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how did you figure out what career path you wanted to work for?
#undecided
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7 answers
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Kiley’s Answer
Hi Alyssa, I think this is a very common issue that many people have. I for one had a very hard time deciding what the right path for me was. What really helped was my parents pushing me to investigate my interests more. I found researching different career paths online helpful as well as reaching out to people in career paths that interested me to job shadow for a day. Information on the internet is only so helpful and shadowing someone can really give you the opportunity to ask all of your questions and get more insight on what the day to day job entails. I also think it's helpful to take classes in a variety of different areas that interest you. Taking introductory courses in things you think you might be interested in is a great way to see it you really like it and also gauge how well you perform in that subject area. I found that although I might like something if I'm not good at it, my interest quickly fades. And lastly don't expect to figure it out overnight, take you time and do your research until you really feel like you have it figured out!
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Samantha’s Answer
I looked into what im passionate about. I loved cooking and been doing it since I was 3. I went to culinary school and instantly knew this is where I was meant to be.
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Gloria’s Answer
Hi Alyssa,
The answer to this question begins with you. What are you passionate about? What would you do for free because you are compelled to do it? My answer was writing. The challenge for me was to determine how that would translate into a job that I could live on. I had to determine how this skill would apply to careers. I learned that writing is more than publishing books. I can use it in Marketing, Graphic Design, teaching, and more. I am now an Instructional Designer. I did not find this job on the internet. I actually ended up discovering my career as I used my passion doing another job, data entry. I was very good at what I did and so I was often given new employees to train. I figured out that the best way to train people was to write down what I knew in an organized way. Suddenly I ended up writing job aids for my team and then my department. My natural gift at writing translated into a different job that I didn't know existed.
Gloria
The answer to this question begins with you. What are you passionate about? What would you do for free because you are compelled to do it? My answer was writing. The challenge for me was to determine how that would translate into a job that I could live on. I had to determine how this skill would apply to careers. I learned that writing is more than publishing books. I can use it in Marketing, Graphic Design, teaching, and more. I am now an Instructional Designer. I did not find this job on the internet. I actually ended up discovering my career as I used my passion doing another job, data entry. I was very good at what I did and so I was often given new employees to train. I figured out that the best way to train people was to write down what I knew in an organized way. Suddenly I ended up writing job aids for my team and then my department. My natural gift at writing translated into a different job that I didn't know existed.
Gloria
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Christel’s Answer
While choosing you life and career path, take your time. It is a long process and it is very confusing. Know your interests, your values, hobbies, Soft skills, what motivates you, what activities do you most enjoy. Make a list of the fields you are interested in, find job descriptions and educational, training requirements, Lifestyle requirements for each of the careers in you list and you can start narrowing it down. You may also take online career assessments, seek out career coaches- Interview some people in your field of interest, Seek internships. Consider your salary needs however It is important not to seek only money and salaries as the good money will come with the success in your career. Imagine yourself in 5 and 10 years. Do you see yourself happy in that path? Try different things, different options, think outside of the box and most importantly Take your time.
Good luck
Good luck
Updated
Lindsay’s Answer
Hi Alyssa,
Figuring out what I wanted to do took a lot of time and thinking. It wasn't until after I started shadowing different professionals that I realized the career field I wanted to be in. Once I found interest, I did a bunch of research to see if it was really right for me and something I was truly passionate about. This doesn't work fo everyone, but I do think it helps to see what different professionals do so you know if it's something you can truly see yourself doing. Outside of that, I worked a ton of jobs in different fields to see what I liked the most!
Figuring out what I wanted to do took a lot of time and thinking. It wasn't until after I started shadowing different professionals that I realized the career field I wanted to be in. Once I found interest, I did a bunch of research to see if it was really right for me and something I was truly passionate about. This doesn't work fo everyone, but I do think it helps to see what different professionals do so you know if it's something you can truly see yourself doing. Outside of that, I worked a ton of jobs in different fields to see what I liked the most!
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Pro’s Answer
Try an Interdisciplinary, Liberal Studies, or General Studies major, that will let you combine multiple interests. Or an Individually Designed major that you can even name yourself.
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Maria’s Answer
Explore all of the majors and minors at your school. Take several introductory courses as well to explore what you might enjoy. When I found out my university had a Hospitality School, it just clicked. I knew that was the path I should go down. I still didn't specifically know what career I wanted to pursue, but with my Hospitality degree, I then went on to a job I really enjoyed and then onto a job that I'm absolutely in love with and now know this is my career.