Juliet Wehr Jones
Contributor

A career you enjoy and a career that meets your financial goals are not mutually exclusive if you look before you leap.

When making a career change or choosing your first career, consider your personal financial goals. After narrowing your career choices to those likely to lead to job satisfaction based on your interests and personality, ask these five money-related questions about each career option:

1. Is this career in demand?
Get the geeky answers and the real world answers. Find out how many job openings are forecast by the economists, and talk to people in your area working in the career.

2. What flexibility does this career path offer?
How transferable will your education and skills be to a variety of jobs? For example, if you realise you don't like being a corporate lawyer, what else can you do with a law degree that would cover your bills? Think skills, not job titles.

3. Is the starting salary sufficient to meet your current financial needs?
To answer this, you need to know what your current financial requirements are - add student loan debt repayments, if any. Notice I said 'starting' salary not hoped for/dreamed of salary. Again, talking with people working in your target career may be much more reliable than websites.

4. What education and training is necessary for this career and how much will it cost?
Don't assume that certain degrees are required. Do your research and talk to people doing the jobs that interest you. Maybe an expensive MBA is unnecessary. Choosing jobs strategically to gain specific experience might substitute for it - and you'll be making money instead of spending/borrowing it.

5. How would I pay for it?
Don't forget to consider how you'll pay for living expenses along with tuition.

Many people go with their gut feelings, praying that "do what you love and the money will follow" is true. That phrase should say, "... and the money may follow".

By narrowing your choices based on the best science of career counselling and asking hard financial questions before making a career choice, you'll evaluate money concerns in a mindful, knowledgeable way - not hoping the money will follow you.

The author is vice-president, The Career Key, which is involved in career change, career planning, job skills and choosing a college major. The Career Key (Caribbean Edition) is available from CHOICES Career Advice. Email info@choicesonlinejm.com