5 answers
Shaine
Student
Becket, MA
1
Question
Asked
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What's the best way to get started with your career?
#career #career-counseling #career-advice
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5 answers
Simeon Snow
Risk Assurance
1790
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
The best way to get started with your career is to try your hand at a few examples of the career, whether through shadowing, volunteering, or internships. Try to talk to people in the career and see what their favorite and least favorite parts of the career are. Once you have seen enough of the career in person to decide you want to do it, look at current job postings and see what prerequisites they need, whether it involves education or experiences. From there, plan your career path in reverse. Figure out which schools you need to go to in order to get required degrees and then figure out what you need to do now to increase your chance of getting into those schools in the first place. If needed, you will also want to start applying for scholarships and making friends with other people who are interested in the field. Any friends you make in the field might be able to help you in finding a job someday.
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Shaina
Ada Knol
CSR Consultant
2
Answers
Amersfoort, Netherlands
Updated
Ada’s Answer
Hi Shaine,
All of the above answers are true. Basically any step is the start of your career. Every work or learning experience adds to your skills and knowledge. When you have the resources and time: find out what makes you really happy and see if you can add education to it, to make it your profession. If not, make a choice and go for it. I started working as a receptionist after completing my Bachelor's degree. Just because I needed a job at the time and unemployment rate was high. Within months, I switched internally in the company to sales administration and 2 years later I became a Sales Administration manager at another company. Always remember, every day offers you a new chance and a new choice. I made several career switches: from department manager to project/program manager to sales and currently I am a CSR consultant parttime. At age 47, I rediscovered my passion for dancing, completed a 4 yr dance teacher education next to my job and now I am also working as a dancing teacher parttime. Dancing was a dream of me when I was a child but not something taken seriously by my parents. So, if you can, follow your dreams, follow your heart. If not, start with creating or accepting an opportunity that is worthwhile for the moment and keep working towards your dream. Life is what you make of it. Enjoy the path.
All of the above answers are true. Basically any step is the start of your career. Every work or learning experience adds to your skills and knowledge. When you have the resources and time: find out what makes you really happy and see if you can add education to it, to make it your profession. If not, make a choice and go for it. I started working as a receptionist after completing my Bachelor's degree. Just because I needed a job at the time and unemployment rate was high. Within months, I switched internally in the company to sales administration and 2 years later I became a Sales Administration manager at another company. Always remember, every day offers you a new chance and a new choice. I made several career switches: from department manager to project/program manager to sales and currently I am a CSR consultant parttime. At age 47, I rediscovered my passion for dancing, completed a 4 yr dance teacher education next to my job and now I am also working as a dancing teacher parttime. Dancing was a dream of me when I was a child but not something taken seriously by my parents. So, if you can, follow your dreams, follow your heart. If not, start with creating or accepting an opportunity that is worthwhile for the moment and keep working towards your dream. Life is what you make of it. Enjoy the path.
Thank you, Ada for the advice.
Barbara
Kathryn Plavetic
3
Answers
Updated
Kathryn’s Answer
Hello Shaine,
That is a great question. There are numerous ways to get started with your career. One of the first steps that you can take is exploring different career options online and by networking with professionals. There are numerous websites that allow you to gain insight into different occupations including the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. I would also recommend networking with professionals in different careers by connecting with them on LinkedIn.
Another great way to start your career is to participate in internships and volunteer opportunities to gain hands on experience. Internships and volunteer opportunities allow you to determine the type of work that best fits your strengths and personalities.
That is a great question. There are numerous ways to get started with your career. One of the first steps that you can take is exploring different career options online and by networking with professionals. There are numerous websites that allow you to gain insight into different occupations including the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. I would also recommend networking with professionals in different careers by connecting with them on LinkedIn.
Another great way to start your career is to participate in internships and volunteer opportunities to gain hands on experience. Internships and volunteer opportunities allow you to determine the type of work that best fits your strengths and personalities.
Bhavin Narotam
10
Answers
Updated
Bhavin’s Answer
Hi Shaine,
The best way to start your career is to really start anywhere. Think of it as a blank canvas that needs to be filled. I would suggest to start thinking about your interest. What subjects in school do you really enjoy and what do you enjoy to do in life. Sometimes you may think a hobby is just a hobby, but you can make a successful career out of it. Once you answer those questions then I would do some research on jobs related to those and explore different careers. Read about what those jobs are and what they do. Create a LinkedIn and find people with those job title and maybe reach out to them to talk to them about their career. You can even look within your family and friends. Ask your parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, friends parents, etc and ask about their jobs and what they do. Starting to think about your career path can be overwhelming at first, but be patient. It does take sometime and some trail and error to figure it out. As long as you actively work toward your career it will come together at some point.
The best way to start your career is to really start anywhere. Think of it as a blank canvas that needs to be filled. I would suggest to start thinking about your interest. What subjects in school do you really enjoy and what do you enjoy to do in life. Sometimes you may think a hobby is just a hobby, but you can make a successful career out of it. Once you answer those questions then I would do some research on jobs related to those and explore different careers. Read about what those jobs are and what they do. Create a LinkedIn and find people with those job title and maybe reach out to them to talk to them about their career. You can even look within your family and friends. Ask your parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, friends parents, etc and ask about their jobs and what they do. Starting to think about your career path can be overwhelming at first, but be patient. It does take sometime and some trail and error to figure it out. As long as you actively work toward your career it will come together at some point.
Howard Christiansen
Professor
54
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Howard’s Answer
Dear Shaine,
The best way to jump start your potential career is to first understand what kind of work you are most interested in. Talk with your school counselor and get a good idea of what your interests are. Then you can go on the internet and search the types of jobs that you like, read about them so as to hone in on a possible career. At this point don't think about the money but think about the job(s) you would enjoy most. The money will come later after you have performed well on the job.
You may want to start volunteering your time and energy on some opportunities related to your job interest. This always looks good on your resume and it will also help you better understand what you want to do. Try and talk with some of your teachers or friends of your parents that might know about the career you want. It is also at this point that you should develop an outstanding resume that will help you get into the door. Hopefully you plan to go to college or are in college already and you choose the right major for the job you eventually want to do.
From my experience I had a bachelors and masters degree in management and I found a job in a large company where I worked at various positions until I found what I really liked, which was consulting. After 17 years of business experience, I decided to change my career and went into teaching at a college. I have been teaching for over 25 years and love what I do. I found my passion and you will to. Take your time and know that it is possible for a career change down the road. I wish you the best .
The best way to jump start your potential career is to first understand what kind of work you are most interested in. Talk with your school counselor and get a good idea of what your interests are. Then you can go on the internet and search the types of jobs that you like, read about them so as to hone in on a possible career. At this point don't think about the money but think about the job(s) you would enjoy most. The money will come later after you have performed well on the job.
You may want to start volunteering your time and energy on some opportunities related to your job interest. This always looks good on your resume and it will also help you better understand what you want to do. Try and talk with some of your teachers or friends of your parents that might know about the career you want. It is also at this point that you should develop an outstanding resume that will help you get into the door. Hopefully you plan to go to college or are in college already and you choose the right major for the job you eventually want to do.
From my experience I had a bachelors and masters degree in management and I found a job in a large company where I worked at various positions until I found what I really liked, which was consulting. After 17 years of business experience, I decided to change my career and went into teaching at a college. I have been teaching for over 25 years and love what I do. I found my passion and you will to. Take your time and know that it is possible for a career change down the road. I wish you the best .