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Chapter 1 Entrepreneurial Careers
6. Make a decision. Decide which career path to take. You can always
change your decision as your interests change.
7. Implement your decision. Start planning for the necessary
education. Enroll in courses that will help you meet your career
goals and save money for your education.
Once you understand the decision-making process, you can apply
what you have learned to creating a career plan. The first step is to
complete a self-assessment. It is important to learn about yourself—your
likes and dislikes, your abilities, and what you want from a career.
Aptitude
Aptitude is the natural ability to do or learn something. Your
aptitudes will influence your career choices. A fashion designer can
look at a piece of material and visualize the finished shirt, dress,
or sport jacket. He or she may have a natural aptitude for creating
clothing without using patterns. A cabinetmaker may have realized he
or she had a natural aptitude for it when taking a woodworking class
in school. This may lead to a kitchen remodeling business.
Skills
A skill is an ability that a person has learned over time and can
do well. What skills do you have? Can you repair a car, analyze a
spreadsheet, or create a website? These are all specific skills. You will
use learned skills in a career and continue acquiring new skills as you
advance in your career.
Figure 1-3. Use this
process when making
important decisions.
© Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Decision-Making Process
1. Define the challenge
2. Gather the facts
3. Analyze the situation
4. Generate ideas
5. Consider the alternatives
6. Make a decision
7. Implement your decision
© Yuri Arcurs/Shutterstock