9 answers
Zeporian
Student
Memphis, Tennessee
2
Questions
Updated
1050 views
I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm exploring my career options. What are some career options that align with these interests and what are some helpful next steps I can take in the near future?
At school I'm mostly interested in English while my hobbies include writing, criticizing or praising movies and music, photography, and anything that has to do with design or visual art. Topics that intrigue me are politics, debate, and changing the world for the better
#arts #film-production #film-acting #film-editing #media-production #filmdirector #director #writer #film #editing #english #career #design
Login to comment
9 answers
Kendra Thomas
Human Resources
1
Answer
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Kendra’s Answer
Hello there! First, your interests are so varied. That's a GOOD thing, even if sometimes feels like it's challenging to figure out your path or the best next steps. You may want to consider a career that would allow you to focus in any of several different areas. For example, just about every field you mentioned uses and needs the services of attorneys. And if you like politics and a good debate, you may want to consider a law degree.
Remember: even if you get a JD, you don't have to practice law. But it gives you a solid foundation that will serve you well across a diversity of fields. For example, I am a lawyer by training, but I work as a Human Resources professional. Even though I'm not practicing, I find that I use my law degree every day.
Find lawyers near you who specialize in the areas of interest you have and see if you could do an informational interview or an internship with one of them
Remember: even if you get a JD, you don't have to practice law. But it gives you a solid foundation that will serve you well across a diversity of fields. For example, I am a lawyer by training, but I work as a Human Resources professional. Even though I'm not practicing, I find that I use my law degree every day.
Kendra recommends the following next steps:
Alan Ashe
FL
9
Answers
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Updated
Alan’s Answer
Hi Zeporian!
I too had a significant interest in photography in High School. I took photo classes to learn more about light, composition, etc. I then got involved in being photographer/photo editor for HS Yearbook and Newspaper and continued this into College at FSU. I also volunteered through HS and College to take photos of any people i knew that were interested in modeling and/or fashion design. I participated in summer jobs and internships in a wide variety of photo and multimedia fields. I would produce slide shows (your age probably has no idea what a slide is anymore, but think of it as taking a bunch of images and create a Powerpoint or Keynote montage) with music.
I graduated FSU with a degree in General Communication and a minor in Visual Communication and I have worked for Disney (based in Orlando) for over 31 years. I am currently a Line Producer (at Disney) and focus on video and multimedia production - currently working on the NBA at ESPN Wide World of Sports project.
I too had a significant interest in photography in High School. I took photo classes to learn more about light, composition, etc. I then got involved in being photographer/photo editor for HS Yearbook and Newspaper and continued this into College at FSU. I also volunteered through HS and College to take photos of any people i knew that were interested in modeling and/or fashion design. I participated in summer jobs and internships in a wide variety of photo and multimedia fields. I would produce slide shows (your age probably has no idea what a slide is anymore, but think of it as taking a bunch of images and create a Powerpoint or Keynote montage) with music.
I graduated FSU with a degree in General Communication and a minor in Visual Communication and I have worked for Disney (based in Orlando) for over 31 years. I am currently a Line Producer (at Disney) and focus on video and multimedia production - currently working on the NBA at ESPN Wide World of Sports project.
Wow! Thank you so much; this was vary helpful! I appreciate your response and would like to say that your job is one of the most interesting I've heard about today. Thanks again!
Zeporian
Laura Sutardja
Analyst
32
Answers
Indonesia
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hi Zeporian!
Echoing to Kendra’s answer, it’s great that you have a wide variety of interests!
I think you’d be a good fit for a career in Journalism. There are several options for you to choose from - such as print or online journalist. You can write articles on basically any topic of your interest such as current events, politics, book reviews, movie reviews. It also helps that you enjoy photography as you can easily append self taken photographs to make your articles more impactful.
If you’d like to explore journalism further, I’d recommend you to try and join your high school newspaper or start a blog and see whether this is something you can see yourself pursuing in the long term.
Hope this helps!
Echoing to Kendra’s answer, it’s great that you have a wide variety of interests!
I think you’d be a good fit for a career in Journalism. There are several options for you to choose from - such as print or online journalist. You can write articles on basically any topic of your interest such as current events, politics, book reviews, movie reviews. It also helps that you enjoy photography as you can easily append self taken photographs to make your articles more impactful.
If you’d like to explore journalism further, I’d recommend you to try and join your high school newspaper or start a blog and see whether this is something you can see yourself pursuing in the long term.
Hope this helps!
Thank you a ton! I've been told that journalism is a good option for me about 3 times today. I think it is a sign. This actually helps me a lot on my perspective for the future. Thanks again; I appreciate you!
Zeporian
Justine Adelizzi
Executive Communications Manager & Speechwriter
3
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Justine’s Answer
Hi Zeporian! I've got a great career option for you to consider - speechwriting! You get a chance to write about important issues, advise leaders about what they should be talking about and how, and put ideas out into the world that you care about. Just this year, I've been able to write about the economic impacts of COVID-19, inequality, the need for hope in times of crisis - even a talk for SXSW on the value of vulnerability and authentic leadership.
If this is something you're interested in, potential college majors could include Communications, English, and Political Science. You can also think about volunteering on political campaigns and making friends with the communications team - they're always looking for help.
But most importantly - keep writing! If you can write well, there's no shortage of things that you can do - most organizations are short on decent writers. And keep focused on changing the world for the better - we need your optimism, we need your ideas, and your contributions matter. Good luck!
If this is something you're interested in, potential college majors could include Communications, English, and Political Science. You can also think about volunteering on political campaigns and making friends with the communications team - they're always looking for help.
But most importantly - keep writing! If you can write well, there's no shortage of things that you can do - most organizations are short on decent writers. And keep focused on changing the world for the better - we need your optimism, we need your ideas, and your contributions matter. Good luck!
Simeon Snow
Risk Assurance
1790
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
I could see you trying out being a movie critique or media columnist for a newspaper. If you could inspire the same curiosity and interest you have about these topics in your readers, you could do very well in the field of journalism.
Carol Chapman
Designer
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Carol’s Answer
Hi Zeporian.
Have you thought about going into advertising or marketing? Writers and designers are paired together to create a campaign around whatever it is they might be selling. It gives you an opportunity to work in different types of media too. Plus it's fun to see your creations put out in the world. What I enjoy about it most is the creative people you meet and having the opportunity to partner with new people on different projects.
Have you thought about going into advertising or marketing? Writers and designers are paired together to create a campaign around whatever it is they might be selling. It gives you an opportunity to work in different types of media too. Plus it's fun to see your creations put out in the world. What I enjoy about it most is the creative people you meet and having the opportunity to partner with new people on different projects.
Sherie Greene
Human Resources
26
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Sherie’s Answer
Hi Zeporian;
You have so many options based on your interest. You could go into education and be a English Teacher. You could go into radio and television and be an actress and writer. Both areas you can go to school and receive your degree in them and based off which avenue you take you can take specific training classes or do internships while in school to get hands on experience.
You have so many options based on your interest. You could go into education and be a English Teacher. You could go into radio and television and be an actress and writer. Both areas you can go to school and receive your degree in them and based off which avenue you take you can take specific training classes or do internships while in school to get hands on experience.
Thank you so much! I love all those options. It means the world to me that you took the time out of your day to answer this. Thank you again!
Zeporian
You are so very welcome Zeporian. Best of luck to you .
Sherie Greene
Cara Maisel
Senior Analyst - Asset Management
10
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Cara’s Answer
Hi Zeporian,
You have so many great interests! I have you explored being a journalist? There are many different jobs within journalism, such as writing for a newspaper, being a TV anchor, filming TV segments, or being a producer. From my knowledge, journalism is a great blend of writing, research, public speaking, cinematography, and graphic design.
Good luck!
You have so many great interests! I have you explored being a journalist? There are many different jobs within journalism, such as writing for a newspaper, being a TV anchor, filming TV segments, or being a producer. From my knowledge, journalism is a great blend of writing, research, public speaking, cinematography, and graphic design.
Good luck!
Thank you so much! I have explored the journalism option actually, and I do believe it is a good choice for me. This made me a bit more confident in one of my future career options . Thank you again!
Zeporian
Abigael Pamintuan
User Experience Designer
5
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Abigael’s Answer
Hi Zeporian! I can totally relate to having a bunch of hobbies, having an interest in politics, and changing the world. Although what I'm doing now (Experience Design Intern at Autodesk) may seem unrelated to my Bachelor's degree (global health), it's been an exciting ride to see how I can connect the two.
When I was looking into programs that would combine my interests with technology and design with changing the world, while also giving me tangible experiences, I landed on a global health program at York University (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) which allowed me to specialize in electronic health and which also had a practicum (I got to work with Haiti Cardiac Alliance to evaluate their electronic health record prototype). Finding a program that could combine all three (help me change the world, technology/design, and practical experience) was gold for me. So, when looking for a program, examine and reflect on what you want from the whole experience and you can narrow down your choices from there.
On global health - it's a growing field but it's so interdisciplinary. We tackled issues such as ethics, the impact of socioeconomic factors on people's health, climate change, food security, Indigenous rights, the pharmaceutical industry's impact on countries in the Global South, non-communicable and communicable diseases (so relevant today), etc.
After studying global health, I wanted to grow my technical skills so now I'm doing a Master of Information specializing in user experience design - essentially learning how to make technology (and other things!) more user-friendly, intuitive, accessible, and inclusive.
There are lots of ways to connect a variety of interests - I learned best by diving in and doing a lot of searching through conferences, events, researching on different school programs, and reflecting on what I want from both academic and professional experiences. For now, marrying my desire to help change the world with learning technical skills is what's keeping me going!
When I was looking into programs that would combine my interests with technology and design with changing the world, while also giving me tangible experiences, I landed on a global health program at York University (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) which allowed me to specialize in electronic health and which also had a practicum (I got to work with Haiti Cardiac Alliance to evaluate their electronic health record prototype). Finding a program that could combine all three (help me change the world, technology/design, and practical experience) was gold for me. So, when looking for a program, examine and reflect on what you want from the whole experience and you can narrow down your choices from there.
On global health - it's a growing field but it's so interdisciplinary. We tackled issues such as ethics, the impact of socioeconomic factors on people's health, climate change, food security, Indigenous rights, the pharmaceutical industry's impact on countries in the Global South, non-communicable and communicable diseases (so relevant today), etc.
After studying global health, I wanted to grow my technical skills so now I'm doing a Master of Information specializing in user experience design - essentially learning how to make technology (and other things!) more user-friendly, intuitive, accessible, and inclusive.
There are lots of ways to connect a variety of interests - I learned best by diving in and doing a lot of searching through conferences, events, researching on different school programs, and reflecting on what I want from both academic and professional experiences. For now, marrying my desire to help change the world with learning technical skills is what's keeping me going!
Wow, I really admire you for just going for your dream like that! I appreciate your response and I will keep an open mind. Thank you so much!
Zeporian