9 answers
Ruan
Student
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
1
Question
Asked
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which career fields suit me
#career #career-choice #career-path
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9 answers
Henry Marshall
Summer Intern
2
Answers
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Updated
Henry’s Answer
Coming from another young person (I am 22 and a rising Senior at Harvard College), I can completely appreciate this question. It can be difficult to know which career paths are the best for you personally -- even if it's just for a short period after undergrad. My best advice here is to get involved in on-campus pre-professional clubs to get a sense of the main industries that students go into after college. Maybe that will spark interest in a particular field. At the least, it should give you a better sense of what's out there, and that's the first step in knowing what career is right for you.
Arshia Malek, M.Ed.
Educator | Consultant | Counseling Faculty
17
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Arshia’s Answer
Hi Ruan,
Career choices and interests are fluid, meaning that it can change over time, so the most important thing is to be open-minded and allow yourself to follow your interests and passion, while also being realistic about your chosen field. It's important to speak with your academic and career advisors in college and develop rapport with them, so they can help you with your educational and career journey.
You will want to do a lot of research online into your chosen fields and look into the pathways that allow you to get there. Look up professional associations, job descriptions, and sometimes you will have to work your way backwards- meaning look at the job posting and see what it requires and then go to school to work on that goal. Taking career and personality assessments such as MBTI and the Strong Inventory are very useful. I have included some links below, so please be sure to check them out.
My last piece of advice is to never stop reflecting inwards and always learn more about yourself. This way you will choose a career that truly make you happy.
Thank you,
AM
Take the following test: https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new (similar to MBTI)
Start exploring careers: https://www.onetonline.org/
O-Net Interest Profiler: https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
Career choices and interests are fluid, meaning that it can change over time, so the most important thing is to be open-minded and allow yourself to follow your interests and passion, while also being realistic about your chosen field. It's important to speak with your academic and career advisors in college and develop rapport with them, so they can help you with your educational and career journey.
You will want to do a lot of research online into your chosen fields and look into the pathways that allow you to get there. Look up professional associations, job descriptions, and sometimes you will have to work your way backwards- meaning look at the job posting and see what it requires and then go to school to work on that goal. Taking career and personality assessments such as MBTI and the Strong Inventory are very useful. I have included some links below, so please be sure to check them out.
My last piece of advice is to never stop reflecting inwards and always learn more about yourself. This way you will choose a career that truly make you happy.
Thank you,
AM
Arshia recommends the following next steps:
Hi Arshia,
I absolutely agree. These are great actionable recommendations for young adults!
Haena Choi
Thank you, Haena!
Arshia Malek, M.Ed.
Haena Choi
Senior Compensation Analyst
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Haena’s Answer
Hi Ruan, I want to reiterate Arshia's point of being fluid.
Being in your early career means you are still figuring out who you are and want to be. It is easy to criticize yourself for not knowing exactly where you want to take your career, but I advise that you should be kind to yourself and remember that this is your journey. Try taking your interests a little further as you go (i.e. if you like finance, audit free Coursera courses; if you like reading, ask your local library if there are book clubs; if you like golfing, ask a friend to try a new golf course with you). Expanding upon what you already enjoy doing will open a lot of doors.
For example, I love helping others, but I did not like conducting research studies. I was good at networking and Excel. I changed my major from Psychology (which can be research or counseling driven) to Business Management in Human Resources (which combines data analysis and psychology concepts). I took elective courses in what I liked and joined clubs. I let people know what I was interested in so that they helped me connect to someone who was also interested in the same jobs.
It is great to be true to yourself.
Your goals will change as you will as a person.
Exploring your new interests and goals will help you feel more confident in your decisions!
Good luck!
Pick 2 school subjects/topics and 2 hobbies that you truly enjoy and Google combinations of what you enjoy. Let yourself open up to jobs you didn't know existed
Create achievable goals, such as "I want to watch more YouTube videos on this concept this weekend"
Network. Let people know what you're interested in and ask if they recommend you talk to someone they know. This includes your parents, teachers, and other trusted people.
Join a club or community more specific to what you enjoy! People love to share what they enjoy doing.
Being in your early career means you are still figuring out who you are and want to be. It is easy to criticize yourself for not knowing exactly where you want to take your career, but I advise that you should be kind to yourself and remember that this is your journey. Try taking your interests a little further as you go (i.e. if you like finance, audit free Coursera courses; if you like reading, ask your local library if there are book clubs; if you like golfing, ask a friend to try a new golf course with you). Expanding upon what you already enjoy doing will open a lot of doors.
For example, I love helping others, but I did not like conducting research studies. I was good at networking and Excel. I changed my major from Psychology (which can be research or counseling driven) to Business Management in Human Resources (which combines data analysis and psychology concepts). I took elective courses in what I liked and joined clubs. I let people know what I was interested in so that they helped me connect to someone who was also interested in the same jobs.
It is great to be true to yourself.
Your goals will change as you will as a person.
Exploring your new interests and goals will help you feel more confident in your decisions!
Good luck!
Haena recommends the following next steps:
Ivy Ng
Sales / Business Development
1
Answer
Singapore
Updated
Ivy’s Answer
It depends on what you are interested in and also your strengths! Perhaps try to think of what industry you truly resonate with in terms of the products/ service they offer and then what sort of role will allow you to leverage your strengths. For example, if you enjoy having conversations with people and and you feel that you are good at storytelling and convincing people, you might want to consider a sales/ business development related role.
Emma Robinson
CVS Health Intern
6
Answers
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Updated
Emma’s Answer
Hi! I am 21 years old and entering my senior year at the University of Richmond and I am still trying to figure out what I want to do in life, career-wise. Interests and passions can change over time so my first piece of advice is to not stress out if you aren't 100% sure what you want to do! College is the perfect opportunity to explore careers and seek out professional experience and advice. It may be helpful to write down what you are interested in and start searching online or in your local school/community for clubs and jobs related to those interests. Also, reach out to people around you and ask them about their work and how they like their job!
Michael Johnson
Tutor in Science, Math, and History. I help with wireless tech
6
Answers
Newport, North Carolina
Updated
Michael’s Answer
"Know Thyself".... List the things that interest you, things that you have a talent and or knowledge for. Sit down and ask a third person that you trust what they see as your strengths and talents. Then go over your lists with them to see what their input is.
Angela Chang
Regional inside Sales Manager
4
Answers
Singapore
Updated
Angela’s Answer
When i first graduate, i didn know what job is suitable for me, i have majored in Marketing and Management. My first job was in banking and finance. I realized i didn't like it, and i then venture into IT industries. I often think i should have joined the company as management trainee and venture into different positions before i decide what best suits me.
My suggestions are:
1. Take time to try out different industries
2. Or join company as management trainee
3. there are some jobs you can easily manage and feel fulfilling. If you dont like the job, likely a very easy job can be so tough for you.
4. Assess your strength, and choose the job best suit to the strengths.
5. Get a few mentors, explore and understand different roles and careers.
All the best
My suggestions are:
1. Take time to try out different industries
2. Or join company as management trainee
3. there are some jobs you can easily manage and feel fulfilling. If you dont like the job, likely a very easy job can be so tough for you.
4. Assess your strength, and choose the job best suit to the strengths.
5. Get a few mentors, explore and understand different roles and careers.
All the best
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Ruan,
Career choices are a very personal choice. I would say that you should begin with what already interests you. What do you like to do as a hobby or in your free time? What are subjects or skills that people tell you have a talent for? The answers to these questions give you a place to begin. Next, you need to think about what careers may use these skills. Some skills may have a wide variety of careers. For example, if you are good in written communication, you can do everything from journalism to teaching to marketing. You have to think about how you want to use your natural talents. Sometimes your ultimate goal might mean a few stops along the way. You may write newsletters for a volunteer organization before getting a marketing job before becoming a published author.
Gloria
Career choices are a very personal choice. I would say that you should begin with what already interests you. What do you like to do as a hobby or in your free time? What are subjects or skills that people tell you have a talent for? The answers to these questions give you a place to begin. Next, you need to think about what careers may use these skills. Some skills may have a wide variety of careers. For example, if you are good in written communication, you can do everything from journalism to teaching to marketing. You have to think about how you want to use your natural talents. Sometimes your ultimate goal might mean a few stops along the way. You may write newsletters for a volunteer organization before getting a marketing job before becoming a published author.
Gloria
Marilia Medeiros
Project Manager
10
Answers
Campinas, Brazil
Updated
Marilia’s Answer
Hi Ruan,
In my opinion to identify the career field the first question should be what do you like the most in life? What do you enjoy to study? What are your strong skills? You need to look at yourself and list your answers to those questions. After having that you can start to match your preferences with the possible career fields. Example: Do you like math, logic and analytics data? If yes you could read more about engineering/ data science careers.
I hope this help you!
In my opinion to identify the career field the first question should be what do you like the most in life? What do you enjoy to study? What are your strong skills? You need to look at yourself and list your answers to those questions. After having that you can start to match your preferences with the possible career fields. Example: Do you like math, logic and analytics data? If yes you could read more about engineering/ data science careers.
I hope this help you!