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Sometimes people take any job without thinking about if they like the job. They learn that there are some tasks they like to do. And there are other tasks they don't like to do.
Finding a job that has tasks that are interesting to you will make the job more enjoyable, and you will be more motivated to keep that job. You'll also do a better job and are more likely to be promoted.
Interests are what you like to do at work. You can choose a career based on your interests.
Benefits of Matching Your Interests
Here are reasons to pick a job that matches your interests:
- You will be happier doing a job you like (matches your interests) than one you dislike.
- Not everything you enjoy doing will provide you with a good income. It is important to balance what you enjoy, what you are good at (your skills), and what jobs are available.
- You may not enjoy every part of your job, but you should enjoy most of it.
Discover Your Interests
An interest assessment asks you questions about your hobbies and what you like to do. It matches your interests to job options to give you a list of careers that you might like.
Take this short assessment (http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/sPages/interestAssessment.cfm)
- Click the squares next to the activities that you like to do. If you don't like to do an activity, leave the square blank.
- When you have looked at the whole list, click "Go" at the bottom of the page.
- The next page will show how many responses you had in each of the six interest types. Most people have two or three types that are higher than the rest. The two or three types with your biggest numbers are the interest areas best fit you. Write down those two or three types. This is your interest code.
- Look at the career clusters that match each of your interest code letters.
The interest code uses the following words to describe the six interest groups:
R = Realistic people are DOERS. Realistic people like to work with their hands, either with plants and animals or tools. They like to fix things.
I = Investigative people are THINKERS. Investigative people like to analyze data and solve problems. They usually prefer to work independently.
A = Artistic people are CREATORS. Artistic people often enjoy making things or performing in front of other people. They like flexibility in their lives.
S = Social people are HELPERS. Social people like to work with other people, often on teams. They enjoy counseling or caring for others.
E = Enterprising people are PERSUADERS. Enterprising people like to start projects and make decisions. They often enjoy selling things or managing other people.
C = Conventional people are ORGANIZERS. Conventional people like structured jobs. They enjoy working with numbers and instructions. They often organize data and write reports.
This interest assessment can help you understand which careers might best fit you. An interest assessment will give you a broad list of career options that match your interests. Click here to take the Interest Assessment and match your interest code to career clusters.
Now it is time to find your career match your skills (http://www.educationplanner.org/students/career-planning/find-careers/careers.shtml)
Source: What Are Your Interests? (https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/mymncareers/advance-career/your-interests.html)