Page 3 - Exploring Careers

ch03.qxp 2/13/2010 4:38 PM Page 39

Why We Work Chapter 3 39

Career Fact

About 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas
(cities) while about 20% lives in rural areas (the country-
side).

Setting Lifestyle Goals

Lifestyle goals are the things you want in life such as a family, where
you want to live, how much money you have, and how much free
time you have for friends, sports, and other activities that you enjoy.

You might want to live in the mountains and spend as much
time as possible out of doors. You might consider a career in
recreation.
You might want to have children and be available in the after-
noons when they get home from school. You might consider a
career in part-time sales.

You might want to have enough money to travel, even if it means
working many hours between trips. You might consider a career
such as corporate lawyer or surgeon.
Selecting a career path that gives you the opportunity to achieve
your lifestyle goals will make you a happier, more satisfied person.

Making Trade-Offs

When you make decisions about your lifestyle and career plans, you
may have to make trade-offs. A trade-off is a compromise, or giving
up one thing in order to get something else.

You might want to be a social worker helping young adults in New York City. You Why do you think a career that
might also want to live in a house with a backyard. Houses in New York City are matches your lifestyle goals
very expensive, and social workers typically do not earn very high salaries. What will be more enjoyable and
trade-off could you make? satisfying?
You could choose to rent an apartment in the city, and put off the goal of living
in a house with a backyard.
Or, you could choose to live in a less expensive community outside the city.
You would have a long commute to work, but you would be able to afford a
house with a backyard.
Focusing on the things that are most important to you and setting priorities can
help you make the best decisions. You can use the decision-making process
described in Chapter 6 to consider all possible options and the consequences of
each option. Then, choose the option that helps you achieve your career goals and
your lifestyle goals.