5 answers
Brock
Student
Trenton, New Jersey
2
Questions
Asked
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What is your job and why did you choose that career path?
#career-path #career-choice
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5 answers
Mike Bettley
Recruitment Leader
6
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hey Brock!
I'm a leader in recruitment and I'll let you in on a secret: most people don't actively pick a career path!!
For most of us, we somewhat fall into a career where we can leverage our natural strengths and find enjoyment in many elements of the work. More often than not, it's not part of a well crafted career plan but rather the result of opportunity and hard work.
There are always those who have a natural calling towards an area (Eg. doctor, veterinarian, or lawyer) and that is a different story. But most people pivot their careers along the way to find the best fit for their skills, interests, and passions.
Whilst you are early on in your journey, I highly recommend reading and talking with a wide variety of people to learn about their personal journey, and also taking time to find out what strengths you have and what activities really give you energy and excitement. If you find it draining and hard to talk to a lot of people, a career in outbound sales may not be the perfect fit but the best way to find out is give it a go.
Use summers and internships to try different types of jobs and learn about how they make you feel, and if you are good at them!
Hope this helps!
I'm a leader in recruitment and I'll let you in on a secret: most people don't actively pick a career path!!
For most of us, we somewhat fall into a career where we can leverage our natural strengths and find enjoyment in many elements of the work. More often than not, it's not part of a well crafted career plan but rather the result of opportunity and hard work.
There are always those who have a natural calling towards an area (Eg. doctor, veterinarian, or lawyer) and that is a different story. But most people pivot their careers along the way to find the best fit for their skills, interests, and passions.
Whilst you are early on in your journey, I highly recommend reading and talking with a wide variety of people to learn about their personal journey, and also taking time to find out what strengths you have and what activities really give you energy and excitement. If you find it draining and hard to talk to a lot of people, a career in outbound sales may not be the perfect fit but the best way to find out is give it a go.
Use summers and internships to try different types of jobs and learn about how they make you feel, and if you are good at them!
Hope this helps!
Francisco Torres Diaz
Industrial Engineer, MSE, MBA
67
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Francisco’s Answer
Hi Brock!
Thanks for this amazing question. I currently work as an Industrial Engineer in a manufacturing environment. The reason why I chose this career path is cause I really wanted to solve complex problems and find creative ways of improving how things are done. In my profession is all about how we use less resources, energy, and money to make better products for our customers, and as an Industrial Engineer I get to bring a unique perspective in which I get to use technology, creative thinking, and common sense to help us be more efficient.
I also chose my profession for the potential ability to empower others to get into STEM fields. I am passionate about science, engineering, and mathematics, therefore I hope to use my experience and position to open doors for others who want to make a career in these fields.
Hope this answers your question
Thanks for this amazing question. I currently work as an Industrial Engineer in a manufacturing environment. The reason why I chose this career path is cause I really wanted to solve complex problems and find creative ways of improving how things are done. In my profession is all about how we use less resources, energy, and money to make better products for our customers, and as an Industrial Engineer I get to bring a unique perspective in which I get to use technology, creative thinking, and common sense to help us be more efficient.
I also chose my profession for the potential ability to empower others to get into STEM fields. I am passionate about science, engineering, and mathematics, therefore I hope to use my experience and position to open doors for others who want to make a career in these fields.
Hope this answers your question
Alejandra Zelaya
Senior Analyst
54
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Alejandra’s Answer
Hi Brock,
I specialize in cultural and influencers marketing, my official role is a senior cultural analyst. Basically what I do is I study youth culture to help brands make smart business decisions that will keep them relevant and ahead of trends. Some of my favorite business people run the cultural departments at big companies like Adidas and more, and they help create the fashion, music, and entertainment moments that shape our lives.
I chose this career path because I'm passionate about it! Instead of letting life happen to me and me feeling unsatisfied with my career, I searched high and low for a career that fit's my passion which is: I am obsessed with how humans make decisions, decisions that ultimately make up what they do, what they buy, and basically who they are.
I knew I wanted to help brands understand human behavior through the lens of culture, but I wasn't sure what this job looked like or what it was even called. After talking with a ton of people, working with a mentor that understood my passion, and doing many adjacent jobs I finally found my opportunity to take on this role. It took me about 2.5h from the beginning of my career till now to actually get into the exact field I wanted, and I can't be happier!
I suggest really taking a moment to think if you could be anything, do anything, what would you want to do on a daily basis? Like really think what's going to make waking up in the morning exciting? You don't have to know what that job title is, but more what it is you'd want to do every day. From there, start google searching people that have those jobs and look at their career paths to see how you can one day get to where they are.
Good luck!
I specialize in cultural and influencers marketing, my official role is a senior cultural analyst. Basically what I do is I study youth culture to help brands make smart business decisions that will keep them relevant and ahead of trends. Some of my favorite business people run the cultural departments at big companies like Adidas and more, and they help create the fashion, music, and entertainment moments that shape our lives.
I chose this career path because I'm passionate about it! Instead of letting life happen to me and me feeling unsatisfied with my career, I searched high and low for a career that fit's my passion which is: I am obsessed with how humans make decisions, decisions that ultimately make up what they do, what they buy, and basically who they are.
I knew I wanted to help brands understand human behavior through the lens of culture, but I wasn't sure what this job looked like or what it was even called. After talking with a ton of people, working with a mentor that understood my passion, and doing many adjacent jobs I finally found my opportunity to take on this role. It took me about 2.5h from the beginning of my career till now to actually get into the exact field I wanted, and I can't be happier!
I suggest really taking a moment to think if you could be anything, do anything, what would you want to do on a daily basis? Like really think what's going to make waking up in the morning exciting? You don't have to know what that job title is, but more what it is you'd want to do every day. From there, start google searching people that have those jobs and look at their career paths to see how you can one day get to where they are.
Good luck!
Erin Riley
Quality control microbiology
8
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Erin’s Answer
Hi Brock
I am a Scientist in the Quality Control-Microbiology department at a pharmaceutical company.
I have always been interested in science and music, so I started with a double major in Microbiology and French Horn performance. Still don't regret that since I wasn't sure which way I want to go. Having a background in the humanities has also given me a leg up in finding different ways to solve the problems I've encountered.
I started my career working for universities doing research. That was really interesting, but didn't pay very well. I enjoyed most of my work, but I got burnt out on the research after a while. Then I became the lab manager for a teaching lab and started teaching master's students in another state. That was a lot of fun, and paid better. I would still be doing it if I lived in that city. For personal reasons, I moved out of state into my current role.
I do agree with Mike that most people's career "paths" aren't at all a straight line. My best advice is to go for what you're interested in, but don't become so fixated with the "desired" outcome that you can't see when or if it's time to pivot into something else. If nothing else, having a unique career trajectory is a good way to meet new people and see interesting places.
I am a Scientist in the Quality Control-Microbiology department at a pharmaceutical company.
I have always been interested in science and music, so I started with a double major in Microbiology and French Horn performance. Still don't regret that since I wasn't sure which way I want to go. Having a background in the humanities has also given me a leg up in finding different ways to solve the problems I've encountered.
I started my career working for universities doing research. That was really interesting, but didn't pay very well. I enjoyed most of my work, but I got burnt out on the research after a while. Then I became the lab manager for a teaching lab and started teaching master's students in another state. That was a lot of fun, and paid better. I would still be doing it if I lived in that city. For personal reasons, I moved out of state into my current role.
I do agree with Mike that most people's career "paths" aren't at all a straight line. My best advice is to go for what you're interested in, but don't become so fixated with the "desired" outcome that you can't see when or if it's time to pivot into something else. If nothing else, having a unique career trajectory is a good way to meet new people and see interesting places.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1817
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am working in banking. To be honest, I did not really plan for my career path to work in banking. I started with my career in information technology (IT). I entered IT industry since I am a graduate of Computer Science in the university. I did not have particular reason to choose Computer Science as my major is my friend randomly pick up a subject for me when filling in the university application form. Having said that, I have found my interest on Computer Science when studying in the university.
After graduation, I started working in IT of financial industry. I gradually found that I have more interest working in Financial sector. And, there is opportunities emerges that I can work in banking rather than IT.
It is not everything you can plan in very long term or it may not follow you plan. However, you can consider to setup some short term career plan, e.g. 2-3 years. Also, you can start on the career what you have interest on. You interest may change over the time and hence you may change your career as well.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
After graduation, I started working in IT of financial industry. I gradually found that I have more interest working in Financial sector. And, there is opportunities emerges that I can work in banking rather than IT.
It is not everything you can plan in very long term or it may not follow you plan. However, you can consider to setup some short term career plan, e.g. 2-3 years. Also, you can start on the career what you have interest on. You interest may change over the time and hence you may change your career as well.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!