5 answers
5 answers
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Misha’s Answer
Mostly through trial and error! Don’t be afraid to try things. If you don’t end up liking it, at least you figured out what you don’t enjoy. Reflect on your experiences, talk to people, connect the dots.
Curtesy of Cloudera New Hires: Baasit, Udai, and Pamela
Look for your own interests, find relevant resources and mentorship opportunities.
Understand what your strengths and weaknesses are.
Identify personality traits which marry well with core values and existing skillsets will help as well.
Curtesy of Cloudera New Hires: Baasit, Udai, and Pamela
Misha recommends the following next steps:
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Todd’s Answer
Wow... what a great question Austin. You will make a good leader someday in asking questions like this of others. :) When I was in high school many years ago, I had an interest in aircraft/ spacecraft, more so in how they worked rather than flying them, but all of it was of interest to me. I chose a path in Aerospace Engineering after taking several career tests to find out what might be of interest. I went on to get my bachelor's degree in AE, worked a coop job on the B2 bomber at Boeing while in school, then went on to full time in Seattle on the same program after graduation. During that time, I got married. My wife at the time was a Mechanical Engineering and getting jobs was rather difficult. She landed a job in Texas, and I landed the previous mentioned job in Seattle. That did not really work out for too long, so luckily, I was hired where she worked as my skills in AE were very close to ME. But, instead of working on aircraft, I worked on supervising an assembly line for engine controllers. Fast forward, I met many people that moved from that company to Dell in the mid to late 1990's. I moved to Arizona, found other jobs in satellite technology and then one in Mgmt. Consulting. While consulting, I started my master's degree in technology Mgmt. It wasn't until 2000 that I was lucky enough to land a job with Dell. I finished up my Masters in Tech Mgmt. at Dell and have been with them ever since. Turns out, I work quality for Dell and with their career opportunities and genuine care for their employees' careers, it has been a blessing and a massive learning experience. So, while not exactly what I set out to do, the world had a different path in mind for me. Today, I can help the community, with Dell opportunities and can honestly say it's a great place to work. My path here was one I didn't know about, but wouldn't change. For you, I would say, set your direction but keep an open mind and always assess your goals and your happiness. Create a good balance of those and you will do extremely well.
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Shin’s Answer
Hi Austin:
Very interesting question. I have been practicing law for over 10 years as a lawyer, but my career path has not been a straight line. When I was in high school, I decided that I wanted to become a lawyer. In college, I majored in pre-law. Post college graduation, I was planning to work for 2-3 years to save money for law school and then go to law school. Unfortunately, 2 years post college graduation, the financial crisis of 2008 occurred and I had to pause on my plan to go to law school (as the job market for lawyers was terrible). I ended up waiting for 3 years and was finally was able to go to law school in 2011. After finishing law school, I started my legal career at a large US law firm. After working for 4 years at the law firm, my practice area started to shrink and I needed to change my practice area or otherwise search for other opportunities. As I did not want to change my practice area, I left the law firm to work as an in-house counsel at a major U.S. investment bank. During my stint at the bank, I worked on various different matters in my practice areas and moved to Asia - all of which was unexpected at the outset. Although my career path has not been a straight line and it did not go as planned, one thing I can say is that I have always followed my passion and stuck to what I love doing the most. Hope this is helpful.
Very interesting question. I have been practicing law for over 10 years as a lawyer, but my career path has not been a straight line. When I was in high school, I decided that I wanted to become a lawyer. In college, I majored in pre-law. Post college graduation, I was planning to work for 2-3 years to save money for law school and then go to law school. Unfortunately, 2 years post college graduation, the financial crisis of 2008 occurred and I had to pause on my plan to go to law school (as the job market for lawyers was terrible). I ended up waiting for 3 years and was finally was able to go to law school in 2011. After finishing law school, I started my legal career at a large US law firm. After working for 4 years at the law firm, my practice area started to shrink and I needed to change my practice area or otherwise search for other opportunities. As I did not want to change my practice area, I left the law firm to work as an in-house counsel at a major U.S. investment bank. During my stint at the bank, I worked on various different matters in my practice areas and moved to Asia - all of which was unexpected at the outset. Although my career path has not been a straight line and it did not go as planned, one thing I can say is that I have always followed my passion and stuck to what I love doing the most. Hope this is helpful.
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Lauren’s Answer
Hi! It was a true journey getting to where I am now. It started with completing my bachelor's in health science and wondering where I would go. It was at times stressful but with the support of my family and peers, I learned that life is a lot easier if you take it day by day. After I graduated with my undergrad, I explored local job opportunities. Although it was not in my education field, it helped me on my feet. I eventually was offered a position as an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at my alma mater (Marymount University- Arlington, Virginia). I have been on this job for two and a half years now and since have graduated with my Masters in Public Health Education and Promotion. While again, I am not in my education field, this job position has allowed me to expand my higher education and I am very grateful every step I take!
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Elizabeth’s Answer
When I was 8 years old, my wish was to be a person who spoke several languages. Then I grew up and started the university period, to travel and to know other places, I decided to study architecture at the main city of my country, 6 months after starting the bachelor quited, then studied interior design and also quit a year later. I was feeling very disapointed and decided to just stop feeling pushed by what other may think, actually noone was judging me, neither my mom or my family, everyone was ok with my decisions, but it was much easier to think others decide for me. So, loking for options, ended studying a diplome of Japanese, Italian and French, then traveled around the world and learned more languages, saved money and continue to travel and learning more, and now, at my 40 years old, decided I wanted to study a bachelor again, I am almost done. If I may provide any advice, would be, never think wrong of yourself, your path it's the best path, no one elses, and you are your only comparison point. Great question!