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How did you choose a job that aligned with your goals and what you enjoyed?

I do not know how I am going to find a job that I enjoy and one that aligns with my future goals, like having family time and flexibility. Right now, I want to be an anesthesiologist, but after further research, I might not be able to meet my goals, so I'm not really sure where to go from there. I was thinking a healthcare management position, but I'm not completely sure.

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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Isabella !

Free time and work time is often something one doesn't really find out about until one actually takes a career. You should ask yourself how could you possibly know beforehand when it is something that is impossible to predict. Also, with family time, that could mean time with your parents and/or siblings, cousins or family time with a family that you create, so that even makes it harder to predict. Perhaps it is something that you should not be focused on right now. Maybe you should select what you are interested in working at as a career and go to college to study.

After you get your degree and apply for jobs, you will be more familiar with what the typical aspects are of the particular job you chose. If it is full time or part time, consultant work, remote or on site, on call 24/7, how long it would take to commute, and keep in mind that people with the most demanding careers always have free time. Also consider that your family have jobs and careers, too.

What you should base your career choice on is your love for the work, not the schedule. Choose which field of healthcare calls you the most and go for a degree or training for it. If you decide to start a family before you go to college, take as much time as you need before going to school for a career if that's what you want to do. Which is more important to work on right now, socializing with family or getting the education for an exciting and rewarding career ? This is something that will more or less naturally fall in line once you start working. It's nearly impossible to describe how one balances free time and work time because everyone is completely different, has a different energy and lifestyle and establishes different priorities. I would advise to just relax and focus on what is important to you right now.

A career in the health field is very reliable and sustaining. Some positions in some health care fields have different shifts that you can choose from. As time goes on, there is room for advancement as in a manager position. That will be something that you can achieve with experience working in the field and a college degree would help greatly. But consider that no matter what work you do, there may be the possibility of having to work overtime or additional days, depending on what your manager would want. That's just how working is, unpredictable, so it's never very easy to explain how people balance work and personal life, it depends on too much.

Start to explore career subjects and find out what a typical work schedule is like for them. I know that I had a very busy schedule with two career paths that I took and never had any difficulties making time for family, friends and fun. Most people who are in their careers will probably tell you the same. So it's really something to not worry about, but learn of the various schedule demands of different jobs you are interested in and maybe that could help you in making a choice.

Whatever you choose, I wish you all the best and hope you decide on a career that you will love !
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hey there, Isabella!

Unearthing a Job That Matches Your Aspirations and Brings Joy

Before I get to the Artificial Intelligence rendition ... On a personal note my learning curve was extended by fate. That of my Greek relatives and their affliction with hypercholesterolemia. That turned me from astronomy to biochemistry then nutrition and diet. Trying to help people was my commitment.

Finding that perfect job which gels with your aspirations and brings you joy might seem like a tough nut to crack. It gets even more tricky when you factor in elements like work-life balance and flexibility. So, when you're on the hunt for the ideal career, it's crucial to take into account things like your personal interests, your long-term goals, and the kind of lifestyle you prefer.

Taking Stock of Career Aspirations

The first step in your career journey involves a thorough assessment of your long-term goals and dreams. You should ponder over what you value most in a job - is it work-life balance, flexibility, financial security, or personal satisfaction? A deep dive into your values and priorities can help you get a clear picture of the kind of career that would best match your aspirations.

Investigating Career Alternatives

Doing a bit of homework on different career paths is a key step in finding a job that syncs with your goals and interests. Explore various sectors and professions to discover roles that promise growth, satisfaction, and a good work-life balance. You might also want to connect with professionals in your areas of interest to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and the demands of their careers.

Anesthesiologist vs. Healthcare Management

You've expressed an interest in becoming an anesthesiologist but also have concerns about whether this choice will align with your future goals. It's important to note that anesthesiology is a demanding field, often requiring long hours and a high degree of responsibility. While it can be incredibly rewarding for those who love medicine, it might not always provide the family time and flexibility you crave.

Alternatively, a career in healthcare management could offer leadership opportunities, strategic decision-making roles, and potentially more flexible work schedules. This field allows you to make a difference in the healthcare industry while possibly achieving a better work-life balance.

Matching Career Decisions with Personal Aspirations

At the end of the day, finding a job that matches your goals and brings joy involves aligning your career decisions with your personal values and priorities. Exploring careers within the healthcare industry that strike a balance between professional satisfaction and personal well-being could be beneficial. Also, considering alternative paths like healthcare management or other roles within the wider healthcare sector could open doors to both professional success and a fulfilling personal life.

In a nutshell, finding a job that matches your goals and brings joy involves careful consideration of your long-term dreams, personal values, and lifestyle preferences. Exploring various career options within the healthcare industry can help you pinpoint roles that strike the right balance between professional satisfaction and personal well-being.

Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used in Answering this Question:

Harvard Business Review
Mayo Clinic
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
These sources were used to provide comprehensive insights into career decision-making, healthcare industry dynamics, and occupational outlooks.

I'm curious, how did you go about choosing a job that aligned with your goals and brought you joy?

May you be showered with abundant blessings!
James.
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Anna’s Answer

Hello, Isabella! You framed a very thoughtful and forward-looking question. It is amazing that you are thinking ahead about harmonizing your family life with work and that you are actively considering how to design your life such that you can enjoy the best of both worlds. It sounds like you have your heart set on health care, an established field with growing demand and so many options to choose from. You mentioned wanting to be an anesthesiologist, but it wasn't clear which factors about the job seemed to be incompatible with your family goals. If anesthesia is where you truly want to be, maybe jotting down a list of things about the job that seem incompatible with family goals and exploring each of those things (one at a time) could provide creative problem solving to the gap. Probably one of the best pieces of career advice shared by many is to 'love what you do'. Multiple pivots could naturally occur throughout your career, so it is okay to think about your career in phases or stages and perhaps thinking through what your life will look like for the first 5 years in your career versus the 5 years after that can help relieve some anxiety about incompatibilities, because additional opportunities can and probably will present themselves to you as you gain experience in the field affording you some or many of the flexibilities you may be seeking.
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Katherine’s Answer

You might like Ken Coleman's book From Paycheck to Purpose to help you feel better about your thought processes and make a decision you're comfortable with.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. This is a very good question. I think you have to determine what you have interest first before defining your goal. You may have different goal with different careers. Firstly, you have to identify what career you have interest.
Below are your suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
6. After finalizing your career choice, you can develop your career development plan
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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