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What's a good way to build a strong but open career path?
I am a high school graduate who is currently in career technical training. I had to take a break from college in order to do so but I would like to go back. I took two years of biotechnology in high school and I absolutely adore the subject. Some of my other interests are art, psychology and politics. #college #career
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Jacob’s Answer
Students today in college are often forced to make decisions before they even get there, but that doesn't mean you can't keep an open mind. Even if you are in a specific school, try taking a broad range of classes, give yourself more opportunities to see what you like. Diversify your selection of elective classes. Once you pick your major, you can still have other interests, you can join other networks and groups not related to your major, keep options open, keep them broad. It is good to have broad interests, passions, and knowledge. Also, if you go to school undecided, take your freshman year to learn what you are really interested in, reach out to professors whose classes you enjoyed, make as many valuable contacts as possible. Unless you are certain you want to do something from the start, don't feel obligated to declare a major.
Also, a lot of different companies have a ton of different parts of their organization, so there are always opportunities to explore different interests, or to combine your interests. Examples: biotech lobbyists working on the hill, HR employees at an insurance company, members of a finance team at a not-for-profit.
Finally, make sure to build a diverse network of contacts, and actively build that network, engage with other, and never stop learning.
Also, a lot of different companies have a ton of different parts of their organization, so there are always opportunities to explore different interests, or to combine your interests. Examples: biotech lobbyists working on the hill, HR employees at an insurance company, members of a finance team at a not-for-profit.
Finally, make sure to build a diverse network of contacts, and actively build that network, engage with other, and never stop learning.
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Priya K. Love this question!
I love this question because building a "strong but open" career path is a good way to build a sustainable career. A couple of ways to do this..1)Identify whether you have some clarity on what you like to do now and/or what you think you would like to do in your future..maybe future is up to 5 years from now. 2)Understand what you definitely don't like to do. The difference between 1 and 2? What you like to do can evolve over time but if you are crystal clear on what you don't like, you are less likely to have activities that slip into your career path that you don't want.
A few additional ways 3)Keep an open mind. There may be some activities that you won't know appeal to you until you do a bit more research or take on jobs/projects that are in "different lanes". 4)Find a way to document your activities and/or any results/lessons learned. When you get to a point where you see the value in what you have done, you likely will want to share those experiences with an employer...and they will be eager to hear how what you have done has resulted in benefits.
To me, the key word in your question is "build"....continue building :)
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!
I love this question because building a "strong but open" career path is a good way to build a sustainable career. A couple of ways to do this..1)Identify whether you have some clarity on what you like to do now and/or what you think you would like to do in your future..maybe future is up to 5 years from now. 2)Understand what you definitely don't like to do. The difference between 1 and 2? What you like to do can evolve over time but if you are crystal clear on what you don't like, you are less likely to have activities that slip into your career path that you don't want.
A few additional ways 3)Keep an open mind. There may be some activities that you won't know appeal to you until you do a bit more research or take on jobs/projects that are in "different lanes". 4)Find a way to document your activities and/or any results/lessons learned. When you get to a point where you see the value in what you have done, you likely will want to share those experiences with an employer...and they will be eager to hear how what you have done has resulted in benefits.
To me, the key word in your question is "build"....continue building :)
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!
Thank you so much!
Priya
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
I really love this question as well and agree with everything Nicole said. My only additional advice is to continue being willing to grow as a person and as a professional. When opportunities come up to do something a little different or out of your comfort zone, embrace them. View them as growth opportunities. They will greatly increase your value and make for impressive career introductions down the road.
Keep up your passion and let that passion show through when interviewing/talking about your work. Hiring managers and other professionals key off that passion and will be impressed.
Keep up your passion and let that passion show through when interviewing/talking about your work. Hiring managers and other professionals key off that passion and will be impressed.
Thank you !
Priya
Updated
Vivan’s Answer
Remember that when you go to college you will have a major but you will also have a lot of other electives you will be able to take. Often individuals choose to get a minor in a related subject of interest or I also know of students who decided to double major. Follow your passions and at the same time do some research on what the job market is for new undergraduates in the major that you choose. You cannot go wrong with Biotechnology and while you do that you can certainly be taking pyschology classes alongside as you electives and see which one you then want to pursue as your major or minor. Good luck!
Thanky you !
Priya