4 answers
madison
Student
Rocky Mount, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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What career is right for me?
I am a very kind and loving person. I believe the world can be a batter place with more loving people. I am open minded on whatever you think is right for me. I love to give back, give people love and care, and give someone a shoulder. I am also very creative and colorful. I am very hard headed and if I get something in my mind it is there. I am very strong minded, and I work harder than anyone I know. #career-counseling #career
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4 answers
Simon Goldstein
Learning & Development
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Simon’s Answer
Hi Madison,
Very few people find their best-fitting job during school or right after school. Careers are about exploring what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing as you change over time. While it is a little disappointing that you might not find the right career immediately, it also takes the pressure off you to commit to the absolutely perfect track without having tried it first.
If we use your example of loving to give back and give someone a shoulder, there are many ways to fulfill that motivation; you could be a teacher, a medical professional, a barber/beautician, an attorney, a social worker, a team leader in a business, a non-profit director, and many other professions. You’ll connect your motivation to whatever job you are in so that you get yourself to work hard. You might also fulfill your motivation outside of work. For example, maybe you are the caring shoulder for your friends and family, while your career is what gives you the resources to be able to spend time with your loved ones.
In addition to your motivation, think about your interests. Are there subjects in school that interest you more than others? What do you like to do outside of classes? Who do you look up to, and why? Try looking at a career site and reading some job descriptions, or do informational interviews with people to ask them what their jobs are like. If you go to a school in the future that has career counseling services, make sure to give them a try. They might offer an assessment like the Strong Interest Inventory to give you more recommendations.
The important thing in a career is to keep learning and working hard. If you find that you want a different job or different career after you’ve already started one, it’s much easier to change careers if you’ve shown yourself that you can tackle big challenges and shown others that you are building skills that relate to lots of jobs, skills like collaboration, professionalism, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Very few people find their best-fitting job during school or right after school. Careers are about exploring what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing as you change over time. While it is a little disappointing that you might not find the right career immediately, it also takes the pressure off you to commit to the absolutely perfect track without having tried it first.
If we use your example of loving to give back and give someone a shoulder, there are many ways to fulfill that motivation; you could be a teacher, a medical professional, a barber/beautician, an attorney, a social worker, a team leader in a business, a non-profit director, and many other professions. You’ll connect your motivation to whatever job you are in so that you get yourself to work hard. You might also fulfill your motivation outside of work. For example, maybe you are the caring shoulder for your friends and family, while your career is what gives you the resources to be able to spend time with your loved ones.
In addition to your motivation, think about your interests. Are there subjects in school that interest you more than others? What do you like to do outside of classes? Who do you look up to, and why? Try looking at a career site and reading some job descriptions, or do informational interviews with people to ask them what their jobs are like. If you go to a school in the future that has career counseling services, make sure to give them a try. They might offer an assessment like the Strong Interest Inventory to give you more recommendations.
The important thing in a career is to keep learning and working hard. If you find that you want a different job or different career after you’ve already started one, it’s much easier to change careers if you’ve shown yourself that you can tackle big challenges and shown others that you are building skills that relate to lots of jobs, skills like collaboration, professionalism, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
I was going between Education and being a Pediatric RN. I have three family members that are RN’s, and I love thinking about being one. Being able to help the kids, make them less scared about being in a hospital, building relationships, being the shoulder they need. If I went to be an RN I would go to an ER or OR. I wanted to be a teacher to help kids learn to love to learn, I was going to teach Math. I just don’t see myself being able to be a Teacher and then come home and be there because of the work I have to do as a teacher at home. I have never thought of an attorney though, I will look into that. Thank you so much for answer, it helped a lot!
madison
. I was going to do psychology for rehab or hospital. Something in that zone but I get emotional easily sometimes. Others I am very distant with my emotions. Like maybe Counseling. I’m just not sure of it as far getting attached.
madison
Max Korten, M.Ed.
Program Coordinator
6
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Max’s Answer
Hi Madison,
It's great that you know some of your strengths in what you want in a career! What you mentioned is however very broad, and you might have to do a little more sole-searching. I would recommend speaking with your academic and career advisor to see what specifically interests you, along with listing classes, and some of your hobbies that you have enjoyed in the past. That might help you narrow down your thinking for what exactly that you want to be doing.
Best,
Max
It's great that you know some of your strengths in what you want in a career! What you mentioned is however very broad, and you might have to do a little more sole-searching. I would recommend speaking with your academic and career advisor to see what specifically interests you, along with listing classes, and some of your hobbies that you have enjoyed in the past. That might help you narrow down your thinking for what exactly that you want to be doing.
Best,
Max
Darcel Bowles
Academic/Career College/University Counselor
27
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Darcel’s Answer
Choosing a career, occupation or vocational path is an exciting and fun process. Keep in mind whatever you choose it will be the right decision for you at that time in your life. Explore your current interests, skills, values and aptitude. Your favorite classes and subject in school now and in the past. Did you get your best grades in these classes A's and B's? Careers can be chosen by good grades (skills/talent) in the topics you love to learn like to do. Interests are identified by your hobbies, activities or events that you chose to participate/practice during your free time. Values come in because you care about people. Working with and for people leads to a variety of careers in teaching, coaching or treating. Creativity combined with caring for people bring up teaching because as an elementary school teacher you can create your own classroom environment, lesson plans and fun activities for the students like arts and crafts. In the field of medicine and treatment of people with physical or emotional problems there is Art Therapy and Music Therapy. Art and Music therapy can be for all ages groups and individuals. Physical therapy is a wonderful profession you work with clients one on one to improve or adapt their movement. Occupational therapy another creative people person medical profession. Going into the medical profession with Physical or Occupational therapy you will need to enjoy classes such as math, science, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology. Your answer for choosing career is within you! Take you time. Whether in high school or college try some electives.
Creative and peoples skills jobs/careers are all over the place. Consider looking at the people you admire the most in your life, what are their professions and why did they choose them. Music, Art, Drama the creative arts are their for the taking. My bachelor degree out of college was Recreation/Leisure studies. What the heck is that? Proving activities events for inviduals to learn and enjoy involved things to do for fun. My specialty was dance and arts and crafts. I still do a lot of arts and crafts. As a Recreation Therapist I taught developmentally disabled adults how to dance and perform in groups. I had a dance troupe that performed at the local Special Olympics. During the time I worked at the shelter workshop and activity center for developmentally disabled (9) years my coworker and I performed the Wiz and Grease on stage at an annual holiday performance on stage, with craft made costumes, back drop and props. What a blast that was creativity working with people. Day dream about all the things you would like to with and for people. It so wonderful that you are a caring creative soul!
What do you like do for fun hobbies, activities; what do like to with your friends. Watching television, texting or talking on the phone doesn't count.
What would you like to learn as a hobby; creatively cooking, putting outfits together, trying new hairstyles. Take you time think about it.
When choosing or exploring a career try not to worry about how much money it cost! Training, Education, Specialization etc.
Try not to worry about "What job will I get ?" Will it pay well? etc. That will destroy the exploration process. Have fun with this journey.
If you at the point you need to choose a college major soon. Try liberal studies it a wonderful degree. Also it's teacher prep. Consider Social Services, Psychology or Medical profession.
Creative and peoples skills jobs/careers are all over the place. Consider looking at the people you admire the most in your life, what are their professions and why did they choose them. Music, Art, Drama the creative arts are their for the taking. My bachelor degree out of college was Recreation/Leisure studies. What the heck is that? Proving activities events for inviduals to learn and enjoy involved things to do for fun. My specialty was dance and arts and crafts. I still do a lot of arts and crafts. As a Recreation Therapist I taught developmentally disabled adults how to dance and perform in groups. I had a dance troupe that performed at the local Special Olympics. During the time I worked at the shelter workshop and activity center for developmentally disabled (9) years my coworker and I performed the Wiz and Grease on stage at an annual holiday performance on stage, with craft made costumes, back drop and props. What a blast that was creativity working with people. Day dream about all the things you would like to with and for people. It so wonderful that you are a caring creative soul!
Darcel recommends the following next steps:
My hobbies are just relaxing. I don’t like to not be busy, I get bored and anxious. With my friends I like to go to the movies or food. I cook and bake as a hobby and I paint. I was going between Education or a Pediatric RN. I have three family members that are RN’s, and I love thinking about being one. Being able to help the kids, make them less scared about being in a hospital, building relationships, being the shoulder they need. If I went to be an RN I would go to an ER or OR. I wanted to be a teacher to help kids learn to love to learn, I was going to teach Math. I just don’t see myself being able to be a Teacher and then come home and be there because of the work I have to do as a teacher at home. I was going to do psychology for rehab or hospital. Something in that area.
madison
Something in that zone but I get emotional easily sometimes. Others I am very distant with my emotions. Like maybe Counseling. I’m just not sure of it as far getting attached. Thank you for your answer, it helped a lot!
madison
The cooking, baking and painting are great hobbies. How would you feel about having a career you love to do and get paid a Pastry Chef. If you don't like to get bored you will need a career with lots of variety becoming a pediatric nurse would be great! Madison you are definitely on the right path exploring various career options. One thing you and I know for sure it will be with people; working with them, helping them and providing a service. You have a promising future ahead of you. As I tell my college students "Go out there and Change the World!" Keep up the good work! One more Speech Therapist working with children. Research that career! Take Care Best of Luck to you!
Darcel Bowles
Gisselle Pacas
Student
13
Answers
Richmond, Virginia
Updated
Gisselle’s Answer
Hello Madison! I would recommend something that involves working in the medical field. The medical field is surely a great opportunity to make a difference and there are many choices than can fit your specific interests!
I have three family members that are RN’s, and I love thinking about being one. Being able to help the kids, make them less scared about being in a hospital, building relationships, being the shoulder they need. If I went to be an RN I would go to an ER or OR. I just got nervous about the schooling as it is long and hard. Thank you for your answer, it was very helpful!
madison