Something many people may not consider before they decide which path they want to follow in life in terms of their career is setting. People know how important it is to choose a field that they are interested in, but will interesting work make up for a workplace you disdain?
Maybe you’re the kind of person who needs routine and organization, or maybe you thrive on not knowing exactly what you’ll be doing that day. This list can help you narrow down your job field to hopefully find something just right for you.
1. Outdoor
If sitting at a desk isn’t your thing and you need to be outdoors most of the time to be happy, then a routine office job (no matter how much you may love what you’re doing) is not going to make you happy. Why not look into being a river rafting guide? Or becoming a scuba instructor, landscape architect, snowboard instructor, city tour guide, or an archaeologist? There are plenty of careers that let you spend the majority of your time in the great outdoors.
Image by Charlie Brewer
2. Active
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys moving around all day and needs to be on their feet to feel like they’re really doing something, then you might be interested in one of the following careers: teacher, real estate agent, air cabin crew, physiotherapist, personal trainer, airport security, tennis instructor, or P.E. teacher.
3. Variety
Love the idea of waking up in the morning having no idea what the day might bring? Like taking on new challenges every day? You may be interested in working as an event/wedding planner or doctor, nurse, police officer, fireman, charity fundraiser or maybe a career in retail or journalism.
4. Controlled
Do you like a controlled work environment? Knowing what you’re going to be dealing with every day? Then you should consider working in an office setting. Being able to go to work with a list of things you need to get done that day, and accomplishing them; peering around your glass wall partitions to bounce ideas off your co-workers; following a routine that you know works for you.
5. Independent
Not a 9 to 5 kind of person? Want to be able to create your own schedule, be completely independent and not worry about what your boss might think? Consider being an entrepreneur; create your own business. You might enjoy starting up a new restaurant or store. If you have a passion for the written word maybe put your ideas on paper and you could be an author who works from home.
The exact work you might be doing shouldn’t be your only concern when looking at what kind of career would be right for you, if you’re going to be doing something for the majority of your time for the foreseeable future, make sure it’s right for you. Life’s too short for regrets!
Elise Lévêque is a freelance translator who also blogs for Applied Workplace and couldn’t imagine doing anything else!