8 answers
Tata
Student
Illinois City, IL
1
Question
Asked
634 views
How can I start off with any career? What could be the approach?
What are the initial steps for a student to start understanding how to get started with choosing a career.
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8 answers
Paul Bordenkircher
Audio Engineer
82
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Here's the short answer: just do it! You can start doing it right away, you don't have to be an adult with your own corporation, etc. If you know what you want to do, start doing it and learning about it any way you can, even if it's on a small, local scale.
1. Read about it. Learn as much as you can about the field, through books on the subject.
2. Practice it. If it's something you can do right now, do it! If you want to be a business owner, start a business. This can be a lawn-mowing business, a cleanup service, anything where you're the boss. If it's music, pick an instrument and start learning it - take lessons, play along to favorite songs, get sheet music to read and play, etc.
3. Enhance it. Get business cards. Set up a phone number or email. You could set up social media accounts around it.
If you're passionate about it, and you know what you want to do, don't wait! Good luck.
1. Read about it. Learn as much as you can about the field, through books on the subject.
2. Practice it. If it's something you can do right now, do it! If you want to be a business owner, start a business. This can be a lawn-mowing business, a cleanup service, anything where you're the boss. If it's music, pick an instrument and start learning it - take lessons, play along to favorite songs, get sheet music to read and play, etc.
3. Enhance it. Get business cards. Set up a phone number or email. You could set up social media accounts around it.
If you're passionate about it, and you know what you want to do, don't wait! Good luck.
Anika Szpankowska
Marketing Manager
1
Answer
San Diego, California
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Great question! There are so many ways to get to finding a career and no path is the right way. My advice would be to start digging into what brings you joy and what you enjoy doing. Do you prefer more of the arts or the sciences? Or is it a meld of both. From there start researching what careers might make you happy. Once you have a handful of careers, start talking to people that have careers that you find interesting. They will know more than you could ever research and can give you the pros and cons. Even better would be finding internships in those careers. During those internships, talk to people across the organization. Sometimes the thing you were dead set on is not a good fit, but maybe something you didn't even think of crosses your path. Get out there and experience it, you never know where that step will lead you next. Also, realize that you don't have to go into college having it all figured out and if you need to take a year or two to discover what you want to do, it's ok. Good luck on the exciting journey ahead!
James Schindler
Risk Analyst
5
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
James’s Answer
Passion or Pragmatism is your choice:
Passion in career choices is characterized by a strong affinity for a specific field or occupation. It is about finding work that aligns with our interests, values, and personal goals. When we are passionate about our careers, we are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and satisfied with our work. Passionate individuals often experience a sense of purpose and fulfillment that goes beyond financial rewards.
Pragmatism encourages us to take a step back and assess the practical aspects of our career choices. It prompts us to consider factors such as the job market trends, salary prospects, and the demand for specific skills. By taking a pragmatic approach, we can make informed decisions that align with our long-term goals and aspirations.
Most professionals find that striking a balance between passion and pragmatism is a good spot. Many times, you will find there is something that you are good at or enjoy. Sometimes you will find joy in things that you did not expect. I would recommend exploring different areas of interest and finding out the what the career outlook is for the field.
Many professionals will tell you about what they do and are happy to tell you the upside and the downside to what they do. Ask questions. Find a mentor, explore the things that you find interesting. Most importantly believe in yourself. Your dreams you are powerful - Swing for the fences!
Best,
James
Passion in career choices is characterized by a strong affinity for a specific field or occupation. It is about finding work that aligns with our interests, values, and personal goals. When we are passionate about our careers, we are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and satisfied with our work. Passionate individuals often experience a sense of purpose and fulfillment that goes beyond financial rewards.
Pragmatism encourages us to take a step back and assess the practical aspects of our career choices. It prompts us to consider factors such as the job market trends, salary prospects, and the demand for specific skills. By taking a pragmatic approach, we can make informed decisions that align with our long-term goals and aspirations.
Most professionals find that striking a balance between passion and pragmatism is a good spot. Many times, you will find there is something that you are good at or enjoy. Sometimes you will find joy in things that you did not expect. I would recommend exploring different areas of interest and finding out the what the career outlook is for the field.
Many professionals will tell you about what they do and are happy to tell you the upside and the downside to what they do. Ask questions. Find a mentor, explore the things that you find interesting. Most importantly believe in yourself. Your dreams you are powerful - Swing for the fences!
Best,
James
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1793
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. The most important is to find a career you have interest.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a singer, musician, musical artist, music producer, music composer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
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, your career consular, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you/1
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a singer, musician, musical artist, music producer, music composer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
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, your career consular, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you/1
Katherine Weiler
Business Consultant
5
Answers
Plano, Texas
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
I agree - connecting with people already in the field is crucial to success in any position! Networking is the best way to familiarize yourself with the industry, and gain useful best practices.
My company also offers a great, comprehensive internship opportunity that allows third- and fourth-year college students to gain experience in a variety of different areas within the organization. This can include sales, marketing, engineering, and anything in line with your course of study. I would highly suggest looking into these opportunities across organizations within your scope of interest.
My company also offers a great, comprehensive internship opportunity that allows third- and fourth-year college students to gain experience in a variety of different areas within the organization. This can include sales, marketing, engineering, and anything in line with your course of study. I would highly suggest looking into these opportunities across organizations within your scope of interest.
Cung Nguyen
40
Answers
Updated
Cung’s Answer
Fantastic inquiry! Diving into a new career can be an exciting journey, and one effective approach is to engage with those already succeeding in that area. Arrange an informative chat with such a professional, armed with a set of questions to delve into their daily responsibilities, what brings them joy in their work, and the steps they took to kickstart their career. Most, if not all, would be more than happy to share their career path with you during this enlightening conversation.
Another excellent strategy to explore a new career path is through volunteering. This practical experience allows you to glimpse what a typical day in that job might look like. Not only will you gain invaluable hands-on experience, but you'll also discover if this job aligns with your daily work preferences. Best of luck on this exciting new journey!
Another excellent strategy to explore a new career path is through volunteering. This practical experience allows you to glimpse what a typical day in that job might look like. Not only will you gain invaluable hands-on experience, but you'll also discover if this job aligns with your daily work preferences. Best of luck on this exciting new journey!
Alison Duguid
AVP Tech
5
Answers
McKinney, Texas
Updated
Alison’s Answer
Start by identifying your passions and strengths. After pinpointing what you love and what you excel at, begin exploring job opportunities that demand these skills. For instance, if interacting with people isn't your cup of tea, you likely won't enjoy a job that involves daily customer service. Reflect on your qualities, preferences, and aversions, and consider how they could align with different career paths.
Vanessa Kessler
Admissions Manager
2
Answers
La Plata, Maryland
Updated
Vanessa’s Answer
If you are having trouble deciding on what career to go into, first do some research and self reflection to understand what kinds of careers are out there and also what you enjoy. Ideally you will find alignment between those things.
Once you have an idea of the type of roles might be suitable for you, do more research to learn about what's needed to get into those roles. That can include reading job postings, reaching out to people in those roles to do informational interviews, reviewing blogs or sites like Reddit where you can hear directly from people. Try joining professional communities where individuals within certain industries connect. There are so many different ways to break into a career (formal education at 2 or 4 yr school, non traditional education like bootcamps, trade school, apprenticeship, internships). Use your research to understand the best way to learn and train that matches your needs.
Figuring this out will help you understand how to get started and what you need to land that job!
Once you have an idea of the type of roles might be suitable for you, do more research to learn about what's needed to get into those roles. That can include reading job postings, reaching out to people in those roles to do informational interviews, reviewing blogs or sites like Reddit where you can hear directly from people. Try joining professional communities where individuals within certain industries connect. There are so many different ways to break into a career (formal education at 2 or 4 yr school, non traditional education like bootcamps, trade school, apprenticeship, internships). Use your research to understand the best way to learn and train that matches your needs.
Figuring this out will help you understand how to get started and what you need to land that job!