5 Steps to Choose a Career Path After High School

For many years, your school has provided you with a protected environment that shielded you from the hardships of the world out there. And now, it is finally coming to an end!

Remember when you were all lively and cheery as a kid? Whenever anyone would ask, “What would you like to be when you grow up?” and you would be quick to reply to this question with a “Doctor!”, “Miss World!” or even an ambitious, “Astronaut!”.

Cut to a couple of decades later, you realize that the same question is indeed not an easy one to answer. The path you choose in order to get your dream job may be laden with challenges. But, there are many ways to help you sail through this journey more smoothly.

Here are five steps that would guide you in choosing a career path after high school –

1. Pursue your passion

As the saying goes, don’t try to pick a job that has great vacation time; rather, pick a job that doesn’t make you want to escape from it. A very important factor to consider when choosing a career is your passion. What do you enjoy doing? What motivates you each day to get up?

Try looking for careers that would answer this question and match your interests.

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2. Take an Aptitude/Personality Test

Not sure about your abilities and shortcomings? Take a career assessment test to assist you in understanding this. Ask yourself, “What am I good at?”

If you love socializing or enjoy working around people, you may want to consider career options that involve interaction with people. Whereas if you enjoy working in solitude, or have a penchant for computers, consider programming or writing!

3. Research! And then, Research some more!

Browse the internet regularly, and you may be surprised to find suitable career paths that you never knew about! With the internet at your service, it is now easy to explore your career options. Try not to button down your decisions solely on the basis of what you already know.

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4. Always Ask for Help

Many of us put ourselves through this daunting task all by ourselves, which leads to self-doubt and confusion. Why do this when you can seek help from experts, career guidance counselors, or even your own family members?

The internet will provide you with unlimited information about this topic, but no article can tell you about the hidden perks and pitfalls or introduce you to new opportunities based on your personality.

5. Craft a professional resume 

Last but not least, prepare an updated resume that speaks about your credentials and capabilities. If this is your first time, don’t feel intimidated. There are enough samples, templates, resources available online that will help you do this meticulously.

The process of choosing a career option is not a linear one. It’s more like a meandering road that could lead you to a completely different course in the end. According to reports, people switch careers at least five times in their lives.

So don’t fret about choosing the perfect career. What’s important is that you at least make a choice.

5 Proven Ways to Earn Money Without Going to Work

There may be a point in your life when you feel beaten by certain challenges such as a serious physical injury, a medical condition or other personal issues at home. A sudden situation like this can leave you in bad financial conditions.

So many of us rely on our physical well-being to commute to work and earn our daily bread and butter. When you are faced with a situation like that, it can often leave you at sixes and sevens.

If you are dealing with similar problems resulting in a loss of a job or are out of work for any other reason, here are five ways to earn money without having to go to work –

1. Put Your Room Up for Rent 

This is probably one of the best ways of earning a steady income without doing much. You may have to compromise a bit on your comfort and privacy, but it’s worth the trouble.

All you have to do is list your property on Airbnb, decide on a tariff, maintain the room on a regular basis, and make small arrangements for your guests. This option offers a lot of flexibility as well.

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2. File a Case 

If you are suffering from a serious injury that was caused at the workplace or from others’ fault, you could make a legal case based on how you were injured. 

You can consult your lawyer; he will make you familiar with the entire process. It’s quite possible that you get compensated for the injury. This may not be useful in the longer run, but it could provide you with funds to get the ball rolling.

3. Consider Becoming a Freelancer 

You may have some extra set of skills or talent that you could use to make a living. Think about what you’re good at. Can you edit videos? Do you have a flair for writing? Are you familiar with graphic designing?

There are plenty of opportunities out there. Create a profile on a freelancing website such as Upwork, Freelancer.in, Fiverr, and get started.

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4. Sell on Marketplaces 

Rummage through your wardrobe or look through the stuff in your attic. You might find many useful and sellable items that you could list on marketplaces for free or put your stuff up for auction.

If you can’t find items to sell, try to create marketable handmade products, jewelry, for example. You can also learn how to make a greeting card decoration or templates for cupcake liners and sell these on Etsy.

5. Have a Website Pay You 

Crowdsource is an online company that pays you to do small tasks. Another website called Liveops will pay you for answering customer calls. You can use Project Payday to get paid for writing testimonials. There are a plethora of options available at your disposal.

Such phases in life are only temporary. Don’t feel dejected because you cannot do a certain job. Many people who go through these kinds of problems eventually regain normalcy in their lives sooner or later.

6 Pragmatic Ways to Choose a Job You Love

Often, you may find yourself submerged in deep thoughts, questioning your career choices. This hits you hard, especially on days when you’re having a rather stressful day at work.

You go back home feeling anxious and seek advice from a family member who would probably respond with, “What do you want to do then?”

Whether you are looking for a job switch or just starting a career, here are six ways to help you discover your true calling –

1. Consider your interests 

Isn’t it obvious? If you want the perfect job, it has to be one that’s congruous to your interests. Write down 3 of your interests that can be transformed into a great career.

Use the G+P+V formula, which stands for Gifts, Passion, and Values. Once you’ve done this, half the battle is won!

2. Test a test 

Evaluating your interests and passion is an essential factor while choosing a suitable job. Having said that, you should not only love your job but also be capable of doing it well.

A personality test like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator will help you discern your skills and personality traits, providing the direction you need. There are plenty of other job-specific aptitude tests that will aid you in understanding what you’re good at.

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3. Explore new career paths through research 

It’s surprising how so many of us were not even aware that our dream jobs existed until much later in life. Make use of the WWW to search for unconventional job opportunities available today.

You might find something that you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t know existed.

4. Think about your current state  

Some career options may require years of formal training and can also be expensive. You need to figure out if you are financially and mentally ready to undertake these courses.

Remember that there is an alternative for everything. Your decision should never be based on this point alone. Aside from your financial situation, you have to also ask yourself if you are willing to invest the time and effort it demands.

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5. Take an internship 

If the above points didn’t work for you, try taking an internship. It may not pay you well, but it is the most practical way of gauging the best-suited job for yourself.

Some of us can only be sure of a job once we actually do it. Only consider this once you have narrowed down your options.

6. Make the decision 

You are sure to find multiple career paths where you can excel. 

A lot of us waste time doing something we hate simply because we can’t decide! Here’s what you should do – Stop thinking about the cons of making a wrong choice, or you’ll experience analysis paralysis. Just go ahead and pick one. If it doesn’t work, pick another one. It’s impossible to move forward if you cannot even make a decision.

Even in today’s competitive world, it’s never too late to choose a happier, more fulfilling life for yourself. Treat your career as a marathon and not a sprint. It can turn out to be completely different from where you started off. Heck, you can even have more than one career!

4 Careers to Pursue in Oral Health

The field of oral health can never be obsolete. With the majority of the population consuming refined carbohydrates and excessive sugars, leading to more instances of tooth decay, this field is very much in demand. 

Helping to maintain oral health and hygiene is a rewarding job indeed. Here are a few of the avenues in the field of oral health that one can choose from.

1. Dental Surgeons and Specialists

Dental Surgery is one of the highest paying professions worldwide. It is rewarding, respectable, and highly technique-sensitive. 

You can work on various areas of the head and neck other than teeth and gums. Prosthodontists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Orthodontists, and Endodontists are a few of the highly rewarding specialties one can opt for. 

You need a bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery along with a specialization in any of the nine branches of dentistry to be able to practice as a surgeon or a specialist dental surgeon.

2. Dental Auxiliary

Auxiliaries are people who assist Dental Surgeons in carrying out dental procedures. From dental nurses to lab and surgery assistants, there are numerous things to work on. 

You can help dentists take X-rays, sterilization rituals, impression taking, and give post-operative instructions to patients. Dental Auxiliaries are growing in demand due to the multitude of dental practices opening up now.

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3. Dental Hygienists

A Dental Hygienist is one level higher than a dental assistant. You will be involved in scaling and oral prophylaxis procedures, diagnosis and preventive treatment modalities, and checkups of patients. Moreover, you also help in educating patients about oral hygiene practices.

4. Lab Technicians

From fabricating bridges, crowns, and complete dentures to creating orthodontic and orthognathic appliances, a Lab Technician’s job is highly labor intensive and time-consuming, but the benefits are many. Lab Technicians receive dental impressions and jaw relations and work on them also to create obturators, cast partial dentures, fixed and removable dental appliances.

Forensics as a Career Option

Forensic science is an upcoming field with numerous high paying avenues and a wide range of careers to choose from. Forensic science is the study of crime scenes and various scientific angles to the evidence found at the scene. From forensic investigators to legal experts, there are a lot of options to choose from.

Fields you can work for

  • Analytical chemist
  • Biomedical scientist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Scientific laboratory technician
  • Teaching laboratory technician
  • Toxicologist
  • Face mapping expert

You need adequate practical exposure, which is centered around attention to detail, analytical ability and comfort with body fluids and viscera. You can work at a laboratory for gaining experience and also work with the police as a constable to get a better idea about crime scenes.

You can also avail internships with employers who can gradually start paying you after you’ve gained enough experience.

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Class of Employers

Since the government sector makes use of outsourced employees for forensic work, there is only scope in the private sector for a job based on forensic science. The Ministry of Defense, the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, employs forensic scientists. You can also work in the academic sector, law enforcement and other branches.

Skill Set

You need the following qualities to excel at a forensic science job:

  • A penchant for detail.
  • Analytical and systematic approachable.
  • Patience and focus.
  • Ability to work for long hours.
  • You need to be an effective communicator, flexible with work hours and have a stoic approach to deal with unpleasant crime analysis.
  • Can do both teamwork and work independently.

You can opt for a Masters in Forensic Science after you’re done with your bachelors. Other fields where you can work include molecular biology and fire investigation. A PhD can be pursued in the field of the drug, perfume, and DNA analysis.

5 Careers for You if You Love Adventure Sports

From life-threatening situations to adventure trips, the high and the rush of adrenaline is something everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime. But if you want to spend all your life living the rush, adventure sports is the field for you. 

If you’re not desperate for money and have a lust for life, check out these fabulous career choices which will turn your passion into your livelihood.

Mountaineering

Many mountaineers have set world records and emerged victorious in their missions to be awarded by governments of their countries- from Edmund Hillary, Tenzin Norgay and Bachendri Pal to many other pioneers in this field. You can also launch your mountaineering expeditions and guide other mountain climbers to scale new heights.

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Trekking

If exploring nature and walking past rugged terrains is your passion, you should get into trekking. You can be a trekking instructor or an organizer. You can organize treks only if you have a good knowledge of trekking spots and hiking expeditions. This will surely pay a lot now, with the rising popularity of this hassle-free sport amongst nature lovers.

Skiing

From snow-clad peaks to avalanche-prone areas, you can scale any of these areas for a quick adrenaline rush. There are tonnes of skiing competitions and initiatives at holiday spots. So while you enhance the tourism prospects in an area, you can also fulfil your lust for adventure.

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Air Sports:

Everyone loves bungee jumping, sky diving and paragliding- you can soar high in the sky and fly like a bird to experience the excitement in a new avatar. You could be a skydiving trainer and can also organize paragliding and bungee jumping drives in holiday spots during the season to earn a quick buck as there is no dearth of adventure junkies wanting to experience the same high.

Water Sports:

From Shivpuri to Nepal, the passion for river rafting is a rage. Also, Yacht Racing, Snorkeling and Kayaking are other options you can choose from. Have your fleet of boats, kayaks and canoes and help other people explore this wild side of the water while earning a ton of money.

5 Lowest Paid Career Choices for Doctors

Medicine is a high-paying and rewarding specialty, and it comes with a lot of perks as well as responsibilities. 

But despite the high pay structure, what actually involves this profession is relentless hard work and a huge pile of student debt. And when your specialty doesn’t pay you that well, you end up paying up these debts up till your old age, which can prove to be taxing and troublesome for your well-being and peace of mind. 

Here are a few of the lowest-paying medical specialties in a nutshell. 

Pediatricians

More popularly known as child specialists, this field is the most indispensable yet most poorly compensated out of all the specialties. 

The range of treatment and the risk involved is intense, from vaccinations to the treatment of disorders for children and from simple flu to a degenerative disorder. Yet, pediatricians earn as low as $189,000.

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Family Medicine

Ranking just after Pediatricians, family medicine practitioners deal with primary healthcare, preventive care for familial disorders, and many more, yet they remain to be the lowest paid on the list. However, a 10 percent increase has been recorded since 2013 to a figure of $195,000 a year.

Endocrinology

Dealing with the hormone secreting organs, endocrinologists have been entrusted with the task of treating conditions like Hypo and Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes, and many more. But the remuneration they receive still ranks amongst the lowest of all specialties amounting to 206,000 dollars per annum.

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HIV/Infectious Diseases Specialists

As serious are the implications of HIV/AIDS and many other infectious disorders, some of which can be life-threatening, the remuneration for doctors belonging to this specialty is considerably low as compared to other specialties standing at approximately $215000 per annum. 

Allergy Specialists

Allergies are elevated hypersensitivity reactions that occur in the body due to exposure to certain agents that elicit these responses known as allergens. Allergies can sometimes be life-threatening, and many emergency treatments are required in some cases. Allergy specialists can earn up to 222,000 dollars per annum. 

5 Jobs For You as A Computer Engineering Graduate

Computer engineering is the most commonly picked up course by engineering aspirants. Here’s why, pay packages, awesome job prospects, or a fancy workplace with a chilled-out work ethic? Or more? 

The world of computing has intrigued many, and it’s this mysterious realm that everyone wants to explore. And what’s better than turning this curiosity into a full-fledged career considering the outbreak of so many tech firms and IT-based job profiles? 

Check out these five exciting careers you can opt for as a computer engineer.

Network Architect 

You are responsible for: 

  • Designing the entire network layout of organizations from LAN, WAN, Internet, VoIP, and so on. 
  • Monitoring of network usage and performance, formulating network tests and examining them. 
  • Including any new business requirements so as to update the overall network architecture. 
  • Do any required cabling, routers, and install and configure hardware and software. 
  • Implement or draft a budget for projects. 
  • Choose or recommend the appropriate network components. 
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Software Engineer 

The most common job profile for computer engineers, this field involves various responsibilities based on hierarchies in the organization you’re working for. 

From creating/testing/documenting software to optimizing software based on technical, mathematical, and/or scientific knowledge, software engineers are among the IT industry’s highest-paid and most indispensable professionals. 

Manager, Information Systems Security 

An Information Systems Security Manager takes care of the security of company and customer data and computer systems. They also cater to: 

  • IT security needs for companies
  • Analyze security requirements
  • Document security policies
  • Implement security solutions
  • And take care of the overall software and information portals of a company.
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Manager, Applications Development

These professionals take care of: 

  • The organization’s internally-created software applications and platforms. 
  • Collect application requirements
  • Interface with VP Tech, marketing, project managers, managers of other teams
  • Manage software analysts and/or developers for creating the company’s application portfolio
  • Evaluate timelines and resource
  • Schedule projects where required.

Applications Architect 

This job profile is basically a misnomer for a software developer or software engineer. 

  • You need to be well versed with the software of your respective organization.
  • Have enough project management experience
  • Senior-level software development experience
  • And your job is to look after the entire software development (application portfolio) initiative for an organization.
  • Define application architecture
  • Interact with the various role-specific architects, project managers, customer representatives
  • Communicate with developers while implementing software architecture. 

5 Requirements to Be a Foreign Diplomat

First, let us get to know what exactly a foreign diplomat does.

Diplomats serve the state by working for the State Department and are responsible for ensuring positive ties between nations and healthy international relations and also help create a good image for the country at a global level.

Here are the requirements for making the cut as a foreign diplomat.

A way with words

Diplomacy means navigating through complicated and awkward relationships between countries and solving problems through a calm-headed approach and the ability to hold your tongue in the most testing of situations.

A gift of the gab is crucial for a diplomat so that any sourness in relationships between nations can just be solved by talking it out and saying the right things.

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Ability to live in different locations

You need to keep your bag packed at all times, be ready to move from one location to another. Sometimes you will have to stay away from your country for a fairly long amount of time, and if you’re a homesick person, this isn’t the job for you.

Ability to thrive in stressful situations

You may be required to address some antagonistic situations and relationships with nations where conflicts are rampant.

You may also need to navigate through conflict zones, and this requires a lot of restraint and a stoic approach, and a calm temperament on your part. Hotheaded and short-tempered attitudes will only make matters worse.

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Interpersonal skills

You will be attending many international formal gatherings and events and meet with foreign leaders from a variety of nations and around 270 different embassies and consulates.

So your interpersonal skills need to be impeccable, and you need to be jovial and be able to get along with people of different nationalities and races.

Multitasking

As a diplomat, you will be required to be well versed with issues concerning the world at large. Science, politics, law, environment, economics, international affairs, you need to have everything at the tip of your fingers to be able to solve diplomatic issues and foster better ties with other countries.

5 Career Options in Chemistry & Sound Engineering

Chemistry is one of the basis of mankind. Every minuscule reaction, every single process on this planet requires a thorough understanding of the laws and theories of chemistry. 

This is why every field from engineering to space sciences, healthcare, and many more is constantly on the lookout for Chemistry majors and postgraduates. Here are some career options you can opt for if you love Chemistry. 

Analytical chemistry 

Here you will be dealing with the composition of matter and particles. Analytical Chemistry is an extremely versatile field. Many industries employ analytical chemists for seamless manufacturing processes of their product, and a good knowledge of component properties and weaknesses helps them accomplish the task well.

Healthcare scientist, clinical biochemistry 

This field deals with the analysis of bodily fluids for medical and health examinations and is also involved in the diagnosis of disorders like diabetes mellitus, jaundice, gout, etc. 

These disorders can be ascertained by judging the levels of certain fluids in the body. The healthcare sector is constantly on the lookout for healthcare scientists, and they are also in demand in various labs and diagnostic centers. 

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Forensic scientist 

Crime scenes are replete with pieces of evidence, and these areas have all the clues for solving cases; this is where Chemistry comes into play. 

Crime scenes need highly trained and experienced forensic scientists to examine crime scenes for chemicals, body fluids and their differentiation, DNA and fingerprint analysis, and blood analysis. This field is very lucrative. 

Pharmacologist 

Pharmacology is defined as the study of the composition mechanism and action of medicines. These professionals are in high demand in the health and pharma sector.

Toxicologist

Toxicologists deal with the effects and actions of certain drugs, chemicals, and agents on the somatic cells and human systems. This field is very research-intensive and is indispensable in today’s times of chemical exposures in the environment due to the high amount of industries mushrooming today.

5 Career Options in Sound Engineering

Sound engineering is the most happening career option today. Especially for music lovers who also have prowess in engineering and hold technology degrees, this field can be an opportunity to play with various sounds and musical and acoustic variations and create something out of the ordinary. 

Sound engineers have traditionally been a part of fields like Motion Picture, Video Industries, Sound Recording Industries, Radio, Television Broadcasting, Performing Arts Companies and work with Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers. 

But now, due to cut-throat competition, sound engineers are looking for new avenues other than the conventional ones. Previous designations for sound engineers included Live Concert Engineer, Studio Engineer, Sound Designer, Mastering Engineer, Remixing Engineer, Music Producer, Audiovisual Technician, Audio Freelancer, and so on. 

Now, due to the diversification of the job market, here is the new set of vocations sound engineers can pick up and excel. 

App development 

With more updates in mobile technology and operating systems like Android and IOS, sound engineers have come into so much demand for sound-based and voice-based applications like OK Google, google now, and Microsoft Cortana. More sound engineers are now being engaged to develop sound and voice-based apps. 

Location Recording Engineer 

The film and television industry now works on the principle of live recording, and dubbing is passe. 

Sync Sound is a new technology where live recording is used, and sound engineers are now in demand for job profiles of location recording and recording engineers. You need technical expertise as a lot of details have to be looked into while live recording sound. 

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System Tuner / Consultant 

Firms have permanent audio equipment for various processes, and they are constantly on the lookout for system tuners to fine-tune the audio system and produce quality output. This requires knowledge and expertise in the room as well as environmental acoustics. You also need to be well versed with sound reinforcement products and their installation. 

Gaming Industry 

Video Games are no longer amateur bike rides in video parlors or joystick-operated arcade ones. New games with refined video quality and sound backup are now in vogue. 

Sound is a primary component of entertainment, and the gaming industry henceforth looks for sound professionals who can design creative portions for the games they develop. Audio engineers produce sound designs apt for the game, and this involves composing, scoring, and recording music. 

Studio Designer / Acoustic Consultant 

This is a diverse job profile and requires expertise in multiple disciplines. You need to be well versed with the basics of audio engineering, and noise cancellation is a must too.

This field involves managing and controlling noises in the environment to enable people to lead a comfortable life. This needs a lot of experience, pragmatism, expertise, and creativity.