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Look Beyond the Paycheck when Choosing a Career

After graduating college, most young professionals have one priority: to earn a paycheck. Navigating through the workforce for several years, I’ve found that while income is certainly important, there may be additional points to consider when seeking employment opportunities that align with your interests, goals and priorities. Here are some helpful “STEPSS” for young professionals to consider when choosing their career path, which can also serve as topics of discussion when interviewing with a new employer.

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  • Schedule: Does the company offer flexible work schedules? Being able to switch shifts to better align with your personal commitments can be key when considering a career.
  • Transfer/Travel: If you love travel and new experiences, you may want to look for a career that allows you to do that. However, the location of your office can also be important. If you want the ability to work closer to home or to potentially move, seek an employer that will allow you to transfer between office locations.
  • Education: Continuing your education leads to both professional and personal satisfaction. Many companies offer classes to help employees learn more about their jobs and industries as a whole.
  • Philanthropy: If helping others and your community is important to you, look into your company’s corporate giving and volunteer initiatives. Many companies make charitable donations and offer employee match programs. In addition, some employers will grant employees paid time to volunteer, or set up offsite opportunities for employees to give back.
  • Support: Work can be hectic, and your personal life can be even more so. To alleviate employee time constraints, some employers offer onsite services ranging from technical support to wellness programs.
  • Socialization: Does your company provide internal or external networking opportunities? If so, consider taking advantage of them. You can make great connections by joining the company softball or bowling team and it’s also a lot of fun!

While everyone’s professional and personal needs are different, consider these STEPSS to help align your career path with your personal goals and priorities.

 

– Anastasia Del Ross, NJM Insurance

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