5 answers
Ryan
Student
Becket, MA
1
Question
Asked
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Types of Goals?
How can you find your goals in life if you're struggling with what career path you wanna go down?
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5 answers
Jacob Asquino
Underwriter
7
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Hi Ryan,
Take a look at your goals, and what they are, and think about what you need to prioritize in order to hit those goals. Also take an inventory of your interests, and do research on industries that would relate to those interests. Think of courses that you have taken that have sparked interest in you. What careers would allow you to apply what you learned in those courses?
Those are a few of the things I think you should consider. Take a look at both the goals/priorities and career interests, and try to narrow down to the careers that would help you reach those goals.
I do just want to point out one more thing. Your goals may shift over time, you may develop different priorities, and find that others are no longer that important to you. You have your whole professional life in front of you, and there will be opportunities to shift your priorities and to shift your career trajectory.
Take a look at your goals, and what they are, and think about what you need to prioritize in order to hit those goals. Also take an inventory of your interests, and do research on industries that would relate to those interests. Think of courses that you have taken that have sparked interest in you. What careers would allow you to apply what you learned in those courses?
Those are a few of the things I think you should consider. Take a look at both the goals/priorities and career interests, and try to narrow down to the careers that would help you reach those goals.
I do just want to point out one more thing. Your goals may shift over time, you may develop different priorities, and find that others are no longer that important to you. You have your whole professional life in front of you, and there will be opportunities to shift your priorities and to shift your career trajectory.
Rana A
HR Associate - Leaves Management
5
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Rana’s Answer
I would make a list of interests and what your passionate about. Take that list and see how you can achieve those goals, setting short and long term goals. Take a look at what excites and interests you and that can help you figure out what career path you want to take.
Augusto Corrales
Executive Succession and Development
10
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Augusto’s Answer
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for your courage to ask this important question!
The first step I recommend you to take, is to spend some time to analyze yourself in the following areas:
- what are your main values?
- what is important to you in the world? What do you care about the most?
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What are you good at?
I think this auto-analysis is important so you start a career on something you really enjoy and that serves a bigger purpose aligned to your values.
Thank you for your courage to ask this important question!
The first step I recommend you to take, is to spend some time to analyze yourself in the following areas:
- what are your main values?
- what is important to you in the world? What do you care about the most?
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What are you good at?
I think this auto-analysis is important so you start a career on something you really enjoy and that serves a bigger purpose aligned to your values.
Shannon Manley
Associate in Management Consulting
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi Ryan - great question! I had the same one as you when I was younger. It is okay to not know your career goals right away! I 100% did not and got nervous when I had some friends who knew what they wanted to do right away. I initially thought I wanted to be a fashion designer and today, I am in management consulting. Your career goals will change and evolve over time.
My biggest recommendation for you is to ask anyone and everyone that you meet what their job is, what their day to day looks like, what kind person thrives in that career and what they wish they had known when they started working/figuring out their career goals. Even though they may not do something that interests you, just being aware of the potential options was extremely helpful for me. You can ask your family and friends, teachers, friend's parents or even reach out to people through LinkedIn.
I wish you the best of luck and you are going to do great!
-Shannon
My biggest recommendation for you is to ask anyone and everyone that you meet what their job is, what their day to day looks like, what kind person thrives in that career and what they wish they had known when they started working/figuring out their career goals. Even though they may not do something that interests you, just being aware of the potential options was extremely helpful for me. You can ask your family and friends, teachers, friend's parents or even reach out to people through LinkedIn.
I wish you the best of luck and you are going to do great!
-Shannon
Tessa Lewis
Senior Program Manager
6
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Tessa’s Answer
Something that really helped me when I was struggling with choosing a career path was listing out my top 5 values that were important to me. This helped me answer some important questions about myself that gave me clues about what I might want to consider in a career.
For example of some values questions to consider:
1. How much do you value making lots of money? This may help guide you to a career that makes a certain amount of money you're comfortable with. This answer will be different for every individual.
2. How important is family life/balance to you? You may want to select a career that doesn't require nights/weekends - or maybe that would be perfect to help balance the careers of others in your life so you can see them more!
3. What is a value that's unique to you? Do you value being outdoors, with people, alone time, serving others, etc? This may be a key aspect that may not seem specifically career related, but can help you narrow down your choices to a job that will align with your innate interests.
Create a list of your top 5 values (Google values and their definitions if you need help!)
For example of some values questions to consider:
1. How much do you value making lots of money? This may help guide you to a career that makes a certain amount of money you're comfortable with. This answer will be different for every individual.
2. How important is family life/balance to you? You may want to select a career that doesn't require nights/weekends - or maybe that would be perfect to help balance the careers of others in your life so you can see them more!
3. What is a value that's unique to you? Do you value being outdoors, with people, alone time, serving others, etc? This may be a key aspect that may not seem specifically career related, but can help you narrow down your choices to a job that will align with your innate interests.
Tessa recommends the following next steps: