4 answers
Julia
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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What are factors that would help me decide on a career?
I am a sophomore in high school and I don't really know anything about what career I want. Where should I start?
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4 answers
Cydni Washington Bolden
Associate Claims Representative
5
Answers
Glenwood, Illinois
Updated
Cydni’s Answer
Hi, Julia! Good question.
You have plenty of time to figure out what career you’ll end up choosing, so no rush and no worries. You have your whole life ahead of you, and only time will tell. If you ever have the opportunity to go to a career fair, shadow a job, talk with a hiring manager, practice mock interviews, or attend an open house at a company you’d like to work at in the future, that would be a great starting point. You could even ask a parent, friend, or guardian about their previous and current careers and see what career path led them there. There’s no guarantee that the advice they provide will help or inspire you to follow a similar path, but continue to work hard in school, try new things, and make the most of every day. I’m sure the rest will fall into place eventually!
Don’t rush: Remember that you have plenty of time to figure out your career, so there’s no need to feel pressured.
Explore opportunities: Attend career fairs, job shadow, or visit open houses at companies you’re interested in to get a better sense of what you might like.
Seek advice: Talk to parents, friends, or guardians about their career paths to gain perspective, though their path may not necessarily be yours to follow.
Work hard: Continue to work hard in school, seek help when you need it, and enjoy these precious moments while you can.
Keep your options open: Try new things and trust that everything will eventually fall into place.
You have plenty of time to figure out what career you’ll end up choosing, so no rush and no worries. You have your whole life ahead of you, and only time will tell. If you ever have the opportunity to go to a career fair, shadow a job, talk with a hiring manager, practice mock interviews, or attend an open house at a company you’d like to work at in the future, that would be a great starting point. You could even ask a parent, friend, or guardian about their previous and current careers and see what career path led them there. There’s no guarantee that the advice they provide will help or inspire you to follow a similar path, but continue to work hard in school, try new things, and make the most of every day. I’m sure the rest will fall into place eventually!
Cydni recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much, Cydni!
Julia
You are very welcome, Julia!
Cydni Washington Bolden
Bilal Khaous
5
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Bilal’s Answer
I strongly recommend reflecting on your daily activities and think about choosing a career that that aligns with your hobbies and interests. It's incredibly rewarding to work in a field that you love and enjoy!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Julia
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
616
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Julie,
Good question! Choosing a career can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller steps can help. Here are some key factors to consider and ways to start exploring:
1. Self-Assessment
- Interests: What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Think about subjects you like in school, hobbies, or activities.
- Skills: What are you good at? These can be academic subjects (like math or science) or hands-on skills (like drawing or building things).
- Values: What matters to you in a job? Is it helping people, earning a high salary, having a work-life balance, or working in a creative field?
- Personality: Are you more introverted or extroverted? Do you prefer working with others or alone? Understanding how your personality fits certain career paths can be helpful.
2. Career Exploration
- Research: Look into different careers, what they involve, and what qualifications you need. This could be done by reading about jobs, talking to people in different professions, or using career exploration websites like My Next Move or O*NET.
- Shadowing/Internships: If possible, shadow professionals or look for internships to get a real-world sense of what a job is like.
- Personality and Career Assessments: Consider taking career assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or Holland Code (RIASEC) to get ideas based on your personality and interests.
3. Education and Training
- Consider your educational path: Some careers require advanced degrees, while others might need certifications or technical training. Think about how much schooling you're willing to pursue.
- Talk to counselors: High school guidance counselors can be a great resource to help match your interests with potential career paths.
4. Work Environment
- Do you prefer a structured or flexible environment? Some careers have strict hours and routines, while others are more flexible and project-based.
- Indoor or outdoor work: Do you see yourself in an office, outside, or traveling frequently?
5. Job Market and Future Trends
- Job stability: Consider how stable certain careers are. Fields like healthcare and tech are growing, while some other industries may be shrinking.
- Salary expectations: While salary shouldn’t be the only factor, it's important to understand the earning potential of a career.
6. Passions and Long-term Goals
- What are your long-term goals? Some careers allow for growth and advancement, while others may have more defined roles. Think about what excites you in the long run.
Starting by exploring your interests and talking to people in different fields can help you get a clearer idea. Don’t worry if you don’t have it all figured out right away—career decisions often evolve over time!
Best wishes!
Good question! Choosing a career can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller steps can help. Here are some key factors to consider and ways to start exploring:
1. Self-Assessment
- Interests: What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Think about subjects you like in school, hobbies, or activities.
- Skills: What are you good at? These can be academic subjects (like math or science) or hands-on skills (like drawing or building things).
- Values: What matters to you in a job? Is it helping people, earning a high salary, having a work-life balance, or working in a creative field?
- Personality: Are you more introverted or extroverted? Do you prefer working with others or alone? Understanding how your personality fits certain career paths can be helpful.
2. Career Exploration
- Research: Look into different careers, what they involve, and what qualifications you need. This could be done by reading about jobs, talking to people in different professions, or using career exploration websites like My Next Move or O*NET.
- Shadowing/Internships: If possible, shadow professionals or look for internships to get a real-world sense of what a job is like.
- Personality and Career Assessments: Consider taking career assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or Holland Code (RIASEC) to get ideas based on your personality and interests.
3. Education and Training
- Consider your educational path: Some careers require advanced degrees, while others might need certifications or technical training. Think about how much schooling you're willing to pursue.
- Talk to counselors: High school guidance counselors can be a great resource to help match your interests with potential career paths.
4. Work Environment
- Do you prefer a structured or flexible environment? Some careers have strict hours and routines, while others are more flexible and project-based.
- Indoor or outdoor work: Do you see yourself in an office, outside, or traveling frequently?
5. Job Market and Future Trends
- Job stability: Consider how stable certain careers are. Fields like healthcare and tech are growing, while some other industries may be shrinking.
- Salary expectations: While salary shouldn’t be the only factor, it's important to understand the earning potential of a career.
6. Passions and Long-term Goals
- What are your long-term goals? Some careers allow for growth and advancement, while others may have more defined roles. Think about what excites you in the long run.
Starting by exploring your interests and talking to people in different fields can help you get a clearer idea. Don’t worry if you don’t have it all figured out right away—career decisions often evolve over time!
Best wishes!
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Julia
Of course!
Chinyere Okafor
Gus S
Consultant
38
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Gus’s Answer
There have been some great answers here. I would also add the following questions that could help decide a career path:
1. Transferable skills: What skills do you have/would like to have? Would those skills be applicable across different jobs/opportunities?
2. Impact on community: Do you want your career to have a positive impact on others? Would you want that impact to be at the local, regional, or national level?
3. Future trends: What are some trends that you are seeing in the world? Do you expect these trends to continue and will this impact your future career?
Hope this helps! Good luck on the decision!
1. Transferable skills: What skills do you have/would like to have? Would those skills be applicable across different jobs/opportunities?
2. Impact on community: Do you want your career to have a positive impact on others? Would you want that impact to be at the local, regional, or national level?
3. Future trends: What are some trends that you are seeing in the world? Do you expect these trends to continue and will this impact your future career?
Hope this helps! Good luck on the decision!
Thanks for the advice.
Julia