“Get a job, Spicoli.”
Sean Penn, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982

Sean Penn’s career planning advice to his friend, Spicoli, was to the point, but not very helpful. Young people arrive at career decisions a variety of ways. My dentist knew he wanted to be a dentist at age twelve because his dentist took an interest in him. I found my life’s work at age twenty-one.
In December of 1962 I was about to graduate from The Ohio State University with no idea of what I wanted to do. In the school library I was reading an article in the Columbus Dispatch about the upcoming Rose Bowl— Wisconsin versus USC. There was a large advertisement in the lower right hand quarter of the page for a job opening at a leading computer manufacturer. (I had never seen a computer.) I interviewed, got the job, and spent the next thirty-five years in information technology.
Given today’s weak job market and the high cost of post-secondary education, a more systematic approach to career planning is called for. About half of students enrolling in a traditional four-year college today are unsure of their major and a targeted future career. And, about half change majors at least once. This can result in a fifth or even sixth year of schooling to obtain the desired degree—a very expensive luxury. (The need for student loans is another argument for a more disciplined approach. It is hard to gauge a manageable level of debt unless you have a forecast of future earnings.)
When planning for a career the conventional wisdom is to start with your interests. This is how you end up with a degree in Art History and working at The Gap for minimum wage. (Art history is a hobby, not a career—the exception being Kate Middleton who married a member of the British royal family and became a princess.)
The place to begin is desired earnings. Billionaire Mark Cuban advises, “Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can make your life a lot easier.” Given that most young people have little knowledge of personal finance, this first step will be a challenge. What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? Economists use the term “breadwinner job” to describe the income needed to raise a family—$50,000. This roughly coincides with the mean family income figure of $52,300 for 2013. A natural starting point for this analysis is your own family. Do you want to be able to duplicate their standard of living? Higher? Lower? What is the average family income for your community? (See City-Data.com.)
Most young people don’t think much about a career choice until they graduate from high school. It is recommended that you start planning earlier—in the ninth grade. Include activities in your schedule that will provide some insight into a future occupation. Examples would include STEM night at a local community college, career night at a local hospital, and spending a day “shadowing” a professional such as a dentist. (Most professionals will be flattered to be asked for career planning assistance.)
See “Career Choice Criteria” below.

Career Choice Criteria
Earnings
• Income
• Health benefits
• Other benefits
Aptitudes and Attributes
• Aptitudes
• Characteristics
Occupational Environment
• Job availability
• Work-life balance)
• Stress
• Teams vs Individual
• Technology utilized
• Physical safety
• Dress code
• Travel
• Indoors vs outdoors
• Communication skills required
• Schedule flexibility
Skills/Credentials
• Expertise required
• Credentials required
Interests
• Passions
• Fit
Location
• City vs country
• Cost of living
• Geographic
• Climate
Future Prospects
• Promotion
• Industry’s outlook
• Job security
Satisfaction Factors
• Values
• Intellectually challenging
• Autonomy
• Recognition
• Prestige

Earnings: Earnings come in many forms including salary, bonuses, and benefits. At this stage focus on an income level that would support your desired standard of living. Because of the high cost of health care it is important to factor this into the equation.
Aptitudes and Attributes: You may want to be a major league baseball player or an electrical engineer, but, if you don’t have the prerequisite aptitudes, you are doomed to failure. You may want to salesman, but if you are an introvert, sales may not be for you.
Occupational Environment: How many positions are available in you targeted career? (If you are aiming to become an NFL quarterback, you will need a backup plan.) Some occupations such as information technology can require long work hours. Stress levels can vary widely.

Skills/Credentials: What expertise is required? How can you gain these skills? Teachers, lawyers, and engineers are examples of professions that require credentials in addition to certain expertise.
Interests: The average high school graduate has relevant experience upon which to make a career decision. Don’t be “an average high school graduate.” Explore career opportunities early and systematically.
Location: An apartment in New York City can cost $3500 per month as opposed to $900 per month in Cincinnati. Perhaps living near your family is important to you.
Future Prospects: What are your targeted industry’s prospects? Today there is a great need for long distance truck drivers, but the autonomous truck is just over the horizon. Is there a path to greater responsibilities and higher pay?
Satisfaction Factors: Are prestige and recognition important to you/ What values do you have that might draw you to certain careers or cause you to reject certain paths?