The budget will help you think about the importance of money and how your wages will impact your ability to enjoy various lifestyles. The salary for an occupation is important, but is just one aspect of whether an occupation is a good fit. Now that you have determined your budget, you have a few options for continuing your exploration.

If you were working from an occupation, and the salary was able to support your desired lifestyle, you can look at options for pursuing it. From the occupation's profile, you may want to look at the educational requirements to find the right training. If you are already qualified, you can look at job openings. If it didn't support your lifestyle, you can either adjust your lifestyle choices or consider alternate occupations. If you choose the latter, you may also want to consider the recommendations in the next paragraph.

If you worked to choose your desired lifestyle, you will have a list of occupations to explore. As you explore the occupations, read the description and tasks to see if the occupation appeals to you. You will also want to see if the occupation falls in the results of any of the assessments you have taken. If you haven't taken one of the assessments, it is recommended that you do so. Seeing if the occupation matches your interests, work preferences, or skills can help you make a more informed decision about whether the occupation is right for you. For more information on exploring occupations with California CareerZone, take a look at the Exploring Occupations section of the User's Guide.