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At what point did you realize, this is what you wanted to spend the rest of your life doing?

I'm not quite sure what I'd like my career to be and it's hard to think I'd be settling to do only one thing for the rest of my life. How did you narrow it down and find something you're so interested in, to make it a career?#Spring24

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Timothy’s Answer

Have been working for about 11 years now in the software industry.
Do I want to spend the rest of my life doing this? I dont know.
Am I find doing this for the next couple of years. yeah sure.

Just to say there is a wider category of folks like myself who are still figuring things out.
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Aishwarya’s Answer

Determining if you've chosen the right career largely depends on how well it aligns with your personal values, interests, and lifestyle needs. A good indicator is if you find your work fulfilling and enjoyable, and if it provides a sense of purpose. Additionally, the right career should offer a balance that allows you to manage stress effectively and supports your desired lifestyle. It should also provide opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally, and offer financial stability that meets your goals. If your career positively impacts your physical and mental health and you receive positive feedback from peers and superiors, these are strong signs that you're on the right path. However, if there are persistent feelings of dissatisfaction or misalignment with your core values, it might be worth reassessing your career choice.
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Megan’s Answer

You are not alone in this- I think very few people know exactly what they want to do- and stay with it. Many people change careers or switch up careers. For example, someone might be a nurse but move into many different settings within their career and maybe at some point move into leadership/manager roles. Most career paths have flexibility and growth.

I tell students there are 3 things you need to understand when it comes to planning your future;
1- Yourself- take a personality test like https://www.16personalities.com/ to learn more about yourself
2- Your goals- what is your idea of success? what are your goals in high school? after high school? what do you want your life to look like? Resources like https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ can help you explore careers to understand what you need to get there and salary outcomes
3- Your options- there are many ways to reach your goals. Know the different paths. I caution students that when thinking about career and college options -your student loan debt should not be more than what your starting salary of the career you are pursuing is.

I hope this helps!
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Jeff’s Answer

For me my father was in the communication industry. He taught me from a very young age, and it was how we connected so I associate my passion for my work with him. He also really enjoyed teaching people and developing their skills. I realize I also get enjoyment in helping develop people. This led to me moving into people managing for my career at work. I have enjoyed the people development so much I became a certified trainer to help people to learn how to become healthy and enjoy fitness.
So, I would say find what you enjoy doing. Is it problem resolution (project management), math (accounting), designing and building things (engineering), helping people grow (people manager or trainer).
Find your passion and follow it.
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James Constantine’s Answer

HELLO VIENNA,

Realizing a Career Path: A Personal Journey of Discovery and Passion

The question of when one realizes what they want to spend the rest of their life doing is a common one, especially for students like yourselves who are at the crossroads of making important career decisions. I’d be happy to share my journey of discovery and how I came to find a career path that aligns with my interests and passions.

Firstly, it’s essential to understand that finding a career is not a straightforward process. It involves exploration, self-reflection, and sometimes even trial and error. For me, the journey began in college when I was exposed to various fields of study through my coursework and extracurricular activities.

One experience that stood out was an internship I had during my junior year in college. I worked as a research assistant in a psychology lab, and it was during this time that I discovered a deep interest in understanding human behavior and motivation. This experience sparked a passion within me that I had never felt before, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in this field.

However, realizing that this was what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing took some time. I continued to explore different opportunities within psychology, such as clinical work, research, and teaching. Through these experiences, I gained valuable insights into the field and honed my skills.

Another crucial factor in my decision-making process was seeking advice from mentors and professionals in the field. They provided me with valuable insights into the industry, shared their experiences, and offered guidance on how to pursue a career in psychology. Their support and encouragement were instrumental in helping me make an informed decision about my future.

In conclusion, realizing what you want to spend the rest of your life doing is not an easy answer but rather a personal journey of discovery and passion. It involves exploring different opportunities, gaining experience through internships or volunteer work, seeking advice from mentors and professionals, and most importantly listening to your intuition and following your interests. Remember that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right now; what’s essential is taking small steps towards discovering what makes you happy and fulfilled in your career.

Authoritative References Used:

American Psychological Association (APA). (n.d.). Careers in Psychology: Find Your Fit! Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://www.apa.org/careers/resources/career-options-psychology#:~:text=Careers%20in%20Psychology%3A%20Find%20Your%20Fit!&text=Explore%20the%20various%20career%20paths%2C%20and%20learn%20how%20to%20prepare%2C&text=Learn%20about%20these%2C-%3E-,American%,3A %3A %3A %7C

CareerOneStop  (U.S. Department of Labor)  (n.d.). Psychologists - Occupational Outlook Handbook: : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists#:~:text=Psychologists%,794%,11684410&text=Their%,794%.

GOD BLESS,
JC.
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Jerome’s Answer

I think it was my mid 30's that I realized the more I focused on being good at 1 thing, the more I could earn doing it.

I saw many people jumping around jobs, but they didn't seem to progress in life.

On the other hand, some people love doing different things and moving around which can be ok too.

You have time to explore and try new things, that's what early life is all about.
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