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What is the first step in helping me find my career/passion?
#career-choice #career-paths
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Netasha’s Answer
Hi Aniut, my team and I together came up with several ideas to help you in finding your career path and passions. First, it helps to write down what you don't like; identify areas in your day-to-day that drain you. Vice versa, write down what you do really like (i.e. hobbies) that bring you joy. Next, use your reflections to identify aspects of what you already do that may translate into a career.
There are a few questions to keep top of mind as it relates to finding your passions. 1. What do you like doing? 2. What does it mean to you? 3.How do you do it today? 4. Why is it important to you? Follow this framework and begin to identify different roles that will allow you to live out your passion.
Additionally, do not be afraid to cold email, LinkedIn message, and get creative with your networking. Networking is key to help you identify your passions; as you have conversations with various individuals, take notes on what they do that sounds interesting vs. things that sound boring/draining/etc.
Finally, don't prematurely close yourself off to opportunities. Give everything a fair shot! It may take more than one conversation or one simple session of writing down your likes and dislikes until you identify your true passions. Take advantage of internships and use the time as a trial to understand what you want out of a career.
Strengths exercise: For one week, write down how you feel before, during, and after an exercise with 1-2 adjectives. For example, I felt tired and inactive before walking my dog. I felt energized while walking my dog. And I felt accomplished after I had walked by dog. Obviously, you can do this for things you do in school, at work, in hobbies, etc.
There are a few questions to keep top of mind as it relates to finding your passions. 1. What do you like doing? 2. What does it mean to you? 3.How do you do it today? 4. Why is it important to you? Follow this framework and begin to identify different roles that will allow you to live out your passion.
Additionally, do not be afraid to cold email, LinkedIn message, and get creative with your networking. Networking is key to help you identify your passions; as you have conversations with various individuals, take notes on what they do that sounds interesting vs. things that sound boring/draining/etc.
Finally, don't prematurely close yourself off to opportunities. Give everything a fair shot! It may take more than one conversation or one simple session of writing down your likes and dislikes until you identify your true passions. Take advantage of internships and use the time as a trial to understand what you want out of a career.
Netasha recommends the following next steps:
Updated
LaReshia’s Answer
I would suggest in deciding a career/ passion first determine what your passionate about. Once your clear about your passions it will be easier to determine the path to follow. For example, I had trouble deciding my career path early on but I knew I was passionate about helping people so I began to further look into that and decide what I loved to do that involved people. I soon realized I was happiest helping people and also helping people be their best selves and accomplishing things. I noticed how fulfilling it was when I helped my siblings and friends accomplish something it really made me feel good. I then began to look into how I could do this in my career and I began to coach my peers and later took on a role in Talent Development. So to summarize that pay close attention to the things in life that make you happy and really make you feel alive.
I hope this helps! Good luck Anuit!
I hope this helps! Good luck Anuit!
Updated
Jeanette’s Answer
I agree with all the answers before mine - the first thing to think about is what is your passion? And it's ok if you're not "passionate" about any one particular thing - just think about what do you enjoy doing? What kinds of things interest you? What gives you a sense of satisfaction? Explore those interests - read up on it, take an intro course, talk to others who share in those interests or work in those fields, etc. When you start to learn a little more about the things you find interesting, it could spark some passion for it or it could tell you maybe that's not for me. Either way, it's helpful - knowing what you don't like is just as important as knowing what you do like.
My extra bit of advice is to get a part-time job while you're in school. Being in an actual work environment will help you determine what you like and don't like about a workplace. For example, if you get a job in food service, you may find that don't really like dealing directly with customers. This will help guide you to look towards careers outside of the service industry. You may learn that you really enjoy working as part of team, or you may find that you thrive if you're given a project to complete on your own. The experience will tell you a lot about yourself.
My last comment is that it's ok if you head down one path, but then decide that it's not for you. It wasn't a mistake, you didn't go the wrong way. Trying something and finding out it's not right for you is still a good experience because you're learning more about yourself. It's part of your journey and will help guide you to a career that you'll enjoy and be successful at. Good luck!
My extra bit of advice is to get a part-time job while you're in school. Being in an actual work environment will help you determine what you like and don't like about a workplace. For example, if you get a job in food service, you may find that don't really like dealing directly with customers. This will help guide you to look towards careers outside of the service industry. You may learn that you really enjoy working as part of team, or you may find that you thrive if you're given a project to complete on your own. The experience will tell you a lot about yourself.
My last comment is that it's ok if you head down one path, but then decide that it's not for you. It wasn't a mistake, you didn't go the wrong way. Trying something and finding out it's not right for you is still a good experience because you're learning more about yourself. It's part of your journey and will help guide you to a career that you'll enjoy and be successful at. Good luck!
Updated
Pro’s Answer
Think about what it is you love and enjoy most in your life... animals? Helping other people? And make a career out of it. Think about HOW you'd most like to help them. Conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, habitat management, teaching, counseling, etc.?
L recommends the following next steps:
Decide what your passion/calling in life is
Figure out what kinds of work you can do in that area
Do some Internet research and find out what kinds of job duties, education, and experience it would require
Volunteer or intern in that area while getting an education
Be happy with the rest of your life doing what you love!
L recommends the following next steps:
Decide what your passion/calling in life is
Figure out what kinds of work you can do in that area
Do some Internet research and find out what kinds of job duties, education, and experience it would require
Volunteer or intern in that area while getting an education
Be happy with the rest of your life doing what you love!