4 answers
Taimoor
Student
Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan
1
Question
Asked
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I want to choose my field
I am a bit confused in choosing the right field for me #college
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4 answers
Lynn Brothers
Claims Supervisor
2
Answers
Webster, Massachusetts
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
Sit down with paper and pen (I know right, not a computer). Make two columns. One for likes and dislikes, write down what you really enjoy in the likes and what you really do not see yourself ever doing in the dislikes. This might help you narrow down how you really feel. If you see some commonalities, that might help point you in the right direction.
Joseph Palmaffy
Dean of Students
15
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
start by setting out your objectives in life. not what you like to do or your hobbies but where you want to be and what you want to achieve and then backwards plan by figuring out what path will get you there.
For instance you might love to ride bikes but that will probably not be lucrative and if you desire to have a lifestyle of luxury you would need to pick a pathway that would support you achieving that lifestyle sooner rather than later.
I want to be famous - i need to be a top athlete or a TV reporter or an actor - athlete and actor have low percentage of being very famous - TV reporter I can strive towards - I need to get into media and communication - I need to associate with people in the "right" circles to get job opportunities - I should take these classes and join these clubs and this fraternity.
For instance you might love to ride bikes but that will probably not be lucrative and if you desire to have a lifestyle of luxury you would need to pick a pathway that would support you achieving that lifestyle sooner rather than later.
I want to be famous - i need to be a top athlete or a TV reporter or an actor - athlete and actor have low percentage of being very famous - TV reporter I can strive towards - I need to get into media and communication - I need to associate with people in the "right" circles to get job opportunities - I should take these classes and join these clubs and this fraternity.
Angela D. Blaver (Suissa), Ph.D.
Retired
109
Answers
Daytona Beach, Florida
Updated
Angela D.’s Answer
Great question, Taimoor! Please see lucy.L.'s question and the advice provided on the website (a search will be fruitful college-advice). My response to lucy.L. is below. Wishing you the best in your endeavors, Dr. B
Greetings! Thank you for a most important question. Okay, let's start off with some ideas and other questions. Have you any hobbies, worked, volunteered, enjoyed certain classes/books/shows/games? What interests and motivates you? Do you like hands-on activities, computer-based ones, or being social? These are key questions for you to ponder upon. And...do you want to go to a four-year college/university or pursue training (a certificate/two-year degree) instead? On-the-job training? There are several free online career interest tests that may be helpful, but I will leave that to your discretion as some are more reputable than others. Ask your School Counselor if you can take a Myers-Briggs test through your school. The results will be helpful to you. For instance, hands-on activities lend themselves to mechanics, engineering, electrical, medical, etc. types of careers. Computer-based interests can encompass IT jobs such as Security, Help Desk, Systems Analyst, Computer Technician, Web/Digital/Mobile Designer, etc. If you like the creative side of IT, then you might want to consider Website Design, Gaming Tester, Multimedia Artist/Animator, Sound Technician, etc. If you like being social, then Customer Service, Hospitality, Social Work, Teaching, etc. may be of interest to you. A way to get at your interests in a more concrete way is to shadow (basically following an individual around in their workplace for a short time) and/or interview people in the careers that you might like. I would suggest a short 10-minute phone/Skype interview or a shadow time of 30 minutes or less. Your School Counselor may be of assistance in this to point you in the right direction, provide resources, and even contacts in your local community. You may want to put together a short resume that shows your professionalism to a potential shadow/interviewee/employer. It can be brief...if you need pointers on this, please contact us. Best, Dr. B
Greetings! Thank you for a most important question. Okay, let's start off with some ideas and other questions. Have you any hobbies, worked, volunteered, enjoyed certain classes/books/shows/games? What interests and motivates you? Do you like hands-on activities, computer-based ones, or being social? These are key questions for you to ponder upon. And...do you want to go to a four-year college/university or pursue training (a certificate/two-year degree) instead? On-the-job training? There are several free online career interest tests that may be helpful, but I will leave that to your discretion as some are more reputable than others. Ask your School Counselor if you can take a Myers-Briggs test through your school. The results will be helpful to you. For instance, hands-on activities lend themselves to mechanics, engineering, electrical, medical, etc. types of careers. Computer-based interests can encompass IT jobs such as Security, Help Desk, Systems Analyst, Computer Technician, Web/Digital/Mobile Designer, etc. If you like the creative side of IT, then you might want to consider Website Design, Gaming Tester, Multimedia Artist/Animator, Sound Technician, etc. If you like being social, then Customer Service, Hospitality, Social Work, Teaching, etc. may be of interest to you. A way to get at your interests in a more concrete way is to shadow (basically following an individual around in their workplace for a short time) and/or interview people in the careers that you might like. I would suggest a short 10-minute phone/Skype interview or a shadow time of 30 minutes or less. Your School Counselor may be of assistance in this to point you in the right direction, provide resources, and even contacts in your local community. You may want to put together a short resume that shows your professionalism to a potential shadow/interviewee/employer. It can be brief...if you need pointers on this, please contact us. Best, Dr. B
Ryan Williams
Consultant/Software Developer
1
Answer
Vienna, Virginia
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
When deciding the right field try and think through what you would see yourself really enjoying doing as a job. If you like working with computers maybe look into computer science or engineering. If you like helping other people look towards something in human services or medical field. If you are just starting college and in your first year take a few difference intro courses and see what really interests you. Also don't be afraid to change directions within the first year or so. Try to focus on your mandatory courses that way you don't take too many courses for a specific major and then change majors.