4 answers
Belinda
Student
Garden City, GA
1
Question
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What exactly does choosing a career entails?
I am a student with no idea of how to properly choose a career
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4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Belinda!
MY EXPERIENCE
Belinda it might be the other way round! I mean the career might choose you!
How does a career choose you? Things happen. It seems that they happen to direct you to another goal. I don't know if you believe in God but if he is real and I think he is what will happen is that God will place things in your life that redirect you to a test. Well, he did to me. How did this happen?
In 1969 my parents bought me a telescope for Christmas. Then I wanted to be an astronomer or an astrophysicist! That necessitated me to study physics and mathematics, heavy stem subjects that were interesting. In physics class in 1972, I learned the basics of computer programming, producing quite a volume of software .
There was a family member my uncle Michael who worked really hard and had an aggressive personality he just would not stop working. He was what psychologists term personality Type 'A'. That was a cardiovascular risk factor.
It was 1974 and I was in my 12th grade senior year. My uncle had a severe coronary with five of the arteries blocked up and he died despite the doctors trying to resuscitate him for one hour.
I was seventeen and this kind of affected me emotionally pretty heavily. Consequently my father did not ask me to come to the funeral. Two years later in 1976 My uncle's old academic supervisor turns up at our new university. He is a professor of biochemistry. Colin the professor remembered my uncle from 1960 working in his biochemistry laboratory with baby ducks paddling in tanks.
Colin seemed like a good person to work with. Better than the physics and mathematics lecturers who seemed unfriendly, cold, and removed. I changed my major to biochemistry to study under Professor Masters. In 1976 I read a book on nutrition which influenced me no end. It was "Are You Confused?" by Doctor Paavo Airola. I have been studying nutrition ever since then. The author of this book really had an understanding of the chemistry of foods, nutrients, and how they function biochemically in the human body. He also described some of the chemicals man used in foods.
Paavo mentioned trans-fats as spurious by-products of hydrogenation of liquid plant oils to make them solid at room temperature. Authorities eventually caught on 25 years later that he was absolutely correct. With my beliefs I surmised that I was being given important information well-ahead of others.
After my Bachelor I did a postgraduate Master's Qualifying degree. That was like a deferred Honours Award. In a subject, medical biochemistry I uncovered what killed my Uncle Mike. He was probably homozygous for an inherited error of metabolism, called hypercholesterolemia Type IV. I learnt that in postgraduate biochemistry studies. I found it in the texts of Wyngarden's "Inborn Errors of Metabolism", a study material recommended to me by my prospective Master of Science supervisor Enzyme Biochemist Dr. Peter Nixon.
In 1981 I rang a famous Doctor to get career advice. Should I become a dietitian? She advised me to study for the Medical Doctors postgraduate diploma in orthomolecular nutrition. This course recommended treating diseases with nutrients. The wife was unhappy with me as a part-time tutor at the university. She threatened to leave me if I did not get a better-paying job. I drove taxis and was a courier. Then I returned to study, doing a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics. I became a dietitian-nutritionist in 1988.
Over these years I must have worked in 50 hospitals and 30 community health centers I also did three years of private practice as a dietitian- nutritionist in Brisbane. That allowed me to run the type of practice I desired. There I canvassed medical doctors who were oriented to orthomolecular medicine. I met one medical practitioner who did much nutritional work for his patients.
A client complained about the paucity of nutrition education materials that dietitians often handed out. Being no shrinking violet she asked for a fortnight's food menu. She intimated that she only had a basic notion what to eat, she could not work out the directions in the standard one-day sample menu handouts from dietitians.
So I brought my two skills together computer programming and nutrition. In 1994 I commenced writing diet wizard software which examines the US Department of Agriculture Standard Reference 28 nutrient database. In 2023 I programmed for five thousand hours in Microsoft Visual Studio.
Maybe God had a hand in this! My work is on display online at
https://www.youtube.com/user/yimi90125/videos
AN AI APPROACH
Understanding Career Choice
Choosing a career is a significant decision that can have a profound impact on your life. It involves a thoughtful process of self-assessment, exploration, and decision-making to determine the path you want to pursue professionally. Here are the key aspects of what choosing a career entails:
Self-Assessment: Before making any decisions about your career, it’s essential to understand yourself better. This includes identifying your interests, values, skills, and personality traits. Self-assessment tools like career assessments, personality tests, and skills inventories can help you gain insights into your strengths and preferences.
Exploration: Once you have a clearer understanding of yourself, the next step is to explore different career options. Research various industries, job roles, and professions that align with your interests and skills. Informational interviews, job shadowing, internships, and volunteering can provide valuable firsthand experience in different fields.
Goal Setting: Setting clear goals is crucial in choosing a career path. Define what success means to you in terms of job satisfaction, work-life balance, financial stability, and personal growth. Establish short-term and long-term goals that will guide your decision-making process and keep you focused on achieving your objectives.
Education and Training: Consider the educational requirements and training needed for your desired career. Some professions may require specific degrees or certifications, while others may value experience or specialized skills. Research educational programs, training opportunities, and professional development resources that can help you acquire the necessary qualifications.
Networking: Building a professional network is essential for exploring career options and accessing job opportunities. Connect with professionals in your field of interest through networking events, online platforms like LinkedIn, and industry associations. Networking can provide mentorship, advice, job leads, and valuable connections that can support your career development.
Decision-Making: Ultimately, choosing a career involves making informed decisions based on self-awareness, exploration, goal setting, education/training considerations, and networking efforts. Evaluate the pros and cons of different options carefully before committing to a specific path.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
The Balance Careers: The Balance Careers is a reputable online resource that provides expert advice on various aspects of career development, including tips on choosing a career path based on individual strengths and interests.
CareerOneStop: CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and offers comprehensive information on careers, training programs, salary data, job market trends, and other resources to help individuals make informed career decisions.
Indeed Career Guide: Indeed’s Career Guide offers valuable insights into different professions, industries, job search strategies, resume writing tips, interview preparation techniques, and other relevant information to assist individuals in navigating their career choices effectively.
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate and reliable information on the process of choosing a career path effectively.
God Bless You,
JC.
MY EXPERIENCE
Belinda it might be the other way round! I mean the career might choose you!
How does a career choose you? Things happen. It seems that they happen to direct you to another goal. I don't know if you believe in God but if he is real and I think he is what will happen is that God will place things in your life that redirect you to a test. Well, he did to me. How did this happen?
In 1969 my parents bought me a telescope for Christmas. Then I wanted to be an astronomer or an astrophysicist! That necessitated me to study physics and mathematics, heavy stem subjects that were interesting. In physics class in 1972, I learned the basics of computer programming, producing quite a volume of software .
There was a family member my uncle Michael who worked really hard and had an aggressive personality he just would not stop working. He was what psychologists term personality Type 'A'. That was a cardiovascular risk factor.
It was 1974 and I was in my 12th grade senior year. My uncle had a severe coronary with five of the arteries blocked up and he died despite the doctors trying to resuscitate him for one hour.
I was seventeen and this kind of affected me emotionally pretty heavily. Consequently my father did not ask me to come to the funeral. Two years later in 1976 My uncle's old academic supervisor turns up at our new university. He is a professor of biochemistry. Colin the professor remembered my uncle from 1960 working in his biochemistry laboratory with baby ducks paddling in tanks.
Colin seemed like a good person to work with. Better than the physics and mathematics lecturers who seemed unfriendly, cold, and removed. I changed my major to biochemistry to study under Professor Masters. In 1976 I read a book on nutrition which influenced me no end. It was "Are You Confused?" by Doctor Paavo Airola. I have been studying nutrition ever since then. The author of this book really had an understanding of the chemistry of foods, nutrients, and how they function biochemically in the human body. He also described some of the chemicals man used in foods.
Paavo mentioned trans-fats as spurious by-products of hydrogenation of liquid plant oils to make them solid at room temperature. Authorities eventually caught on 25 years later that he was absolutely correct. With my beliefs I surmised that I was being given important information well-ahead of others.
After my Bachelor I did a postgraduate Master's Qualifying degree. That was like a deferred Honours Award. In a subject, medical biochemistry I uncovered what killed my Uncle Mike. He was probably homozygous for an inherited error of metabolism, called hypercholesterolemia Type IV. I learnt that in postgraduate biochemistry studies. I found it in the texts of Wyngarden's "Inborn Errors of Metabolism", a study material recommended to me by my prospective Master of Science supervisor Enzyme Biochemist Dr. Peter Nixon.
In 1981 I rang a famous Doctor to get career advice. Should I become a dietitian? She advised me to study for the Medical Doctors postgraduate diploma in orthomolecular nutrition. This course recommended treating diseases with nutrients. The wife was unhappy with me as a part-time tutor at the university. She threatened to leave me if I did not get a better-paying job. I drove taxis and was a courier. Then I returned to study, doing a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics. I became a dietitian-nutritionist in 1988.
Over these years I must have worked in 50 hospitals and 30 community health centers I also did three years of private practice as a dietitian- nutritionist in Brisbane. That allowed me to run the type of practice I desired. There I canvassed medical doctors who were oriented to orthomolecular medicine. I met one medical practitioner who did much nutritional work for his patients.
A client complained about the paucity of nutrition education materials that dietitians often handed out. Being no shrinking violet she asked for a fortnight's food menu. She intimated that she only had a basic notion what to eat, she could not work out the directions in the standard one-day sample menu handouts from dietitians.
So I brought my two skills together computer programming and nutrition. In 1994 I commenced writing diet wizard software which examines the US Department of Agriculture Standard Reference 28 nutrient database. In 2023 I programmed for five thousand hours in Microsoft Visual Studio.
Maybe God had a hand in this! My work is on display online at
https://www.youtube.com/user/yimi90125/videos
AN AI APPROACH
Understanding Career Choice
Choosing a career is a significant decision that can have a profound impact on your life. It involves a thoughtful process of self-assessment, exploration, and decision-making to determine the path you want to pursue professionally. Here are the key aspects of what choosing a career entails:
Self-Assessment: Before making any decisions about your career, it’s essential to understand yourself better. This includes identifying your interests, values, skills, and personality traits. Self-assessment tools like career assessments, personality tests, and skills inventories can help you gain insights into your strengths and preferences.
Exploration: Once you have a clearer understanding of yourself, the next step is to explore different career options. Research various industries, job roles, and professions that align with your interests and skills. Informational interviews, job shadowing, internships, and volunteering can provide valuable firsthand experience in different fields.
Goal Setting: Setting clear goals is crucial in choosing a career path. Define what success means to you in terms of job satisfaction, work-life balance, financial stability, and personal growth. Establish short-term and long-term goals that will guide your decision-making process and keep you focused on achieving your objectives.
Education and Training: Consider the educational requirements and training needed for your desired career. Some professions may require specific degrees or certifications, while others may value experience or specialized skills. Research educational programs, training opportunities, and professional development resources that can help you acquire the necessary qualifications.
Networking: Building a professional network is essential for exploring career options and accessing job opportunities. Connect with professionals in your field of interest through networking events, online platforms like LinkedIn, and industry associations. Networking can provide mentorship, advice, job leads, and valuable connections that can support your career development.
Decision-Making: Ultimately, choosing a career involves making informed decisions based on self-awareness, exploration, goal setting, education/training considerations, and networking efforts. Evaluate the pros and cons of different options carefully before committing to a specific path.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
The Balance Careers: The Balance Careers is a reputable online resource that provides expert advice on various aspects of career development, including tips on choosing a career path based on individual strengths and interests.
CareerOneStop: CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and offers comprehensive information on careers, training programs, salary data, job market trends, and other resources to help individuals make informed career decisions.
Indeed Career Guide: Indeed’s Career Guide offers valuable insights into different professions, industries, job search strategies, resume writing tips, interview preparation techniques, and other relevant information to assist individuals in navigating their career choices effectively.
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate and reliable information on the process of choosing a career path effectively.
God Bless You,
JC.
Anika S
Software Engineer Intern
100
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi Belinda,
Choosing a career is a significant decision that involves understanding your interests, skills, values, and the opportunities available. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Self-Assessment:
Interests: What subjects or activities do you enjoy? Consider hobbies, classes, or topics you’re passionate about.
Skills: What are you good at? Think about both technical skills (like coding or writing) and soft skills (like communication or teamwork).
Values: What’s important to you in a job? This could include factors like work-life balance, helping others, job security, and salary.
Personality: Consider your personality traits. Are you more introverted or extroverted? Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
Explore Career Options:
Research Careers: Look into different careers that align with your interests, skills, and values. Resources like the Occupational Outlook Handbook or career websites can be helpful.
Informational Interviews: Talk to professionals in fields you’re interested in. Ask them about their job, how they got there, and what they like or dislike about it.
Job Shadowing: Spend a day or more shadowing someone in a career you’re considering to get a firsthand look at what the job entails.
Evaluate Your Options:
Pros and Cons: Make a list of the pros and cons for each career option you’re considering.
Future Outlook: Consider the future demand for the career. Is it growing, stable, or declining? What are the advancement opportunities?
Education and Training: Determine what education or training is required. How much time and money will you need to invest?
Choosing a career is a significant decision that involves understanding your interests, skills, values, and the opportunities available. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Self-Assessment:
Interests: What subjects or activities do you enjoy? Consider hobbies, classes, or topics you’re passionate about.
Skills: What are you good at? Think about both technical skills (like coding or writing) and soft skills (like communication or teamwork).
Values: What’s important to you in a job? This could include factors like work-life balance, helping others, job security, and salary.
Personality: Consider your personality traits. Are you more introverted or extroverted? Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
Explore Career Options:
Research Careers: Look into different careers that align with your interests, skills, and values. Resources like the Occupational Outlook Handbook or career websites can be helpful.
Informational Interviews: Talk to professionals in fields you’re interested in. Ask them about their job, how they got there, and what they like or dislike about it.
Job Shadowing: Spend a day or more shadowing someone in a career you’re considering to get a firsthand look at what the job entails.
Evaluate Your Options:
Pros and Cons: Make a list of the pros and cons for each career option you’re considering.
Future Outlook: Consider the future demand for the career. Is it growing, stable, or declining? What are the advancement opportunities?
Education and Training: Determine what education or training is required. How much time and money will you need to invest?
Arjun Toom
Data Scientist
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Arjun’s Answer
Choosing a career can seem like a monumental decision, but it doesn't need to be a daunting task. By adopting a structured approach and dedicating your time and energy to the necessary steps, you can transform this journey into a less stressful and more enjoyable experience.
The key is to understand your interests, values, skills, and personality. Ask yourself - what activities bring you joy? What are your strengths? In what kind of work setting do you flourish?
Explore various career paths, industries, and job roles to discover the range of options out there. See which ones resonate with your self-discovery.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option, taking into account factors like potential earnings, job prospects, necessary qualifications, and the balance between work and personal life.
Finally, devise a plan to reach your career aspirations. This could involve further studies, training, internships, or building connections. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to your dream career. So, embark on this journey with enthusiasm and confidence.
Take career assessments, reflect on your experiences and talk to others
Research different careers, attend career fairs or job shadowing also helps explore a career before you actually sign up for one
Once you made the decision, start preparing and developing key skills required to do well at the career
Research companies/organizations and chat with individuals working there to understand the culture
Start networking, getting referrals, applying and interviewing
The key is to understand your interests, values, skills, and personality. Ask yourself - what activities bring you joy? What are your strengths? In what kind of work setting do you flourish?
Explore various career paths, industries, and job roles to discover the range of options out there. See which ones resonate with your self-discovery.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option, taking into account factors like potential earnings, job prospects, necessary qualifications, and the balance between work and personal life.
Finally, devise a plan to reach your career aspirations. This could involve further studies, training, internships, or building connections. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to your dream career. So, embark on this journey with enthusiasm and confidence.
Arjun recommends the following next steps:
Breanne Balser
Dietitian
1
Answer
Nevada City, California
Updated
Breanne’s Answer
Firstly, let's embrace the fact that it's perfectly fine to be at this stage! When it comes to choosing a career, it's important to consider the lifestyle you aspire to have. For instance, can you picture yourself working in an office environment all day? Or perhaps you're more the outdoorsy type? It's also beneficial to reflect on your personal values and the things you're naturally good at or have a passion for. Understanding these elements can help you identify a few potential areas of interest.
Next, I would urge you to delve deeper into these areas and really immerse yourself in the ones that pique your interest. Let's say you have a knack for drawing, why not start exploring what careers are available in this field and what educational opportunities your local institutions provide for this talent. Lastly, remember to be flexible and ready to learn along the way. Don't hesitate to ask questions to professionals in the field you're exploring, and stay open to the possibility of changing directions if you find that something you thought you liked isn't really for you after all. Being open to change and continuing to pursue your interests will guide you towards a career path that truly resonates with you.
acknowledge that this is okay!
think about what kind of lifestyle you want to live. For example, do you see yourself as someone who can work in an office all day? Or are you more someone who needs to be outside?
think about your values
what kind of things you are already good at or interested in
learn more about these areas and immerse yourself in the ones you might be interested in
Next, I would urge you to delve deeper into these areas and really immerse yourself in the ones that pique your interest. Let's say you have a knack for drawing, why not start exploring what careers are available in this field and what educational opportunities your local institutions provide for this talent. Lastly, remember to be flexible and ready to learn along the way. Don't hesitate to ask questions to professionals in the field you're exploring, and stay open to the possibility of changing directions if you find that something you thought you liked isn't really for you after all. Being open to change and continuing to pursue your interests will guide you towards a career path that truly resonates with you.
Breanne recommends the following next steps: