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How can I decide on what career path I should take?
#career #career-path #undecided
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7 answers
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Luz,
You have been given some excellent advice by mentors already. One additional thought to consider is to gain insight into your natural strengths and then build your career options list using the results.
There are several assessments that can be utilized to obtain this insight. My favorite is StrengthsFinder. But find the one that best meets your needs.
Best wishes for a successful journey.
Research strengths assessments to determine best fit for you.
Take the assessment and review the resulting report for insight into your natural strengths and what career options may be of interest.
Retain the report for future reference and to guide you back when career options are not working out.
You have been given some excellent advice by mentors already. One additional thought to consider is to gain insight into your natural strengths and then build your career options list using the results.
There are several assessments that can be utilized to obtain this insight. My favorite is StrengthsFinder. But find the one that best meets your needs.
Best wishes for a successful journey.
Kim recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Hi Luz,
You should pursue a career in a field you enjoy that is relevant to our future!
There are many exponential technologies disrupting legacy industries and changing how we conduct our affairs. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotech, wireless, new space, blockchain, 3D printing, alternative energy sources and others are creating new industries and opportunities for individuals with passion and initiative. The pace of change today is rapid and your educational and career choices need to target industries that will be relevant for the next 50+ years and not those of industries that are being replaced. My best recommendation is to select an industry in a forward looking technology that interests you and look at the positions that are listed on the web sites of companies that are active in these industries. This type of survey will help you identify the type of functions you enjoy and will be relevant for the future. Once you've identified your areas of interest, look at companies in this industry and see if they have any academic affiliations and investigate these schools. You can attend a school from which a company that interests you recruits candidates. You can also talk to a company that interests you and find out which schools and programs they recommend.
Good luck with your search!
You should pursue a career in a field you enjoy that is relevant to our future!
There are many exponential technologies disrupting legacy industries and changing how we conduct our affairs. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotech, wireless, new space, blockchain, 3D printing, alternative energy sources and others are creating new industries and opportunities for individuals with passion and initiative. The pace of change today is rapid and your educational and career choices need to target industries that will be relevant for the next 50+ years and not those of industries that are being replaced. My best recommendation is to select an industry in a forward looking technology that interests you and look at the positions that are listed on the web sites of companies that are active in these industries. This type of survey will help you identify the type of functions you enjoy and will be relevant for the future. Once you've identified your areas of interest, look at companies in this industry and see if they have any academic affiliations and investigate these schools. You can attend a school from which a company that interests you recruits candidates. You can also talk to a company that interests you and find out which schools and programs they recommend.
Good luck with your search!
Updated
Pro’s Answer
If you already have an idea of what your interests are but you can't decide on one, then try looking at Liberal Studies, Interdisciplinary, or General Studies majors. Especially with the General Studies, some of them will let you take pretty much any courses you want in all different departments.
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Luz,
Deciding on a career path is difficult but it is also exciting at the same time. There are many opportunities available, and to echo what others have said, it's important to find what you like.
Finding what you like and are passionate about may not be easy. Having a major and/or concentration during your course of study can help unveil what you may be interested in. At the same time, your coursework can lead you in many directions, that you don't know where to start.
Here are a few points to remember:
1. Apply to internships. Internships can help expose you to different areas of work, which can better direct what you may like/dislike. Securing an internship can be difficult, but even the notion of reading descriptions of internships, and applying, can help spark ideas of interest.
2. Take advantage of counseling and/or networking. Continue to ask direct questions to help you better understand what a career entails and what experience you are looking for.
3. Not everyone sticks with their first job. There's a lot of pressure on deciding a career; and that's reasonably so. However, I want you to remember that it's okay to follow one career path, try it out, and decide whether or not it is one that you want to stick with. Switching jobs/careers is common and can help you gain clarity on what suits you for the long term.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Deciding on a career path is difficult but it is also exciting at the same time. There are many opportunities available, and to echo what others have said, it's important to find what you like.
Finding what you like and are passionate about may not be easy. Having a major and/or concentration during your course of study can help unveil what you may be interested in. At the same time, your coursework can lead you in many directions, that you don't know where to start.
Here are a few points to remember:
1. Apply to internships. Internships can help expose you to different areas of work, which can better direct what you may like/dislike. Securing an internship can be difficult, but even the notion of reading descriptions of internships, and applying, can help spark ideas of interest.
2. Take advantage of counseling and/or networking. Continue to ask direct questions to help you better understand what a career entails and what experience you are looking for.
3. Not everyone sticks with their first job. There's a lot of pressure on deciding a career; and that's reasonably so. However, I want you to remember that it's okay to follow one career path, try it out, and decide whether or not it is one that you want to stick with. Switching jobs/careers is common and can help you gain clarity on what suits you for the long term.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Updated
Shelby’s Answer
Hello!
First, consider your interests and things you think you're good at. Do you feel you could market any of those things into a career?
If yes and you plan on going to college, research what degree or program may benefit you in striving for that career path.
From there you can decide what school or trade program you want to go to.
First, consider your interests and things you think you're good at. Do you feel you could market any of those things into a career?
If yes and you plan on going to college, research what degree or program may benefit you in striving for that career path.
From there you can decide what school or trade program you want to go to.
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hello Luz.
A good question and a tough one to answer. The easy answer is to examine and identify what you enjoy doing or are interested in and follow that path. Sometimes we think we should decide just to do “something “ because of the title or the money or the reward. But in the long term if you can find something that brings you joy then hopefully you can make that your career. The hard part is identify what that is; volunteering in areas that you are interested in will give you exposure to possible career options or even identify areas you are not interested in. Another option is to identify a mentor to see if they can help guide you to areas of interest. If you are in school you can take a different subjects and this may help you experience new areas of interest. Finally leverage social media as best you can to inquire and make connections in those fields in which you have interest and don’t hesitate to reach out and ask questions. Many people are eager to assist.
I hope this helps and good luck
A good question and a tough one to answer. The easy answer is to examine and identify what you enjoy doing or are interested in and follow that path. Sometimes we think we should decide just to do “something “ because of the title or the money or the reward. But in the long term if you can find something that brings you joy then hopefully you can make that your career. The hard part is identify what that is; volunteering in areas that you are interested in will give you exposure to possible career options or even identify areas you are not interested in. Another option is to identify a mentor to see if they can help guide you to areas of interest. If you are in school you can take a different subjects and this may help you experience new areas of interest. Finally leverage social media as best you can to inquire and make connections in those fields in which you have interest and don’t hesitate to reach out and ask questions. Many people are eager to assist.
I hope this helps and good luck
Thank you! I really appreciate your help.
Luz
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Luz,
Here is what I usually recommend:
- what is that you like doing?
- what is that you can do under pressure and constraints?
- what is that you can do 8+ hours a day for at least 5 days a week?
- what is that you are good at?
Cross all response. The ones that appear in 3 of those buckets are good candidates. Think high level first like domains. For example, Maths, Computer, Chemistry, medical, environment, animals care ... Then you can go into more precise careers / jobs but each domain has some many jobs that you must first try to narrow the domain or activity.
Here is what I usually recommend:
- what is that you like doing?
- what is that you can do under pressure and constraints?
- what is that you can do 8+ hours a day for at least 5 days a week?
- what is that you are good at?
Cross all response. The ones that appear in 3 of those buckets are good candidates. Think high level first like domains. For example, Maths, Computer, Chemistry, medical, environment, animals care ... Then you can go into more precise careers / jobs but each domain has some many jobs that you must first try to narrow the domain or activity.