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how do I get started in thinking about a future career ?
getting started
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Scott,
Getting Started in Thinking About a Future Career
Thinking about a future career can be an overwhelming process, but breaking it down into manageable steps can help clarify your goals and aspirations. Here’s a detailed approach to get started:
1. Self-Assessment
The first step in considering a future career is to conduct a self-assessment. This involves reflecting on your interests, values, skills, and personality traits. You can use various tools such as personality assessments (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or Holland Code) and interest inventories to gain insights into what careers might suit you best.
Interests: What subjects or activities excite you? Consider hobbies, volunteer work, or classes that you enjoy.
Values: What is important to you in a job? This could include factors like work-life balance, helping others, creativity, or financial stability.
Skills: Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Are you good at problem-solving, communication, or technical tasks?
Personality Traits: Understanding whether you are more introverted or extroverted can influence the type of work environment that suits you.
2. Research Potential Careers
Once you have a clearer understanding of yourself, start researching potential careers that align with your self-assessment results. Use online resources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to explore different professions. Look for information on job descriptions, required education and training, salary ranges, job outlooks, and typical work environments.
3. Networking and Informational Interviews
Networking is crucial when exploring career options. Reach out to professionals in fields of interest through platforms like LinkedIn or local networking events. Conduct informational interviews where you ask questions about their career paths, daily responsibilities, challenges they face, and advice they would give someone starting out.
4. Education and Skill Development
Based on your research and networking insights, identify any educational requirements for the careers you’re interested in. This may involve pursuing specific degrees or certifications. Additionally, consider developing relevant skills through internships, volunteer opportunities, workshops, or online courses.
5. Set Goals and Create an Action Plan
After gathering all this information, set specific short-term and long-term goals for your career path. Create an action plan outlining the steps needed to achieve these goals—this could include applying for internships, enrolling in courses, or gaining relevant experience.
6. Stay Flexible and Open-Minded
As you embark on this journey of discovering your future career path, remain flexible and open-minded about new opportunities that may arise. Your interests may evolve over time as you gain more experience and knowledge.
7. Seek Guidance from Mentors
Finding mentors who can provide guidance throughout your career exploration process can be invaluable. They can offer insights based on their experiences and help steer you toward opportunities that align with your goals.
By following these steps systematically—self-assessing your interests and skills; researching potential careers; networking; focusing on education; setting actionable goals; remaining flexible; and seeking mentorship—you will be better equipped to make informed decisions about your future career.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides comprehensive data on various occupations including job outlooks, salary information, educational requirements, and industry trends which are essential for making informed career choices.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI is a widely used personality assessment tool that helps individuals understand their personality types which can guide them toward suitable career paths based on their traits.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers numerous online courses aimed at skill development across various fields which are beneficial for individuals looking to enhance their qualifications for specific careers.
God Bless You!
JC.
Getting Started in Thinking About a Future Career
Thinking about a future career can be an overwhelming process, but breaking it down into manageable steps can help clarify your goals and aspirations. Here’s a detailed approach to get started:
1. Self-Assessment
The first step in considering a future career is to conduct a self-assessment. This involves reflecting on your interests, values, skills, and personality traits. You can use various tools such as personality assessments (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or Holland Code) and interest inventories to gain insights into what careers might suit you best.
Interests: What subjects or activities excite you? Consider hobbies, volunteer work, or classes that you enjoy.
Values: What is important to you in a job? This could include factors like work-life balance, helping others, creativity, or financial stability.
Skills: Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Are you good at problem-solving, communication, or technical tasks?
Personality Traits: Understanding whether you are more introverted or extroverted can influence the type of work environment that suits you.
2. Research Potential Careers
Once you have a clearer understanding of yourself, start researching potential careers that align with your self-assessment results. Use online resources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to explore different professions. Look for information on job descriptions, required education and training, salary ranges, job outlooks, and typical work environments.
3. Networking and Informational Interviews
Networking is crucial when exploring career options. Reach out to professionals in fields of interest through platforms like LinkedIn or local networking events. Conduct informational interviews where you ask questions about their career paths, daily responsibilities, challenges they face, and advice they would give someone starting out.
4. Education and Skill Development
Based on your research and networking insights, identify any educational requirements for the careers you’re interested in. This may involve pursuing specific degrees or certifications. Additionally, consider developing relevant skills through internships, volunteer opportunities, workshops, or online courses.
5. Set Goals and Create an Action Plan
After gathering all this information, set specific short-term and long-term goals for your career path. Create an action plan outlining the steps needed to achieve these goals—this could include applying for internships, enrolling in courses, or gaining relevant experience.
6. Stay Flexible and Open-Minded
As you embark on this journey of discovering your future career path, remain flexible and open-minded about new opportunities that may arise. Your interests may evolve over time as you gain more experience and knowledge.
7. Seek Guidance from Mentors
Finding mentors who can provide guidance throughout your career exploration process can be invaluable. They can offer insights based on their experiences and help steer you toward opportunities that align with your goals.
By following these steps systematically—self-assessing your interests and skills; researching potential careers; networking; focusing on education; setting actionable goals; remaining flexible; and seeking mentorship—you will be better equipped to make informed decisions about your future career.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides comprehensive data on various occupations including job outlooks, salary information, educational requirements, and industry trends which are essential for making informed career choices.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI is a widely used personality assessment tool that helps individuals understand their personality types which can guide them toward suitable career paths based on their traits.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers numerous online courses aimed at skill development across various fields which are beneficial for individuals looking to enhance their qualifications for specific careers.
God Bless You!
JC.
Fantastic, Thank you!
Scott
Updated
Janis’s Answer
To address this query, consider whether you enjoy brainstorming solutions or are more inclined towards executing solutions, regardless of whose original idea it was.
Are you inclined to offer clients various alternatives to tackle their unique issues, then step aside and allow another person to carry out the solution? It's advisable to set benchmark periods; for instance, assess your career status and requirements every three years.
This brings us to two crucial queries: what do you aspire to do, and who do you wish to become? However, remember that your answers might evolve over time and throughout your career based on your personal or family circumstances.
Are you inclined to offer clients various alternatives to tackle their unique issues, then step aside and allow another person to carry out the solution? It's advisable to set benchmark periods; for instance, assess your career status and requirements every three years.
This brings us to two crucial queries: what do you aspire to do, and who do you wish to become? However, remember that your answers might evolve over time and throughout your career based on your personal or family circumstances.
Janis, thank you!
Scott
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. The most important is to find out what careers you have interest.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, 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. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, 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!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Scott
Updated
Kristen’s Answer
Consider the things that ignite your passion, the activities that truly bring you joy. Then, take a moment to question yourself or even conduct a quick Google search to see if there's a career path related to it. If there is, take a look at the educational prerequisites for that particular career. If you already possess the necessary qualifications, don't hesitate to chase your dream. If not, make it a goal to gain the required education. There's nothing more fulfilling than building a career around something you're truly passionate about.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Scott
Updated
Cory’s Answer
I don’t know an exact answer for your question. The answer is specific to you just as my response will be specific to me.
Best advice that can be given is that it’s a full time job to career search. Make sure you are properly resourced:
Know who you are strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, etc….
Know what you want and don’t want. This one is important you don’t get second chances of equal value to first chances.
Know your resources: time, schedule, budget, income needs, availability, etc…
If you have the resources to be picky or say no to jobs then, you don’t need this response. Cause you will look for what you like and are good at.
Otherwise take a breadth and think about what’s best of what’s available. Beggars don’t get to be choosers.
However you can do more work with a small tool than no tool. In this case I am talking about income. Be willing to work and build up your career and in this case that can be reputation, skills or income.
If you really have no starting point, then consider doing what your parents do and evaluate what you like and don’t. Build your thoughts from there cause there should be some comfort and knowledge with you about your parents. Were they happy, were they comfortable, did they have spare time….
Most jumps in wealth come from career changes but not all of them happen in one or two generations. Good luck.
Best advice that can be given is that it’s a full time job to career search. Make sure you are properly resourced:
Know who you are strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, etc….
Know what you want and don’t want. This one is important you don’t get second chances of equal value to first chances.
Know your resources: time, schedule, budget, income needs, availability, etc…
If you have the resources to be picky or say no to jobs then, you don’t need this response. Cause you will look for what you like and are good at.
Otherwise take a breadth and think about what’s best of what’s available. Beggars don’t get to be choosers.
However you can do more work with a small tool than no tool. In this case I am talking about income. Be willing to work and build up your career and in this case that can be reputation, skills or income.
If you really have no starting point, then consider doing what your parents do and evaluate what you like and don’t. Build your thoughts from there cause there should be some comfort and knowledge with you about your parents. Were they happy, were they comfortable, did they have spare time….
Most jumps in wealth come from career changes but not all of them happen in one or two generations. Good luck.
Thanks for the advice.
Scott