4 answers
4 answers
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Jason,
What a great question. I have not been asked that in a long time. I was actually inspired by a coworker who saw my potential. It was a little thing really. When I was working at my second job, I liked to take notes on everything that I learned. I know that note taking helps me remember and I could refer back to my notes if I forgot anything. Whenever someone had a question, I referred to my notes. When I learned something new, I updated my notes. After a while, when I was asked, I would just share my notes. And if someone had a question, I would talk them through what I had written down. And a coworker told others about it, including our boss. And so I became the person who trained new people who came to the team since we did not have an official training department. Once the company grew big enough, I became a trainer. I wrote my own content which also meant that I was an instructional designer. I didn't learn that job title until later. All I had done was what I naturally do and someone challenged me to think of it as something more. I don't even remember her name, but I cannot argue that it was the most important gift that I have ever ben given.
Gloria
What a great question. I have not been asked that in a long time. I was actually inspired by a coworker who saw my potential. It was a little thing really. When I was working at my second job, I liked to take notes on everything that I learned. I know that note taking helps me remember and I could refer back to my notes if I forgot anything. Whenever someone had a question, I referred to my notes. When I learned something new, I updated my notes. After a while, when I was asked, I would just share my notes. And if someone had a question, I would talk them through what I had written down. And a coworker told others about it, including our boss. And so I became the person who trained new people who came to the team since we did not have an official training department. Once the company grew big enough, I became a trainer. I wrote my own content which also meant that I was an instructional designer. I didn't learn that job title until later. All I had done was what I naturally do and someone challenged me to think of it as something more. I don't even remember her name, but I cannot argue that it was the most important gift that I have ever ben given.
Gloria
Updated
Umesh’s Answer
My inspiration to work started with my parents pushing me to go to college and get a degree in engineering or medicine.
I eventually settled for Electrical Engineering and have been working in this field since 1975.
I started my working career in England and then moved to the US in 1980.
I have enjoyed both technical and managerial roles in Electrical Engineering.
You need to have good math skills to become a successful engineer.
I eventually settled for Electrical Engineering and have been working in this field since 1975.
I started my working career in England and then moved to the US in 1980.
I have enjoyed both technical and managerial roles in Electrical Engineering.
You need to have good math skills to become a successful engineer.
Updated
Priya’s Answer
My inspiration was actually my high school accounting teacher, who was passionate about her subject. I honestly thought it sounded really boring but she changed my point of view. That was really what got me interested in the field, especially during a time when the whole world tells you that you should know what you want to do - but I had no idea. So I decided to give accounting a try.
As I studied in college and did internships, I realized the basics I learned earlier really did not reflect the actual career. So I tweaked my job path a bit and now do something that is a cross-section between IT and audit. The IT side was inspired by my parents who have always had passions related to technology, as well as the important of tech in every job. So I would say no matter what point you are in your career, you will continuously be inspired in new ways, and you can always mold your path to your interests.
As I studied in college and did internships, I realized the basics I learned earlier really did not reflect the actual career. So I tweaked my job path a bit and now do something that is a cross-section between IT and audit. The IT side was inspired by my parents who have always had passions related to technology, as well as the important of tech in every job. So I would say no matter what point you are in your career, you will continuously be inspired in new ways, and you can always mold your path to your interests.
Updated
James’s Answer
For me, it was lots of research. Researching different fields and what kind of needs were in the marketplace. I entered college around the time of the Enron financial scandal - one of the things that scandal brought to light was the lack of people with both accounting and business backgrounds in financial oversight roles. Based on that, and my natural inclination toward accounting (which is not so much like math, it's more like law from an interpreting and applying standards perspective). Anyway, I researched hard to determine the right degree, then I researched hard to determine which companies to work for. Getting experience under your belt will then enable you to pursue something you're passionate about with the given field. For example, if you're an accountant/auditor/CPA, you can:
* Focus on environmental reporting
* Focus on operational improvements
* Work for the government helping regulate companies
* Work as an expert for financial crime trials
* Investigate company frauds
So in summary, lots of research, and understanding how fields that work can eventually pair up with your passions.
Research
Research
* Focus on environmental reporting
* Focus on operational improvements
* Work for the government helping regulate companies
* Work as an expert for financial crime trials
* Investigate company frauds
So in summary, lots of research, and understanding how fields that work can eventually pair up with your passions.
James recommends the following next steps: