well-paying job. And Oklahoma Technical College can help! Find out more about how you can take on a technical career that is hands-on, rewarding, and profitable by requesting information about how we can help you today to grow in your career ambitions.
