Remember in early grade school when career options were simple, like doctor, firefighter, and astronaut? Later, you may have learned about pharmacists, emergency responders, and engineers. You may be surprised about the diverse spectrum of jobs available in your future. 

If you are older and renovating your employee development plan, you may have realized that technology and time have created many new positions that did not exist before. While you may have spent half a lifetime working in one industry, you may discover that a more-modern path is parallel with your experience and skill set.

You may have learned about new careers by taking a career assessment test. You can also sit down with a career counselor to discuss possibilities based on your personality or experience. 

As you research, consider your self-assessment and what professional development goals are important to you, such as:

• Job security.
• A high income.
• Flexible hours.
• Social or environmental work.
• Doing something you love.

A meeting with a headhunter can also give you an insight into which areas have the most need for new employees. 

For example, some of the most in-demand industries include health care, cybersecurity, and analytics. 

If earnings are your biggest concern, look into high-paying positions. You might be surprised about the six-figure possibilities that only require a bachelor’s degree, such as managers, engineers, and tech specialists. Air traffic controllers are the highest-paid workers with just an associate’s degree, and nuclear power reactor operators with high school diplomas can make more than $100,000 annually.

When you narrow down your options, think about the work environment and activity that comes with each career. Your perfect position is waiting for you.