4 answers
Amanda
Student
Monkton, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
919 views
How do I narrow down on a career that's right for me?
I not that person who has known they've wanted to be a doctor or a teacher since they were in elementary school. I have many interest, sure, but I'm not entirely sure which to focus on. I know money isn't everything, however many of the possible career paths I'm thinking about would obtain a low income and I would like to live comfortably, with moderate money flow. I've always loved to write, read, create calligraphy, learn about psychology, and style(braid in various ways) hair. I took a career test and it results concluded I should be a lawyer, but I've heard that's a lot of schooling. I've also volunteered at Alzheimer facilities and similar activities and have been told that might be an option, however I'm not sure it's for me. Any suggestions on what I should become? Any help is greatly appreciated! #cosmetics #writing #calligraphy #psychology #nursing #lawyer
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4 answers
Meridyth Mazer
Learning and Development Professional
14
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Meridyth’s Answer
Hi Amanda,
It is okay to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life right now. You are like many students in high school around the world, trying to figure out your next step. It may take time for you find your path. Many people go through a few different careers before ending up in the one that really works for them. It is terrific that you have many interests. Being a well-rounded person is a first great step in the right direction to finding your passion. Have you ever asked yourself, "What am I passionate about?" Take some time to reflect on this question and how you would go about answering it. In my personal experience, the best way the find out what might be the right fit is experiencing your interests. Seek out part time jobs or volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood. Check to see if any of the beauty salons need some help. Hospitals and nursing homes are always in need of good volunteers. By working in these environments, you'll get to experience them to really determine your passion and path. For reading and writing, you may want to seek out some clubs or elective classes such as creative writing, journalism, the school newspaper or a library club. Keep searching for opportunities to become involved and find your passion.
It is okay to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life right now. You are like many students in high school around the world, trying to figure out your next step. It may take time for you find your path. Many people go through a few different careers before ending up in the one that really works for them. It is terrific that you have many interests. Being a well-rounded person is a first great step in the right direction to finding your passion. Have you ever asked yourself, "What am I passionate about?" Take some time to reflect on this question and how you would go about answering it. In my personal experience, the best way the find out what might be the right fit is experiencing your interests. Seek out part time jobs or volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood. Check to see if any of the beauty salons need some help. Hospitals and nursing homes are always in need of good volunteers. By working in these environments, you'll get to experience them to really determine your passion and path. For reading and writing, you may want to seek out some clubs or elective classes such as creative writing, journalism, the school newspaper or a library club. Keep searching for opportunities to become involved and find your passion.
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi!
I would encourage you to keep your options open by taking classes that will prepare you no matter which way you ultimately decide to go. You don't sound thrilled about law, which, is perfectly okay, as it tends to be oversaturated with too many people chasing after too few jobs. However, I encourage you to consider areas of overlap. For example, if you were a lawyer, you could specialize in providing services to alzheimers patients and their families, making sure they receive proper treatment and are not being taken advantage of. Teaching pays fairly well in many areas, and might also be an option.
You are right to be concerned about money, to a point. It is difficult to live on what many jobs are currently paying.
It sounds like you are thinking about all the right things. I encourage you to keep an open mind, as sometimes opportunities present themselves in the strangest of ways!
Kim
I would encourage you to keep your options open by taking classes that will prepare you no matter which way you ultimately decide to go. You don't sound thrilled about law, which, is perfectly okay, as it tends to be oversaturated with too many people chasing after too few jobs. However, I encourage you to consider areas of overlap. For example, if you were a lawyer, you could specialize in providing services to alzheimers patients and their families, making sure they receive proper treatment and are not being taken advantage of. Teaching pays fairly well in many areas, and might also be an option.
You are right to be concerned about money, to a point. It is difficult to live on what many jobs are currently paying.
It sounds like you are thinking about all the right things. I encourage you to keep an open mind, as sometimes opportunities present themselves in the strangest of ways!
Kim
Roxanne Rice
Hairstylist at SuperCuts
6
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Roxanne’s Answer
What do you love ? Cooking? Kids? Nature? Science?
Consider your passions. Talk to a Councilor at your school. Perhaps take an aptitude test! Is there a career day soon you can attend?
Tour a Jr. College,trade school, or university. Ask questions of relatives on how they started their career.
Whatever you love doing, you will be a success at.
Good Luck!
Consider your passions. Talk to a Councilor at your school. Perhaps take an aptitude test! Is there a career day soon you can attend?
Tour a Jr. College,trade school, or university. Ask questions of relatives on how they started their career.
Whatever you love doing, you will be a success at.
Good Luck!
Justin I
Sr Manager Systems Engineering
1
Answer
New Jersey, New Jersey
Updated
Justin’s Answer
I don't have a suggestion on what you should become but I do have some advice/comments to offer.
1) We live in a very exciting and dynamic time - gone are the days where you went to a trade school or college and then did that 1 line of work for the rest of your career. There will be opportunity to try many different things over the course of your life so don't feel like you have to choose 1 right now.
2) Money does have a certain level of importance - but there is absolute truth to the idea that after your basic needs are met (food/shelter etc) you only get incremental happiness/benefit from money alone. Job satisfaction and enjoyment is a much greater reward than a bigger paycheck.
3) It sounds like you have a couple of potential fields of interest - from the arts to cosmetics to health care to a legal profession. I would suggest that you reach out to people practicing the types of jobs you think you might like to do and engage them in a conversation about what they like/don't like about what they do and specific advice they might give you. LinkedIn is a great way to find/reach out to these people if you don't have them in your social network already.
I hope this is helpful
Career lifedecisions moreimportantthingsthanmoney paycheck
1) We live in a very exciting and dynamic time - gone are the days where you went to a trade school or college and then did that 1 line of work for the rest of your career. There will be opportunity to try many different things over the course of your life so don't feel like you have to choose 1 right now.
2) Money does have a certain level of importance - but there is absolute truth to the idea that after your basic needs are met (food/shelter etc) you only get incremental happiness/benefit from money alone. Job satisfaction and enjoyment is a much greater reward than a bigger paycheck.
3) It sounds like you have a couple of potential fields of interest - from the arts to cosmetics to health care to a legal profession. I would suggest that you reach out to people practicing the types of jobs you think you might like to do and engage them in a conversation about what they like/don't like about what they do and specific advice they might give you. LinkedIn is a great way to find/reach out to these people if you don't have them in your social network already.
I hope this is helpful
Career lifedecisions moreimportantthingsthanmoney paycheck