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When must I choose my set career by?
Is there a set time for when I should choose my future career? Or is it never too late?
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Christopher’s Answer
There's no set time to decide on a career.
Even if you settle on a career, you can change later on. Some people pursue their dream career before college, some in their 20s and some don't find it until they are in their 60s, after retiring from a different pursuit. The more internships you have, the more opportunities you'll have to try to work for different companies, in different fields. Since the internship is finite in duration, it has an end date and you can try another one, vs a full time job in which you will have to quit to switch careers.
Also, once you get settled into a position, it can become more and more difficult to leave as time goes on. You will have increasing income, more comfortable in the role, more certainty which will be beneficial for planning personal time. It's best to maintain a sense of curiosity and seek new opportunities to stay challenged and hopefully you will find the perfect career early!
Even if you settle on a career, you can change later on. Some people pursue their dream career before college, some in their 20s and some don't find it until they are in their 60s, after retiring from a different pursuit. The more internships you have, the more opportunities you'll have to try to work for different companies, in different fields. Since the internship is finite in duration, it has an end date and you can try another one, vs a full time job in which you will have to quit to switch careers.
Also, once you get settled into a position, it can become more and more difficult to leave as time goes on. You will have increasing income, more comfortable in the role, more certainty which will be beneficial for planning personal time. It's best to maintain a sense of curiosity and seek new opportunities to stay challenged and hopefully you will find the perfect career early!
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Caitlin’s Answer
It is never too late. I am 42 and still figuring things out. I have taken everything step by step. I started out taking basic courses in college at 19...when I was ready. I didn't go right away because I knew I wasn't focused enough. Even 19 was early. I took different courses that interested me and still wasn't sure. Life has its own path for you already laid out. Things will fall into place the way they are meant to be so don't try to control things too much. I went into the Army and chose the only job I felt I could use when I got out which was a medical position. 20 years later I am about to be a Nurse Practitioner. But, I still don't feel complete. It comes together....just give it time.
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Sarah M.’s Answer
It is never too late, as others have said. I've had many different roles over my working life in different fields, and focussed on transferrable skills and knowledge that is applicable in many different ways, and allowed me to experience options that ultimately led me to my current path. I would love to have told my teenage self that it's OK to not really know what you want to do, and that in fact, that may change as you learn more about the world, and yourself! It's not that uncommon these days for people to change careers, as the world, you and the job market changes.
If you're trying to decide what to do now so you can enter education, then you might have a bit of a time limit if you don't want to delay. If you really aren't sure, I believe it's a good idea to see what is out there, and you can also do that by checking out job profiles and descriptions on recruiting sites, talking to family friends about their careers, too. If there's a particular company or industry that you admire, check their websites and career pages to see what they say, and also the types of careers that they cover. I work for a large multi-national in a software development team, but there are hundreds of different roles across the organisation, and being aware of those can be helpful, as it may suggest a career path to you, how you might wish to move vertically or laterally in an organisation or industry. Comparing role profiles can show you the similar and transferrable skills in each.
I'm on my third career, I would say, and still have times where I wonder what I want to do with my life - and that's OK! I think it's important to 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.
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. This has really helped me move forward to new opportunities and experiences.
If you're trying to decide what to do now so you can enter education, then you might have a bit of a time limit if you don't want to delay. If you really aren't sure, I believe it's a good idea to see what is out there, and you can also do that by checking out job profiles and descriptions on recruiting sites, talking to family friends about their careers, too. If there's a particular company or industry that you admire, check their websites and career pages to see what they say, and also the types of careers that they cover. I work for a large multi-national in a software development team, but there are hundreds of different roles across the organisation, and being aware of those can be helpful, as it may suggest a career path to you, how you might wish to move vertically or laterally in an organisation or industry. Comparing role profiles can show you the similar and transferrable skills in each.
I'm on my third career, I would say, and still have times where I wonder what I want to do with my life - and that's OK! I think it's important to 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.
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. This has really helped me move forward to new opportunities and experiences.
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Eleanor’s Answer
This is a great question. On the one hand, you don't want to "waste your 20s", but on the other, you can ALWAYS pivot in life. The career field you retire from in 40-50 years may not even exist today. So my answer is that you both need to have long term plans that you revise throughout your life as your goals and the world change, and also you need to get moving in some direction, any direction. Check out this great Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/meg_jay_why_30_is_not_the_new_20?language=en
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Priya’s Answer
Hi Jillian, I think it is never too late. You may want to have a set major in college typically by junior year to avoid losing money on taking extra classes, but your career can always shift and grow with you even after your degree. You may have to do more work and spend more money if it changes drastically, but you are typically not stuck for life if you have the resources you need. Even if you do not, you can continue to explore the options available to you. The internet is your friend here to research those options! Good luck!
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Yolanda’s Answer
There really isn’t a set time for which you should choose your career. However the sooner you decide, the sooner you can make preparations to pursue your career. If you’re undecided, reflect on subject matters that you are passionate about, then determine which career path will help you fulfill that passion.
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Angela’s Answer
Hello! I recommend keeping your long term goals in mind when thinking about making choices for your career path. You may find yourself in a different job after a certain amount of time (which is very normal) but try to keep those goals in mind so you are making a good decision for yourself long term. For example, if you are money motivated, sales might be good for you long term. If you end up in a sales role but are unhappy, think about other jobs that you can have a solid base salary for and allows you to still communicate and work with people, like Human Resources. I hope this helps!
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Madi’s Answer
Hi Jillian.
You can always change your career. When you chose your first career, there is a chance that you may not like it and want to change immediately. That is totally OK. There is also a chance that you like it but 20 years down the line, you want to change. That is also OK. Careers are a very big part of your life and you should always aim to do something that you desire, rather than sticking with a career you're not necessarily interested in. Of course changing careers may come with additional training or schooling but perhaps it's worth it to do what makes you happy.
You can always change your career. When you chose your first career, there is a chance that you may not like it and want to change immediately. That is totally OK. There is also a chance that you like it but 20 years down the line, you want to change. That is also OK. Careers are a very big part of your life and you should always aim to do something that you desire, rather than sticking with a career you're not necessarily interested in. Of course changing careers may come with additional training or schooling but perhaps it's worth it to do what makes you happy.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
In my opinion there is never a set time in which we establish ourselves in a career. I think this is because as we progress in life we are consistently evolving as individuals.
We may start out in a particular profession, but as we get older our skills and abilities improve, and we might wish to change over to another profession. I think the job market also has an influence on which career we choose, and at what time we move into that profession. Recessions and downturns in the economy can influence the decisions we make, and what jobs we choose to accept.
I always recommend that people get established in a profession as soon as they can after college graduation, but as you mature, keep a close watch on the job market to see what opportunities might match your skills. Also take advantage of any future education or certification opportunities, which can help lead you into a higher level position.
We may start out in a particular profession, but as we get older our skills and abilities improve, and we might wish to change over to another profession. I think the job market also has an influence on which career we choose, and at what time we move into that profession. Recessions and downturns in the economy can influence the decisions we make, and what jobs we choose to accept.
I always recommend that people get established in a profession as soon as they can after college graduation, but as you mature, keep a close watch on the job market to see what opportunities might match your skills. Also take advantage of any future education or certification opportunities, which can help lead you into a higher level position.
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Barry’s Answer
If you are still in school, it's never too late to change your career. Even if you are out of school, it isn't too late.
I wasn't sure of my career until I was about 28 years old and had already had 2 jobs that I didn't really like. But now I have been doing a job in a career I like for 25 years.
I wasn't sure of my career until I was about 28 years old and had already had 2 jobs that I didn't really like. But now I have been doing a job in a career I like for 25 years.
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