4 answers
jane
Student
Las Cruces, New Mexico
3
Questions
Asked
612 views
im having trouble figuring out what career field i want to go into
im a hard working kid who likes to be able to earn her money fair and square and someone who likes to pay for her own things #career
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4 answers
Rachael McDonald
Cognitive Process Transformation Consultant
3
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Rachael’s Answer
I think that the sky is the limit here. If you are having a hard time figuring it out, don't worry, most young professionals have this same question every day. I think the best practice is to continually evaluate yourself and find out your likes and dislikes, having open communication with other professionals or people you look up to (great job posting on here by the way) will help with refining and figuring out what you like, and finally having a good attitude and willingness to learn more about many things.
I chose my profession through taking a lot of different courses in my first year of college. I tried business, law, and information technology courses, as well as photography, French, and some social sciences. This was a huge array and I ended up feeling that Information Systems and Project Management just clicked with me more as I left feeling excited and inspired from those classes. Yes, this had a ton to do with who was teaching me, so picking professors, mentors, and even friends that can help you with this decision as well.
I also have a lot of friends who ended up not taking the classic collegiate route as well, my brother and father are both in the automotive field and feel that fixing cars is a constant rewarding puzzle for them. My dad comes home every day still telling me about how he helped a customer and found him a part for faster/cheaper than what was expected. I also have another friend who is doing very well in the welding industry, and is already starting his own.
So in conclusion, whatever you go into, as long as you have passion and excitement about it I'm sure your hard work and tenacity will give you great success. Keep talking to people, keep asking questions in forums like these, and continually evaluate where you are and what your dreams are. My last suggestion would be to take a free version of the Myer's Briggs test online (it is a bit long though so block out a good hour or two to do it), and see what score you get and what it says about who you are. Often times they will also suggest based on your analytical and personality type which careers you would like the most are.
Here is the link to a free version of the myers briggs test: https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new
I chose my profession through taking a lot of different courses in my first year of college. I tried business, law, and information technology courses, as well as photography, French, and some social sciences. This was a huge array and I ended up feeling that Information Systems and Project Management just clicked with me more as I left feeling excited and inspired from those classes. Yes, this had a ton to do with who was teaching me, so picking professors, mentors, and even friends that can help you with this decision as well.
I also have a lot of friends who ended up not taking the classic collegiate route as well, my brother and father are both in the automotive field and feel that fixing cars is a constant rewarding puzzle for them. My dad comes home every day still telling me about how he helped a customer and found him a part for faster/cheaper than what was expected. I also have another friend who is doing very well in the welding industry, and is already starting his own.
So in conclusion, whatever you go into, as long as you have passion and excitement about it I'm sure your hard work and tenacity will give you great success. Keep talking to people, keep asking questions in forums like these, and continually evaluate where you are and what your dreams are. My last suggestion would be to take a free version of the Myer's Briggs test online (it is a bit long though so block out a good hour or two to do it), and see what score you get and what it says about who you are. Often times they will also suggest based on your analytical and personality type which careers you would like the most are.
Rachael recommends the following next steps:
Steven Kosanke
Biofuels and Biochemical Process Engineer
16
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Hey Jane, I completely understand where you're coming from. It seems like all the different industries, and the different types of jobs in each industry, make deciding what you really want to do challenging. For me, I have switched the type of work I do many times, from food, to service, to sales, and now engineering. I will give you what I have learned to do when deciding what I should persue as a career.
First, I would divide a piece of paper into 3 sections. In the first, make a list of things that are important about the industry you work in. Make another section where you write about what is important about the company you work with. A final section you will write what is important about the job you are involved with. Make sure to take time to really analyze what you enjoy doing, thinking about experiences and jobs you've had in the past, and what you liked or disliked about them.
Once you have 3 lists of whats important to you about the industry, the company, and the job, rank each of the lists, finding what the top 3 or 4 things in each list are. These are the things that matter most to you about what you do after education.
Finally, start the job search. It can be intimidating at first, but just start by reading job descriptions and what the responsibilities include. This can either validate a job through your criteria or disqualify it. Make a list of the jobs you could enjoy doing.
Finally, to go the extra mile, before applying to these types of jobs, first talk with people who are already doing what you're interested in. You can give them a phone call, talk to them on skype, or just message them on LinedIn, but learning from people who have been in your spot for years can be very valuable for you to decide if this job is really right for you.
Make a criteria list for the industry, company, and job
Look into jobs that can match the criteria
Find people who have done these things already and ask them for their experiences
First, I would divide a piece of paper into 3 sections. In the first, make a list of things that are important about the industry you work in. Make another section where you write about what is important about the company you work with. A final section you will write what is important about the job you are involved with. Make sure to take time to really analyze what you enjoy doing, thinking about experiences and jobs you've had in the past, and what you liked or disliked about them.
Once you have 3 lists of whats important to you about the industry, the company, and the job, rank each of the lists, finding what the top 3 or 4 things in each list are. These are the things that matter most to you about what you do after education.
Finally, start the job search. It can be intimidating at first, but just start by reading job descriptions and what the responsibilities include. This can either validate a job through your criteria or disqualify it. Make a list of the jobs you could enjoy doing.
Finally, to go the extra mile, before applying to these types of jobs, first talk with people who are already doing what you're interested in. You can give them a phone call, talk to them on skype, or just message them on LinedIn, but learning from people who have been in your spot for years can be very valuable for you to decide if this job is really right for you.
Steven recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1797
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
I think working is not only for making money. I would suggest to view it as your career development in the future. You would make money when you work indeed. At the same time, you can contribute to the community. You can make the achievement and have the sense of satisfaction. So, you can consider to choose a career that you have interest on.
I suggest you can consider approach below :
1. Think about your interest and hobbies. Identify the careers that may related to your interest and hobbies.
2. Explore these careers and choose a few careers that you would like to pursue
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers or seek advice from the career counsellor in your school or your parents
4. Shortlist 1-2 career and find entry criteria of the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
I suggest you can consider approach below :
1. Think about your interest and hobbies. Identify the careers that may related to your interest and hobbies.
2. Explore these careers and choose a few careers that you would like to pursue
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers or seek advice from the career counsellor in your school or your parents
4. Shortlist 1-2 career and find entry criteria of the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Anta Gaye
1
Answer
Updated
Anta’s Answer
Hi Jane,
Hope you are well! What has been super helpful to me, is sitting down and thinking about what I enjoy doing. What are your favorite subjects in school? What are the classes you are more excited about? What do you like doing in your free time? What do you enjoy learning the most about? I would recommend making a list of all of these things, and reflecting deeply about what makes you happy.
Of course this can change over time, so don't feel pressured that you need to choose a profession now, and stick to it for the rest of your life. At the end of the day, you will thrive where you are happy, and into whatever field aligns with your interest. So I would start by looking into what those interests are, and again, if they change over time, it is totally okay!
You got this!
Hope you are well! What has been super helpful to me, is sitting down and thinking about what I enjoy doing. What are your favorite subjects in school? What are the classes you are more excited about? What do you like doing in your free time? What do you enjoy learning the most about? I would recommend making a list of all of these things, and reflecting deeply about what makes you happy.
Of course this can change over time, so don't feel pressured that you need to choose a profession now, and stick to it for the rest of your life. At the end of the day, you will thrive where you are happy, and into whatever field aligns with your interest. So I would start by looking into what those interests are, and again, if they change over time, it is totally okay!
You got this!