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 | By Cynthia Kaan

I Don’t Like my First Job Out of College – At All

Mirror, mirror, on the wall – what is the job that will fulfill my all? If only we had such a mirror! It seems we are expected to know what to do with our lives before we have any real knowledge of what is possible. What if we end up in a career that doesn’t fit?

1. Stay calm. Pray for guidance with next steps.

2. Make a list of things you feel are important in a career. Do you want your workday to end at 5 p.m., or are you OK working in the evenings sometimes? Do you want to travel for work? Do you want to work with people or technology? What kind of environment do you prefer? Do you like routine or varied days?

3. Evaluate the pros and cons in the career you currently have. What drew you to that field? Are there things you still like about it? What makes you feel it isn’t a good fit? Find patterns of skills and passions.

4. Identify careers that fit the patterns. Find someone (or a few people) you can shadow. Ask questions about a normal day as well as cyclical responsibilities. What does this professional find challenging and what do they like? 
Once you have determined a better fit, find out what you need to do to become qualified and get going! Whether it’s more schooling or some retooling, pray for purpose and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you on your new path.