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How do I figure out what I want to do as a career?

How do I find a career that combines my interest with work?
There are so many options but I don't know which are good for me

career career-choice career-advice career-details career-options
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Sharolyn’s Answer

I know we are not suppose to answer a question with a question, but here goes - what do you enjoy or love to do? What are you passionate about? Once you can answer those questions, it will lead you to what your career (potentially) will be. As we develop and grow over time, our career choice may take a different route.

When I started out, I wanted to be a nurse or in forensics. However, once I started a "job" which was different from what I wanted my "career" to be, things changed. Of course, I was still in the field of helping others, but I also learned that I could "teach" or "train" others. I knew I did not want to be a school teacher, but I wanted to make an impact in people's learning ! Thus, I found what I enjoyed and loved.

Once you find what you are passionate about, learn as much as you can about your craft and continue to learn throughout your career.

I hope this helps!
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Aaron’s Answer

The most difficult part about these career fields today is they are ever changing as fast as social media changes. There's multiple approaches. You can go for a more traditional field of study (Electrical engineering, etc). The main thing I've learned (as someone who has gone through 4 career changes...some major changes...some minor changes)...we put too much focus on tasks that we like doing when searching for what we want....

Building a website and enjoying building a website doesn't mean you want to be a web developer as much as you might think...there's a new theory called "micro-motives" that has helped me A LOT. It's simple...you start to break down the things you like doing. The story goes...there was a man that was a very good electrical engineer but he saw others were getting promoted since he didn't have an MBA...he got an MBA...become a manager...then quit when he was 50 because he hated what he was doing. He loved electrical engineering but it all got spoiled for him when he had to be managing people's problems instead of tinkering. After he quit he started a fancy antique upholstery business and became successful again and hollywood started using his furniture for movies....so what changed...he liked tinkering with things! That was it...it didn't matter if he was an electrical engineer or furniture upholsterer...what mattered was he was somewhere he could tinker and take pride in detail and meticulous work with his hands...

So think of the things you like. List why you think you like those things...do you like to tinker? Do you like to improve the way teams work? do you like making things look pretty (interior design, web design, etc)? Do you like to support people or lead?

There's no right or wrong here. Don't get caught up on lying to yourself and saying you like to lead if you actually like to support because everyone tells you only leaders make the big bucks. In the end, if you do what makes you happy/motives you...you will become a natural leader when you're doing what makes you happy.

Once you have a list of reasons you like certain tasks...find those patterns...This will help narrow it down...like I said though...electrical engineer or upholstery expert....If you do whatever meets your "micro-motives" then you'll do just fine.

Aaron recommends the following next steps:

Think of the things you like
Figure out why you're motivated to do those things
Test your theory..."I think I like computer coding because I like finding new creative ways to solve problems and challenge the status quo....what if I tried being creative with a craft at home...like building a puzzle."
Pick a few careers that match your micromotives (don't have to be the same industry)
Select the career that's closest to some of your current skills
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Yariel
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Mary’s Answer

What a great question! I am assuming you are in high school and have not entered college and declared a major. I am a strong believer that highschoolers should seek out many different experiences to help them figure out what they LIKE. That is why you take science, history, literature, math, writing courses, and electives. Do you enjoy working with your hands in a robotics or car mechanics elective? There are amazing job opportunities after attending technical schools with very decent salaries! If you are a student athlete, you still need an academic path in college. Physical therapy? Teaching so you can coach? Business Management so you can run your own gym? If the sciences are your thing, there's lab work which is typically solo, clinical work which is working with people, research work which is much more academic and requires a love of reading and writing, work outside in nature collecting soil or dirt samples for testing, etc. Are you enjoying and excelling in calculus, trig, statistics? STEM careers are booming right now. So...my point is to enjoy high school and figure out what you LIKE. High school is 4 years. Tech school/College is 2+ years. Your career is THE REST OF YOUR LIFE until retirement. Figure out WHO you are first. Try new things through hobbies, travel, volunteer work, and life experiences. Your first year of University are general courses for a reason. Don't be too quick to declare a major. I think Undecided is much healthier mentally for an 18 year old because it allows you time to figure out what you LIKE. Best wishes to you!
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Zobair’s Answer

Here is my take on that.

The truth is not what you WANT to become.

The truth is, what you found yourself doing.

There are things that a person is found doing, when no one else is watching you. You are doing it for FREE. Because your nature is aligned with that thing.

I would not say that you should not do any other thing to make money. In fact, following your passion to make money is a bad advice.

However, first of all, take care of your belly and basic needs, no matter how.

Then and after then, you MUST find that sweetspot, that THING which you are found doing, that art. Just don't let it down. Become a master in that by way of sincere approach towards it. It should be all natural, not forced.

Best wishes!

Zobair recommends the following next steps:

Find a money-making habit first, no matter you love it or not. But try to find that has some connection with your heart. Just don't over-complicate it.
After basic financial stability, focus on your art.
Build a healthy body. Go to gym, run.
Connect with wealthy people. Watch their videos. Watch Shark Tank. Attend conferences and meetings.
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William’s Answer

Your question is a very good one and something everyone should think about as they progress thru high school and college. Way too many people follow a career path that is popular or considered safe (Accounting, Finance) regardless of their personal interests. You will spend a large part of your life in the work world and being in a field that you have interest in will benefit you both personally and professionally. Its hard to give 100% everyday to a job that you find little happiness in, but when you love what you are doing giving it your all everyday will be easy. When you are young and have the opportunity and time, explore those things that peak your interest and your path will become clear.
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