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Where do one start for looking for a career?
#career-choice
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4 answers
Marilyn Balke-Lowry
Artist/Owner at Imaginart; Director of College Guidance Consultants, creators of E-Scholarships USA!
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Marilyn’s Answer
Hi Justin,
I would second the comments you have already received regarding help in deciding upon a career. It is an important decision, as it is a springboard for your future. I would caution you, however, to not etch your first decision in stone, in other words...you might want to change your mind.
First look at what you are interested in, what are your favorite subjects in school, and what adults that you admire might be doing for a living. There are some online quizzes that might give you a few hints, and your counselor at school might be able to point you to some vocational testing that you could take advantage of taking. I am not sure what grade you are in school, but if you are not sure what direction to go, it is often wise to attend a community college for your first few courses and perhaps take electives in areas you feel you might be interested in pursuing. Some students will be happy with the two-year training they receive and will go directly into the job field, and others will want to go on for further education in an area in which they have developed an interest. Community college is usually cheaper and you can often save money by living at home.
Other ways are to take interest inventories on the community college level and work with counselors there, do summer internships with people in businesses you may be interested in, interview people in jobs you may want to know more about or even go into the armed services where you will receive a lot of testing and training as well as experience. You will then be able to attend college with financial help from your armed service experience.
Most people change jobs several times in their lifetimes, but getting a good start saves you time and makes you happier. Jobs are good experience, and every position teaches you a lot...sometimes that it is not a place where you wish to remain! All is valuable knowledge.
I wish you the best of luck and much success,
Marilyn Balke-Lowry, MEd, LPC
I would second the comments you have already received regarding help in deciding upon a career. It is an important decision, as it is a springboard for your future. I would caution you, however, to not etch your first decision in stone, in other words...you might want to change your mind.
First look at what you are interested in, what are your favorite subjects in school, and what adults that you admire might be doing for a living. There are some online quizzes that might give you a few hints, and your counselor at school might be able to point you to some vocational testing that you could take advantage of taking. I am not sure what grade you are in school, but if you are not sure what direction to go, it is often wise to attend a community college for your first few courses and perhaps take electives in areas you feel you might be interested in pursuing. Some students will be happy with the two-year training they receive and will go directly into the job field, and others will want to go on for further education in an area in which they have developed an interest. Community college is usually cheaper and you can often save money by living at home.
Other ways are to take interest inventories on the community college level and work with counselors there, do summer internships with people in businesses you may be interested in, interview people in jobs you may want to know more about or even go into the armed services where you will receive a lot of testing and training as well as experience. You will then be able to attend college with financial help from your armed service experience.
Most people change jobs several times in their lifetimes, but getting a good start saves you time and makes you happier. Jobs are good experience, and every position teaches you a lot...sometimes that it is not a place where you wish to remain! All is valuable knowledge.
I wish you the best of luck and much success,
Marilyn Balke-Lowry, MEd, LPC
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
In general, I would go to the department of labor's website (https://www.dol.gov/) and see which fields are growing quickly these days. If you're drawing a blank on what you'd like to do, see if any of the fast growing fields call out to you. This will give you a lot more structure than trying to get a vague sense of your passions and trying to brainstorm a way to turn it into money. Most people don't have a passion that they are aware of right away. Also, passions tend to change from season to season. Lastly, look at videos on YouTube of people in their careers talking about what they love and hate. See if any of their descriptions sound like a good fit for you. It's just as important to figure out if you can deal with the downsides of a job as it is to figure out what you'd love about a job.
Updated
Mariella’s Answer
Hi Justin! This is a good question...
There are many qualified individuals who train to answer such questions. If you are in highschool, you can look for college counsellors, if you ask, they will not only advise on a good college for you, but they can advise you on the various career paths out there.
The first thing however would be to think of something you'd like to do and then look into it.
Have a look at recruitment sites and see the various positions that they offer, you can also look at their pay respective to the years of experience required (if thats a factor you'd like to count in) and from there you can then research on the path to get there.
If you are already in college and wondering what to do next, depending on your major and your studies, you can apply for internships in various companies with different roles and industries, attend as many interviews as you can, and in the interview you can ask all your questions regarding the company. Since it would be an interview for an internship out of college, interviewers are usually very open to explaining and will find your interest quite impressive!
Speak to adults, family friends, parents of friends and find out what they say about their careers and what would they have done differently.
There are many qualified individuals who train to answer such questions. If you are in highschool, you can look for college counsellors, if you ask, they will not only advise on a good college for you, but they can advise you on the various career paths out there.
The first thing however would be to think of something you'd like to do and then look into it.
Have a look at recruitment sites and see the various positions that they offer, you can also look at their pay respective to the years of experience required (if thats a factor you'd like to count in) and from there you can then research on the path to get there.
If you are already in college and wondering what to do next, depending on your major and your studies, you can apply for internships in various companies with different roles and industries, attend as many interviews as you can, and in the interview you can ask all your questions regarding the company. Since it would be an interview for an internship out of college, interviewers are usually very open to explaining and will find your interest quite impressive!
Speak to adults, family friends, parents of friends and find out what they say about their careers and what would they have done differently.
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Justin,
This is a geat question with no easy answer. You have to look to yourself as a guide. What do you like doing? What would you do even if you didn't get paid for it? Or what would you do even when it gets hard? I have a job that I love with aspects of it that I don't love. I am the worst at the administrative tasks of my job. They drive me crazy and bring me down. Then I remember that this is the price for doing what I love to do, which is be creative and create solutions that help people do their jobs better.
If you need something more tangible, try going online and taking some quizzes that tell you what career you should consider. They ask you some questions about what your like to do, what your skills and strengths are, and give you some ideas. It can be helpful to see what others think you should do. You are not always able to see yourself very clearly.
Good luck in finding your career.
Gloria
This is a geat question with no easy answer. You have to look to yourself as a guide. What do you like doing? What would you do even if you didn't get paid for it? Or what would you do even when it gets hard? I have a job that I love with aspects of it that I don't love. I am the worst at the administrative tasks of my job. They drive me crazy and bring me down. Then I remember that this is the price for doing what I love to do, which is be creative and create solutions that help people do their jobs better.
If you need something more tangible, try going online and taking some quizzes that tell you what career you should consider. They ask you some questions about what your like to do, what your skills and strengths are, and give you some ideas. It can be helpful to see what others think you should do. You are not always able to see yourself very clearly.
Good luck in finding your career.
Gloria