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how do I narrow down my choices on what I want to do for a career?

I'm a Sophomore in high school, and I like learning how movies are made. But I'm also interested in engineering. I'm unsure on how to decide on which one I actually want for a long term goal. #engineering #movieacting

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Suleyman’s Answer

Hey Isaiah,

You can do both! You have to find something that can combine both areas. You can probably specialise in one area and have a more broader study on the other area.

Who knows you might then find a career path where you can serve to a brand new niche!
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Jeff’s Answer

Narrowing career choices can be really challenging, especially if you have broad interests. One key thing to remember is that many people today end up having more than one career. It is okay to try something (an internship or a project or even a first job in a field), and then realize it isn't right for you. You aren't locked in forever. I would encourage you to make sure you build up multiple skills in multiple disciplines if you aren't sure what you really want to do just yet. That way you'll have flexibility if you try one career path and decide it isn't the greatest fit for you.

I try to think through these questions when considering a career or even a new job within a career field:
1. What am I really good at doing?
2. What do I really enjoy doing?
3. What jobs exist that would pay me to do something that meets #1 and #2 above?
4. What kinds of people do I like working with (or doing projects with)? (That might narrow down the answers from #3 just a little more...)

Good luck!
Thank you comment icon Hi Isaiah, Great suggestions from Jeff and others here and this reminds me of an older (but very relevant) model to find your "career sweet spot" that combines the questions Jeff recommended. Here are some additional talks and ideas around "finding the work you were meant to do." https://blog.ed.ted.com/2016/05/10/7-ideas-about-finding-the-work-you-were-meant-to-do/ Seek out a mentor or someone who has a career that interests you and see if you can also learn more from them and their experiences. Best wishes to you! Melisa Cameron
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Daniel’s Answer

Hey Isaiah! It can be tough choosing what you want to do for your career long term. I think the most important thing is to not rush into anything. I would suggest to read up on film production, engineering, and any other topics that interest you as you finish high school. The more you learn, the better idea you'll have of exactly what you want to do. Also, making a pros and cons list of career choices that interest you can be helpful.
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Cody’s Answer

Do both! Your career does not have to be a sequence of similar experiences. Whatever you choose, you will learn skills that are applicable to everything you do next. Focus on being a good collaborator, taking initiative, being clear and concise, asking for and accepting feedback, being respectful, kind, and enthusiastic. These traits will be helpful regardless of the career you find yourself in.
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Russell’s Answer

I would suggest trying out both as well. You may even come to a point where an opportunity will come up that will combine both experiences. Especially being only a sophomore in High School you have plenty of time and no rush to come do a decision. Even along the way learn some trades on the side such as carpentry, electrical, dc electrical, how things are made, how things work, etc. I am a believer that skills along with education set people apart and give you the advantage. It also helps you decide what makes you passionate about and what you put your full effort into. I myself like learning how things work and what makes them work and possibly how can they work better. Being creative and thinking outside the box is a huge plus, especially with engineering or any sort of technology it is always progressing and changing. Even learning of what could be on the horizon could give you that extra push.
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Michael’s Answer

I think this question is a bit multifaceted. I would say it begins by analyzing the probabilities of success in each field of choice. After that what I would do is really take some time to consider if the field aligns with your long term and short term career goals. Be time specific and make a concerted effort to establish goals that are reasonable and attainable. After doing this it comes to down to intuition. Remember this is nobody else's path besides yours. You have your own journey. Don't let anyone influence you on the path to take.
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Austin’s Answer

Take a wide breadth of classes to see what interests you. If your school offers a wide breadth of electives, leverage those to get access to industries outside of the core curriculum. Economics, Film, Business, Computer Science, Nutrition, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Law, etc.
Summer courses or internships are a good way to get access too. This will give you an idea of what is needed to become a business consultant, auditor, software engineer, nutritionalist, lawyer, writer, etc.
I would also say if you have the luxury, don't let just one class/teacher turn you away from the subject. You may jive with the topic a 2nd time around. Of course, college is meant for you to explore this as well.
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Jonathan’s Answer

I think the best advice I can give is to figure out what you are passionate about and what really makes you happy and then figure out how to make a career within that. Be open to different jobs within the area that you're passionate about and realize you can switch your specific jobs within the larger industry. For instance, if you are really passionate about movies, be open to doing multiple jobs within that industry. The old saying "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life" isn't exactly true. It's more like "If you love what you do, you won't mind putting in the work".
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Elfin’s Answer

Hi Isaiah! I would encourage you to look up more information regarding the area you're insterested in. If there's any workshop, small project competions or short term online courses, try it out! By exposing yourself more in opportunities like this, you will be able to either learn yourself is not only interested in this, but actually very good at it ; or worst case, you'll find it not as appealing as you thought, and you woud know this is not working for you. (even if so, it's not a waste of time, it's a process to get to know yourself, what you're good at and what do you really want).
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Amrita’s Answer

I would suggest thinking and maybe even making a list of the areas you find interesting and what you are able to do well. Then from the subject or topic areas, you found the most enjoyable look at related career prospects.

Once you have narrowed it down to a few options try and contact individuals who work or already study in that area and get an understanding of how interesting you would find this. You should all simply try searching the internet for the areas you find interesting as sometimes you will find careers which combine two or maybe even three of your interests.
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Vinu’s Answer

Hey Isaiah! Wish there was a simple answer to this question but as others have pointed out there is no tailor made answer to this. One possible way is to explore different areas of your interest and spend time in honing your skills related to it. You might experience that what you initially felt interesting was not the case once u go deeper into a subject or the opposite may happen too! Embrace the growth mindset and try to explore as much as you can by trying out new fields. To be an expert in any field/career you need to spent hours of practicing the skills needed to perfection, to spent all this effort/hours you need to have an interest/passion towards it, to know where your passion lies you just have to try out different things until you find it!
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Peregrin’s Answer

I'm in the camp that you can do both.

The reality is, there are industries (like film making), in those industries, there are a multitude of fascinating career opportunities, and when you think about the various aspects of modern filmmaking, there are numerous areas where engineering is critical to success.

Lots of great advice on how to experiment or think through how to figure out what you might want to do for the near or long term... but there will always be areas of intersection. I'm not an engineer, but I am sure that it is probably the least common type of career where you do engineering (mechanical, electrical...) for the simple sake to do engineering... you will be solving for something, so your career choice may be more about what areas interest you to solve problems with your engineering skills.

Best of luck!
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