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What advice would you give when choosing a career?
#career-choice
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5 answers
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Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. The most important is the career you have interest on. Usually, we would work at least about 8 hour everyday. It is one third of one day's time. Imagine that you have to do something you don't like or feel really boring. It is really a pain.
I would suggest following approach below for you to choose career :
1. Identify any subjects you have interest or hobbies that you would like to do something on it in the future, e.g. if you are interested in Technology, would you like to be a developer, computer engineer, technology teacher, etc. If you are interested in writing, would you like to be a writer, journalist, etc.
2. Yon can then identify any careers related to the interests or hobbies.
3. You can explore on these careers to see which one you would like to do in the future. Hence, you can shortlist a few of them.
4. For those shortlisted careers, you can try to speak to someone who are working in those careers. You can acquire more understanding on these careers. Also, you can seek advice from the career counselor in your school.
5. Your list may have 2-3 remains now. You can explore the relevant subjects in the college and find out the entry criteria.
Having said that, it is often people may change the career from time to time, e..g . change of their interest, world trend changes, etc. It is not necessary to stay in the same career in your life. Don't hesitate to make the change if you feel you want to do so and after 'prudent' consideration.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
I would suggest following approach below for you to choose career :
1. Identify any subjects you have interest or hobbies that you would like to do something on it in the future, e.g. if you are interested in Technology, would you like to be a developer, computer engineer, technology teacher, etc. If you are interested in writing, would you like to be a writer, journalist, etc.
2. Yon can then identify any careers related to the interests or hobbies.
3. You can explore on these careers to see which one you would like to do in the future. Hence, you can shortlist a few of them.
4. For those shortlisted careers, you can try to speak to someone who are working in those careers. You can acquire more understanding on these careers. Also, you can seek advice from the career counselor in your school.
5. Your list may have 2-3 remains now. You can explore the relevant subjects in the college and find out the entry criteria.
Having said that, it is often people may change the career from time to time, e..g . change of their interest, world trend changes, etc. It is not necessary to stay in the same career in your life. Don't hesitate to make the change if you feel you want to do so and after 'prudent' consideration.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Great question! On the plus side, you have a lot of time to think through what you'd want to do ultimately as a career as you go through school (college/university/trade schools).
- Having an open mind while you learn is one of the best things that I would suggest, there is so much to learn and experience that you may not even know about yet.
- Don't be afraid to change your mind - choosing a subject to take courses in, or get hands-on experience in, could take you in a different direction - if it doesn't show you that you could be interested in, even more importantly it could help show you what you definitely are not interested in.
- Being interested in the basics of what you choose as your career is important, but I find that you want to make sure that you understand the other items that come along with it and see if that's something you'd want for the long term. For example, I love learning - so cybersecurity was a great choice for me since it will always require you to always be taking classes and certification exams. If you choose law enforcement or federal law enforcement, understanding the higher needs for maintaining physical fitness tests and security clearances. Lawyers and doctors also have to maintain coursework and certifications. If these aren't really what you want for constant maintenance, maybe look at other avenues you're interested in that don't require that.
- Having an open mind while you learn is one of the best things that I would suggest, there is so much to learn and experience that you may not even know about yet.
- Don't be afraid to change your mind - choosing a subject to take courses in, or get hands-on experience in, could take you in a different direction - if it doesn't show you that you could be interested in, even more importantly it could help show you what you definitely are not interested in.
- Being interested in the basics of what you choose as your career is important, but I find that you want to make sure that you understand the other items that come along with it and see if that's something you'd want for the long term. For example, I love learning - so cybersecurity was a great choice for me since it will always require you to always be taking classes and certification exams. If you choose law enforcement or federal law enforcement, understanding the higher needs for maintaining physical fitness tests and security clearances. Lawyers and doctors also have to maintain coursework and certifications. If these aren't really what you want for constant maintenance, maybe look at other avenues you're interested in that don't require that.
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Yajaira,
Rebecca made many great points, so I won't repeat those. One thing I would like to add is that it's totally fine to do the research, interview people, and finally choose a career, then after a few years, to change your mind.
I have friends who decided on a career in high school, then realized 5-10 years later that their intuition in college was right and that they really didn't like the career they chose. They all regret not going with their gut feeling in college and switching careers earlier. All the folks I knew made the transition successfully later in their lives, but what it meant was more college tuition bills and a later start to marriage, kids, etc.
Now switching career choices whenever a breeze flows through the windows is not great either, but I think I know more people who stuck it out for the wrong reasons more than someone changing careers every few years. I guess it's about finding that balance where you're committed to your career choice enough to see it through, but also not being "married" to it and gutting it through when every fiber of your being is telling you that it's not the job for you.
I wish you the best of luck, and I hope this helps!
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Dexter
Rebecca made many great points, so I won't repeat those. One thing I would like to add is that it's totally fine to do the research, interview people, and finally choose a career, then after a few years, to change your mind.
I have friends who decided on a career in high school, then realized 5-10 years later that their intuition in college was right and that they really didn't like the career they chose. They all regret not going with their gut feeling in college and switching careers earlier. All the folks I knew made the transition successfully later in their lives, but what it meant was more college tuition bills and a later start to marriage, kids, etc.
Now switching career choices whenever a breeze flows through the windows is not great either, but I think I know more people who stuck it out for the wrong reasons more than someone changing careers every few years. I guess it's about finding that balance where you're committed to your career choice enough to see it through, but also not being "married" to it and gutting it through when every fiber of your being is telling you that it's not the job for you.
I wish you the best of luck, and I hope this helps!
--
Dexter
Updated
Sarah M.’s Answer
Figuring out your values, and what is important to you is key - this will highlight to you the things you care about, and may have passion for. It doesn't have to be a job, but it can be an activity, a feeling, and then you can find ways in your life and work to help meet these values, and grow. It's great you've asked this question - knowing yourself is key to finding what will interest and drive you.
Also, acknowledge that not many people will find a job and stick with it for their whole career, or even stay in the same industry. Let that take the pressure off not knowing exactly what it is you want to do now. You'll continue to grow and learn, jobs will change, and you aren't stuck.
Some really great advice I've had from a mentor, too, is that not everything you have to do is about your passion, exciting or totally amazing. Passion and fulfilment can be a quiet joy and contentment, too. As long as you are finding ways to feel fulfilled, happy and challenged in the right ways, you will find the ideal balance. If your job isn't your "passion", find things in your personal life the fulfil your values, and look at ways to achieve or relate activities in your work as ways to achieve those things you highlighted as valuable to you.
Also, acknowledge that not many people will find a job and stick with it for their whole career, or even stay in the same industry. Let that take the pressure off not knowing exactly what it is you want to do now. You'll continue to grow and learn, jobs will change, and you aren't stuck.
Some really great advice I've had from a mentor, too, is that not everything you have to do is about your passion, exciting or totally amazing. Passion and fulfilment can be a quiet joy and contentment, too. As long as you are finding ways to feel fulfilled, happy and challenged in the right ways, you will find the ideal balance. If your job isn't your "passion", find things in your personal life the fulfil your values, and look at ways to achieve or relate activities in your work as ways to achieve those things you highlighted as valuable to you.
Updated
Naomi’s Answer
Try to find something you like and see if you can make it or a piece of it a career. For example if you like taking things apart and putting them back together, you might look at being a mechanic or engineer. Maybe you like numbers so you would look at Finance, Accounting or Mathematics. You could also try to take a personality test or skills assessment to see if there are any career recommendations.
My biggest advice is to be open to change. I knew going into college I wanted to be an accountant. I worked in Accounting for 5 years after graduating until I was offered an opportunity to learn application support (IT). Then I worked in application support as an individual contributor and manager for 16 years. Now I'm in a Leadership Rotational Program which is preparing me for an officer role at my company.
Good luck in your journey! It's such an exciting time.
My biggest advice is to be open to change. I knew going into college I wanted to be an accountant. I worked in Accounting for 5 years after graduating until I was offered an opportunity to learn application support (IT). Then I worked in application support as an individual contributor and manager for 16 years. Now I'm in a Leadership Rotational Program which is preparing me for an officer role at my company.
Good luck in your journey! It's such an exciting time.
That's a great advise Naomi.
To add on, ask yourself what do you love doing? How can you make a difference?
I hope this helps.
Belle F.