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How do I continue my career path?
I'm wondering on how to continue my career path because I've already started planning out what I wanted to do when I got older. I already know what major I want to study (Computer Engineering) and what interests me such as robotics, coding, and apps. But what I don't know is where that will lead me, as in what to do when I'm done with the steps I already planned out. What my career path will look like beyond college. #career-paths #computer-engineering #robotics #career-options
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5 answers
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Melissa’s Answer
Hi Tomi,
Great question! It sounds like you're planning ahead for future and keeping next steps in mind. This is a perfect start to having a successful career. I'd like to offer a piece of advice and share a little about my journey from college into the professional world. First - my journey: I also studied engineering in school. Similar to you, I had a whole plan mapped out of what I wanted my career to be. After graduation, I participated in an internship at a software company, even though I didn't major in computer engineering. I was more passionate about the company than the work itself. After some time pursuing the engineering role, I pivoted to a pursue a career in management at the company. I found that I could still use all the strengths I had as an engineer: attention to detail, logical thinking, process improvement, and I also was able to use my people skills in a team environment. Second - my advice: stay flexible. Even with a well defined plan, be open to change and open to new opportunities.
Hope this helps!
-Mel
Great question! It sounds like you're planning ahead for future and keeping next steps in mind. This is a perfect start to having a successful career. I'd like to offer a piece of advice and share a little about my journey from college into the professional world. First - my journey: I also studied engineering in school. Similar to you, I had a whole plan mapped out of what I wanted my career to be. After graduation, I participated in an internship at a software company, even though I didn't major in computer engineering. I was more passionate about the company than the work itself. After some time pursuing the engineering role, I pivoted to a pursue a career in management at the company. I found that I could still use all the strengths I had as an engineer: attention to detail, logical thinking, process improvement, and I also was able to use my people skills in a team environment. Second - my advice: stay flexible. Even with a well defined plan, be open to change and open to new opportunities.
Hope this helps!
-Mel
Thank you, I'll keep the flexible thing in mind when it comes to choosing a career.
Tomi
Updated
Manish’s Answer
Hi Tomi
It is nice to see that you already mapped up what you wanted to do till college. However move from college to professional life is where you will get into real world. I would suggest you first define your 10 to 15 year goal first. Where do you want to be, how do you see yourself after 10 or say 15 years? This choice should be largely dictated by your strengths (what you are good at) and what you love/enjoy doing. Based on that you should break it into 5 year sub-goals and work on your actions to achieve them. I can share my example. I did my college in engineering and I wanted to see myself in middle management roles in technology company in 10-15 years after college. I took my internship in a technology company and subsequently a job. As my goal was to move into management roles in technology company, I worked to develop my technical skills through on job experience. After about 10 years of technical experience, I pursued part time executive MBA in a business school to help me develop management and business perspective. It helped me to progress my career in the direction I envisioned it. Hope this helps.
It is nice to see that you already mapped up what you wanted to do till college. However move from college to professional life is where you will get into real world. I would suggest you first define your 10 to 15 year goal first. Where do you want to be, how do you see yourself after 10 or say 15 years? This choice should be largely dictated by your strengths (what you are good at) and what you love/enjoy doing. Based on that you should break it into 5 year sub-goals and work on your actions to achieve them. I can share my example. I did my college in engineering and I wanted to see myself in middle management roles in technology company in 10-15 years after college. I took my internship in a technology company and subsequently a job. As my goal was to move into management roles in technology company, I worked to develop my technical skills through on job experience. After about 10 years of technical experience, I pursued part time executive MBA in a business school to help me develop management and business perspective. It helped me to progress my career in the direction I envisioned it. Hope this helps.
It does help, thank you. I'm going to wait until mid college to plan out the 5 year sub goals but 10-15 years from now I really want to make my own app that can help people suffering from irregular eating habits either eating too much or too little. Or my own little bakery known for the use of robots I engineered.
Tomi
Updated
Aneree’s Answer
Hi Tomi,
That is a great question! Definitely a question that a lot of us have when we are thinking about our future in terms of our career. I think its great that you have decided on a specific major. To be honest a lot of the unanswered questions your seeking only come with practical experience and the education that you will obtain during your years in college. You definitely have chosen a major that will enable you to have great career opportunities once you graduate as your choice in studies is in high demand across all Industries. From my experience, obtaining your degree is only one step in the process. I do encourage you to join clubs that are tailored towards your degree, take advantage of your counselor and most importantly gain some real experience during college through internships or self driven projects like starting to create your own app (as you said). Get involved as much as possible and build relationships with your professors for they are there to guide you and help to answer any questions you have in terms of your career. Also another thing to consider is strategically selecting your electives to align with your interests within computer engineering. It will allow you to explore areas and have a well rounded understanding of your degree and the opportunities that will come in terms of your career.
That is a great question! Definitely a question that a lot of us have when we are thinking about our future in terms of our career. I think its great that you have decided on a specific major. To be honest a lot of the unanswered questions your seeking only come with practical experience and the education that you will obtain during your years in college. You definitely have chosen a major that will enable you to have great career opportunities once you graduate as your choice in studies is in high demand across all Industries. From my experience, obtaining your degree is only one step in the process. I do encourage you to join clubs that are tailored towards your degree, take advantage of your counselor and most importantly gain some real experience during college through internships or self driven projects like starting to create your own app (as you said). Get involved as much as possible and build relationships with your professors for they are there to guide you and help to answer any questions you have in terms of your career. Also another thing to consider is strategically selecting your electives to align with your interests within computer engineering. It will allow you to explore areas and have a well rounded understanding of your degree and the opportunities that will come in terms of your career.
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Tomi!
I totally understand how you may feel like you're at a crossroads once you have reached the end of your plan! I once was in that place too! Actually, it was not too long ago. I just graduated college this past May and didn't really figure out my path until February of this year!
College can be a very stressful time because you're going through so many new experiences and there is a lot of pressure on you to figure out what to do next. Luckily, I have a few suggestions on things you can do to figure out where you believe life should take you.
First, you can apply to internships when you're in college to find companies you may potentially want to work for in the future! Through these internships not only do you learn about different companies, you also learn more about your future career and whether you truly love it! Usually you can find these internships through a college program or a networking site!
Networking sites like LinkedIn are great for meeting people already working in the position you're interested in. In addition, going to career fairs at your university is another great way to meet people at these companies who can help you find internships! Remember to always do research on companies you want to talk to before going to a career fair.
In addition, going through college will just help you figure out a lot of things because of the people you meet along the way, clubs you join, or just stuff you do in general!
Wishing you the best of luck!!
I totally understand how you may feel like you're at a crossroads once you have reached the end of your plan! I once was in that place too! Actually, it was not too long ago. I just graduated college this past May and didn't really figure out my path until February of this year!
College can be a very stressful time because you're going through so many new experiences and there is a lot of pressure on you to figure out what to do next. Luckily, I have a few suggestions on things you can do to figure out where you believe life should take you.
First, you can apply to internships when you're in college to find companies you may potentially want to work for in the future! Through these internships not only do you learn about different companies, you also learn more about your future career and whether you truly love it! Usually you can find these internships through a college program or a networking site!
Networking sites like LinkedIn are great for meeting people already working in the position you're interested in. In addition, going to career fairs at your university is another great way to meet people at these companies who can help you find internships! Remember to always do research on companies you want to talk to before going to a career fair.
In addition, going through college will just help you figure out a lot of things because of the people you meet along the way, clubs you join, or just stuff you do in general!
Wishing you the best of luck!!
thank you! this was very helpful and I'll be using your tips in the future for sure.
Tomi
Updated
Adrianne’s Answer
Hi Tomi!
You've already gotten some great answers so I'll just throw in my two cents about what helped me after I graduated.
The first thing: keep an open mind. I was convinced I wanted to work in TV or film, and I sort of "accidently" landed in a career that it turns out I love.
The second: meet lots of people! It's true that knowing folks can lead to some really interesting opportunities you might not have known about. So practice meeting people and then keeping up with them.
Good luck! You got this!
You've already gotten some great answers so I'll just throw in my two cents about what helped me after I graduated.
The first thing: keep an open mind. I was convinced I wanted to work in TV or film, and I sort of "accidently" landed in a career that it turns out I love.
The second: meet lots of people! It's true that knowing folks can lead to some really interesting opportunities you might not have known about. So practice meeting people and then keeping up with them.
Good luck! You got this!