8 answers
Kimberly
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
4
Questions
Asked
656 views
3) When is the best time for me to start looking into a career?
I don´t know when I should start looking into a career especially when you're in high school.
8 answers
Danielle V
Learning Administrator
2
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
Things to consider while in high school:
- What are you interested in now and what careers align with those interests?
- What do you want out of it at the end of the day (values, finances, free time, impact)?
- What are your natural strengths? Focus on those and continue to strengthen them.
- Volunteer or shadow at various companies
- What are you interested in now and what careers align with those interests?
- What do you want out of it at the end of the day (values, finances, free time, impact)?
- What are your natural strengths? Focus on those and continue to strengthen them.
- Volunteer or shadow at various companies
Ryan Curry
Techreative | Vetrepreneur | Culturategist
84
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Kimberly,
It's never too early or too late to start exploring career options, but the earlier you start, the more time you'll have to gain experience and skills that can be valuable in your future career. High school is a great time to start thinking about career possibilities and exploring your interests through extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs.
As you progress through high school, it's important to research different career paths and learn about the education, training, and experience required for those fields. You can also talk to people who are working in fields that interest you and ask them about their experiences and advice.
Remember that it's okay to change your mind and explore different career paths throughout your life. It's important to find a career that aligns with your interests, values, and skills, and that provides opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
Let your curiosity guide you!
It's never too early or too late to start exploring career options, but the earlier you start, the more time you'll have to gain experience and skills that can be valuable in your future career. High school is a great time to start thinking about career possibilities and exploring your interests through extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs.
As you progress through high school, it's important to research different career paths and learn about the education, training, and experience required for those fields. You can also talk to people who are working in fields that interest you and ask them about their experiences and advice.
Remember that it's okay to change your mind and explore different career paths throughout your life. It's important to find a career that aligns with your interests, values, and skills, and that provides opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
Let your curiosity guide you!
Janet Tuchtenhagen
Manager
1
Answer
Plymouth, Minnesota
Updated
Janet’s Answer
That's a very good question and I agree with comments above, but also, know that what you may decide now may change over time as you get exposure to other jobs/companies as you get into the workforce and that is OK. My son is 2nd year in college and my daughter is going to graduate this year from high school. One knew what they wanted to do and the one not so much, so here is my advice.
- go to college (2-year of 4 year), get your generals, but go in with a with a few career options you might like to explore - colleges typically have programs for Freshmen to give you a more broader look at various degrees to see if you may like that or not. College or some sort of post secondary school is so important today by employers - it gives you the step up vs. someone with no post secondary education because it shows your commment and drive.
- What have you done based on past jobs / or classes you took that you found interesting?
- Most HS students take an assessment to find best job fits or understand fields that may be a good fit
- Talk with your parents/friends/school counselor for people that you can speak to in possible fields of interest and understand the "Day in the Life" to see if that interests you
- Do you want to be out in the field vs. being behind a desk/in an office
- Find something you passionate about
Just know your ideas of the ideal job now, may be different as you get into the workforce becuase your eyes will be opened. My were, I thought I wanted to be an Administrative Assistant out of HS. I went to a business school to get that, got a job as one in a large company that opened my eyes to other opportunities. So I went back to school to get my 4-year degree in Marketing Management - got a job in the same company doing marketing operations (loved it, building reports, building and managing programs, built my presentation skills, etc.), moved in to various leadership roles, got into Project Management which I found was my passion, but I didn't know that coming out of HS. So I went back to school, while working to get my Project Management Certificate and now I manage a group of Project Managers and I still work on my own projects.
So you never know where you are going to end up and that's OK, your career is a Journey with lots of turns and it may just surprise you. Just remember to find something you have an interest in, passionate about that make you want to get up everyday and look foward to going to work - they you know you are in the right spot!
- go to college (2-year of 4 year), get your generals, but go in with a with a few career options you might like to explore - colleges typically have programs for Freshmen to give you a more broader look at various degrees to see if you may like that or not. College or some sort of post secondary school is so important today by employers - it gives you the step up vs. someone with no post secondary education because it shows your commment and drive.
- What have you done based on past jobs / or classes you took that you found interesting?
- Most HS students take an assessment to find best job fits or understand fields that may be a good fit
- Talk with your parents/friends/school counselor for people that you can speak to in possible fields of interest and understand the "Day in the Life" to see if that interests you
- Do you want to be out in the field vs. being behind a desk/in an office
- Find something you passionate about
Just know your ideas of the ideal job now, may be different as you get into the workforce becuase your eyes will be opened. My were, I thought I wanted to be an Administrative Assistant out of HS. I went to a business school to get that, got a job as one in a large company that opened my eyes to other opportunities. So I went back to school to get my 4-year degree in Marketing Management - got a job in the same company doing marketing operations (loved it, building reports, building and managing programs, built my presentation skills, etc.), moved in to various leadership roles, got into Project Management which I found was my passion, but I didn't know that coming out of HS. So I went back to school, while working to get my Project Management Certificate and now I manage a group of Project Managers and I still work on my own projects.
So you never know where you are going to end up and that's OK, your career is a Journey with lots of turns and it may just surprise you. Just remember to find something you have an interest in, passionate about that make you want to get up everyday and look foward to going to work - they you know you are in the right spot!
Bhavana Maitri
10
Answers
Updated
Bhavana’s Answer
Such a good question, such a hard answer! I fell into my career - Human Resources. I was a working Mom and got hired as an Administrative Assistant at a Manufacturing facility for a large beverage company - this is where I got exposure to the world of work and started helping out the Human Resource department with various projects - I was inspired and returned to school to finish my education (online) and then I was promoted into HR! Explore or find a job while you are in school to give you exposure to professions.
Lauren Lengyel
Community Manager
3
Answers
Costa Mesa, California
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
I think its never to early to start figuring out what you have a passion for. My first piece of advice would be to figure out what your likes and dislikes are. Figure out what kind of things bring you joy and start to further explore things that you have a passion for. One piece of advice that I am sure you have heard many times before, is that you really want to find a career that makes you happy and brings you joy. If you love what you do it truly makes all the difference. Enjoy the process of exploring and really allow yourself to be open to trying new things.
Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the journey!
Sarah Kern
Legal Proofreader
6
Answers
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi Kimberly!
You'll just KNOW when you're ready.
There is no set "time" that is right or wrong in when you decide to begin your journey.
Remember, this is all about YOU!
So try not to feel any pressure or think that you're not up to speed or behind.
You are doing exactly what you need, at this moment. Once you feel that pull, follow it & begin your journey.
Then start researching, writing notes, absorbing all you can.
Start looking into jobs that could pertain to your interest area & apply.
Maybe start volunteering, or looking at free virtual ways to volunteer, to get some experience & to see if that actually would be something you're interested in.
---sometimes it "seems interesting/doable" but after you try it out you might be like "noooo way".
***and that's OK!
This is YOUR path & your journey.
Enjoy it.
Learn all you can about yourself & what really inspires you.
There's no time constraints.
Like I said, you'll just "know" when it's time.
Good luck!
You'll just KNOW when you're ready.
There is no set "time" that is right or wrong in when you decide to begin your journey.
Remember, this is all about YOU!
So try not to feel any pressure or think that you're not up to speed or behind.
You are doing exactly what you need, at this moment. Once you feel that pull, follow it & begin your journey.
Then start researching, writing notes, absorbing all you can.
Start looking into jobs that could pertain to your interest area & apply.
Maybe start volunteering, or looking at free virtual ways to volunteer, to get some experience & to see if that actually would be something you're interested in.
---sometimes it "seems interesting/doable" but after you try it out you might be like "noooo way".
***and that's OK!
This is YOUR path & your journey.
Enjoy it.
Learn all you can about yourself & what really inspires you.
There's no time constraints.
Like I said, you'll just "know" when it's time.
Good luck!
Deborah Joseph
Human Resources
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Deborah’s Answer
Agree that it's never too early to start thinking about what you might like to do in the future. It's also worth saying that what you decide to do at the beginning of your career might not be what you do forever - one job can lead to another and open different doors. For many people it's not easy to know what job you would like to do!
A few ideas about where to start:
1. Volunteering - this is a great way to begin to develop your skills
2. Getting a part time job e.g. in a coffee shop, babysitting, retail - again a great way to start developing your skills
3. Look out for insight opportunities for high school students - some employers run special events for people at high school which give you the opportunity to meet people doing different jobs nd maybe visit different work places.
A few ideas about where to start:
1. Volunteering - this is a great way to begin to develop your skills
2. Getting a part time job e.g. in a coffee shop, babysitting, retail - again a great way to start developing your skills
3. Look out for insight opportunities for high school students - some employers run special events for people at high school which give you the opportunity to meet people doing different jobs nd maybe visit different work places.
Melissa Urbin
Executive Resolution Advocate
15
Answers
Saint Clair Shores, Michigan
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
In my experience, it is never too early to begin actively exploring what career may be best for you, but you don't need to feel pressured to make a final decision right away. If you’re still in high school, you can take steps to explore future careers and figure out what interests you and what may be a good fit. You can complete a summer internship in a field that interests you, take career interest tests to discover potential career paths that you may have never considered in the past, research the academic and professional requirements related to your current dream job(s), or get a part-time job to begin to develop your professional and/or people skills. If you are choosing to attend college and haven't decided on a career path when you start, that's okay! It is normal to start college by studying a variety of subjects before you decide firmly on a major or path to a certain field.
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