Believe Lady Gaga when she says she was “Born This Way.” As an Aries, she’s a fire sign, making her naturally inclined to be high energy, very creative and fiercely independent. Whether or not you actually accept that Lady Gaga’s career success is a result of her zodiac sign, you’ve got to admit that it’s interesting to see what astrology says about personality and career path — because sometimes, like in Gaga’s case, it’s eerily correct.
“Many high school students take an aptitude test to guide them on a path that they would enjoy. Astrology works the same way — it’s like a blueprint of your personality,” says Katherine Metcalf, a professional astrologer from Phoenix, Ariz. “We all come into this world with likes and dislikes, natural talents and areas where we need to learn and grow.”
A Gemini, for example, is totally comfortable networking and socializing, Metcalf says. “Put her in marketing or sales and she’s happy. Stick her in a cubicle with no human contact and she will wither.”
Want to know if your career is on the right track for your Zodiac sign?
We got a chance to talk to two longtime astrologists, Metcalf and Stacey Wolf — author of “Never Throw Rice at a Pisces” and resident astrologer for Cosmopolitan magazine — about the career paths best suited for each sign.
According to Metcalf, the most general way to identify your natural career strengths is by your element, of which there are four in the zodiac: Fire, Earth, Air and Water, with three signs belonging to each element. Here’s what she says your element reveals about you:
(Not sure what your sign is? See below or click here)
Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius): All Fire signs are natural leaders. They are high energy, very creative and independent. Like a flame — they get inspired quickly and can motivate others. However, they may burn themselves out by having too many irons in the fire.
Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn): All Earth signs are practical and grounded. They like having a plan and taking steps to achieve success. They do best in the corporate world where structure is needed.
Air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius): Air signs are the thinkers of the zodiac. Don’t expect them to get their hands dirty — they prefer working on a computer or brainstorming ideas with others.
Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces): The Water signs are the touchy, feely people of the zodiac. Water is related to our emotions and many excel at counseling. They are highly empathic and each sign has its own unique energy.
Looking for a more in-depth analysis of what the cosmos hold for your career? Wolf pinpoints the key traits, and best and worst careers for each sign, below.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Key traits: Enthusiasm, creativity, warmth — a short attention span. As a leader, you have great ideas but dislike getting mired in the tiny details.
Best careers: Entrepreneur, sales, film/TV, stockbroker, military, rescue worker.
Careers to avoid: Any mundane, detail-oriented desk jobs.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Key traits: Determined, hard-working, loyal, stubborn. You enjoy accomplishing tasks from big to small.
Best careers: Engineer, computer programmer, technician, administrative assistant.
Careers to avoid: Any job that involves taking too much financial risk.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Key traits: Quick-witted, clever, adaptable, indecisive. You multi-task well and get bored easily so it’s hard to focus on the same project for long periods of time.
Best careers: Media, advertising, marketing, journalist/writer, delivery/driver.
Careers to avoid: Serious or mundane jobs that are extremely detail-oriented.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Key traits: Caring, intuitive, creative, persevering, moody. You love to support and nurture people but can feel burdened by this responsibility, too.
Best careers: Real estate, interior design, psychologist, teacher, therapist (occupational, speech, etc)
Careers to avoid: Isolating Jobs that involve constant oversight and no creativity.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Key traits: Confident, ambitious, creative, generous and domineering. You shine in careers that show off your dynamic personality. Plus you need to be in charge of something.
Best careers: Entrepreneur, entertainment, politics, public relations, maître d.
Careers to avoid: Any job where you are out of the spotlight.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Key traits: Detail-oriented, analytical, hard-working, yet fussy. You love to cross things off your to-do list.
Best careers: Editor, accountant, engineering, graphic design, florist.
Careers to avoid: Jobs that deal with a variety of people, who may not be as fastidious and perfectionist as you.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Key traits: Diplomatic, artistic, intelligent yet prone to indecision. Because you are graceful under pressure, you work best in partnerships with other people.
Best careers: Architect, designer, lawyer, counselor, behind-the-scenes in the arts.
Careers to avoid: Conventional jobs that lack creativity and independence of mind.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Key traits: Dynamic, creative, resourceful, strong willed. Outspoken and self-starting, you can only work in a career that you feel very passionate about.
Best careers: Psychologist, designer, law, humanitarian organizations or charitable foundations.
Careers to avoid: Anything you perceive as shallow or materialistic.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Key traits: Philosophical, optimistic, straightforward. You enjoy your freedoms of movement and self-expression and do best working in a field that allows you both.
Best careers: Entrepreneur, airline pilot, sports industry, police officer, flight attendant.
Careers to avoid: Any full-time desk job.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Key traits: Ambitious, resourceful, patient and authoritarian. Driven and competitive, any project you take on, you’ll do what ever it takes to be the best.
Best careers: Finance, business development/management, doctor, trainer.
Careers to avoid: A financially risky jobs or a career where there is no room for advancement.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Key traits: Analytical, clever, inventive, and obstinate. Friendly and autonomous, you get along with most people, yet you have no problems voicing a divergent opinion.
Best careers: Apps developer, veterinarian, scientist, engineer, alternative care practitioner.
Careers to avoid: Any conventional job that discourages independent thinking or differing opinions.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Key traits: Compassionate, intuitive, flexible and overly sensitive. A visionary like Albert Einstein and Dr. Seuss, you work best in a situation where you can actualize what you see in your imagination.
Best careers: Artist, designer, psychologist, entertainment, charitable foundations, dog walker.
Careers to avoid: Any job that has a physically or psychologically grueling schedule or deals with the harsh realities of life.
So what do you think? Do you epitomize your sign, or are you the complete opposite? Let us give your comments if you agree with this article in the comments section, below.
