Lets say you finish college and loved learning about what your career would be like and you loved everywhere you interned, but what do you do if you start your career and you hate it?

Good question - I'm a firm believer that it takes time in the "real world" to figure out what you really want to do; your purpose; your passion. I thought it might be good to give you an example from my own experiences. I graduated with a degree in Finance, but never really did a pure finance job. Over time - I learned that I liked

- working with technology professionals creating solutions that make a positive difference for our customers
- leading teams and helping others.

- world travel
- making a positive difference for team members through learning and development.

I have been with Dell for 14+ years - In that time, I have done project management, software development, reporting, Portfolio planning, strategy, and currently learning and development. Maybe consider going to a larger company that offers multiple career paths or be open to changing companies as you figure out what you want to do. Be open and courageous.

There is never a guarantee that you will love what you started out as. The future can seem uncertain sometimes. Careers can be a risk. But don’t stay in anything that you hate. You won’t last long. And it won’t take long for others to notice. Including your employer. I watched a third year surgical resident on a documentary one time. And all she did was complain to the camera about how miserable she was. And how much she hated her job. The entire time. At the end of the broadcast, there was a written statement, that she quit at the end of the shift, off camera. And that she had found a job with a pharmaceutical company. So she was able to use her skills as a doctor, without having to see patients, or work in a hospital. She put her own emotional needs before her career. It’s great to have a career, just don’t let that title identify who you are, because it isn’t.

This is a good question! These days, it's very common for people to change careers several times during their lifetime. So, good news: you don't have to feel like you're stuck in the first career you choose! When you start your first job after college, my advice is to pay attention to what you like and what you don't like about it. For example, what comes easily to you on the job, and what is more challenging for you? What excites you about your work (including the challenging stuff), and what drains or bores you? What would you like to learn more about? We should always be learning throughout our careers, discovering new strengths and interests, and matching them up to the interesting problems we can solve in the world.

Let me recommend since you're a sophomore in college that you get out there and understand the industry you have interests in. I would begin finding ways to have informational interviews to determine if the career you wish to choose is what you want to do. You certainly want to be excited about what you do when you get out of college. Ask your career counselor at your college, specifically in your subject's department, how you can proceed with their network contacts. Another path is volunteering. It can give you a sense of the environment and people in the industry you are viewing. It worked for me. I wouldn't worry too much about your hypothetical that when you're done with school you would end up not liking your career choice. You are far from that day. What are you studying by the way?

You have asked a very god question. As you go through life, your desires and passions often change. The route you thought you were headed down, could take a different path. That's not a bad thing. Once you start working in your career field, there may other additional options open up you had not even thought of.

Completing your college education will show future employers that you can complete what you set out to do. And will give you a taste of other fields you might find interesting, through a minor or through elective classes. When you get out into your 'career' stay open to alternative routes that could open up to you.