6 answers
Tara
Student
Fort Myers, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How do I know which career path is best for me?
I want to study business, I am just unsure of which specific field.
#business #business-management #business-operations #accounting
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6 answers
Karyn Auger, MHA
Medical Practice Executive
24
Answers
Valrico, Florida
Updated
Karyn’s Answer
Hi Tara,
What a great question! The truth is, you may never know but think of all the fun you can have trying to find out! When I was in high school I was sure I wanted to be an accountant then I go a job as an accounting clerk in a medical office and moved to healthcare administration. Today I look back and think about how lucky I was to fall into a profession that I absolutely love. Having said that my suggestion to you would be to volunteer every place you can until you find something that you want to explore further. Of course after further exploration you may decide that path is not for you but whatever it is you have gained valuable information just by exploration. The journey really is the best part. Take your time, you don't need to be in a hurry to find a career. We all need a job, to work and make money, but if your job isn't your passion you must give yourself time to discover what that passion is, and that's ok. I attached a link to a group I use to look for volunteer opportunities near me if you are interested. Volunteering for anything will expose you to others that may have useful information about their own careers it will also allow you to accumulate a variety of skills to help you as you develop. You may volunteer to do data entry for Habitat for Humanity, skills learned are typing, data entry, whatever software program used, etc. You may volunteer to deliver books and magazines to residents at your local VA hospital, skills learned are compassion, communication, etc. I hope I have been helpful, I wish you the very best and know you will find your passion!
What a great question! The truth is, you may never know but think of all the fun you can have trying to find out! When I was in high school I was sure I wanted to be an accountant then I go a job as an accounting clerk in a medical office and moved to healthcare administration. Today I look back and think about how lucky I was to fall into a profession that I absolutely love. Having said that my suggestion to you would be to volunteer every place you can until you find something that you want to explore further. Of course after further exploration you may decide that path is not for you but whatever it is you have gained valuable information just by exploration. The journey really is the best part. Take your time, you don't need to be in a hurry to find a career. We all need a job, to work and make money, but if your job isn't your passion you must give yourself time to discover what that passion is, and that's ok. I attached a link to a group I use to look for volunteer opportunities near me if you are interested. Volunteering for anything will expose you to others that may have useful information about their own careers it will also allow you to accumulate a variety of skills to help you as you develop. You may volunteer to do data entry for Habitat for Humanity, skills learned are typing, data entry, whatever software program used, etc. You may volunteer to deliver books and magazines to residents at your local VA hospital, skills learned are compassion, communication, etc. I hope I have been helpful, I wish you the very best and know you will find your passion!
Linda Ann Robinson, Ph.D.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology & HR Consulting
199
Answers
Updated
Linda Ann’s Answer
Hi Tara,
Let me assume for a moment that you are a high school student who hasn't yet taken any college-level coursework.
Let me say this: you are young...you don't need to decide right NOW. How do you know, for example if a pair of interesting looking shoes are right for you until you try them on? Many academic subjects are like that. Many freshman change their major after the first year because of the coursework during their first year.
Go the your school's Guidance Counselor Office and have a conversation or two with one of the counselors there. Then, ask if the school can provide you with access to a vocational assessment which should help with your decision making.
Once you are in college, take a variety of business courses. Work with your academic advisor to find internships so that you can effectively sample different aspects of the business world while you are in school.
Some academic advisors are better than others. Some students have been known to find internships on their own (which are usually unpaid as an FYI...which I think is flawed, but that's the way of the American culture right now).
You might want to consider a school that has international programs (Arcadia University in suburban Philadelphia) OR Drexel University which has co-op programs designed to provide hands-on learning every other semester after the second year of coursework; yes, completion of your degree will be 5 years instead of 4 but you get to develop skills and exposure to different employment contexts while you are learning). Students in Drexel's co-op program DO get paid during the semester they are working!
There may be other universities like Drexel - I'm familiar with both schools as I grew up in Philadelphia.
I wish you the best in your future career and in school with your studies.
Let me assume for a moment that you are a high school student who hasn't yet taken any college-level coursework.
Let me say this: you are young...you don't need to decide right NOW. How do you know, for example if a pair of interesting looking shoes are right for you until you try them on? Many academic subjects are like that. Many freshman change their major after the first year because of the coursework during their first year.
Go the your school's Guidance Counselor Office and have a conversation or two with one of the counselors there. Then, ask if the school can provide you with access to a vocational assessment which should help with your decision making.
Once you are in college, take a variety of business courses. Work with your academic advisor to find internships so that you can effectively sample different aspects of the business world while you are in school.
Some academic advisors are better than others. Some students have been known to find internships on their own (which are usually unpaid as an FYI...which I think is flawed, but that's the way of the American culture right now).
You might want to consider a school that has international programs (Arcadia University in suburban Philadelphia) OR Drexel University which has co-op programs designed to provide hands-on learning every other semester after the second year of coursework; yes, completion of your degree will be 5 years instead of 4 but you get to develop skills and exposure to different employment contexts while you are learning). Students in Drexel's co-op program DO get paid during the semester they are working!
There may be other universities like Drexel - I'm familiar with both schools as I grew up in Philadelphia.
I wish you the best in your future career and in school with your studies.
Wendy Harder
Assoc. TPA Manager and Sr. Business Analyst
4
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Wendy’s Answer
My advice would be to follow a passion that you have in life. If you research different companies that have businesses in the field(s) you are interested in working in, they may offer internships or part-time employment or a mentoring program, which all offer different experiences. If those aren't good options for you, maybe consider working for a temporary employment agency. Not all temporary agencies will offer the possibility of a long term placement, but it can be a way to learn about different industries. I hope this helps you. Good luck with your studies!
Alexandra G.
Associate Director at RBC
20
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
If you do not know exactly what you want to do, it is not an issue at all. Most people don't know.
In my view, the best thing for you is to keep your eyes open. Try a number of classes that you think might be interesting, research the kind of jobs that people do after they studied these classes, ask people around you who are working in business (if you know anyone).
If there are companies that you are impressed with, go on their website in the recruitment section. They will describe a high number of roles and that will help you to get a better idea of what these jobs are about.
Try to do some internships as well, as you will learn about business and companies. Also, once in an internship, try to talk to many people in the company, working in different departments and ask them about their day to day jobs.
Don't worry about not knowing what you want to do, try things out and trust your instinct!
In my view, the best thing for you is to keep your eyes open. Try a number of classes that you think might be interesting, research the kind of jobs that people do after they studied these classes, ask people around you who are working in business (if you know anyone).
If there are companies that you are impressed with, go on their website in the recruitment section. They will describe a high number of roles and that will help you to get a better idea of what these jobs are about.
Try to do some internships as well, as you will learn about business and companies. Also, once in an internship, try to talk to many people in the company, working in different departments and ask them about their day to day jobs.
Don't worry about not knowing what you want to do, try things out and trust your instinct!
Saravana Kumar Kothandaraman
Software Professional
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Saravana Kumar’s Answer
Hi Good Morning/Evening,
1. You need to identify your natural talent and your interest area. Think about scenario's you did not complaint spending long hours doing some job and which interested you a lot.
2. Once your done , please spend time mastering the same.
3. Reach out to organizations which is offers Job openings in your interest Area . This would definitely help you find the appropriate JOb for your skills.
1. You need to identify your natural talent and your interest area. Think about scenario's you did not complaint spending long hours doing some job and which interested you a lot.
2. Once your done , please spend time mastering the same.
3. Reach out to organizations which is offers Job openings in your interest Area . This would definitely help you find the appropriate JOb for your skills.
Mariam Platitsin
Assurance Intern
1
Answer
State College, Pennsylvania
Updated
Mariam’s Answer
Hi Tara!
I was in your shoes not long ago. I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go in terms of career either.
My best advice is to keep an open mind and to explore all the opportunities you can. My school had an exploring business class, so if yours does too definitely try to take it. If it doesn't, try to take as many introductory classes or extracurriculars as you can to learn about each subject and what it has to offer. I learned I wanted to go into accounting for sure after taking part of a club called DECA and FBLA (both business competition clubs, but you don't need experience to join), if your school has it be sure to join.
I was in your shoes not long ago. I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go in terms of career either.
My best advice is to keep an open mind and to explore all the opportunities you can. My school had an exploring business class, so if yours does too definitely try to take it. If it doesn't, try to take as many introductory classes or extracurriculars as you can to learn about each subject and what it has to offer. I learned I wanted to go into accounting for sure after taking part of a club called DECA and FBLA (both business competition clubs, but you don't need experience to join), if your school has it be sure to join.