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How do you know if you like your profession?
I am very versatile. I Can switch us and so almost anything if I put my mind to it. It’s not hard for me a catch on and learn something new. #any #professional #educator #friends
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7 answers
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Rebecca’s Answer
I love your question! What a great thing to think about and check in on before and during your career. To be honest, I think most people continually ask themselves this same question throughout their careers. I also don’t think there is really a right or wrong answer here. We spend our lives trying to “figure things out” and “do the right thing,” but really, whatever you start in you don’t have to end in and as you learn your responsibilities in each role, you’ll continue to fine tune what you like and don’t like to do on a daily basis. I’ve changed careers a couple times and each time, it’s taught me about what I like, what I am good at and what I would like to step away from. And many times, skills you learn in one career will complement another. There is no wrong path.
If you clearly hate going to your job everyday, it might be a good idea to figure out why and then start looking for something else. But, if you like what you do and you can see a path to progression (think promotions), why not stick with it and see how it plays out?
Keep asking yourself these tough questions because no one else is going to choose your life but you! And your life is totally able to be changed, no matter how old you are and what you have or have not done! 😊
If you clearly hate going to your job everyday, it might be a good idea to figure out why and then start looking for something else. But, if you like what you do and you can see a path to progression (think promotions), why not stick with it and see how it plays out?
Keep asking yourself these tough questions because no one else is going to choose your life but you! And your life is totally able to be changed, no matter how old you are and what you have or have not done! 😊
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
That's a good question and of course only you can answer it... first of all there is a difference between an interest or hobby vs doing something professionally. For instance you might like hacking code for your own projects but that doesn't mean you might enjoy being a developer or generally working in IT, day in, day out.
It helps if there is something you know you like (e.g. technology, IT, electronics) that is useful and has a value, and therefore your interest can become a paid job that you enjoy doing.
Of course it's much easier to know once you've tried a job for a little while. Asking yourself if you would enjoy doing it even for free is probably over-simplifying, as the level of effort and attention to detail is very different when you're doing something professionally - but it does help. Most people are motivated by money at least to some extent, but if the money is the most significant factor maybe that specific job is not for you.
It helps if there is something you know you like (e.g. technology, IT, electronics) that is useful and has a value, and therefore your interest can become a paid job that you enjoy doing.
Of course it's much easier to know once you've tried a job for a little while. Asking yourself if you would enjoy doing it even for free is probably over-simplifying, as the level of effort and attention to detail is very different when you're doing something professionally - but it does help. Most people are motivated by money at least to some extent, but if the money is the most significant factor maybe that specific job is not for you.
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Holly’s Answer
Hi Makiya! Throughout my ~20 year career, I have asked myself that exact question many times. It is a great question to be asking yourself now before making important choices in your career path. As many others have stated, of course you can shift your career over time. But, taking some time now can make a big difference in your satisfaction with your career. SO, you mentioned that you are versatile and I assume enjoy multiple disciplines. Ask yourself: What is it about "x" that I enjoy most? Maybe you enjoy learning new things - then possibly you would want to go into a field that allows you many opportunities to continue to develop in a variety of ways (like business, philanthropy, etc). Or maybe you enjoy solving complex problems - breaking things down and the joy of finding a solution? That might lead you to fields like criminal justice, public service, or again business (that is what I do in my company!). OR, maybe you really get joy from helping others? Then, you might get most satisfaction from a profession in education, health care, or even public service. These are just some examples, and often careers in these different disciplines can provide many of the things that will bring you joy. So my advice, figure out what makes you happy and work towards that!
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Steve’s Answer
You will know when you like your profession if you wake up and look forward to doing this craft daily. This will be a role that brings you joy and fulfillment and even when the job gets touch or even un-comfortable you will know inside that you are doing the role you love. Be sure to study all the aspects of the role, and I would always recommend you find a mentor that you can speak with from time to time. Knowledge is Power and the more you know about the role, the more subject matter expert you will become. That in itself will bring you satisfaction. If you are smiling more than frowning in your role, you will know that you are on to something. Remember the job is not forever, but part of your journey (career) and one job will lead to another and another.
Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the journey!
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
HI Makiya,
You have gotten several great responses here. I would add that you are probably the only person who can answer the question of whether or not you like your profession. When you get started in a career, the early days of any job can be hard. So you do not want to quit too soon. Any job that you get, you should consider staying up to 6 months to really understand if you like it or not. It will also be important to determine if it is the job that you do not like or your boss. I have changed careers a few times in my life, but I have only quit jobs because I don't like my boss. What do I mean? I started at my first job in data entry person, then moved into customer service. After about a year, I applied for a training job. The company stayed the same, but I moved from job to job, mostly because I saw my ability to add more skills in a different job.
I think that the challenge really is - what do you do when you stop liking your profession? Sometimes you may need to get new education. Or you should look for a job that has some of the same basic skills. For example, right now I am in learning and development. Yet some of the skills that I have for this job would serve me well in Marketing.
I am glad that you are a flexible person. Keep that up throughout your life. Stay engaged with a variety of different topics and always keep learning.
Gloria
You have gotten several great responses here. I would add that you are probably the only person who can answer the question of whether or not you like your profession. When you get started in a career, the early days of any job can be hard. So you do not want to quit too soon. Any job that you get, you should consider staying up to 6 months to really understand if you like it or not. It will also be important to determine if it is the job that you do not like or your boss. I have changed careers a few times in my life, but I have only quit jobs because I don't like my boss. What do I mean? I started at my first job in data entry person, then moved into customer service. After about a year, I applied for a training job. The company stayed the same, but I moved from job to job, mostly because I saw my ability to add more skills in a different job.
I think that the challenge really is - what do you do when you stop liking your profession? Sometimes you may need to get new education. Or you should look for a job that has some of the same basic skills. For example, right now I am in learning and development. Yet some of the skills that I have for this job would serve me well in Marketing.
I am glad that you are a flexible person. Keep that up throughout your life. Stay engaged with a variety of different topics and always keep learning.
Gloria
Updated
Shruti’s Answer
Hi!
I think that you can know when you like your profession when you feel that your work is not work anymore. It is something you enjoy doing and can do at any time. You feel happy working and are very dedicated to it. If you are working somewhere where you are able to achieve a healthy work-life balance, make the money that you feel you deserve, and work at a company with values and missions that align with yours, you know you are working at a place that you really like.
I think that you can know when you like your profession when you feel that your work is not work anymore. It is something you enjoy doing and can do at any time. You feel happy working and are very dedicated to it. If you are working somewhere where you are able to achieve a healthy work-life balance, make the money that you feel you deserve, and work at a company with values and missions that align with yours, you know you are working at a place that you really like.
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Makiya:
Kudos to you for asking a wonderful question. As evident by the CV Professionals you've already received some great responses. I'd like to share a few items of my own for your consideration. . . .
• You love the work and enjoy being there starting the day and completing as many tasks as you can accomplish
• You enjoy working with others and sharing in their successes
• You stop what you're doing to help others even when you're not looking for any recognition or reward
• You treat your colleagues with respect at all times
• You are often requested and/or selected to work on special projects and excited to work on the team
• You have a great work-life balance with flexibility
• You have great motivation and positive energy
Overall, you value the company and want to be there. . . Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Kudos to you for asking a wonderful question. As evident by the CV Professionals you've already received some great responses. I'd like to share a few items of my own for your consideration. . . .
• You love the work and enjoy being there starting the day and completing as many tasks as you can accomplish
• You enjoy working with others and sharing in their successes
• You stop what you're doing to help others even when you're not looking for any recognition or reward
• You treat your colleagues with respect at all times
• You are often requested and/or selected to work on special projects and excited to work on the team
• You have a great work-life balance with flexibility
• You have great motivation and positive energy
Overall, you value the company and want to be there. . . Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila