13 answers
Matthew
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
Asked
974 views
How do I decide what career is flexible and functional?
I'm a junior student attending Miyamura High School and I am looking for a career plan that flexible #career-choice #future-careers yet functional. My plans are to go into construction but I enjoy technology and medical and would like to considered those options. #technology #Medical
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13 answers
Melisa Cameron
Sr. Project Program Mgr., AT&T Community Engagement
167
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Melisa’s Answer
Hi Matthew,
Great question. Marcus shared some great suggestions for research and narrowing down your career choice, but you have a great start by knowing what interests you.
I feel like right now, in a world with COVID-19, there seems to be much more flexibility and function in the roles that people have as careers. In many instances, we could work remotely and from home, flex schedule and more.
My youngest daughter just finished grad school and works as a Pathology Assistant in a private medical lab. Finishing a medical program this year has opened her eyes to the possibilities of technology and medical careers that are critical right now, functional and flexible.
Sometimes she works during the day and other times a night shift, but she loves having that flexibility.
Also, If you want to learn more about internships at AT&T that are focused on technology and entertainment, check out the website at the link below.
You’ll also find videos here and more helpful career tools as well as more about life at AT&T.
Best wishes to you for success in your educational and career goals.
technology medical
Check out http://att.jobs/students
Learn more about campus events and on-demand video resources here https://www.att.jobs/campus-events
See if you can find a mentor or someone in one of these fields to answer more questions and help you along your way.
When it is safe to do so, schedule a job shadow visit or informational interview with someone.
Check out this article on jobs that combine technology and healthcare. https://www.careerbuilder.com/advice/6-technology-jobs-in-health-care
Great question. Marcus shared some great suggestions for research and narrowing down your career choice, but you have a great start by knowing what interests you.
I feel like right now, in a world with COVID-19, there seems to be much more flexibility and function in the roles that people have as careers. In many instances, we could work remotely and from home, flex schedule and more.
My youngest daughter just finished grad school and works as a Pathology Assistant in a private medical lab. Finishing a medical program this year has opened her eyes to the possibilities of technology and medical careers that are critical right now, functional and flexible.
Sometimes she works during the day and other times a night shift, but she loves having that flexibility.
Also, If you want to learn more about internships at AT&T that are focused on technology and entertainment, check out the website at the link below.
You’ll also find videos here and more helpful career tools as well as more about life at AT&T.
Best wishes to you for success in your educational and career goals.
technology medical
Melisa recommends the following next steps:
Melisa, this is awesome advice and a great story! Kudos to your youngest daughter on completing Grad School. In the midst of COVID19 world, my daughter too is considering the possibilities of technology and medical careers that are critical right now. She's extremely strong in math. Praying for her best path forward. Thank you for your advice and this is a great inspiration to the CV community.
Sheila Jordan
Thank you for your thoughts Sheila and thanks for all you do to continue sharing advice and great information with students on CareerVillage.
Melisa Cameron
MARCUS VOLTORI
Claims Rep
8
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
MARCUS’s Answer
Hello Matthew,
It seems you are interested in a number of career pathways that are in high demand. A few things to consider when weighing your career options is the length of time it will take to obtain a degree and certifications, out-of-pocket expenses, internships, local job market, and your salary expectation.
In regards to the medical field, consider researching career opportunities in Health Administration.
Best wishes.
Visit a community college or university to determine the cost and length of time it will take to obtain a technology and/or medical degree.
Explore technical and medical volunteer opportunities within your community.
Research the local and national job market in the technology and medical field.
Read reviews on Glassdoor regarding technology and medical careers.
Visit payscale.com
It seems you are interested in a number of career pathways that are in high demand. A few things to consider when weighing your career options is the length of time it will take to obtain a degree and certifications, out-of-pocket expenses, internships, local job market, and your salary expectation.
In regards to the medical field, consider researching career opportunities in Health Administration.
Best wishes.
MARCUS recommends the following next steps:
Great suggestions Marcus recommends here. Glassdoor is very helpful and can also share regional and local insights on careers. Have a great day!
Melisa Cameron
Marcus, great advice! Thank you for listing the steps on how to research further.
Sheila Jordan
Jonathan Sheriffs
Data Security
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Matthew,
With an ever growing and aging population and the explosion of innovation over the last 15 years, both the medical and technology fields will be in high demand and provide flexible options for the foreseeable future. As others have stated, the key is decide what really interests you. If you are unsure, pick education options that allow you the best flexibility to make the decision when you are ready. Choose schools/programs that offer both option and focus on your core curriculum while explore both options. Take the time to find something you will enjoy doing. It will make "work" much less "work."
With an ever growing and aging population and the explosion of innovation over the last 15 years, both the medical and technology fields will be in high demand and provide flexible options for the foreseeable future. As others have stated, the key is decide what really interests you. If you are unsure, pick education options that allow you the best flexibility to make the decision when you are ready. Choose schools/programs that offer both option and focus on your core curriculum while explore both options. Take the time to find something you will enjoy doing. It will make "work" much less "work."
Savita Puthigai
Risk Management
11
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Savita’s Answer
Technology today is required for almost all jobs and taking courses that are technology related will help. Quality Assurance is one way to go as suggested by Wesley. There are quality assurance roles in construction, technology and the medical field.
Bonnie Allen
Assoc. Director Technology
56
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Bonnie’s Answer
Hi Matthew
I would take some free Tech online courses to understand what’s available and the possibilities. Use your love of medicine, construction and technology to come up with ideas to improve people’s lives.
Visit Udacity.com and try a few of their free online courses
Use Udacity’s collaboration platform to network with other students who have your same interests
I would take some free Tech online courses to understand what’s available and the possibilities. Use your love of medicine, construction and technology to come up with ideas to improve people’s lives.
Bonnie recommends the following next steps:
Maria Alejandra Cepeda
Sales
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Maria Alejandra’s Answer
I studied Industrial Engineering in college and I loved it since I was looking for a degree that was technical (I loved math) but also had people skills. Industrial Engineering ended up opening a lot of doors for many career options after graduation. For example, I got the chance to intern in an operations leadership role (at a technology healthcare company), I also had a chance to intern as a Marketing specialist (at a major oil company) and then I joined technical sales role (at a big tech company). This degree has helped open many doors (different type roles within different industries) at really competitive salaries. If you are passionate about people, efficiency, and math, check out this major!
Invite you to read this article: https://www.apu.edu/articles/engineering-degrees-open-the-door-to-a-variety-of-career-opportunities/
Maria Alejandra recommends the following next steps:
Casey Jones
Sales
3
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Casey’s Answer
Hi Matthew,
You've mention a few things here - flexible and functional, leaning towards construction but I enjoy technology and medical. Without a lot of background, I'd offer a few tips when narrowing down what you want to do (and that will likely change over time - which is expected).
- Construction - Why? Family member in that field? Like working with your hands? Consider what appeals to you about this...it is flexible (if you own your own business, but it can can also be cyclical depending on the market - good time - lots of building, bad economy, these jobs are sidelined, etc.
Flexible - What's most important about this? Do you have hobbies that prevent you from working M-F? Want to travel? Consider why you want flexibility that can help steer your career choice.
Medical and technical interest - why not both? You can get into the technical field emphasizing medical field. Consulting (flexible), sales (flexible), etc. IT and MIS degrees you can do a lot with. Nursing or therapy jobs are other very in demand job with flexible careers choices .
Good luck !
Consider "where do I want to live, how much money do I think I will need to make, what kind of training do I need to be successful"
Talk to someone in the jobs you think you might like - lots of people are happy to help!
Get a plan for education and training that will help you meet your goals
You've mention a few things here - flexible and functional, leaning towards construction but I enjoy technology and medical. Without a lot of background, I'd offer a few tips when narrowing down what you want to do (and that will likely change over time - which is expected).
- Construction - Why? Family member in that field? Like working with your hands? Consider what appeals to you about this...it is flexible (if you own your own business, but it can can also be cyclical depending on the market - good time - lots of building, bad economy, these jobs are sidelined, etc.
Flexible - What's most important about this? Do you have hobbies that prevent you from working M-F? Want to travel? Consider why you want flexibility that can help steer your career choice.
Medical and technical interest - why not both? You can get into the technical field emphasizing medical field. Consulting (flexible), sales (flexible), etc. IT and MIS degrees you can do a lot with. Nursing or therapy jobs are other very in demand job with flexible careers choices .
Good luck !
Casey recommends the following next steps:
Vaibhav Gupta
Staff Software Engineer
1
Answer
Cupertino, California
Updated
Vaibhav’s Answer
Hi Matthew,
During the last year of the high school and during college you might want to explore the internships and various part-time job
to decide which option gives the flexibility in terms of time and work which you are looking for.
It will give you the exposure for these roles and will give you the work experience to help you as you pursue your path forward.
- A lot of technologies companies now give you the option to work from home.
- And if you decide to become a consultant then you are your own boss which gives you lots of flexibility.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consultant
Having a career in technology gives you a wide range of choices in industry like construction.
All the best for your future.
During the last year of the high school and during college you might want to explore the internships and various part-time job
to decide which option gives the flexibility in terms of time and work which you are looking for.
It will give you the exposure for these roles and will give you the work experience to help you as you pursue your path forward.
- A lot of technologies companies now give you the option to work from home.
- And if you decide to become a consultant then you are your own boss which gives you lots of flexibility.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consultant
Having a career in technology gives you a wide range of choices in industry like construction.
All the best for your future.
Steve Swisher
Category Manager of Procurement
69
Answers
The Woodlands, Texas
Updated
Steve’s Answer
It would be important to take a Myers-Briggs assessment to determine what areas of work interest you and what you will do well in. Check in with a counselor first at school to see what assessments along this approach is available to you.
I would then seek out an arrangement where you can shadow a person who's already in the type of job that interests you. You can secure this piece by mailing out (or emailing if possible) as direct approach letter stating your purpose. Be succinct and polite (in your letter) as to what you would like to accomplish with that subject matter expert.
Do the shadowing with several folks in those areas that you think you have an interest. Score each shadowing experience and allow the scoring results to help you make some decisions. Thank those experts when you are done and stay in touch with them as appropriate during your journey.
Then there is college and potentially specialized training that you will need to get to the place to interview for that important role.
Enjoy the journey. Make it happen!
I would then seek out an arrangement where you can shadow a person who's already in the type of job that interests you. You can secure this piece by mailing out (or emailing if possible) as direct approach letter stating your purpose. Be succinct and polite (in your letter) as to what you would like to accomplish with that subject matter expert.
Do the shadowing with several folks in those areas that you think you have an interest. Score each shadowing experience and allow the scoring results to help you make some decisions. Thank those experts when you are done and stay in touch with them as appropriate during your journey.
Then there is college and potentially specialized training that you will need to get to the place to interview for that important role.
Enjoy the journey. Make it happen!
Wesley Mitchell
QA Automation & Testing Manager
1
Answer
Irvine, California
Updated
Wesley’s Answer
Why don't you consider Quality Assurance? It's a great way to get experience in the technology field. If you're interested I can send over a website that you can take a look at.
Roel Ramon
Product Management and Development
64
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Roel’s Answer
Matthew, consider exploring a career in sales if you're drawn to the technical and medical fields. The beauty of sales is its versatility - you can thrive in both tech and medical sectors. It's not only a financially rewarding career path, but it also provides the flexibility you desire. Sales is an exciting field where each day brings new learning opportunities. If you relish acquiring new knowledge and collaborating with others, this could be an excellent career path for you to delve into.
James Harper
Troubleshoot Cisco telecommunications networks
4
Answers
Conyers, Georgia
Updated
James’s Answer
Hi Matthew, It seems you are attempting to make a decision that going to be for the rest of life. My advice would be to take a step back and breathe. Now that you have taken a breath, 1st thing is to realize you are at the prime place in your life to try a few different things out to see if like them before deciding to embark on that career path.....Now, think to yourself is there something that I think about all the time. What (REALLY, REALLY) interest me ? Don't think money...folks always get hung up on what can I do to make the most money instead of what can I do that I am going to absolutely love on a daily basis. So many folks become slaves to doing jobs that give the lots of money, but they absolutely hate their jobs. Find your passion, take a few courses at a junior college (Welding, Vet Tech, Pharmaceticals, Carpentry, Art, ....) Don't be one of the sheep. Be a true leader of your life....Do what you want to do. If you find your passion, don't let anyone change it. There will be some who will try....Good Luck on your search !!
James Chin
Enterprise Sales
5
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
James’s Answer
First, I'd consider what flexible means to you - is flexible the ability to work remotely from any location? Does it mean that you have a job where you can operate with a lot of freedom/autonomy? Are you looking for more flexible working hours that might not fit a traditional 9-5 job?
Flexibility can be great but I would actually think more about what you enjoy - what subjects or things interest you? What type of work do you like doing? If you don't know the answer to those questions yet, start to try as many different things as you can so you can begin to figure out your preferences. I'd say that interest in the work you're doing is just as important as your job being flexible.
Flexibility can be great but I would actually think more about what you enjoy - what subjects or things interest you? What type of work do you like doing? If you don't know the answer to those questions yet, start to try as many different things as you can so you can begin to figure out your preferences. I'd say that interest in the work you're doing is just as important as your job being flexible.