Content Updated 03/18/2024
Selecting a career path that aligns with your talents and interests is important to your overall happiness and career fulfillment. However, with so many career paths available, deciding which best suits you can sometimes be challenging. The path to a new career involves some deep-diving into your career goals and academic needs. Before beginning your journey toward a new career, it is important to determine your goals, realize your individual needs, and research institutions that align with them. 
Keep reading to learn how Boardman Training Center makes the process of choosing a new career training program simpler!
Set Your Career Goals
You may already have a career goal in mind, or you may know you want a new career but are unsure of what exactly you want your future to look like. If you are undecided, some questions to ask yourself include:
- Why do you want to start a new career? Think about what fuels your passion for working in that specific field. Does motivation come from family members? Would you like to improve your future or way of life? Are you self-motivated? Or are there other reasons?
- What are you looking for in a new career? It is important to understand what you want to achieve from your career path, so it is crucial to set goals. Would you prefer a high-paying salary that gives you better security? Do you need more flexible working hours to create a better work-life balance? Are you motivated to work in a field where you can help others? Is working from home a top priority?
- What areas are you interested in? Do you have any natural talents that will help your career path? Are you into technology? Do you enjoy interacting with others? Whatever your decision, select something that you excel at naturally.
- Do you plan to continue advancing your career? Creating a plan of action will help you get to your chosen career path and advance. You can begin with the basics, then work your way up in the working world.
- Where do you want to be in five years? You need to visualize your long-term goals. You must have an idea of the end result to meet your career goals. Would you like a new car or a dream home? You may want to start a college fund for your child. Visualizing these results will continue to motivate you as you go.
Once you’ve completed your list of answers, you will be on the right track to creating a future in which you will thrive. Always remember that the goals you set should be SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
Determine Your Needs
Now that you have successfully determined your goals, it’s time to think about what you need to achieve them. Each career path is different; you will need different training to help you get there.
In this stage, examine the job descriptions for the careers you are interested in pursuing. If you want to become a medical assistant, take a look at the vacancies within your city for that role. What educational background do candidates need to apply? Is a license or certification mandatory? Do they require previous experience? When you are done reviewing the job descriptions and requirements, make a list of the things that are most relevant. This list is exactly what you need to qualify for the job.
It’s important to note the job qualifications and understand the option that works best for you. Here are some additional questions to help guide you.
- What is your learning style? Everyone retains information differently, and how we remember it is linked to our specific learning style. Some people learn better when they hear about a topic, while others are more attentive when they read. Some prefer to learn with the practical approach of completing a task and seeing the outcome themselves. Finding your learning style will help improve your career training choices.
- What is your personality type? Our personality traits also affect how we retain information. Try taking a personality test, such as the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. It could help you learn more about yourself and how to utilize your learning style.
You now have the checklist of requirements you need to choose the best career training classes for you.
Research Career Training Options
Now it’s time to research the variety of career training program options available and choose the one that best suits you. To understand the options, you need to explore the programs that will help you meet your career goals and work with your specific learning style.
- Does the program train you for the specific job you want? Do you recall that list you made based on job descriptions? We created it for this question. Take that list and do a comparison of the career training programs you are considering. Does it provide you with the knowledge and skills required? Do you prepare for professional certifications? Does the program timeframe align with your career goals? Will it help you advance in your career?
- Is the school aligned with your needs? The next step is to determine which school will be the best institution to meet your needs. Here are a few questions you can ask for guidance: Is there a dedicated admissions team member who will help you understand the application process requirements? Are flexible financing options offered? Is the teaching style aligned with your learning style? Do students get personalized instruction?
- What support is offered to students? You need to know how the school will support you after you complete your career training. Here are a few questions to ask: Is the environment supportive for students? Is additional help and tutoring offered if needed? Are there any services available that will continue even after graduation?
When you have reviewed the options, assess the pros and cons by making a list to help you decide. After you’ve evaluated the career training options, you can confidently make a selection that will allow you to have a successful career.
Get Started Today
After going through these steps, you’ve created your career goals, determined your needs, and decided which career training program you will attend. So now you’re ready to start your journey to a new career!
If you want to begin a career in the exciting field of healthcare, Boardman Training Center may be perfect for you. We offer accelerated career training programs in medical assisting, medical billing and coding, cardio phlebotomy, EKG, and phlebotomy.
Get started today by contacting our admissions team by calling 330-729-9244 or requesting information!