Occupational Awareness

Occupational Awareness

Occupational awareness involves understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and interests and how they align with your career aspirations. When you have occupational awareness, you are better able to make informed decisions about your career path, including choosing a job that is a good fit for you and developing the skills and knowledge needed to advance in your field.

            It was always important to me to be able to survive in the military, and simultaneously, if I was no longer in the military, to be able to survive as a civilian. As a military physician assistant, I am required to be certified the same way that a civilian must be, including taking certification exams and completing continuing medical education requirements. When the civilian sector has changes in the profession, it affects us in the military as well.

This is why it’s important, regardless of your occupation, to know what the requirements are in your field in order to be able to work in that profession. This often requires time to complete certain education and certification requirements, and also be able to pay for them.