8 answers
kaitlin
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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when did you know what job you wanted?
i am confused at what i want to do with my life. theres a few things im good at but i can never stick to one thing long enough, i was just wondering how you knew.
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8 answers
Juan Lemus
Assurance
12
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Juan’s Answer
You have to go for it. I think everyone has this issue. So many of the people I began college with changed their career path once or twice. The important thing to do is to Love what you do, if you don't love it, change it. It's never too late. Many of us are still figuring it out. A few of the partners in my firm have changed careers 15 years in.
Katherine C
Java Developer
2
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
I think it always boils down to what you really enjoyed doing. Where you can feel validated and appreciated? You are still young you can try whatever you want in life then decide afterwards.
When I was in high school, I also didn't know what I wanted. I am not so good in a lot of things. But I took my chance in getting Computer Science in college because I always thought I am good with computers. My first year wasn't that easy, I thought I will just give up. But luckily, I was able to finish it. And when I graduated, I also struggle in finding a job. It wasn't an easy ride, but I keep on trying and trying to be better because I can't see myself doing anything else aside from this.
You might think it's a boring job of just seating 8hrs a day in your computer. But believe me it's not just like that. It's always the fulfillment of being able to create something that will make the job of other people easier.
When I was in high school, I also didn't know what I wanted. I am not so good in a lot of things. But I took my chance in getting Computer Science in college because I always thought I am good with computers. My first year wasn't that easy, I thought I will just give up. But luckily, I was able to finish it. And when I graduated, I also struggle in finding a job. It wasn't an easy ride, but I keep on trying and trying to be better because I can't see myself doing anything else aside from this.
You might think it's a boring job of just seating 8hrs a day in your computer. But believe me it's not just like that. It's always the fulfillment of being able to create something that will make the job of other people easier.
Michele Byers
Product Owner, Analyst, Project Manager
1
Answer
Palm City, Florida
Updated
Michele’s Answer
Hi Kaitlin,
This is more common than you might think...
I would recommend trying to set up a shadowing experience in the field(s) you are considering. This would give you an opportunity to see a true day-in-life of that career and help you determine if this is something you would want to do. I always thought I wanted to be an anesthesiologist until I shadowed one; turns out it wasn't for me.
I found my career path while in college, I took a finance class and really enjoyed it and that determined the direction of my career path.
Try to find a career that is enjoyable to you and where you feel you valued, this way it won't feel like work too much.
Good luck in your career journey!
This is more common than you might think...
I would recommend trying to set up a shadowing experience in the field(s) you are considering. This would give you an opportunity to see a true day-in-life of that career and help you determine if this is something you would want to do. I always thought I wanted to be an anesthesiologist until I shadowed one; turns out it wasn't for me.
I found my career path while in college, I took a finance class and really enjoyed it and that determined the direction of my career path.
Try to find a career that is enjoyable to you and where you feel you valued, this way it won't feel like work too much.
Good luck in your career journey!
Priscila Arruda
Customer Success Manager
7
Answers
São Paulo, Brazil
Updated
Priscila’s Answer
Hi Kaitlin,
(This is a group answer) As we are always re-evaluating ourselves. We believe if you dig a little deeper, you will have an idea for instance if you like to deal with people, or being in front of the computer or maybe more outside activities. Probably you will always have things you love and things you don’t enjoy so much in every job. You need to find a balance. Even if you found your true passion you will still have tasks you like more than others.
Maybe you shouldn’t look for the job specifically but the requirements, the skills needed and see how you feel about these, if you would enjoy doing most of those activities frequently. You would need to know yourself better so you would be able to understand things you like most or not. You could think when you were younger and things you liked to do, and do not forget to follow your intuition. Also important to check the company you’re looking for a job, their values and reflect if you would like to work for that kind of corporation. Hope this helps somehow. Wish the best of luck in your choices and in your career.
(This is a group answer) As we are always re-evaluating ourselves. We believe if you dig a little deeper, you will have an idea for instance if you like to deal with people, or being in front of the computer or maybe more outside activities. Probably you will always have things you love and things you don’t enjoy so much in every job. You need to find a balance. Even if you found your true passion you will still have tasks you like more than others.
Maybe you shouldn’t look for the job specifically but the requirements, the skills needed and see how you feel about these, if you would enjoy doing most of those activities frequently. You would need to know yourself better so you would be able to understand things you like most or not. You could think when you were younger and things you liked to do, and do not forget to follow your intuition. Also important to check the company you’re looking for a job, their values and reflect if you would like to work for that kind of corporation. Hope this helps somehow. Wish the best of luck in your choices and in your career.
Francislainy Campos
Software Automation Engineer
13
Answers
Dublin, County Dublin
Updated
Francislainy’s Answer
Hi Kaitlin,
I should say more often than you may think life ends up choosing your job for you. Of course we can move things in a way that makes us closer to the job we think we want but there are not guarantees we'll get it: I'll give you an example: "You may say: I really want to work for Google, so I'm going to study computer science". That however doesn't guarantee you'll ever work for Google as it also depends on whether Google will hire you. But don't take this as a bad thing. I actually find it great, because choosing a college course or a job does not necessarily mean you're choosing what is going happen to you for the whole rest of your life. You may want go to college and try to do something you think you'll like. But if after some time you feel it's not for you, or even after you already have a job in that area, you can still change it.
My whole life I always thought I wanted to be an engineer, however, I wasn't able to afford college for that course, so I studied Physics instead. But then I moved countries and jobs as well, and today I work as a software engineer, which I truly love! But I can still satisfy my desire to become an engineer and I'm now back to college and finally studying Engineering. However, now it's more as a hobby type of thing.
Don't be too anxious about that. When you find something you'll like it, you'll know. Until then feel free to try different things.
I should say more often than you may think life ends up choosing your job for you. Of course we can move things in a way that makes us closer to the job we think we want but there are not guarantees we'll get it: I'll give you an example: "You may say: I really want to work for Google, so I'm going to study computer science". That however doesn't guarantee you'll ever work for Google as it also depends on whether Google will hire you. But don't take this as a bad thing. I actually find it great, because choosing a college course or a job does not necessarily mean you're choosing what is going happen to you for the whole rest of your life. You may want go to college and try to do something you think you'll like. But if after some time you feel it's not for you, or even after you already have a job in that area, you can still change it.
My whole life I always thought I wanted to be an engineer, however, I wasn't able to afford college for that course, so I studied Physics instead. But then I moved countries and jobs as well, and today I work as a software engineer, which I truly love! But I can still satisfy my desire to become an engineer and I'm now back to college and finally studying Engineering. However, now it's more as a hobby type of thing.
Don't be too anxious about that. When you find something you'll like it, you'll know. Until then feel free to try different things.
Emily F. Bonsignore
Education Sales
3
Answers
Rochester, New York
Updated
Emily F.’s Answer
Hi Kaitlin,
I was exactly the same way growing up! I tried different paths and it ended up being a process of elimination to then find the career path that I love (in education.) There isn't an exact science to knowing when it's THE job for you, but you should feel valued by your employer and inspired or energized (maybe not everyday, but at least some days!) What does it mean to be valued? That your employer listens to your constructive feedback, makes you feel like an important part of the company/team, fair pay, and its also great to have a "work bestie."
Hope that helps!
I was exactly the same way growing up! I tried different paths and it ended up being a process of elimination to then find the career path that I love (in education.) There isn't an exact science to knowing when it's THE job for you, but you should feel valued by your employer and inspired or energized (maybe not everyday, but at least some days!) What does it mean to be valued? That your employer listens to your constructive feedback, makes you feel like an important part of the company/team, fair pay, and its also great to have a "work bestie."
Hope that helps!
Chelsea Kajs
Marketing
2
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Chelsea’s Answer
Hi Kaitlin,
I definitely think figuring out what job you're truly passionate about takes time and experience. Speaking from my personal experience, what I thought I wanted to do to where I am now is very different. In high school I was very passionate about marine biology and thought that was what I wanted to pursue until I got an internship at an aquarium and took AP Bio and figured out science was not for me. I ended up changing my major to "business" and have had jobs all within the "business" world from insurance, to healthcare marketing, to what I do now in technology.
My recommendation is to try to intern or gain experience wherever you can. Trying something out and learning more about it really helped me identify what I was and was not passionate about and ultimately led me to where I am now.
I'd also say that your preferences may change overtime too, and that's totally fine and expected. I'd recommend trying to find things that bring you joy and energy as well as support your passions.
I definitely think figuring out what job you're truly passionate about takes time and experience. Speaking from my personal experience, what I thought I wanted to do to where I am now is very different. In high school I was very passionate about marine biology and thought that was what I wanted to pursue until I got an internship at an aquarium and took AP Bio and figured out science was not for me. I ended up changing my major to "business" and have had jobs all within the "business" world from insurance, to healthcare marketing, to what I do now in technology.
My recommendation is to try to intern or gain experience wherever you can. Trying something out and learning more about it really helped me identify what I was and was not passionate about and ultimately led me to where I am now.
I'd also say that your preferences may change overtime too, and that's totally fine and expected. I'd recommend trying to find things that bring you joy and energy as well as support your passions.
Sofia Smith
Product Business Planner
9
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Sofia’s Answer
Hi! To be honest I still don’t know. I’ve been out of college for 2 years and I have had different jobs in the tech marketing industry. I don’t know exactly what I want to do with my career but I do have some clue as to what I value in a job or not - for instance I value a transparent and relatable manager, coworkers who are supportive, a company that has active employee resource groups, etc.
It may take a while for you to figure out what you want to do but my advice is to keep trying things. There are a lot of rotation programs you can enter out of college that allow you to try different jobs every few months or so. And that can help narrow down what fields and functions you like or don’t like. Try different internships and jobs, you never know something you thought you hated may turn out to be something you love.
Try to shadow people, that can give you a first-hand look into what a role’s day to day looks like without any of the pressure to commit to it.
It may take a while for you to figure out what you want to do but my advice is to keep trying things. There are a lot of rotation programs you can enter out of college that allow you to try different jobs every few months or so. And that can help narrow down what fields and functions you like or don’t like. Try different internships and jobs, you never know something you thought you hated may turn out to be something you love.
Try to shadow people, that can give you a first-hand look into what a role’s day to day looks like without any of the pressure to commit to it.