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How do I know what to be when I grow up?

I'm having trouble on what to be and its kind of bothering me a lot and I honestly have no clue anymore. #careerchoice #people #career-choice #jobs #job

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Thank you comment icon Whatever your like to do the most or most passionate about helps you figure out what your going to be when you grow up. Rihanna
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Stephen’s Answer

Hey Connor,

Speaking from experience, I honestly didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up until after college. And even then, it still took me a bit in my first role before I had a more clear path! My main advice here is be patient with yourself -- life might throw something your way that you absolutely love or you might find yourself in an industry that didn't exist 10 years ago (like with my work in social media).

When talking to my team I manage about career development, I tend to ask the following questions:

1. In what you're doing, what energizes you?

2. What are your natural strengths?

So for instance, if you're really energized by group projects and find yourself to be an effective communicator, people or project management might be up your alley. Or, if you enjoy solving complex problems with innovative solutions and enjoy chemistry, chemical engineering might be a good fit. Ask yourself the two questions above and see what career opportunities align with that. From there, do research, ask experts, and find what you're really passionate about.
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Kim’s Answer

Hi Connor
Stephen has given you some good advice. To add to his suggestion of understanding your natural strengths, you may want to consider taking an assessment to better understand what your natural strengths are and how they influence your educational and career choices. There are several assessments available. My favorite is StrengthsFinder. The resulting report is thorough yet directional. And it can be used as a reference throughout your journey. Best wishes on a successful path.

Kim recommends the following next steps:

Research strengths assessments including StrengthsFinder.
Take the assessment and review the resulting report.
Map out a plan using the options revealed in the report.
Retain the report for future reference as your career progresses.
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Mark’s Answer

Don't let worry consume you too much. You'll be amazed at the multitude of career opportunities that will unfold as you mature. It's a common topic among friends and family - what did we aspire to be when we were younger? More often than not, we find ourselves engaged in careers that are entirely different from our childhood dreams. Being young is a tremendous advantage. Keep your mind receptive, be curious, and invest time in exploring areas that pique your interest. Attend job fairs whenever possible, seek advice from career counselors and trusted individuals. But above all, relish your journey towards discovering a fulfilling career.
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Leland’s Answer

Start taking jobs as soon as you're old enough, even if it's just for the summer. Keep your eyes out for opportunities to do volunteer work or internships. After high school, I signed up with a temporary employment agency for jobs during my winter and summer breaks. I was open to whatever they offered and I found myself working in a warehouse, a company party at a pro Wrestling event; I even picked up poop at a dog show. I considered it all valuable life experience and I knew none of the jobs I was doing was going to be permanent. Once they found out I could type, I started getting jobs working in an office environment for both profit and non-profit organizations. Not every job you do has to be a job you love, but do your best regardless. The more people discover how hardworking you are, the more opportunities will become available to you and you can start to picking and choosing the jobs you get assigned. The key thing is to open your eyes to the huge range of opportunities that are out there. Also keep in mind that there's more to working than just the job itself. Your relationship with your coworkers can be a key determinant in your overall satisfaction in any workplace. You'll also learn more about yourself as you start to figure out what type of work habits work for you personally. Are you looking for steady hours or are you prepared to regularly work overtime? Do you mind working holidays or at odd hours? Do you want to travel for business? Do you want to be able to work remotely? What's your commute going to be like? Are you looking/willing to relocate? Does it pay enough? These are all questions everyone has to ask themselves before taking any job that have little to do with "knowing what to be."

Leland recommends the following next steps:

Get a part-time or seasonal job
Volunteer or find an internship
Sign up with a temp agency
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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.
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