9 answers
Marcos
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
Asked
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I'm stuck on choosing between engineer, dentist or business careers, where do i begin?
I enjoy playing sports, such as basketball, football and soccer. I would like to find something that will help financially. #dentistry, #engineer, #business
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9 answers
Douglas Phillips
Marketing Campaign Manager
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
Hi Marcos! In addition to exploring what internship opportunities there may be in those fields, you can consider doing informational interviews with a variety of people in those fields. I would recommend doing a few informational interviews in each field to get a better idea of what the jobs and their lives are like.
Rohan Balwani
Product Manager
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Rohan’s Answer
Great question. I applaud you for proactively thinking about your career choices
There are three things we need to consider when trying to figure out next steps in our careers.
1. What am I passionate about? - This will keep you motivated when things get tough.
2. What I'm good at? - This will help you progress faster in your career.
3. What pays well? / What is the market demand for this career? - This will help you create a financially secure future
The only tricky part is that all of these 3 things could/and probably change with time. and that is completely fine.
I started out my career in engineering, shifted to a business-oriented role after 7 years.
If you are considering engineering, you need to figure out which engineering you would like to do - Talking to people in those careers will help you get a better idea about the work they do and what a career in that field is like.
All the best!
Talk to people in the careers that your interested
Reflect on the above 3 questions
Figure out what careers are in great demand that interest you
There are three things we need to consider when trying to figure out next steps in our careers.
1. What am I passionate about? - This will keep you motivated when things get tough.
2. What I'm good at? - This will help you progress faster in your career.
3. What pays well? / What is the market demand for this career? - This will help you create a financially secure future
The only tricky part is that all of these 3 things could/and probably change with time. and that is completely fine.
I started out my career in engineering, shifted to a business-oriented role after 7 years.
If you are considering engineering, you need to figure out which engineering you would like to do - Talking to people in those careers will help you get a better idea about the work they do and what a career in that field is like.
All the best!
Rohan recommends the following next steps:
John Koz
Director, Global Operations
4
Answers
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Updated
John’s Answer
I always ask people who come to me asking for Career Advice "What jazzes you? What makes you excited and interested?" Then think about the fields you are considering, and find which has MORE of what you enjoy. The reality is that all jobs have some portion which you will not enjoy (after all, if it wasn't work they'd call it fun ;-)), so find the career that has more facets of what you like. Realize that this may change over time, and what was exciting to you in year one may no longer be so exciting in year 5, so continue to measure your career, your desires, and what you want out of life by where you are and make adjustments along the way. Remember, it does not matter where you start out- it matters where you end up, and if you can find some things you are passionate about along the way, it will lead to a fulfilling career.
John Hepburn
Director/Business Analyst
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
John’s Answer
I Marcos!
I understand where you are. Soccer was my passion. The key word is passion. I loved to referee. I would do it for free! As a result, I very successfully followed that path for years across the country and into europe. Didn't make a lot of money, but I loved what I was doing. Eventually, life took me down another path. Today, I find myself managing a team of Business Analysts across the country. I love it! There are so many similarities.
To me, the the best advice is:
- Understand what you love. Find your passion. Nothing better than getting paid for doing what you
love!
- Understand what you are good at get better at it
- Drive. Nothing is given to you. We live in a meritocracy environment. You have to earn it. To earn
it you have to have drive to get better EVERY day. Not against the guy next to you, but you have to
be better than you were yesterday. You need to jump out of bed, ready to go
- Following the money brings short term happiness/satisfaction
I understand where you are. Soccer was my passion. The key word is passion. I loved to referee. I would do it for free! As a result, I very successfully followed that path for years across the country and into europe. Didn't make a lot of money, but I loved what I was doing. Eventually, life took me down another path. Today, I find myself managing a team of Business Analysts across the country. I love it! There are so many similarities.
To me, the the best advice is:
- Understand what you love. Find your passion. Nothing better than getting paid for doing what you
love!
- Understand what you are good at get better at it
- Drive. Nothing is given to you. We live in a meritocracy environment. You have to earn it. To earn
it you have to have drive to get better EVERY day. Not against the guy next to you, but you have to
be better than you were yesterday. You need to jump out of bed, ready to go
- Following the money brings short term happiness/satisfaction
Raya Fariz
Business Advisor
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Raya’s Answer
Hi Marcos,
As with many of the answers here, I would agree: finding what you enjoy doing, as well as what you are good at, and finding a career and education that has both of those things is ideal. However, I would also keep in mind the below:
1) Courses that you would need for these majors. For instance, Business would require math skills if you are looking at Finance or Accounting. If you are very passionate about sciences, dentistry would probably align with your passions better.
2) Keep in mind the amount of time it takes for these professions in college in the US. For instance, to become a dentist you will need to first do pre-med courses in your undergraduate studies and then study dentistry in graduate school.
3)Talk to people who are currently in these careers and get their insight on their lifestyles, how they got to where they are at their careers, etc.
As with many of the answers here, I would agree: finding what you enjoy doing, as well as what you are good at, and finding a career and education that has both of those things is ideal. However, I would also keep in mind the below:
1) Courses that you would need for these majors. For instance, Business would require math skills if you are looking at Finance or Accounting. If you are very passionate about sciences, dentistry would probably align with your passions better.
2) Keep in mind the amount of time it takes for these professions in college in the US. For instance, to become a dentist you will need to first do pre-med courses in your undergraduate studies and then study dentistry in graduate school.
3)Talk to people who are currently in these careers and get their insight on their lifestyles, how they got to where they are at their careers, etc.
Rajesh YP
Validation Engineer
5
Answers
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India
Updated
Rajesh’s Answer
Yes do what u believe u will love doing. Actually engineer and business both u can try. Engineer+MBA-> makes you better person
Elfin Wei
Merchandising Adviosr
2
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Elfin’s Answer
HI Marcos! When thinking about career path, we often put first focus on the industry status, income, opportutnies of development ect. But as a young talent, you still have a long way to go. I would suggest to go back to understanding yourself first. You need to know what are your key strenghs and what are you interested. Sometimes they are not necessary overlap. Engineer, dentis and businss are completely different working environment and they each has different requirements for the job. You won't be successful unless you're very good at it, or very passionate at it.
Vibhu Jain, PhD
Marketing
2
Answers
Seoul, South Korea
Updated
Vibhu’s Answer
Best way is do small projects in all three areas - work for few days in a workshop, with a dentist and may be with a start up. These short internship will allow you to find what make you feel great n how good you are in it
John Dudek, PMP
Program Management
6
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
John’s Answer
Do what you enjoy doing. As long as you enjoy your job, you will never have to "work"....