![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.effektivaltruism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Personal-fit-Test-your-fit.webp\" "\\"Personal")
<\/span><\/p>\nIf you don\u2019t have previous experience, we recommend that you do \u201ccheap tests\u201d \u2013 getting the greatest possible insight into a profession with as little investment of time as possible. It is unnecessary to spend several years on an education if a conversation with a professional is enough to realize that a job is not for you. Here are some suggested tests:<\/p>\n
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Read up on the profession, for example online, in books or take a short online course that teaches you the basics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Talk to people who are already working in the field, for example through your own network, leading institutions, or via LinkedIn<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Make study visits or ask to shadow someone during a working day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Take on a small project where you get to test the tasks included in the job. For example through volunteer work, a freelance assignment or an internship. If you are considering doing research \u2013 initiate your own research project for a few weeks and see what you think.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
It can be particularly valuable to try different career paths if you are young. Investing a few months or years at the beginning of your career to find a job that really suits you is probably something you will get back for several decades.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, it\u2019s hard to just imagine how well you\u2019d fit a role. We therefore recommend that you see your options as hypotheses and do tests to get more information about how well they work in reality.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/strong><\/p>\n
How to explore: Do cheap tests first <\/a>\u2013 article by 80,000 Hours<\/p>\n