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When should I make my career decision, is it better to decide in the future or as soon as possible?
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Wayne Archibald
Cybersecurity Associate Director here to share knowledge!
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Wayne’s Answer
Hey Helen. It's better to make a career decision as soon as possible. The quicker you make a decision, the quicker you can prepare for the future. However, you can always pivot if you feel that you must. However, pivot as early as possible. In my first year in college, I signed up as a Finance major. However, after reading through other majors offered by the School of Business at Howard University, I switched my major to Management Information Systems that same month. Since I made the change very early, I still graduated in 4 years without having to take any summer classes. You want to graduate as quickly as possible. The longer you are in school, the more expensive your education will be. Time is money.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a question many students may have.
I recommend you can consider it when you feel you are ready but it is better to do it before deciding the major in the college.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about your hobbies, your favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
Eg if you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, financial analyst, banker, maths teacher, etc
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, musician, composer, music producer, music teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, career counsellor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers
5. Explore the entry criteria of the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
I recommend you can consider it when you feel you are ready but it is better to do it before deciding the major in the college.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about your hobbies, your favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
Eg if you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, financial analyst, banker, maths teacher, etc
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, musician, composer, music producer, music teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, career counsellor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers
5. Explore the entry criteria of the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Diane’s Answer
Hi Helen,
Don't feel pressured into declaring a major (career) your 1st year in college. Of course, have an idea on your area(s) of interest and then once you get your first semester/year of college under your feet different areas of opportunity will present themselves and you can drill down into a specific area of interest. Choose an area you are passionate about, enjoy and feel you can make a difference as this is something you will be doing, hopefully, for the rest of your life. Don't make it just a job but make it a career. Best of luck to you!
Don't feel pressured into declaring a major (career) your 1st year in college. Of course, have an idea on your area(s) of interest and then once you get your first semester/year of college under your feet different areas of opportunity will present themselves and you can drill down into a specific area of interest. Choose an area you are passionate about, enjoy and feel you can make a difference as this is something you will be doing, hopefully, for the rest of your life. Don't make it just a job but make it a career. Best of luck to you!
Updated
Alexa’s Answer
Of course it’s better to make a decision sooner rather than later. You can plan your life out, and follow the right steps to achieve your goals. However - if you aren’t sure, take some time to figure it out. People often jump into things fast, and can spend a lot of time and money on something that they don’t like, and don’t want to do!
Updated
kimberlee’s Answer
you have plenty of time to make your choice in what you want to do so far as career wise and honestly its ok to be undecided on what you want to do there are plenty of job opportunities out there for you to choose from.
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Depending the career or job you start with will probably not be your last. Granted it is far easier to jump between related positions/industries.
The more jobs you have, the more you'll learn what you like to do.
The more jobs you have, the more you'll learn what you like to do.
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Hey Helen-
You have a lot of good advice here, so I will not reiterate it. I would just say this--you do not need to know now, but don't let that stop you from moving. In other words, you may not know what you want to major in BUT you know you want to go to college. So, start college. Or you may know that you don't want college, but you are interested in a particular industry. So, start trying to find a job in that industry.
I knew I wanted to join the military for a while, but I wanted to join after college. However, I had NO IDEA what I would go to college for. I got two years into college (all of my general education credits were done), but I still had NO IDEA what I wanted to major in. In order to get an ROTC scholarship I had to declare a major. I had done the career tests in high school, but decided to give it another go. I took a test with my counselors in college and found out about a degree within Communications called Public Relations. It sounded interesting, so I declared it. I loved the courses so much that I graduated with this degree and have even found ways of using it within my military service.
You never know when you might find your passion, but if you halt movement until you decide you may never find it!
Hope this helps, best of luck!
You have a lot of good advice here, so I will not reiterate it. I would just say this--you do not need to know now, but don't let that stop you from moving. In other words, you may not know what you want to major in BUT you know you want to go to college. So, start college. Or you may know that you don't want college, but you are interested in a particular industry. So, start trying to find a job in that industry.
I knew I wanted to join the military for a while, but I wanted to join after college. However, I had NO IDEA what I would go to college for. I got two years into college (all of my general education credits were done), but I still had NO IDEA what I wanted to major in. In order to get an ROTC scholarship I had to declare a major. I had done the career tests in high school, but decided to give it another go. I took a test with my counselors in college and found out about a degree within Communications called Public Relations. It sounded interesting, so I declared it. I loved the courses so much that I graduated with this degree and have even found ways of using it within my military service.
You never know when you might find your passion, but if you halt movement until you decide you may never find it!
Hope this helps, best of luck!
Updated
song’s Answer
It's better you could start to think about it, but no rush. Make sure you really like it. It's better to start from your interests or what you're good at to think about it.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hi there, Helen!
Let's dive into a question that may have crossed your mind: "When is the best time to make a career decision? Should I decide now or wait for the future?" This is a big decision, and it's important to think about all the factors involved. In this friendly chat, we'll look at the pros and cons of deciding on a career path early, as well as the benefits of waiting for the perfect moment.
First off, let's talk about the good and not-so-good aspects of making a career choice early in life. One of the biggest perks is that it gives you a clear goal to work towards. You can focus on learning everything you need to know about your chosen field and start building a successful career. Plus, knowing what you want to do can give your life a sense of direction and purpose. It can help you set realistic goals and make smart choices about your education and career.
But deciding on a career early isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Our lives, interests, and goals can change a lot over time. If you choose a career path too soon, you might miss out on exploring other exciting opportunities. And if you rush into a decision, you might end up feeling frustrated and unhappy if the career you chose doesn't match your true passions and dreams.
Now, what about waiting for the future to make a career decision? This approach has its own set of benefits. By not rushing into a decision, you can explore different career paths, gain more experience, and get to know yourself better. This can lead to a well-rounded decision that you're happy with in the long run.
But just like deciding early, waiting too long to make a career decision has its downsides. If you procrastinate, you might miss out on great opportunities, like landing a dream job or getting into a competitive program. Plus, putting off the decision can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.
So, when's the best time to make a career decision? Well, it really depends on you and your situation. It's important to think about the pros and cons of deciding now or waiting for the future. The secret to a successful career decision is knowing yourself, exploring different paths, and being open to change.
To help you out, here are three great books that talk about this topic:
1. "Career Transitions: The Essential Skills and Strategies for Success" by W. Bridges (2006) - This book gives you insights into career transitions and the importance of self-assessment and making informed decisions.
2. "Career Choice and Development: A Social Learning Approach" by J.D. Krumboltz (2011) - This book talks about how social learning affects career choice. It highlights the benefits of waiting for the right time to make a decision and exploring different opportunities.
3. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by R. Hart (2001) - This book focuses on personal development and decision-making. It suggests that you should be proactive and consider various factors when making career decisions.
Also, don't forget to check out the nutrition section of my autobiography. You'll find a list of foods that are rich in vitamins that support academic work. Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Take care and God bless,
James.
Let's dive into a question that may have crossed your mind: "When is the best time to make a career decision? Should I decide now or wait for the future?" This is a big decision, and it's important to think about all the factors involved. In this friendly chat, we'll look at the pros and cons of deciding on a career path early, as well as the benefits of waiting for the perfect moment.
First off, let's talk about the good and not-so-good aspects of making a career choice early in life. One of the biggest perks is that it gives you a clear goal to work towards. You can focus on learning everything you need to know about your chosen field and start building a successful career. Plus, knowing what you want to do can give your life a sense of direction and purpose. It can help you set realistic goals and make smart choices about your education and career.
But deciding on a career early isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Our lives, interests, and goals can change a lot over time. If you choose a career path too soon, you might miss out on exploring other exciting opportunities. And if you rush into a decision, you might end up feeling frustrated and unhappy if the career you chose doesn't match your true passions and dreams.
Now, what about waiting for the future to make a career decision? This approach has its own set of benefits. By not rushing into a decision, you can explore different career paths, gain more experience, and get to know yourself better. This can lead to a well-rounded decision that you're happy with in the long run.
But just like deciding early, waiting too long to make a career decision has its downsides. If you procrastinate, you might miss out on great opportunities, like landing a dream job or getting into a competitive program. Plus, putting off the decision can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.
So, when's the best time to make a career decision? Well, it really depends on you and your situation. It's important to think about the pros and cons of deciding now or waiting for the future. The secret to a successful career decision is knowing yourself, exploring different paths, and being open to change.
To help you out, here are three great books that talk about this topic:
1. "Career Transitions: The Essential Skills and Strategies for Success" by W. Bridges (2006) - This book gives you insights into career transitions and the importance of self-assessment and making informed decisions.
2. "Career Choice and Development: A Social Learning Approach" by J.D. Krumboltz (2011) - This book talks about how social learning affects career choice. It highlights the benefits of waiting for the right time to make a decision and exploring different opportunities.
3. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by R. Hart (2001) - This book focuses on personal development and decision-making. It suggests that you should be proactive and consider various factors when making career decisions.
Also, don't forget to check out the nutrition section of my autobiography. You'll find a list of foods that are rich in vitamins that support academic work. Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Take care and God bless,
James.
Updated
Carmen’s Answer
Hello Helen,
You should make your career decision when you are ready. Find what you love and do it. There will be times in your life that your career will change. Make sure you are making the right choice for you and not someone else. The quote you have above sums it up nicely. Good luck to you. I am sure you will make the right choice.
You should make your career decision when you are ready. Find what you love and do it. There will be times in your life that your career will change. Make sure you are making the right choice for you and not someone else. The quote you have above sums it up nicely. Good luck to you. I am sure you will make the right choice.
Updated
Reid’s Answer
Hello,
It somewhat depends on what you’re interested in. Some fields like dentistry or law would require you to take a specific path because they have requirements and certifications. For other less specific fields, I would recommend waiting longer to decide. Even when you decide, it is not necessarily what you will do for the rest of your life. Movement/pivoting between careers has become more common. There are going to be tons of jobs/careers you discover by talking to more senior professionals and professors that you didn’t even know existed.
I made a pivot in my own career. I graduated university with an engineering degree and after 6 years of working I moved into data science and analytics roles. My general advice is to maintain an open mind, research multiple career paths either online or talking to professors or experienced professionals, expose yourself to different types of roles to learn about what your options are and focus on transferable skills. Transferable skills are things you learn in one field that are still going to valuable in another field.
It somewhat depends on what you’re interested in. Some fields like dentistry or law would require you to take a specific path because they have requirements and certifications. For other less specific fields, I would recommend waiting longer to decide. Even when you decide, it is not necessarily what you will do for the rest of your life. Movement/pivoting between careers has become more common. There are going to be tons of jobs/careers you discover by talking to more senior professionals and professors that you didn’t even know existed.
I made a pivot in my own career. I graduated university with an engineering degree and after 6 years of working I moved into data science and analytics roles. My general advice is to maintain an open mind, research multiple career paths either online or talking to professors or experienced professionals, expose yourself to different types of roles to learn about what your options are and focus on transferable skills. Transferable skills are things you learn in one field that are still going to valuable in another field.
Updated
Atareen’s Answer
Rather than looking for a job, look for a hobby you enjoy. You don't have a time limit nor any restrictions, with time and effort you can always change the current path your walking on. The longer the wait it is going to be a bit more difficult, but it will be better than doing something you think you like but aren't. When looking for a job a majority of people have primary aspects that they want to fulfill. They need a roof on their head and food.
You can always start and look for something comfortable that will fulfill those aspects of your life and then continue to something you really like. Eventually it'll click. I recommend you try the things you like on your own by researching and realistically visioning how it will start out. You're certainly not going to be a manager without a degree or experiences of some sort.
If you think you need a career choice sooner it will motivate you to look for places you interested in. Later will have you procrastinate on this situation. Find the balance where you motivates to learn and choose but not stressed for a specific deadline. Putting a time limit on yourself will lead to burnout.
My answer to this question is both are valid times of choosing a career.
Enjoy
research
envision
proceed to try it out in person
if not desirable for CAREER, try something new
You can always start and look for something comfortable that will fulfill those aspects of your life and then continue to something you really like. Eventually it'll click. I recommend you try the things you like on your own by researching and realistically visioning how it will start out. You're certainly not going to be a manager without a degree or experiences of some sort.
If you think you need a career choice sooner it will motivate you to look for places you interested in. Later will have you procrastinate on this situation. Find the balance where you motivates to learn and choose but not stressed for a specific deadline. Putting a time limit on yourself will lead to burnout.
My answer to this question is both are valid times of choosing a career.
Atareen recommends the following next steps:
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