13 answers
Riva
Student
El Cajon, California
1
Question
Asked
1337 views
I'm feeling a little lost about starting my career after college. There are so many options out there, but I'm not sure which one is right for me. I'm interested in a lot of things, but I don't know how to turn those interests into a career. How can I figure out what I want to do with my life and start working towards my goals?
I'm a little overwhelmed by the idea of starting a career. I know that I want to find a job that I enjoy and that pays well, but I'm not sure how to make that happen. I'm worried that I'll end up in a job that I hate, or that I'll never be able to find a job that I'm passionate about. I'm also worried about the job market and whether there will be enough opportunities for me. Do you have any advice on how to navigate these concerns and find a career that's right for me?
13 answers
Karli Helm
Copywriter
15
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Karli’s Answer
Hi Riva! First and foremost, I’m from San Diego as well - no one I speak to about SD knows where El Cajon is! 🙌
I struggled with this a lot - and to be honest I’m still trying to find a place to land and I’m 29.
All I can really say is that the advice given by the others is awesome, but what I will add is that it’s ok to take a year off to figure things out. Be kind to yourself and really listen to your gut.
Happy job hunting!
I struggled with this a lot - and to be honest I’m still trying to find a place to land and I’m 29.
All I can really say is that the advice given by the others is awesome, but what I will add is that it’s ok to take a year off to figure things out. Be kind to yourself and really listen to your gut.
Happy job hunting!
PwC Impact
577
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Try something new and be comfortable being uncomfortable.
PwC Impact
577
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
It’s okay to not know. Even the people who look like they have it all planned out actually don’t. Find something you enjoy and never be afraid to change your mind.
Esther Carter
Software Engineering
22
Answers
Springville, Utah
Updated
Esther’s Answer
Hi Riva! Those are very valid feelings. Stepping out into the workforce and picking a career can be daunting. The good news is, you don’t have to have all the answers right now. You just have to decide on the next, single, little step.
Life can be like walking in the fog, with barely enough light to see one step in front of you. But once you take that step, you can see one more step ahead. And then another, and another.
Start with the options you have right now. What next class can you take? What jobs are you currently, at this very moment, qualified for? Choose something that sounds interesting and reasonable, and then try it! If it doesn’t work out, then try something new. If it does work out, great! Now figure out what the next tiny step would be.
You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to make a small decision now and act on it.
Life can be like walking in the fog, with barely enough light to see one step in front of you. But once you take that step, you can see one more step ahead. And then another, and another.
Start with the options you have right now. What next class can you take? What jobs are you currently, at this very moment, qualified for? Choose something that sounds interesting and reasonable, and then try it! If it doesn’t work out, then try something new. If it does work out, great! Now figure out what the next tiny step would be.
You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to make a small decision now and act on it.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
You have a fabulous thing in your favor: you have a lot of interests ! Many people are not situated into their real careers until they are in their thirties sometimes, so it's not too much to worry about when you think of all the time you generously have ahead of you.
As for now, a good way to find out what type of career you may want would be to get a few jobs. How to do it is to register with all the temporary employment agencies in your area. Most are in San Diego and I will provide a list of them with a link below. By doing "temp" work, you will experience and observe a variety of work environments and the real life action will give you an idea of where you may see yourself in the future. I think we all get to our careers with a bit of small jobs experience and situate ourselves when we are ready and the time is right.
Another idea is to try to work remotely and see how you like that, too. Try everything in your range of interests. You will discover both the one or two that you love the most and which one or two pays well. The luxury you have right now is time.
No one can say when your favorite career will happen but there's much you can do to make it happen. Pick a few of your favorite careers and shadow people that are in those careers. You will be able to sense if you would like a full time, permanent career in that field after seeing what a couple of days in that position is like. When I was a social service case manager in a private agency, I had students shadow me. I only had one student that told me that she knows now that she does not want to go into that field of work. So shadowing can be very useful. Most of the students that shadowed me confirmed that they would like to work in that field. It made it real to them and easier for them to decide one way or the other.
Most importantly, you can take small steps with this. Write a resume and send it to all the places that you think you'd like to work at. Go to interviews and focus on that particular business and why you'd like to work there. Read Employment Notices every day - on the major websites like Indeed or Linked In as well as your local on line newspaper. Try not to give yourself the stress of worrying, though. Since you say that you have a wide variety of interests, I have a feeling that you will start working at something you will like very much.
https://www.yellowpages.com/el-cajon-ca/temp-agency?page=4 Temporary Employment Agencies in your region
As for now, a good way to find out what type of career you may want would be to get a few jobs. How to do it is to register with all the temporary employment agencies in your area. Most are in San Diego and I will provide a list of them with a link below. By doing "temp" work, you will experience and observe a variety of work environments and the real life action will give you an idea of where you may see yourself in the future. I think we all get to our careers with a bit of small jobs experience and situate ourselves when we are ready and the time is right.
Another idea is to try to work remotely and see how you like that, too. Try everything in your range of interests. You will discover both the one or two that you love the most and which one or two pays well. The luxury you have right now is time.
No one can say when your favorite career will happen but there's much you can do to make it happen. Pick a few of your favorite careers and shadow people that are in those careers. You will be able to sense if you would like a full time, permanent career in that field after seeing what a couple of days in that position is like. When I was a social service case manager in a private agency, I had students shadow me. I only had one student that told me that she knows now that she does not want to go into that field of work. So shadowing can be very useful. Most of the students that shadowed me confirmed that they would like to work in that field. It made it real to them and easier for them to decide one way or the other.
Most importantly, you can take small steps with this. Write a resume and send it to all the places that you think you'd like to work at. Go to interviews and focus on that particular business and why you'd like to work there. Read Employment Notices every day - on the major websites like Indeed or Linked In as well as your local on line newspaper. Try not to give yourself the stress of worrying, though. Since you say that you have a wide variety of interests, I have a feeling that you will start working at something you will like very much.
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
PwC Impact
577
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
If you are not immediately successful, it's okay to change your mind. You and your interests will change so just stay true to your core values and focus on what is good for you. If the plan changes, you did not fail.
PwC Impact
577
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Try out different things that interest you. Ask a lot of questions to see what you may like. Don't forget to go to career events! In the end you will find your place, so don't stress too much <3
PwC Impact
577
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Something to keep in mind is life is always changing. If you don’t know what to do, it’s ok. Find something you enjoy. Even if it’s hard, shoot your best shot. You never know where you will be in 2 years, so pick what you like now and see where it takes you.
Daniel Maynes
Credit Manager
187
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Hi Riva!
First things first - that's ok. Most people do not know what they want to do the rest of their lives and it can be stressful to think about. I felt the same way a couple of years ago right before I graduated high school. Don't let people put pressure on you that you have to decide now on the rest of your work life.
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
I know this can be a stressful time in your life. Please know that you are not alone.
First things first - that's ok. Most people do not know what they want to do the rest of their lives and it can be stressful to think about. I felt the same way a couple of years ago right before I graduated high school. Don't let people put pressure on you that you have to decide now on the rest of your work life.
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
I know this can be a stressful time in your life. Please know that you are not alone.
Tricia Timmons
Sales
25
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Tricia’s Answer
Oh, I love this question. Too many of us get a degree, find a job somehow/someway, and might question our choice several years down the road once we have invested our time into a certain path (which, in many cases can make it hard(er) to leave).
Look at what you are good at — what are your skills, subjects you excelled in at school, then pair that with — what you enjoy doing. Once you have this pair (or pairs) identified think about what possible jobs would be where you can put both to use.
Next, you’ll either want to get experience and knowledge of the job. Can you find someone (in CareerVillage, LinkedIn, or other means) that has your ideal job? If yes, connect with them, ask them questions (how did they break in, what are pros and cons of the job), share who you are and why this field is of interest to you and see if they can help you (get connected with others in the field, know of job openings, etc.). If you can’t find someone who has the job, do research and identify companies with positions that look to be a fit. See if there are openings, or ability to volunteer or intern. Get a HR contact from the company and see what guidance they can provide you.
In my experience, knowing (being clear) on where you want to go and demonstrating why your skills and interest (passion) align can help you stand out from the crowd. Your professional career should be dynamic — taking each opportunity you get to help you grow and learn more about yourself, what you like doing, what you’re good at, and how you want to contribute to the world.
Look at what you are good at — what are your skills, subjects you excelled in at school, then pair that with — what you enjoy doing. Once you have this pair (or pairs) identified think about what possible jobs would be where you can put both to use.
Next, you’ll either want to get experience and knowledge of the job. Can you find someone (in CareerVillage, LinkedIn, or other means) that has your ideal job? If yes, connect with them, ask them questions (how did they break in, what are pros and cons of the job), share who you are and why this field is of interest to you and see if they can help you (get connected with others in the field, know of job openings, etc.). If you can’t find someone who has the job, do research and identify companies with positions that look to be a fit. See if there are openings, or ability to volunteer or intern. Get a HR contact from the company and see what guidance they can provide you.
In my experience, knowing (being clear) on where you want to go and demonstrating why your skills and interest (passion) align can help you stand out from the crowd. Your professional career should be dynamic — taking each opportunity you get to help you grow and learn more about yourself, what you like doing, what you’re good at, and how you want to contribute to the world.
Vivek T V
Software Development
8
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Vivek’s Answer
Hello Riva!
It's completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when faced with so many choices. Believe me, you're not alone in this! As many have pointed out, you don't need to have all the answers immediately. A good starting point could be to compile a comprehensive list of your interests and identify what truly sparks your enthusiasm. Next, you can systematically examine which of these passions could potentially lead to a fulfilling career.
Remember, it's perfectly fine to have interests that extend beyond your professional life. You can certainly pursue a career in one field while also learning about and contributing to others. It's also crucial to remember that even if you secure a job in a field you love, having other hobbies can help prevent burnout by providing relaxation and enjoyment.
So, there's no need to figure out how to turn all your passions into a career. Instead, strive to find a field having balance between what you love and what can provide career growth and financial stability. If you have more specific questions, we're all here to offer more tailored advice. But for now, this is my general guidance on the subject.
It's completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when faced with so many choices. Believe me, you're not alone in this! As many have pointed out, you don't need to have all the answers immediately. A good starting point could be to compile a comprehensive list of your interests and identify what truly sparks your enthusiasm. Next, you can systematically examine which of these passions could potentially lead to a fulfilling career.
Remember, it's perfectly fine to have interests that extend beyond your professional life. You can certainly pursue a career in one field while also learning about and contributing to others. It's also crucial to remember that even if you secure a job in a field you love, having other hobbies can help prevent burnout by providing relaxation and enjoyment.
So, there's no need to figure out how to turn all your passions into a career. Instead, strive to find a field having balance between what you love and what can provide career growth and financial stability. If you have more specific questions, we're all here to offer more tailored advice. But for now, this is my general guidance on the subject.
PwC Impact
577
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Take your time! Everyone figures their path out at different times, so don't compare to others! you will be okay. I still don’t even know
what I'm doing.
what I'm doing.
PwC Impact
577
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Figuring out what you don't want out of a career is just as valuable. Try things out and be willing to pivot.
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