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How did you figure out what to do for the rest of your life?
Like choose your work field? Somedays, I would like to be in medical. Other days, law. It’s a hard choice?
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11 answers
Updated
E. J.’s Answer
Hi Amara,
The truth is, it might change over the course of your life. Our society pressures us into make this huge decision about what you want to do for the rest of your life. But, in reality, you're welcome to change your mind as often as the sun rises. Try to free yourself from that pressure to have it all figured out and finalized right now.
Now, discovering what you're interested in is a very valuable endeavor. One way to do it is to do some job shadowing. If you're interested in law, then see if there are any local lawyers who would allow you to shadow them as they go through their day. You'll get to tag along and look over their shoulder as they go about doing their work. You'll get a front row seat to what the job is like. Same for a medical profession. There may be doctors or nurses or other specialties that would allow you to shadow them and learn about what their job is like first hand. Through shadowing, you'll get a little taste of what any given field is like and get to feel how well that profession resonates with who you are now, and see how it aligns with who you want to become.
Hope this helps!
EJ
The truth is, it might change over the course of your life. Our society pressures us into make this huge decision about what you want to do for the rest of your life. But, in reality, you're welcome to change your mind as often as the sun rises. Try to free yourself from that pressure to have it all figured out and finalized right now.
Now, discovering what you're interested in is a very valuable endeavor. One way to do it is to do some job shadowing. If you're interested in law, then see if there are any local lawyers who would allow you to shadow them as they go through their day. You'll get to tag along and look over their shoulder as they go about doing their work. You'll get a front row seat to what the job is like. Same for a medical profession. There may be doctors or nurses or other specialties that would allow you to shadow them and learn about what their job is like first hand. Through shadowing, you'll get a little taste of what any given field is like and get to feel how well that profession resonates with who you are now, and see how it aligns with who you want to become.
Hope this helps!
EJ
Thanks EJ, and welcome to CareerVillage!
Kim Igleheart
Updated
Ban’s Answer
Hello Amara! I encourage you to continue exploring various activities that pique your interest. You might stumble upon a job that you initially think is perfect for you, but remember, it may not be your ultimate goal. Keep on experimenting with different things, especially those that fill you with energy and enthusiasm.
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ABHISHEK’s Answer
First and foremost, find out what genuinely excites you, then strive to shape your career around it. This way, your chances of achieving success will skyrocket.
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Martha’s Answer
It's crucial to underscore this point: select a path that not only ignites your passion but also utilizes your skills. My parents' frequent career changes made me realize that I didn't want to be tied to one job for my entire life. For you, that might mean remaining in one law firm or sticking to a specific specialty. This realization inspired me to pursue Interdisciplinary Studies in college, a program that combines two majors. This choice has opened up a world of possibilities throughout my professional journey. It has helped me discover what I enjoy and what I don't. For a long time, I was fixated on a single career path for the sake of financial stability. But eventually, I acknowledged that I might not flourish in that field and that I could excel elsewhere. It's crucial to be truthful with yourself and recognize your potential to succeed in various environments. One way to do this is by gaining work experience through jobs and internships as early as possible to determine what suits you best.
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Erin’s Answer
Hello there! One of the most insightful pieces of advice I received from my high school counselor was the importance of job shadowing. Choosing a lifelong career can seem overwhelming. My top recommendation for you is to identify 2-3 careers that pique your interest, and then initiate conversations with professionals in those fields. I can't emphasize enough how my own career choices evolved once I got a glimpse of the actual daily routine. An added advantage of job shadowing is the abundance of knowledge you can gain from these professionals about their respective fields. Do they enjoy their work? What was their journey to get to their current position? Which institution did they graduate from? What guidance would they offer to a beginner? The questions are endless. I would strongly advise not to settle on any career path until you've witnessed the realities of the job that interests you.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Amara,
It was about 1970 someone in my family bought me telescopes as presents. Consequently I started looking at the stars and was dreaming of getting a really big reflector telescope. I had insufficient cash and my parents were not real rich so I took to grinding large telescope mirrors.
Then in four short years everything changed. My uncle had a massive coronary and died at 38 years of age. I thought of becoming a medical doctor, but it did not seem they knew how to fix heart disease. My uncle's supervisor turned up at our university lecturing in biochemistry. He was Professor Colin Masters.
I decided to devote my life to nutrition education and became a dietitian. I learned that saturated meat fat was causing deaths in my family. I have been developing computer programs since 1972. In 1994 I started authoring nutrition education software.
GOD BLESS YOU,
JC.
It was about 1970 someone in my family bought me telescopes as presents. Consequently I started looking at the stars and was dreaming of getting a really big reflector telescope. I had insufficient cash and my parents were not real rich so I took to grinding large telescope mirrors.
Then in four short years everything changed. My uncle had a massive coronary and died at 38 years of age. I thought of becoming a medical doctor, but it did not seem they knew how to fix heart disease. My uncle's supervisor turned up at our university lecturing in biochemistry. He was Professor Colin Masters.
I decided to devote my life to nutrition education and became a dietitian. I learned that saturated meat fat was causing deaths in my family. I have been developing computer programs since 1972. In 1994 I started authoring nutrition education software.
GOD BLESS YOU,
JC.
Updated
m’s Answer
The simple answer is you don't have to figure out what to do the rest of your life today. Many people start off in school with a desire to pursue a career in a specific area and end up working in a different area over time. In school and once you start to work you will start to really understand what you enjoy and what you do not enjoy. You will meet people that will provide you an opportunity that you did not expect. You will follow your instinct as you get real experiences and real opportunities - many of which you cannot anticipate at this stage in your life and career. The key is to grow professionally, enjoy what you are doing and make an impact.
So think about where is the best place to continue to develop your skills and education and do not worry if it is the best thing for the rest of your life.
Good luck!
So think about where is the best place to continue to develop your skills and education and do not worry if it is the best thing for the rest of your life.
Good luck!
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Why not do both?
Go into medicine for a few years, and later go to law school, specializing in Medical Malpractice? You'd have a super-solid foundation, that's for sure! Or just go straight to law school, skipping Medicine, but, with an eye towards being in Medical Malpractice? You could take a lot of undergrad work in healthcare/sciences. Undergrad degrees for law school can be in any field - it doesn't have to be a Liberal Arts/Political Science degree. When a person has two or more areas they are strongly interested in, finding the intersection of those two fields is probably a good place to start.
Also, people don't necessarily stay on one path for eternity - that started fading away eons ago, with the demise of company pensions. Many people change jobs every 2-5 years. Each job you have gives you skills you can use to obtain your next job - known as Transferrable Job Skills. I knew a guy with a geology degree who was working at a bank, providing services to the mining companies.
As you start out in your career, keep your resume current and your eyes open for opportunities. Enjoy the journey, and stop letting people stress you out over this "mandatory decision."
Kim
Go into medicine for a few years, and later go to law school, specializing in Medical Malpractice? You'd have a super-solid foundation, that's for sure! Or just go straight to law school, skipping Medicine, but, with an eye towards being in Medical Malpractice? You could take a lot of undergrad work in healthcare/sciences. Undergrad degrees for law school can be in any field - it doesn't have to be a Liberal Arts/Political Science degree. When a person has two or more areas they are strongly interested in, finding the intersection of those two fields is probably a good place to start.
Also, people don't necessarily stay on one path for eternity - that started fading away eons ago, with the demise of company pensions. Many people change jobs every 2-5 years. Each job you have gives you skills you can use to obtain your next job - known as Transferrable Job Skills. I knew a guy with a geology degree who was working at a bank, providing services to the mining companies.
As you start out in your career, keep your resume current and your eyes open for opportunities. Enjoy the journey, and stop letting people stress you out over this "mandatory decision."
Kim
Updated
Rashmi’s Answer
One of the biggest challenges for a young student is deciding on their future career. Try to choose one where your passion lies. Both the choice make a big difference and impact in someone life. If you want to make a difference choose any of the two. Since I am in medicine I can say that medicine take lot of hard work and commitment. But the end result and the satisfaction is worth the effort. I always wanted to choose a field where I could make a positive impact and medicine is one such branch.
Patience is the key .
Patience is the key .
Updated
Caitlin’s Answer
Hi Amara - great question! The best way I learned I wanted to pursue a career in business was through job shadowing, completing internships, speaking with working professionals, and researching career options. These activities allowed me to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day activities and help me envision my future.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students may encounter similar situation. I am glad to hear that you have interest in both medical and law. Firstly, you may need to find out what careers you have interest.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Find out the careers that related to your interest. You can find out more online.
E.g. If you like medical, would you like to be a doctor, nurse, dentist, physiotherapist, phycologist, etc.
If you have interest in law, would you like to be a solicitor, barrister, paralegal, judge, etc.
2. Find out more on this careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, 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!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Find out the careers that related to your interest. You can find out more online.
E.g. If you like medical, would you like to be a doctor, nurse, dentist, physiotherapist, phycologist, etc.
If you have interest in law, would you like to be a solicitor, barrister, paralegal, judge, etc.
2. Find out more on this careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, 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!