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how do you know if your career is right for you?
how do you know?
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8 answers
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Alaine’s Answer
I think you know when your career is right for you if you look forward to jumping in every day and can't wait to see what will happen next. Once you don't love it anymore, look for something new. Trying something new is a gift you shouldn't deny yourself.
You will spend most of your life working, so it's important to find that fulfillment. If you can't find fulfillment in your work, seek it out in other areas of your life. It can be through other outlets such as creative activities, volunteering, or activism.
You will spend most of your life working, so it's important to find that fulfillment. If you can't find fulfillment in your work, seek it out in other areas of your life. It can be through other outlets such as creative activities, volunteering, or activism.
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Tracei’s Answer
1. You enjoy getting up and excited about new goals
2. You have fun doing it
3. You are able to use your expertise to help others grow
2. You have fun doing it
3. You are able to use your expertise to help others grow
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Mike’s Answer
Hi Miguel,
I think having the ultimate balance between what makes you happy and what you want to get our of your job (pay, benefits, location, education) is the key. Being able to wake up every day excited about what you want to do is an incredible feeling. Having the security to support how you want to live at the same time is even better. There are times when you may have to sacrifice on either end, but keep driving to your goals and the balance that you want.
Mike
I think having the ultimate balance between what makes you happy and what you want to get our of your job (pay, benefits, location, education) is the key. Being able to wake up every day excited about what you want to do is an incredible feeling. Having the security to support how you want to live at the same time is even better. There are times when you may have to sacrifice on either end, but keep driving to your goals and the balance that you want.
Mike
Updated
Tiffany’s Answer
Hi, Miguel! That is a great question.
I was inspired to get into the Human Resources and Recruiting field because I was always a great connector. Meaning, when I was young, I liked helping people solve their problems and connecting one another to solve a mutual need. For instance, if a friend of my mom was looking for a babysitter, I would connect her with some of my friends who were looking for babysitting jobs. That type of connecting and solving peoples' problems translated well to working in Human Resources, where you ensure employees have what they need to be happy and efficient in their work. For instance, in Human Resources, you aid employees in finding the right benefits, filing for a medical or family leave, filling a job, determining what kind of training would be helpful for them, etc.
I good way to find out if a career is right for you is to shadow people when they do their work. Many professionals are open to shadowing high school students, if you can take off the day or afternoon from school. During that day, you will get a real world look at what that type of person does during their day and can determine if it still interests you.
Additionally, once you are in college or a trade school program, I highly recommend talking to your counselor about doing as many internships as possible. An internship lasts usually 8-12 weeks where you work fulltime in an entry level position of your chosen field. Often, the company you work for will ask you to join them as an employee when you graduate. So, not only does an internship provide you with a great, day-to-day experience doing what you *think* you want as a career. It also allows you have an opportunity to get a full time job after graduation from your program.
Talk to your teacher or school counselor about shadowing or internship programs in your school
I was inspired to get into the Human Resources and Recruiting field because I was always a great connector. Meaning, when I was young, I liked helping people solve their problems and connecting one another to solve a mutual need. For instance, if a friend of my mom was looking for a babysitter, I would connect her with some of my friends who were looking for babysitting jobs. That type of connecting and solving peoples' problems translated well to working in Human Resources, where you ensure employees have what they need to be happy and efficient in their work. For instance, in Human Resources, you aid employees in finding the right benefits, filing for a medical or family leave, filling a job, determining what kind of training would be helpful for them, etc.
I good way to find out if a career is right for you is to shadow people when they do their work. Many professionals are open to shadowing high school students, if you can take off the day or afternoon from school. During that day, you will get a real world look at what that type of person does during their day and can determine if it still interests you.
Additionally, once you are in college or a trade school program, I highly recommend talking to your counselor about doing as many internships as possible. An internship lasts usually 8-12 weeks where you work fulltime in an entry level position of your chosen field. Often, the company you work for will ask you to join them as an employee when you graduate. So, not only does an internship provide you with a great, day-to-day experience doing what you *think* you want as a career. It also allows you have an opportunity to get a full time job after graduation from your program.
Tiffany recommends the following next steps:
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Paul’s Answer
Waking up excited to learn more about the job and wha you can do everyday is a good sign you pick a field good for you.
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi, Miguel. Finding the "right" career" might be a lifelong endeavor. A job that might be perfect for you right out of college might not provide the same satisfaction to you five or ten years down the road. As Tiffany mentioned, internships are an excellent way to see if you might enjoy a particular profession. I participated in two internships; one as a journalist for a magazine, another as a photo editor for an international news agency. I started my career as a military firefighter after high school. Then I went to college, after which I became a journalist and photojournalist. Then I worked in public relations. Eventually, I made the move to high tech as a technical editor. Later, I was a tech writer. Some may see that path as inconsistent. But I have loved it all. No path is perfect, and every career has its ups and downs. Whatever you do, enjoy the journey.
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Misti’s Answer
Hi Miguel,
That is a great question! I would say that if you are excited or enjoy what you do, then you are in the right career/role. If you find yourself dreading going to work, then it's likely time to look for new opportunities.
New careers can still be within the same company/industry. You may want to consider moving to a different role that gives you the chance to leverage your knowledge, and more closely fits what you enjoy doing. For example, if you were in a customer facing role, maybe look for something in the operations side. Or, perhaps if you enjoy helping others grow and develop you could consider a management or training role.
Ultimately, trust your gut. Take some time to think about what you like/dislike about your current career and that will help you decide if you're on a path that best fits your goals. If not, find something that more closely aligns with what you enjoy doing.
Work with your manager to discuss career path goals to see if there are opportunities to shadow other departments and gain new perspectives.
That is a great question! I would say that if you are excited or enjoy what you do, then you are in the right career/role. If you find yourself dreading going to work, then it's likely time to look for new opportunities.
New careers can still be within the same company/industry. You may want to consider moving to a different role that gives you the chance to leverage your knowledge, and more closely fits what you enjoy doing. For example, if you were in a customer facing role, maybe look for something in the operations side. Or, perhaps if you enjoy helping others grow and develop you could consider a management or training role.
Ultimately, trust your gut. Take some time to think about what you like/dislike about your current career and that will help you decide if you're on a path that best fits your goals. If not, find something that more closely aligns with what you enjoy doing.
Misti recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Humberto’s Answer
how do you know if your career is right for you
In my opinion, one way is to be aware of your strengths and grow opportunities and then look for the fields where those skills you own are important to perform and evolve your carrier. Analyze yourself and that would give you a good starting point. I would also recommend to try paths you haven't had an opportunity to experience before, you will be surprise as you discover yourself. As you are young, you probably have more flexibility to take more risks. Manage risks but don't avoid them. Don't be afraid to fail, success doesn't necessarily comes from a clean path. Every failure comes with a learning experience and will help you to build up a unique path for you. Best of luck evolving your career. Keep in mind that careers change over time. Stay always relevant.
In my opinion, one way is to be aware of your strengths and grow opportunities and then look for the fields where those skills you own are important to perform and evolve your carrier. Analyze yourself and that would give you a good starting point. I would also recommend to try paths you haven't had an opportunity to experience before, you will be surprise as you discover yourself. As you are young, you probably have more flexibility to take more risks. Manage risks but don't avoid them. Don't be afraid to fail, success doesn't necessarily comes from a clean path. Every failure comes with a learning experience and will help you to build up a unique path for you. Best of luck evolving your career. Keep in mind that careers change over time. Stay always relevant.