14 answers
1
Question
Asked
694 views
What is that one should students keep in mind while choosing a career?
I want to choose my field. So as a first step what can i do.
Login to comment
14 answers
Updated
Doug’s Answer
Hi Timmy.
I think it is great that you’re thinking ahead about what career to pursue. I’m not sure where you are in your academic path. But I advise you not to stress too much about picking a career path. I had no idea what career path I wanted to pursue until a took a programming class junior year in college. Programming and computer science really interested me. I was hooked. My career followed technology. While many jobs were challenging, my career was always interesting.
I recommend trying out a lot of different activities. School activities, clubs, working a job, volunteering, travel, exploring. Your purpose is to learn more about yourself – what interests you, what is important to you.
If you are thinking about college or are starting college, take introductory courses in a wide variety of subject areas. This will give you exposure to a wide range of interests and perspectives. Pay attention to any classes where you find yourself spending more time digging deeper into the subject.
Also, talk to everyone you know who is already working in a career. Ask them: when did they decide on that career, how did they know that career was right for them, do they enjoy what they’re doing, and what is it about what they are doing that interests them.
Take plenty of time to pick a career path. Please accept that you may end up changing your mind a few times. You may have some friends who already know what career they want to pursue, but not everyone can be as certain. And I know from experience that some of your friends will change their minds, maybe several times.
Wishing you all the best!
I think it is great that you’re thinking ahead about what career to pursue. I’m not sure where you are in your academic path. But I advise you not to stress too much about picking a career path. I had no idea what career path I wanted to pursue until a took a programming class junior year in college. Programming and computer science really interested me. I was hooked. My career followed technology. While many jobs were challenging, my career was always interesting.
I recommend trying out a lot of different activities. School activities, clubs, working a job, volunteering, travel, exploring. Your purpose is to learn more about yourself – what interests you, what is important to you.
If you are thinking about college or are starting college, take introductory courses in a wide variety of subject areas. This will give you exposure to a wide range of interests and perspectives. Pay attention to any classes where you find yourself spending more time digging deeper into the subject.
Also, talk to everyone you know who is already working in a career. Ask them: when did they decide on that career, how did they know that career was right for them, do they enjoy what they’re doing, and what is it about what they are doing that interests them.
Take plenty of time to pick a career path. Please accept that you may end up changing your mind a few times. You may have some friends who already know what career they want to pursue, but not everyone can be as certain. And I know from experience that some of your friends will change their minds, maybe several times.
Wishing you all the best!
Updated
Shirley’s Answer
Although every college major has a difficult earning potential, don't make your decision based solely on the pay. Ideally, you should choose a field that pays well, but also something you have an interest in.
For example, doctors are well-paid. However, if you don't have any interest in studying science, studying medicine may not be a wise decision. Once you lose interest in your what you're studying, your grades and well-being will may suffer.
As a starting point, think back to high school when you took a bunch of classes. Which classes stood out to you the most? Were they all from the same subject? Is there hobby/sport you enjoy? Try networking with those in your peer group/community and don't be afraid to try something new.
For example, doctors are well-paid. However, if you don't have any interest in studying science, studying medicine may not be a wise decision. Once you lose interest in your what you're studying, your grades and well-being will may suffer.
As a starting point, think back to high school when you took a bunch of classes. Which classes stood out to you the most? Were they all from the same subject? Is there hobby/sport you enjoy? Try networking with those in your peer group/community and don't be afraid to try something new.
Updated
Joanna Rose’s Answer
Hello Timmy
While choosing a career, students should first and foremost consider their interests and passions, as these are key to long-term job satisfaction. Secondly, they should evaluate their skills and strengths, choosing a career that aligns with these can lead to success and fulfillment. Thirdly, students should research the job market trends, growth opportunities, and potential earnings in their fields of interest to ensure financial security and career progression. Lastly, it's important to consider the work-life balance and values that different careers promote, to ensure a good personal-professional life balance.
While choosing a career, students should first and foremost consider their interests and passions, as these are key to long-term job satisfaction. Secondly, they should evaluate their skills and strengths, choosing a career that aligns with these can lead to success and fulfillment. Thirdly, students should research the job market trends, growth opportunities, and potential earnings in their fields of interest to ensure financial security and career progression. Lastly, it's important to consider the work-life balance and values that different careers promote, to ensure a good personal-professional life balance.
Updated
Misha’s Answer
When making any skill or educational decisions, focus on what will make you a well rounded critical thinker who can empathize with others and learn new skills as needed. Rather than trying to predict an ideal career, this will help you solve any problem you want to tackle.
Courtesy of Cloudera new hires: Michael, Cory, and Andy
Find communities relevant to your interests; approach with an open mind
Explore fields related, even tangentially, to your primary career choice
Research careers you might be interested in - not just the income, but quality of life and downstream ecological implications
Courtesy of Cloudera new hires: Michael, Cory, and Andy
Misha recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
HI there! Firstly and most importantly - nothing is set in stone at this stage. I was going to work in Human Resources and ended up in finance - in other words, you can keep your options open early on
To me, the most important thing in starting a career journey is what you enjoy the most now. So for example, if drawing is your thing, maybe think about design - architecture etc
If numbers are something you love - then maybe IT/software coding - finance -
If you love instructing -then teaching
So start with that and then maybe going on line to take a quiz or two might also help
The money and success will follow if you enjoy what you do...if you do not enjoy it, it will be a very hard caree
To me, the most important thing in starting a career journey is what you enjoy the most now. So for example, if drawing is your thing, maybe think about design - architecture etc
If numbers are something you love - then maybe IT/software coding - finance -
If you love instructing -then teaching
So start with that and then maybe going on line to take a quiz or two might also help
The money and success will follow if you enjoy what you do...if you do not enjoy it, it will be a very hard caree
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hey Timmy,
Lifestyle and work life balance are the things I would say. This comes in a couple of different considerations. There are careers where you will travel for work constantly and over time as one considers a family that may not be feasible. There are career paths that might be hard to pursue in certain areas of the country if said area isn't a hub for the industry. That makes relocating a very important part of success. Money and its importance to being able to afford the life you want is a big lifestyle consideration as well. Different career paths pay differently and if you have certain hobbies you enjoy doing outside of work having the time and money to pursue those passions can be extremely important.
Lifestyle and work life balance are the things I would say. This comes in a couple of different considerations. There are careers where you will travel for work constantly and over time as one considers a family that may not be feasible. There are career paths that might be hard to pursue in certain areas of the country if said area isn't a hub for the industry. That makes relocating a very important part of success. Money and its importance to being able to afford the life you want is a big lifestyle consideration as well. Different career paths pay differently and if you have certain hobbies you enjoy doing outside of work having the time and money to pursue those passions can be extremely important.
Updated
Mark W.’s Answer
Hi, Timmy!
I think the first answer is that you can't really know for sure until you try something. Your first one or two attempts might not lead where you want to go. That's fine.
Think about what types of productive or useful things you want to do when you have unscheduled time. On a Saturday, are you excited to start reading a new book? Or writing something? Or hanging out with people? Making something? Those might be clues.
Also keep in mind that things that you love doing might not be well-paying jobs. For example, my youngest child loves making art. From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. they're working in insurance claims, which is interesting and pays well; and at 5:01 p.m. they're working with clay and colors. It's okay to find something you like to do even if it's not always exciting.
Finally, think about how much authority and control you like to have. Some people are happy solving problems and making stuff work, and don't feel a need to be in charge. That's cool. Some people like leading and making decisions for others. You can grow into that too. Or you can do a mix of both.
As you look at various career ideas, those are a few ways you can evaluate them. Then you can find a way (like interning or shadowing) to learn more about a particular career that seems especially interesting to you.
I think the first answer is that you can't really know for sure until you try something. Your first one or two attempts might not lead where you want to go. That's fine.
Think about what types of productive or useful things you want to do when you have unscheduled time. On a Saturday, are you excited to start reading a new book? Or writing something? Or hanging out with people? Making something? Those might be clues.
Also keep in mind that things that you love doing might not be well-paying jobs. For example, my youngest child loves making art. From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. they're working in insurance claims, which is interesting and pays well; and at 5:01 p.m. they're working with clay and colors. It's okay to find something you like to do even if it's not always exciting.
Finally, think about how much authority and control you like to have. Some people are happy solving problems and making stuff work, and don't feel a need to be in charge. That's cool. Some people like leading and making decisions for others. You can grow into that too. Or you can do a mix of both.
As you look at various career ideas, those are a few ways you can evaluate them. Then you can find a way (like interning or shadowing) to learn more about a particular career that seems especially interesting to you.
Updated
Kameswari Naga Shruthi’s Answer
Choosing a career is like picking your favorite flavor of ice cream—you want to make sure it's something you really enjoy! Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. **Think About What You Love:** Do you have a favorite subject in school, or a hobby that makes you happy? It’s important to choose something you enjoy, because you’ll be spending a lot of time doing it.
2. **Explore Different Options:** There are so many different jobs out there! Try to learn about as many as you can. You can talk to adults about their jobs, read books, or watch videos to see what interests you.
3. **Consider Your Strengths:** Everyone is good at different things. Think about what you’re good at and how you can use those skills in a job.
4. **Ask Questions:** It’s great to be curious! Ask your teachers, parents, or other adults you know about their careers and what they like or don’t like about their jobs.
5. **Try New Things:** Join clubs, take different classes, or try out new activities. This helps you discover new interests and talents.
For your first step, start by making a list of things you enjoy doing and subjects you like. Then, talk to someone you trust about your interests and ask for their advice. It’s all about finding what makes you happy and excited!
1. **Think About What You Love:** Do you have a favorite subject in school, or a hobby that makes you happy? It’s important to choose something you enjoy, because you’ll be spending a lot of time doing it.
2. **Explore Different Options:** There are so many different jobs out there! Try to learn about as many as you can. You can talk to adults about their jobs, read books, or watch videos to see what interests you.
3. **Consider Your Strengths:** Everyone is good at different things. Think about what you’re good at and how you can use those skills in a job.
4. **Ask Questions:** It’s great to be curious! Ask your teachers, parents, or other adults you know about their careers and what they like or don’t like about their jobs.
5. **Try New Things:** Join clubs, take different classes, or try out new activities. This helps you discover new interests and talents.
For your first step, start by making a list of things you enjoy doing and subjects you like. Then, talk to someone you trust about your interests and ask for their advice. It’s all about finding what makes you happy and excited!
Updated
Maritess G.’s Answer
Below are the things I would consider in finding a career:
(1) Find an area or field that interest and motivates you.
(2) Determine your strengths and consider this in finding the career you would like to pursue.
(3) Depending on the city or place you would like to practice your field, research on the areas that are in demand by the time you graduate. This means more opportunities for you to get a job easily. Hoping that somehow your interest will find a common field that will be in demand in the future. Realistically, this will help you in deciding your career path.
Hoping above will give you some insights in searching for your career path.
(1) Find an area or field that interest and motivates you.
(2) Determine your strengths and consider this in finding the career you would like to pursue.
(3) Depending on the city or place you would like to practice your field, research on the areas that are in demand by the time you graduate. This means more opportunities for you to get a job easily. Hoping that somehow your interest will find a common field that will be in demand in the future. Realistically, this will help you in deciding your career path.
Hoping above will give you some insights in searching for your career path.
Updated
Shashi’s Answer
Just figure out what intrests you most! Use them to guide you into finding out what to do as a career!
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Imagine how fortunate you'd be if your career was something you truly enjoyed! When you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work at all. Plus, think about the added bonus if your passion also fills up your bank account!
Updated
Éverton’s Answer
Hello Timmy! When I reflect on the concept of a career, I perceive it as a source of income and a potential avenue for personal satisfaction. However, it's essential to remember that a career choice isn't always permanent. It's okay to make a choice now and alter it later if your preferences change. Another point to bear in mind is that even within the same field, there are opportunities to shift and grow into different roles. So, give it some thought and stay on the path that feels right for you!
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Great Question, Timmy!
One way to start is to consider your hobbies -- do you play an instrument? do you enjoy sports or photography? Use your interests to guide you in selecting what you do after high school, whether it's a trade school, a two- or four-year college, or joining the military. This can help narrow down your interests into a career field you will enjoy!
One way to start is to consider your hobbies -- do you play an instrument? do you enjoy sports or photography? Use your interests to guide you in selecting what you do after high school, whether it's a trade school, a two- or four-year college, or joining the military. This can help narrow down your interests into a career field you will enjoy!
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi! Great question! I think some of the people above may have hit on this a bit, but one thing I wish I would have thought through a little more when deciding on a career was how I pictured my day to day work and work schedule in the years beyond graduation. In addition to the considerations mentioned above, I would also suggest thinking about what work hours do you picture yourself working (i.e. 9-5, or maybe making your own hours), do you picture working in teams or one day managing others or do you prefer to work autonomously? Would you like to travel for work or do you prefer to work from an office or from home? Thinking through some of these questions, may help you narrow down your search. Once you've done that, it may be helpful to talk with someone in that career or shadow/ intern with someone who is already in the field you are considering. Best of luck!