Many people spend their entire lives working in jobs that they do not enjoy. Why? Often, it is because they have taken the first job, they were offered without giving it much thought.

How can you avoid having this happen to you? First, you should determine your “personal profile” by identifying and analyzing your own strengths, weaknesses, things you enjoy, and things you dislike. Second, you should identify the types of jobs that fit your profile. Third, you should identify and research the companies that offer those jobs.

Assignment

1. Take two sheets of paper and draw a line down the middle of each sheet, forming two columns on each page. Label column 1 “Things I Enjoy or Like to Do,” column 2 “Things I Do Not Like Doing,” column 3 “My Strengths,” and column 4 “My Weaknesses.”

2. Record data in each column over a period of at least one week. You may find it helpful to have a relative or friend give you input.

3. Summarize the data and write a profile of yourself.

4. Take your profile to a career counselor at your college or to the public library and ask for help in identifying jobs that fit your profile. Your college may also offer testing to assess your skills and personality. The internet is another resource.

5. Research the companies that offer the types of jobs that fit your profile.

6. Write a report on your findings.