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How do you start looking for a career?

First, you want to think to yourself on what you want to do in life. Where do you see yourself in 30 years from now? In business? In law? Fashion maybe? Then you want to search into the profession and maybe pursue it in college.

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Holly’s Answer

Hey Corey! That's an excellent question, and it's one that often lacks a clear-cut answer because life is unpredictable and our plans can shift. Understand that it's perfectly okay to feel uncertain about your future path, especially during your younger years. Don't burden yourself with the need for a precise answer at this moment. Instead, let your passions guide you and allow the prospect of a career hunt to spark your curiosity and fuel your journey. Embrace the opportunities that life throws your way. Remember, choosing a specific major doesn't confine you to a single career path for the rest of your life. And if you decide that college isn't the right fit for you, there are countless other routes you can take. Being open to various opportunities is a fantastic starting point for your career search. As you gain new experiences, you'll begin to understand your preferences better, potentially leading you to places you never imagined. So, take that bold step, keep your spirits high, and embrace the future with optimism. Best of luck!
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Elizabeth (Betsy)’s Answer

Hi Corey,

I agree with Dallas, we can and we do change through out our lives. These changes can influence what we want to do and the jobs that we take.

As you consider advanced education, such as college, think about topics around interests that you feel strongly about for a major and minor. It's okay to change your mind along the way. I had both a brother and a sister who changed their majors in college, because they felt another topic area was a better fit for them. They both ended up in rewarding careers. I did not change my major in college, but I did end up working in a different field from my course of study, and that also turned out to be a good move for me.

So don't put a lot of pressure on yourself to have all the answers now. Instead, focus on what you're interested in, and go from there.

Best of luck.
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Patrick’s Answer

To begin exploring potential careers, start with self-reflection to identify interests and strengths. Conduct thorough research on various industries, assess your current skills, and consider additional education. Connect with professionals through networking, gain hands-on experience through internships or volunteering, seek guidance from mentors, set clear career goals, and remain adaptable to evolving interests throughout the continuous learning process.
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Antonio’s Answer

Hello.
You would want to first decide what your interest and passions are. Narrow down those interest and take the first step in selecting a career. Decide what core values is important to you in that specific career. Determine if the career of choice is going to allow for growth and development. Develop relationships with other in the profession to enhance your skill set which will allow for other opportunities for your future.
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Juney’s Answer

In addition to the excellent advice given above, I'd encourage making the self-reflection exercises suggested a regular recurrence. I personally use a free little workbook called the Year Compass (yearcompass.com) to evaluate my values, goals and priorities (among other topics!).

Our world, society, teams and we are ever-changing, and that means it's becoming more & more unlikely that any individual will get on the traditional career escalator and move up through a single company over decades. To be resilient, or even anti-fragile, it'll be beneficial to become comfortable or even pursue challenges & change as we learn and grow. Acknowledging we're lifelong learners & having a growth mindset, that our education provides us with a basis to keep growing from indefinitely, can help you on your way ♡
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James Constantine’s Answer

Greetings Corey!

Discovering Your Passions and Interests

Embarking on a career search begins with uncovering your passions and interests. Take a moment to reflect on the activities that bring you joy and the topics that ignite your curiosity. This introspection will guide you towards potential career paths that resonate with your interests. Taking into account your long-term aspirations will also instill a sense of purpose and direction, simplifying the process of making informed career decisions.

Exploring Career Alternatives

With a firm grasp of your passions and interests, it's time to delve into the exploration of various career alternatives. This can be accomplished by investigating different sectors, job roles, and positions. Utilize online resources such as job search websites, industry-specific forums, and professional organizations for this research. Engaging in conversations with individuals from diverse fields and attending networking events can offer valuable insights into a multitude of career paths.

Evaluating Your Skills and Strengths

Before setting foot on a chosen career path, it's vital to evaluate your skills and strengths. This will allow you to pinpoint areas where you shine and those that may require enhancement. Skills assessments, reflection on past experiences, and feedback from mentors or colleagues can aid in this process. This self-awareness will empower you to make informed decisions about career paths that align with your capabilities.

Acquiring Necessary Education and Training

Having identified your interests, explored career options, and evaluated your skills, it's time to gain the required education and training. This could involve pursuing a degree, earning certifications, or participating in internships or apprenticeships. Acquiring relevant experience and education will not only enhance your appeal to potential employers but also equip you with the skills necessary for success in your chosen field.

Establishing Networks and Building Relationships

Networking forms a crucial part of any career journey. Establishing relationships with professionals in your chosen field can offer valuable insights, job opportunities, and mentorship. Participate in industry events, join professional organizations, and engage with online communities to broaden your network. Remember, the connections you make today could be instrumental in your career progression tomorrow.

Getting Ready for Job Applications

As you approach the completion of your education or training, it's time to gear up for job applications. This involves updating your resume, perfecting your cover letter, and honing your interview skills. It's vital to customize your application materials for each specific job, emphasizing the skills and experiences that position you as the perfect candidate for the role.

Embracing Continuous Learning and Growth

Finally, it's important to understand that your career journey is a continuous process. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to grow, both professionally and personally. This could involve attending workshops, enrolling in courses, or even pursuing further education. Welcome change and remain open to new experiences, as they will help you stay relevant and competitive in your chosen field.

To sum up, launching a career involves a blend of self-reflection, research, skill development, networking, and continuous learning. By adhering to these steps, you can steer yourself towards a rewarding and successful career.

Authoritative Reference Titles:

“A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing a Career” by Amanda Augustine (The Balance Careers)
“Discovering Your Ideal Career: Leveraging Self-Assessment, Exploration, and Choice” by John L. Holland (Jossey-Bass)
“Embarking on a Career: A Step-by-Step Guide” by Karen Chopin (Career Press)

For a list of nutrient-rich foods that boost academic performance and brain function, please refer to my autobiography. You'll discover that with the right nutrition, you can study twice as effectively in half the time.

Stay Blessed,
James.
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Marcus’s Answer

Hey Corey! Finding the right Career can be a lot but very important . I would suggest figuring out what it is that you are passionate about. What makes you happy ? What makes you at Peace? What it is that you will not mind waking up to do ? Then look at your lifestyle and what you will need to make financially to support it. Then I would look at colleges that may have the programs that support your career . Also I would begin to look at different websites like Glassdoor or LinkedIn to help as well.
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Felipe A.’s Answer

Hi Corey, as Dallas says, it's okay to have more questions than answers on what to do. Stay authentic with your own perspective of life and personal goals. Society want us to follow certain timelines or paths but just you know what is better for you.

Apart from that, I would have loved to know the existence of the MBTI test (www.16personalities.com) by the time a was making these decisions, because some vocational counsellors use it as a nice starting point. Feel free to take the test and resonate (or not) on the results you get about your core values, talents or preferences based on you own personality.

When I was choosing a career I did a pretty basic self-reflection:
I was good at Mathematics at school and I liked science stuff so I just went for Engineering + Chemistry (Chemical Engineering) after some iterations. I also had the chance to talk with a couple of people working on that field and listen to different perspectives, but at the end of the day, our intuition has more clue on what we feel more aligned or not.

Even thought, choosing a career feels like an important decision many professionals end up working on different industries and just making the best of both worlds. So your career is not going to limit your potential.

My final suggestion is, once you have any clue on what to follow, or write down some options, do your own research and feel comfortable making your decision and let things flow on your favor.

PS: I am really bad at answering "How I see myself in X years" because I change my mind every 2 years as a multi-passionate individual, so I just embraced that part of me.
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ash’s Answer

Fantastic inquiry! Remember, it's perfectly okay not to have your career path figured out early on. In fact, many people switch careers throughout their lives.

1. Identify your passions - what are the things that you love so much, you'd do them even without getting paid?
2. Discover what fuels your thirst for knowledge - what topics are you naturally drawn to learn more about?
3. Recognize your natural talents - which subjects do you find easy to grasp?
4. Understand the job market - what skills are employers currently seeking?
5. Research trending jobs - what roles are companies willing to pay top dollar for?
6. Find the intersection - where do your passions, skills, and the market demand meet?

This is a great starting point. Once you've identified a few potential roles, reach out to people who are already in those positions and learn from their experiences. If possible, try to shadow them to get a real feel for the job.
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Dallas’s Answer

I think it's important to recognize that it's okay not to know or be set on what you want to do in life -- your career (and life in general) can lead you to opportunities you might not plan for, and a lot of the time, that's for the better, as it will help you learn and grow.

But to start, create a list of things you enjoy doing or subjects that spark your interest and curiosity. Research those subjects and identify what types of careers you can have. If a specific job title interests you, use Google and LinkedIn to try to find someone who has that job, and send them a message explaining that you're interested in learning more about what they do. Prepare a couple of thoughtful questions about their job and what interests you about it, and ask if they are willing to chat to answer your questions. Also, if you can, try to shadow someone in that job for a day so you can see what their work is like in person. Do this a couple of times with different jobs, and you'll get a better sense of what you want in a job.

Above all, keep an open mind -- being curious and learning from others is a great way to build relationships that will help you throughout your career.
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Mary Ann’s Answer

Hi Corey,
Excellent question. There are so many careers from which to choose and some may be for you and others, not so much. So, how do you begin looking for a career? You need to gather information. There are some different ways to do this. A popular tool that many have used to get started is the Strong Campbell Interest Inventory. This is a test that helps you to understand what you're interested in. Check with your teachers or your school counselor (if you have one). The librarian at your school or in your town's public library might be a good resource, too. They might have some information about this and how you can take this assessment. Once you complete this, you'll find out if your interests are well suited to being a forest ranger or fashion designer or computer programmer or maybe even an astronaut. From there, you can learn more about the different careers that fit for your interests.

Another way to gather information is to ask people you know about what they do for work? You can start with your parents, other family members, and neighbors. Ask them what they do for work, then ask what they like about it. Ask how they started doing that work. Ask what they do on a daily basis. As you listen to what they say, be curious to learn more and ask the questions that come to mind. This will help you to get a sense of the different kinds of careers available. The more information you have, the more options you have. (Interviewing people and asking all these questions might lead you to being a journalist. Who knows?)

While you're figuring out what the right career is for you, remember that you may not get it right the first time. And that's okay. Part of finding out what we want to do is learning what we don't want to do. And, learning what we don't want to do often comes from actually doing those things. So, if you go down a career path and you decide "this is not for me", it's ok to change your mind and try something else. The world is always changing and you will always be learning new things. So, if your interests change, you might want to change your career. Here's what I mean. These are all jobs I've had children's photographer, salesclerk in a department store, field rep for a politician, volunteer coordinator for a nationwide non-profit organization, secretary, payroll manager, facilities manager (where I helped redesign a building), recruiting manager, executive coach, and training designer. As different opportunities came up that interested me, I tried them.

Take your time and explore things that interest you. When it's the right thing for you, you'll know.

Good luck!
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