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Choose a Job or Career

Take notes and answer questions here.

Review

In “Discover Your Future Path,” you thought about the skills you have, the opportunities in your area, and the training you might need. Share how you can prepare for these opportunities.

Learn

Understanding your skills and interests and the opportunities in your area can help you find a job or career you could have in your future. Think of a specific job or career that you would like to have. Some jobs will require you to go to a university to get the training you need. Other jobs will require technical training, an apprenticeship, or other experience.

The example below is about a man named Emmanuel who worked toward a dream job. It can help you learn how to identify a job you want and what to do next.

1. Identify your skills and interests that will help you in a job. Research a job that will fit those skills and interests.

   Emmanuel loved to build things. He would stack blocks together and build little houses as a child. When he grew older, he would find scrap wood and nails and use his father’s old hammer to make things to help his family. In junior high school, his father took him to a bridge in the city. He explained that engineers had figured out how to make a bridge that would cross a large river. Emmanuel dreamt of being an engineer.

   illustration of man and child looking at bridge

2. Talk with someone about this career.

   In senior high school, Emmanuel talked with his youth leader, Brother Egbe, who was an engineer. Brother Egbe told Emmanuel about his job and how he studied at a university to become an engineer.

3. Pray for help and guidance. Have patience and go forward in faith.

   Emmanuel prayed about his choice of careers. He asked God to bless him as he worked toward his goal. He studied very hard and was accepted into an engineering program at the university he attended. The classes were difficult, but he studied a lot and worked at night to pay for his schooling.

   When Emmanuel finished his classes at the university, he could not find a job right away. He went to Brother Egbe for advice. Brother Egbe helped him prepare for job interviews and introduced him to a new company. Emmanuel was able to get a job and begin his career as an engineer.

   illustration of construction worker standing next to bridge

Activity

Consider the steps Emmanuel took to think about and plan for his career. Identify one job you are interested in. For example, you might consider being a teacher, a house builder, a computer programmer, or a nurse. You may want to work for someone else, or you may want to start your own business.

Do you know what it will take to qualify for the job you want? Do you know what training or education you need? What do you not know about the job you want?

Complete the following steps to help you plan for your career as Emmanuel did.

1. Identify your skills and interests that will help you in a job. Research a job that will fit those skills and interests.

   Write the answer to each question below:

   • What job interests you?

   • What do you know about this job? Why does it interest you?

   • What schooling or training does this job require?

2. Talk with someone about this career.

   Like Emmanuel, you can talk with someone who has this career or knows about this job. Write the name of this person and two questions you would like to ask them:

3. Pray for help and guidance. Have patience and go forth in faith.

   Ask the Lord to guide you in your job and career.

Talk with Your Family

When you go home today, find someone—such as a member of your ward, a family member, or a leader—who can help you learn more about the job you want.