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how do one choose a career?

career development

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Subject: Career question for you

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Deborah’s Answer

Choosing a career involves assessing your interests, skills, values, and goals. Start by exploring various industries, job roles, and educational pathways through research, informational interviews, internships, or volunteer work. Reflect on what activities energize you, what you excel at, and what aligns with your values and long-term aspirations. Consider seeking guidance from career counselors, mentors, or trusted advisors to gain insights and perspectives. Additionally, continuously evaluate and adapt your career path as you gain experience and evolve professionally, staying open to new opportunities and challenges.
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Tushar’s Answer

This is an interesting question. Choosing a career can feel overwhelming, but it's a journey of self-discovery and exploration. There is no set guidelines or a booklet that you can read and take a call. But let me try to create a roadmap to help you navigate it:

Step:1>> Self-Assessment:
- Values: What's important to you in a career? Think about factors like work-life balance, salary potential, creativity, helping others, or stability.
- Skills & Interests: What are you good at? What are you naturally curious about? Consider your current skills and what you enjoy learning outside of work.
- Personality: Are you introverted or extroverted? Do you prefer working independently or collaboratively? Understanding your personality can help you identify work environments that suit you.

Step:2>>Research & Exploration:
- Informational Interviews: Talk to professionals in fields that interest you. Ask about their day-to-day work, the skills they use, and the career path they took.
- Career Assessments: Online assessments can provide insights into your strengths, interests, and potential career matches. However, use them as a starting point, not a definitive answer.
- Job Shadowing: Observe professionals in action to get a firsthand experience of a particular career.

Step:3>>Matching Yourself to a Career:
- Align your values, skills, and interests with potential careers.
- Research the job market: Look for in-demand skills and projected job growth in fields that interest you.
- Consider your lifestyle preferences: Think about salary expectations, work hours, and desired work environment (remote, office, etc.)

A few things to remember:
- It's okay to change your mind: Your career path doesn't have to be linear.
- Focus on transferable skills: The skills you develop are valuable across many industries.
- Continuous learning is key: Stay updated with industry trends and acquire new skills to stay competitive.

Additional Resources:
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook ([https://www.bls.gov/ooh/](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/)) provides detailed information on various careers, including job descriptions, salary ranges, and future outlook.
- Online career counseling platforms can offer personalized assessments and guidance.

If you don't have that much time to do all the steps, let me give you a shorter roadmap for you. List down all the potential roles that you're interested in. Create a table in column A note down the roles name, in column B note down the skills needed, in column C mention what skills you have and what you need to work on, in column D mention the expected salary. Once you create this table you'll have a clear idea in terms of what should be your logical shift and how much you're expected to earn. Also, once you scope it out to 2-3 roles, leverage LinkedIn ask people who're already what you want to be, speak with them. Understand what skills actually required and what are the parts of the job do they enjoy and what are the parts of the job they hate, try to map it out with your persona.

Choosing a career is an ongoing process. Take your time, explore your options, and don't be afraid to experiment!
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Haley’s Answer

Choosing a career can seem like a big decision, but it's all about discovering what makes you happy and what you're good at. Here are some steps to help you choose a career:

Explore Your Interests: Think about what you enjoy doing in your free time. Do you like helping others, solving problems, or being creative? Your interests can give you clues about potential careers.

Identify Your Strengths: What are you good at? Maybe you're great at math, a fantastic artist, or an excellent communicator. Your strengths can guide you toward careers where you can excel.

Research Careers: Learn about different careers by talking to adults, reading books, or exploring online resources. Find out what each job involves, what skills are required, and what education or training is needed.

Consider Your Values: Think about what matters to you. Do you want to make a difference in the world, have a flexible schedule, or earn a good salary? Your values can help you narrow down your options.

Try Things Out: Take advantage of opportunities to try different activities or internships related to your interests. This can help you see what you like (or don't like) about certain careers.

Set Goals: Once you have an idea of what you want to do, set some goals to help you get there. This might include getting good grades, gaining relevant experience, or pursuing further education or training.

Stay Open-Minded: Keep in mind that it's okay if your career plans change over time. You might discover new interests or opportunities along the way, so stay flexible and open to new possibilities.

Remember, choosing a career is a journey, and it's normal to feel unsure at times. Trust yourself, follow your interests, and keep exploring until you find the path that's right for you.
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Jerome’s Answer

I struggled with this. I looked at what those around me were doing with their life. I also attending career fairs and went through an internship program that was pretty amazing. There are more potential career paths today than ever before. I think this is part of the reason that it can be more difficult to pick one.

What do you like? What skills do you have that you enjoy using? Ask people around you what you are good at and what they think.

There may be more than one career out there for you, I wish you luck in finding it!
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Sharon’s Answer

Hello Kelvin! This is a great question to ask. First, I'd suggest reflecting on your hobbies, values, and capabilities. This will reveal your passions and the talents you have. Additionally, consider the classes that pique your interest. This can assist in narrowing down your choice of major. Then, you can explore potential jobs you can apply for with your selected major. It's also crucial to assess if your personality matches the type of work you're attracted to. For example, if you're more of a reserved, introverted individual, you might enjoy tasks that you can complete independently. Doing thorough research is vital when envisioning your potential future! Moreover, networking with professionals already in your field of interest can be beneficial. This can provide a glimpse into their daily responsibilities and the skills that contribute to their success. It can also help you evaluate if a specific job's role and work environment align with your personal desires and goals. Selecting a career is a challenging task and it's common for people to switch their majors and career trajectories more than once. Therefore, be patient with yourself throughout this journey. Best of luck!
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Aisha’s Answer

Hi Kelvin,

Choosing a career is a significant decision that involves careful consideration of various factors. Here are some steps to help guide the process of career development:

1. **Self-Assessment**: Reflect on your interests, values, strengths, and skills. Consider what activities you enjoy doing, what motivates you, and what you excel at. Self-assessment tools, career assessments, and personality tests can provide valuable insights.

2. **Research**: Explore different career options and industries that align with your interests and skills. Learn about job responsibilities, educational requirements, salary expectations, job outlook, and potential growth opportunities. Informational interviews, job shadowing, internships, and volunteering can provide firsthand experience and insights.

3. **Set Goals**: Establish short-term and long-term career goals based on your interests, values, and aspirations. Identify steps you need to take to achieve these goals, such as acquiring relevant education, gaining experience, or developing specific skills.

4. **Seek Guidance**: Seek guidance from career counselors, mentors, professionals in your field of interest, and networking contacts. They can offer valuable advice, share their experiences, and provide insights into various career paths.

5. **Make Decisions**: Make informed decisions based on your self-assessment, research, and goals. Be open to exploring different options, taking risks, and adapting to changes along the way.

6. **Take Action**: Take proactive steps to pursue your chosen career path, such as applying for jobs, enrolling in educational programs, networking, and continuously developing your skills and knowledge.

Remember that career development is a lifelong process, and it's okay to reassess and adjust your goals as you gain new experiences and insights. Stay flexible, open-minded, and proactive in pursuing opportunities that align with your interests and aspirations.
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Carlos’s Answer

I've embarked on a career path that harmonizes perfectly with my love for music. Being a percussionist with a unique background, I discovered that my story had the potential to resonate with a diverse audience. Therefore, I delved into various professions that could broaden my horizons and enable me to weave a compelling narrative for a brand. When charting your own career course, it's vital to first identify your passion, and then recognize the skills and habits you've honed that equip you to tackle any hurdles on your professional journey. Equally important is to find someone in your field who shares a similar story, and absorb every detail of their journey. This will reassure you that your career dreams and ambitions are within reach. Remember to enjoy every step of your journey and infuse your craft with joy.
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Marylou’s Answer

I had the great good fortune to meet the philosopher, Joseph Campbell. He was a major influence in the creation of Star Wars. Google him.

His bottom line was “ Follow your bliss”.
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Patrick’s Answer

Deciding on a career is a powerful choice that can influence your professional growth and overall life satisfaction. It might seem intimidating, but there are several strategies you can use to effectively manage this journey. The initial step in career selection is self-evaluation. Spend some time introspecting about your hobbies, beliefs, abilities, and character traits. Think about the things you love doing, the subjects you're good at, and what you value most in a job. Recognizing your strengths and passions can offer valuable clues to potential career routes that match your ambitions and objectives.

Once you've gained a deeper understanding of yourself, it's crucial to investigate various career possibilities. Look into different sectors, job roles, and career trajectories to develop a wider view of the opportunities at your disposal. Make use of resources like career websites, job portals, informational interviews, and networking events to collect data and insights from professionals in diverse fields. Consider aspects such as job prospects, earning potential, job prerequisites, and work-life equilibrium to decide which careers appeal to you the most.

After exploring your options, it's time to assess your findings and narrow down your preferences. Reflect on how each potential career aligns with your interests, values, and long-term aspirations. Evaluate the skills and qualifications needed for each career trajectory and pinpoint any gaps that you might need to fill through further education, training, or experience. It's also crucial to think about factors like job security, advancement opportunities, and personal satisfaction when making your choice.

Once you've compiled a list of potential careers, it's beneficial to gain real-world experience in your preferred field. Consider seeking internships, volunteering, part-time jobs, or freelance projects to acquire hands-on experience and insight into the daily tasks of various roles. This practical experience can help you affirm your interest in a specific career path and establish a professional network that can aid your career progression.

Lastly, remember that career selection isn't a one-off decision but rather an ongoing journey of growth and discovery. Stay open to new opportunities, persist in learning and acquiring new skills, and be ready to adjust and shift as your interests and priorities change over time. By adhering to these steps and remaining proactive in your career planning, you can make well-informed decisions that pave the way for a rewarding and successful professional life.
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Daniela’s Answer

Hi! Well, I would recommend thinking about what you enjoy doing. Try lots of different things.

On the other hand Think about your values, make a list of them, you can even literally Google "values ​​list" and write down which ones you identify with the most.

Finally, another thing that can help you is to think about the service.
Ask yourself:

how I would like to put my gifts and abilities at the service of others?
How I would like to help others in some way?

I hope I can help you even a little!
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Sunil’s Answer

What a great question you've asked!
1. Discover what sparks your curiosity.
2. If you can, pursue what you're passionate about.
3. Engage in activities that bring you joy.
4. Begin at the beginning, taking one step at a time.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Kelvin,

Discovering Your Potential

Selecting a career path is a monumental decision that can shape your life profoundly. It's vital to comprehend your interests, values, abilities, and personality to make a well-informed decision. Utilize self-evaluation tools like career aptitude and personality tests to pinpoint your strong suits and areas for growth. Reflecting on your past academic and extracurricular experiences can shed light on the tasks and activities you excel at and enjoy.

Investigating Career Paths

Armed with a deeper understanding of yourself, you can begin to investigate various career paths. Delving into different industries, job titles, and job descriptions can help you spot potential careers that resonate with your interests and abilities. Participating in career fairs, job shadowing, and internships are great ways to gain hands-on experience and learn more about specific careers. Additionally, engaging with professionals in your chosen field can offer valuable insights into the daily duties and challenges of a particular job.

Establishing Career Objectives

After examining various career paths, it's critical to establish clear and specific career objectives. These objectives should be realistic, quantifiable, and in harmony with your interests and values. Setting short-term and long-term objectives can keep you focused and driven as you strive towards your career dreams. Additionally, creating a career action plan can help you map out the steps required to reach your goals, such as learning new skills or gaining relevant experience.

Pursuing Further Education and Training

Depending on your chosen career, you may need to pursue additional education and training. This could involve enrolling in a college or university, obtaining a graduate degree, or earning professional certifications. When choosing an educational program, consider factors such as cost, duration, and relevance to your career objectives. Furthermore, researching the requirements of potential employers can ensure that you're pursuing the right education and training for your dream job.

Building Professional Connections

Cultivating a professional network is key to career success. Networking involves forging connections with individuals in your industry or area of interest, and building relationships that can lead to job opportunities or valuable insights. Attending industry events, joining professional associations, and participating in online communities are all effective ways to expand your network. Additionally, nurturing relationships with colleagues, mentors, and other professionals can offer continuous support and guidance throughout your career journey.

Getting Ready for Job Hunting

Job hunting preparation involves crafting a compelling resume and cover letter that showcase your skills and experiences. Honing your interview skills and researching potential employers can boost your chances of success. Also, using job search platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed can help you discover job vacancies that align with your skills and career objectives. It's crucial to customize your application materials for each job listing and follow up with potential employers to show your keen interest in the role.

In conclusion, selecting a career involves self-discovery, career exploration, goal setting, pursuing further education and training, networking, and job hunting preparation. By following these steps, you can make a well-informed decision about your career trajectory and enhance your chances of long-term success.

May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.
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