7 answers
Brianna
Student
Hope Mills, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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what career will best suite me
i'm very stuck when finding my passion #career-choice #career-counseling
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7 answers
Quintessence Anx
Developer Advocate / Developer Relations
3
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Quintessence’s Answer
I think you have some great answers about the "how", but I wanted to talk a little bit about results :)
For me: I went to school for physics + mathematics, worked in technical support (now typically called Customer Success), then as a database admin, then a (jr) software programmer, then as a cloud engineer of a few seniority levels, before landing on my current role in Developer Relations (keeping it succinct: teaching what I've learned). What I want to show you by saying this is that my "career" is a very circuitous path. I didn't, for example, go to ugrad, then grad for physics and go do research or build rockets for Space X (et al). I'm not alone either - many professionals, especially with how often people change jobs now vs 10 vs 20 years ago (or more), have careers that are not "static" or "linear". So as you're taking the above advice to know where to start, please remember that advice never stops: you'll need to iterate. Maybe you'll start in a career you were passionate about but the lived reality wasn't what you expected. That's ok! Be open to change and pursue a new path. Maybe you'll start on a path and stay there for 5, 10 yrs or more and find that suddenly it's no longer a fit, either because you changed or other circumstances changed. That's ok too! It's never to late to change or find a new passion.
It's also ok to work at a job that is "just a job" and choose a job that lets you financially support hobbies that fulfill you. Remember that your job is only one aspect of you, and it should be only a part of the whole of your life rather than the entirety of it.
For me: I went to school for physics + mathematics, worked in technical support (now typically called Customer Success), then as a database admin, then a (jr) software programmer, then as a cloud engineer of a few seniority levels, before landing on my current role in Developer Relations (keeping it succinct: teaching what I've learned). What I want to show you by saying this is that my "career" is a very circuitous path. I didn't, for example, go to ugrad, then grad for physics and go do research or build rockets for Space X (et al). I'm not alone either - many professionals, especially with how often people change jobs now vs 10 vs 20 years ago (or more), have careers that are not "static" or "linear". So as you're taking the above advice to know where to start, please remember that advice never stops: you'll need to iterate. Maybe you'll start in a career you were passionate about but the lived reality wasn't what you expected. That's ok! Be open to change and pursue a new path. Maybe you'll start on a path and stay there for 5, 10 yrs or more and find that suddenly it's no longer a fit, either because you changed or other circumstances changed. That's ok too! It's never to late to change or find a new passion.
It's also ok to work at a job that is "just a job" and choose a job that lets you financially support hobbies that fulfill you. Remember that your job is only one aspect of you, and it should be only a part of the whole of your life rather than the entirety of it.
Jami Stewart
HR Operations Leader
2
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Jami’s Answer
I never expected the career I have, so I understand how tough it can be to plan for a career. Most of us have many careers in our lives, so always be open to embrace what is in front of you. In addition to the advice already provided, ensure you have a solid education that will be a foundation for any future career.
I also suggest to think about what type of activities you enjoy doing, and what about those activities could tie to future careers. For example, if you love animals, you could think through what type of jobs are available with animals, volunteer at a animal shelter, and more.
I also suggest to think about what type of activities you enjoy doing, and what about those activities could tie to future careers. For example, if you love animals, you could think through what type of jobs are available with animals, volunteer at a animal shelter, and more.
Carole Curtis
Career Couselor/ Certified Career Coachself employed
136
Answers
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Updated
Carole’s Answer
I was stuck once upon a time trying to find out what other careers were acceptable to me and what skills I can utilize and like to do within this career that I am searching for. So after getting a BA in English/ Education I decided I didn't want to teach elementary school. so I research other paths that might be the one,and while I was researching I found an advertisement that talked about extension program thru UCLA in which we could find who we are and what we want within a career. This was an important time for me so I sent in my application and was so excited. This was an assessment class in which I would find out what my Interest, personality, skills, and values for potential careers . It started me on another path after the counselor helped us with scoring the assessments or waiting for the results from a company that works with these assessments.
My particular assessment told me exactly what I wanted and gave me many ideas of what I would be interested in. One of the career was Career Counselor in which was a new career to me. I went back to school, talked with the professor from the Educational Psychology Dept and started the next month in the classroom. It was the perfect career for me, and I was so excited be in the classes. I got my certification and went to work in the high school Career Center and then was head of the center. I have worked at career counseling for over 25 years and work in many different ares of need for this career. Starting in high school, then in as a personnel Manager finding jobs for others, then went to a One Stop, government program, which helps people who are looking for job s or more education, then helping a charity with pregnant women who need to work with a new baby, and this last few years I have my own business. I hope this story helps you realize that there is help for people like us, and I will give you a few suggestions below! Best of luck in your search
1. find a school or business in which you can utilize career assessments. Sometimes Colleges are the best, but the internet has some too.
2 Look for the Assessment SDS (self directed search, you can do this on your own.
3.If you can find a school that has this assessment, they will also have the personality, values and skills.
4.Community College usually has a Career Cent or a University or other educational places. Make sure they have a Career Counselor to talk with.
5When you know what path you want in a a career, make sure you find someone to shadow, so that you can see what they do everyday!
My particular assessment told me exactly what I wanted and gave me many ideas of what I would be interested in. One of the career was Career Counselor in which was a new career to me. I went back to school, talked with the professor from the Educational Psychology Dept and started the next month in the classroom. It was the perfect career for me, and I was so excited be in the classes. I got my certification and went to work in the high school Career Center and then was head of the center. I have worked at career counseling for over 25 years and work in many different ares of need for this career. Starting in high school, then in as a personnel Manager finding jobs for others, then went to a One Stop, government program, which helps people who are looking for job s or more education, then helping a charity with pregnant women who need to work with a new baby, and this last few years I have my own business. I hope this story helps you realize that there is help for people like us, and I will give you a few suggestions below! Best of luck in your search
Carole recommends the following next steps:
Jane Alvarado
Dancer/Choreographer + Certified Mind Body Therapist
8
Answers
Santa Ana, California
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Do not worry about not having a clear field of expertise yet. When I first entered my undergraduate university education, I had to switch my major a couple of times until I found what resonated with me most.
A practical approach you can work on in the meantime is to focus journaling what you tend to do on a weekly basis and summarize after completing the month ranging from likes, dislikes, impressions, and other experiences.
Everyone is born to contribute a special gift/talent to society. For now, just recall your childhood memories and ask yourself, "what would bring a SMILE to my face?" Do you remember any group/club/social engagement, interest, and task that you were a part of that allowed you to grow?
Good luck on your special journey to career development!
Create Three Column Grid & Label: Talents, Subject Interests, & Hobbies (Compare & Contrast)
Discover Interest Groups of Your Choice (Community Service, Social, Educational, Etc.)
Practice Networking/Socializing
Find Hobbies to Destress
A practical approach you can work on in the meantime is to focus journaling what you tend to do on a weekly basis and summarize after completing the month ranging from likes, dislikes, impressions, and other experiences.
Everyone is born to contribute a special gift/talent to society. For now, just recall your childhood memories and ask yourself, "what would bring a SMILE to my face?" Do you remember any group/club/social engagement, interest, and task that you were a part of that allowed you to grow?
Good luck on your special journey to career development!
Jane recommends the following next steps:
Christy Tran
Family Navigator
3
Answers
Fountain Valley, California
Updated
Christy’s Answer
Hi Brianna,
It's definitely normal to feel like you're stuck! I recommend trying everything you can by either taking a class about the subject or volunteering. Once you find an interest in a career or passion, you should also interview a professional from that field about their daily duties and etc. You can also take a 16 personality test for free, then research what other individuals with the same personalities have pursued.
https://www.16personalities.com/enfj-personality
Google your personality ex. ENFJ Career Matches
It's definitely normal to feel like you're stuck! I recommend trying everything you can by either taking a class about the subject or volunteering. Once you find an interest in a career or passion, you should also interview a professional from that field about their daily duties and etc. You can also take a 16 personality test for free, then research what other individuals with the same personalities have pursued.
Christy recommends the following next steps:
Simeon Snow
Risk Assurance
1790
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
The starting point I usually recommend is going to the department of labor's website and seeing what the fastest growing fields are. That will give you a starting point if you're drawing a blank about what you'd like to do. I'd also recommend looking at YouTube videos where employees discuss their favorite and least favorite parts of their jobs. One of the downsides to a lot of career decision materials is that they don't usually tell you the downsides of different careers, so it might help you narrow down the options you're considering.
Howard Harrison
Solution Specialist
13
Answers
Ozark, Alabama
Updated
Howard’s Answer
This is a question most people ask themselves as they begin to ponder their future career choices. Start with taking at look at the kinds of things you really enjoying doing.. Then look at job that involve those things as part of the job description. Please keep in mind that MOST people have part of their jobs that they do not particularly enjoy or consider their strengths. What you hope to find is a job that allows you to do some of the things you enjoy and one that you don’t mind getting up and going to everyday.