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How do you find a career that you are interested in?
I have found plenty of areas that i am interested in but I am struggling with narrowing it down. I don't understand what my next steps should be. #career #career-counseling
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Chris’s Answer
Hi Laylah - firstly, well done for posting a questing of this nature! Many, many people just let find jobs and careers find them, and can easily end up being guided by that for the rest of their working lives. "A rudderless boat has nowhere as a destination"!
Personally, when I was younger and trying to work out what I wanted to do for my career, I considered the following things:
1. What do I enjoy doing in life, and what would I enjoy doing all day for the pure love of it? - make a list, pause, go back to it, and revise.
2. I then looked at what Industries are in growth and therefore have more employment and promotion opportunities?
3. Network with people - that does not have to mean attending Industry events (though may!), but just talking with people you know for advice, especially in areas that interest you, and also targeting people in the industries you start to get interest in. There are so many ways, online or in person. You might be surprised how many people of have been through this process want to help people starting their journey...
You can use answers to 1 to make a subset out of answers in 2. Then use this for step 3.
The above is no formal tried and tested official, although it has worked very well for me.
My other thing to share is that my personal philosophy has always been - "do what you love to do, you will then do it well due to your interest, and as a result you will get well rewarded for it". I think many people approach this in reverse, and can end up in well paid but soul destroying jobs.
Most people are in the same place as you so do not stress or worry. In fact, most people are way behind you as you have reached out and have already started the process!
So, good luck, and enjoy the journey!
Personally, when I was younger and trying to work out what I wanted to do for my career, I considered the following things:
1. What do I enjoy doing in life, and what would I enjoy doing all day for the pure love of it? - make a list, pause, go back to it, and revise.
2. I then looked at what Industries are in growth and therefore have more employment and promotion opportunities?
3. Network with people - that does not have to mean attending Industry events (though may!), but just talking with people you know for advice, especially in areas that interest you, and also targeting people in the industries you start to get interest in. There are so many ways, online or in person. You might be surprised how many people of have been through this process want to help people starting their journey...
You can use answers to 1 to make a subset out of answers in 2. Then use this for step 3.
The above is no formal tried and tested official, although it has worked very well for me.
My other thing to share is that my personal philosophy has always been - "do what you love to do, you will then do it well due to your interest, and as a result you will get well rewarded for it". I think many people approach this in reverse, and can end up in well paid but soul destroying jobs.
Most people are in the same place as you so do not stress or worry. In fact, most people are way behind you as you have reached out and have already started the process!
So, good luck, and enjoy the journey!
Updated
Grace’s Answer
I would focus on spending your time in college taking classes you enjoy. Look at the colleges you want to go to and find the one that best meets you needs. Then network!!! Get to know people in industries you are most interested in and look at roles within those companies. Unless you are looking to be a Doctor, Lawyer or something like that, there is no need to narrow it down. Keep your options open! The more options = more opportunities for greatness.
Life will narrow it down for you and you will end up exactly where you need to be :)
Life will narrow it down for you and you will end up exactly where you need to be :)
Updated
Tye’s Answer
Hi Laylah! I think you already have a great step forward finding areas of interest. In my opinion, finding people in the field and talking with them is the greatest way to get perspective in the field. In the fields I was interested in, there were get-togethers and meetups for the careers I was looking into (devops/cloud development). I would recommend looking into these events as they're a great way to get to know people in the field and network.