8 answers
Alise
Student
1
Question
Updated
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What are things that help with balancing and weighing the pros and cons of two different career goals that you are equally interested in?
I'm a 9th grader who goes to a performing arts high school so that I can learn about dance and see whether it is or isn't what I want to pursue in the future
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8 answers
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
118
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Keep in mind that you have plenty of time to decide what you want to do. If you get to the time where you are thinking about college and you still are equally interested in two career choices- double major. Even though many people say that college is 4 years, it doesn't HAVE to be. I am on a 5 year path (or 4.5 year path) because I am adding more things I am interested in. Use the time you have to try both careers out and see which makes you the most happy and which is the best way to make money. Remember- if you love your job you will never work a day in your life AND if you like what you do then the money will follow.
Thank you for this advice, it's very helpful!
Alise
Aishwarya Mammayil
Tax Delivery Consultant
3
Answers
Windermere, Florida
Updated
Aishwarya’s Answer
Hi Alise! I hope you are doing well and I think this is a great question and an experience that many of us go through when determining how to move forward in our careers.
I had a similar experience while I was in high school and I chose a college program that would allow me to pursue both career options. As a senior in high school I was debating between a career in law or a career in accounting or finance. Take the time to explore the different career paths you are interested in.
What helped me make my decision was gaining as much real-world experience as possible. I had internships in both industries, shadowed professionals who had pursued both career paths, asked questions regarding how these professionals made their decision, and what they did to get to the positions they are in. All of these experiences helped me narrow down a few different points when weighing career options.
1. What type of work would I do? While you may not be doing the same tasks as an intern that you would be during a full-time position, it is worth it to note what tasks the full-time employees perform and even shadow them if you get the opportunity.
2. How would my day-to-day life be impacted in either career? I thought about how my typical day would be structured in each career path. How does that fit into the relationship I have with my family and what I enjoy doing during my free-time. How would either career impact the life-style I want to have? This could be in terms of where you want to live in the future, what kind of living environment you prefer (suburban, urban, rural), income, whether you have to travel for a role or not, etc.
3. Is this something I could do long term? Interest in different careers are often sparked by a love for a certain topic or type of work. Ask yourself if this is something that you could do daily and still enjoy. Maybe you'll realize that while you do enjoy a certain topic or subject, it may not be something you want to do constantly and that's okay because it'll bring you closer to deciding what you truly would like to pursue.
Good luck and I'm sure that you'll find your dream career!
I had a similar experience while I was in high school and I chose a college program that would allow me to pursue both career options. As a senior in high school I was debating between a career in law or a career in accounting or finance. Take the time to explore the different career paths you are interested in.
What helped me make my decision was gaining as much real-world experience as possible. I had internships in both industries, shadowed professionals who had pursued both career paths, asked questions regarding how these professionals made their decision, and what they did to get to the positions they are in. All of these experiences helped me narrow down a few different points when weighing career options.
1. What type of work would I do? While you may not be doing the same tasks as an intern that you would be during a full-time position, it is worth it to note what tasks the full-time employees perform and even shadow them if you get the opportunity.
2. How would my day-to-day life be impacted in either career? I thought about how my typical day would be structured in each career path. How does that fit into the relationship I have with my family and what I enjoy doing during my free-time. How would either career impact the life-style I want to have? This could be in terms of where you want to live in the future, what kind of living environment you prefer (suburban, urban, rural), income, whether you have to travel for a role or not, etc.
3. Is this something I could do long term? Interest in different careers are often sparked by a love for a certain topic or type of work. Ask yourself if this is something that you could do daily and still enjoy. Maybe you'll realize that while you do enjoy a certain topic or subject, it may not be something you want to do constantly and that's okay because it'll bring you closer to deciding what you truly would like to pursue.
Good luck and I'm sure that you'll find your dream career!
I appreciate your support, Aishwarya
Alise
Kaylee Carr-Taylor
Consulting and Data Analytics
3
Answers
Gilbert, Arizona
Updated
Kaylee’s Answer
Hi Alise! I hope you're doing well and it's great to hear that you're already thinking of your future!
I also am a dancer and working in Consulting so I really relate to this question! I started dancing when I was 3 years old and have always been passionate about it.
One thing that helped me decide if I wanted to pursue a career in dance or another career was looking at college opportunities that would allow me to pursue both dance and academics. In high school, I wanted to be both a dancer and a veterinarian so I took advantages of academic opportunities and classes that allowed me to pursue both interests. This was also important to me when searching for a college as I was still unsure if I wanted to pursue just dance or another career.
If you love dance but maybe decide you don't want to make a career out of it, there are so many opportunities to continue dancing like being a teacher or assisting for a dance teacher, continuing to take classes, or even trying out for a professional dance team depending on the amount of time you have available. For me, I have been able to work during the day and continue to dance through taking classes after work and even helping out at a local dance studio. Though it's not a career in dance, it fulfills my passion still and allows me to keep dance in my life.
I would offer the advice to try to follow all your interests and see what makes you happy and what resonates to you. I think exploring all these opportunities presented to you will allow you to find your passions and set you towards a great career!
I also am a dancer and working in Consulting so I really relate to this question! I started dancing when I was 3 years old and have always been passionate about it.
One thing that helped me decide if I wanted to pursue a career in dance or another career was looking at college opportunities that would allow me to pursue both dance and academics. In high school, I wanted to be both a dancer and a veterinarian so I took advantages of academic opportunities and classes that allowed me to pursue both interests. This was also important to me when searching for a college as I was still unsure if I wanted to pursue just dance or another career.
If you love dance but maybe decide you don't want to make a career out of it, there are so many opportunities to continue dancing like being a teacher or assisting for a dance teacher, continuing to take classes, or even trying out for a professional dance team depending on the amount of time you have available. For me, I have been able to work during the day and continue to dance through taking classes after work and even helping out at a local dance studio. Though it's not a career in dance, it fulfills my passion still and allows me to keep dance in my life.
I would offer the advice to try to follow all your interests and see what makes you happy and what resonates to you. I think exploring all these opportunities presented to you will allow you to find your passions and set you towards a great career!
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Alise
Wayne Archibald
Cybersecurity Associate Director here to share knowledge!
221
Answers
Annapolis Junction, Maryland
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Hello Alise! As you begin considering your choices, remember to ask yourself these important questions to ensure you're committing to something you genuinely desire:
1. Is this something I want to do? It's crucial to determine if the new opportunity truly interests you, as it will be challenging to stay motivated and perform well otherwise.
2. Can I make this work? Think about the logistics, finances, emotions, and overall impact on your life. Introducing something new may require letting go or adjusting other commitments.
3. Will I gain valuable knowledge from this? Seek opportunities that allow personal growth, acquiring skills (preferably aligned with your desired career), or connecting with experienced individuals who can contribute to your development.
High school career and professional development services can be particularly beneficial for you. They can assist in pinpointing suitable career paths and help you discover opportunities to gain the necessary experience along the way, even if you're uncertain about your ideal job.
Keep in mind that waiting until your junior or senior year to actively pursue your dream career might cause you to miss out on precious experience. The time to take action is now!
1. Is this something I want to do? It's crucial to determine if the new opportunity truly interests you, as it will be challenging to stay motivated and perform well otherwise.
2. Can I make this work? Think about the logistics, finances, emotions, and overall impact on your life. Introducing something new may require letting go or adjusting other commitments.
3. Will I gain valuable knowledge from this? Seek opportunities that allow personal growth, acquiring skills (preferably aligned with your desired career), or connecting with experienced individuals who can contribute to your development.
High school career and professional development services can be particularly beneficial for you. They can assist in pinpointing suitable career paths and help you discover opportunities to gain the necessary experience along the way, even if you're uncertain about your ideal job.
Keep in mind that waiting until your junior or senior year to actively pursue your dream career might cause you to miss out on precious experience. The time to take action is now!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Alise
Nicholas Franzese, FSA, CERA
Actuary
9
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Nicholas’s Answer
I'll add that even though you're young, you need to think about and research how a chosen career path will impact your adult life. Look into what both things you want to do, entail as a full time job as an adult. Google the professions, watch videos from people describing what they do, and if you're able to ask folks in person in each career, ask them! People love to answer questions about their lives, it's the best way to learn the truth about things!
It's never too early to look into career goals and future planning, so start now!
It's never too early to look into career goals and future planning, so start now!
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Alise
Ashish Bokil
Senior Mgr
5
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Ashish’s Answer
Hey Alise! It's totally normal for high school students to be unsure about the career they want to follow. You might think you like something, but you'll only know for sure when you start learning more about it through classes and gaining experience in the field. It's common for people to change their focus and find something more enjoyable and satisfying, whether it's related or completely different.
When you feel like you've found your calling, it's super important to give it your all – learn more, do more, and take risks in that area. This will help you confirm that you truly enjoy it and that you're good at it. That's the only way to be confident that your choice is well-founded. Try to figure it out quickly, so you have time to explore other options if needed. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
When you feel like you've found your calling, it's super important to give it your all – learn more, do more, and take risks in that area. This will help you confirm that you truly enjoy it and that you're good at it. That's the only way to be confident that your choice is well-founded. Try to figure it out quickly, so you have time to explore other options if needed. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Thank you so much for the advice.
Alise
Jadie DeLeon
Tax Consultant
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jadie’s Answer
Hi Alise, it's great that you are already starting to think about your future. I know it can be overwhelming to have so many career options, however as others have mentioned, it's totally possible to pursue multiple tracks until you decide which one is right for you. Also, if you dedicate a lot of effort to one track and realize you don't like it, that is fine! It's not a waste of time because those experiences help you learn what you DON'T like. Knowing what you DON'T like is just as important as learning what you DO like. Therefore, feel free to pursue dance at your school, but also try taking classes or joining clubs that revolve around your other interests to gain exposure in these areas as well.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Alise
Stacey Baldini
Product Designer
12
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Stacey’s Answer
Hi there!
One thing that helped me was this model, by Michael Hyatt:
Passion
This is where it begins. What do you care about? What moves you? What problems do you want to solve or issues you want to address? If your heart is not in your work, you have a job but not a calling.
Proficiency
Passion alone is not enough. You have to be good at what you do. Being good enough will not give you the satisfaction you desire. You have to excel at your craft and be awesome. Mastery is the goal.
Profit
To enjoy a successful career, people must be willing to pay you for what you do. You don’t have to get rich, but there must be a market for your product or service. Otherwise, your career is not sustainable.
These all have to join together to form a sweet spot where you can have a sustainable career that you are good at, but also can make you enough money to live:
https://i0.wp.com/www.shoaibqureshi.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/profit-passion-proficiency-model.png?resize=1024%2C723
The Japanese have a concept for this called Ikagi that is a similar concept, but a little more detailed:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5622AQG-x-3pQlOk-A/feedshare-shrink_2048_1536/0/1651071901272?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=EmI0A77QLCIYR0ldg2lcIuzgM-WxDjrACxkV7vdTqSU
These visualizations helped me realize I wanted to transition out of graphic design and into product design years ago, and now I love my career! :)
One thing that helped me was this model, by Michael Hyatt:
Passion
This is where it begins. What do you care about? What moves you? What problems do you want to solve or issues you want to address? If your heart is not in your work, you have a job but not a calling.
Proficiency
Passion alone is not enough. You have to be good at what you do. Being good enough will not give you the satisfaction you desire. You have to excel at your craft and be awesome. Mastery is the goal.
Profit
To enjoy a successful career, people must be willing to pay you for what you do. You don’t have to get rich, but there must be a market for your product or service. Otherwise, your career is not sustainable.
These all have to join together to form a sweet spot where you can have a sustainable career that you are good at, but also can make you enough money to live:
https://i0.wp.com/www.shoaibqureshi.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/profit-passion-proficiency-model.png?resize=1024%2C723
The Japanese have a concept for this called Ikagi that is a similar concept, but a little more detailed:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5622AQG-x-3pQlOk-A/feedshare-shrink_2048_1536/0/1651071901272?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=EmI0A77QLCIYR0ldg2lcIuzgM-WxDjrACxkV7vdTqSU
These visualizations helped me realize I wanted to transition out of graphic design and into product design years ago, and now I love my career! :)