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How to decide what career path to pursue?
I want to obtain insight on how many of you chose your college majors and decide what career path to pursue. I am soon to enter my journey to college and need to start organizing my lists, the pro's and con's of my potential careers. Some facts about me are I enjoy science, I would like to consider myself naturally good at it, I passed A's in chemistry, forensic science, and biology. I am also participating in a law enforcement class and so far I am gaining knowledge and skills that are useful to my daily life. Essentially, I would like some opinion's how to decide what to pursue! Thank you
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13 answers
Updated
Mack’s Answer
Choosing a college major for me was not too difficult. Like you, Michelle, I was good in science; additionally, I liked math. My first thought was to follow my interest in chemistry to major in Chemistry. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to a school that was strongly supported by industry -- Pulp and Paper Technology. My father had worked in the pulp and paper industry my whole life, so even though his focus was wood procurement I felt I understood a little about the industry. The industry support led to summer jobs at a pulp and paper mill, which helped to convince me that I really liked seeing a product made through a complex manufacturing process. Additionally, the Pulp and Paper curriculum offered a double major in Chemical Engineering, which also intrigued me.
By the time I completed my undergraduate degree I had applied to the Chemical Engineering graduate school and been offered a fellowship. Yes, I enjoyed education and science/engineering that much. Jobs were a little scarce when I graduated but I had a choice of Research and Development in pulp and paper manufacturing or in synthetic fiber production. I chose synthetic fibers, but since one of our raw materials for cellulose acetate production was woodpulp, my undergraduate degree came in handy. My appreciation for manufacturing during summers in college was strong enough that I pursued a transfer to a production plant. I found that engineering is primarily a problem-solving skill, and I was able to apply that skill later in my career with a microporous membrane specialty product.
After retirement, I chose to teach math, science, and pre-engineering at a local high school. Remember, I enjoyed education. With the high school students I encouraged them to do their best in EVERY class they took to learn the important life skills of communicating, problem-solving, lifelong learning, and working with others. These skills are important whether you are working with your colleagues, family, community groups, or neighbors.
A shorter answer to your question might be that I chose my college major based upon my skills and what I enjoyed doing, with a little help from a scholarship. I chose my career based upon similar criteria, but used what I learned along the way to broaden my options.
Try to do what you enjoy but also have skills for. . . and then adjust your sights as you gain experience. Your success in sciences and insight into life skills (through law enforcement class) would seem to provide a good foundation for you.
Good luck.
By the time I completed my undergraduate degree I had applied to the Chemical Engineering graduate school and been offered a fellowship. Yes, I enjoyed education and science/engineering that much. Jobs were a little scarce when I graduated but I had a choice of Research and Development in pulp and paper manufacturing or in synthetic fiber production. I chose synthetic fibers, but since one of our raw materials for cellulose acetate production was woodpulp, my undergraduate degree came in handy. My appreciation for manufacturing during summers in college was strong enough that I pursued a transfer to a production plant. I found that engineering is primarily a problem-solving skill, and I was able to apply that skill later in my career with a microporous membrane specialty product.
After retirement, I chose to teach math, science, and pre-engineering at a local high school. Remember, I enjoyed education. With the high school students I encouraged them to do their best in EVERY class they took to learn the important life skills of communicating, problem-solving, lifelong learning, and working with others. These skills are important whether you are working with your colleagues, family, community groups, or neighbors.
A shorter answer to your question might be that I chose my college major based upon my skills and what I enjoyed doing, with a little help from a scholarship. I chose my career based upon similar criteria, but used what I learned along the way to broaden my options.
Try to do what you enjoy but also have skills for. . . and then adjust your sights as you gain experience. Your success in sciences and insight into life skills (through law enforcement class) would seem to provide a good foundation for you.
Good luck.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Michelle
Updated
Angel’s Answer
Deciding on a career path can feel overwhelming, but it’s an exciting journey! Start by reflecting on your interests and strengths—like your passion for science and your success in chemistry and biology. Consider what aspects of law enforcement intrigue you. Make a list of potential majors related to these fields, like forensic science or criminal justice. Research careers that align with your skills and interests, and reach out to professionals for insights. Internships or volunteer opportunities can provide hands-on experience. Finally, trust your instincts! Choose a path that excites you and feels right. You've got this!
Thank you, Angel!
Michelle
Updated
Tony’s Answer
Hi Michelle,
Sorry if I'm repeating some of what the other replies to you already mentioned but I want to emphasize the exploring part of the career path process. It's frequently not done enough and I've worked with a lot of disappointed career changers to suggest to you to spend more time with it. Take the career assessments offered at school, include not only your interests, skills, but also your preferences, personality, but also things important to you like family, location etc. Cast wide first and then narrow maybe to a handful of suitable career options. Do research, talk to those working in the fields, guidance counselor, etc. We know things will change but the closer you get now makes it easier to change later, if you do. To this day, I regret not preaching this enough to own children and feel they are now having a much more difficult life because if it and went through a lot of hardships changing careers as young adults.
Sorry if I'm repeating some of what the other replies to you already mentioned but I want to emphasize the exploring part of the career path process. It's frequently not done enough and I've worked with a lot of disappointed career changers to suggest to you to spend more time with it. Take the career assessments offered at school, include not only your interests, skills, but also your preferences, personality, but also things important to you like family, location etc. Cast wide first and then narrow maybe to a handful of suitable career options. Do research, talk to those working in the fields, guidance counselor, etc. We know things will change but the closer you get now makes it easier to change later, if you do. To this day, I regret not preaching this enough to own children and feel they are now having a much more difficult life because if it and went through a lot of hardships changing careers as young adults.
Thanks for the help.
Michelle
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Michelle!
Deciding on a Career Path: A Step-by-Step Guide
Choosing a career path is a significant decision that can shape your future. Given your interests and strengths in science, as well as your involvement in law enforcement classes, you have a solid foundation to explore various options. Here’s a detailed approach to help you decide on the right career path:
1. Self-Assessment
Start by evaluating your interests, skills, values, and personality traits. Since you enjoy science and have excelled in subjects like chemistry, forensic science, and biology, consider how these subjects align with potential careers. Tools such as the Holland Code (RIASEC) can help categorize your interests into six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. This assessment can guide you toward fields that resonate with your natural inclinations.
2. Research Potential Careers
Once you have a clearer understanding of your interests and strengths, research careers related to science and law enforcement. Some potential paths include:
Forensic Scientist: Involves applying scientific principles to solve crimes.
Criminal Justice Professional: Roles may include police officer, detective, or legal analyst.
Biochemist or Biophysicist: Focuses on studying biological processes through chemical or physical methods.
Environmental Scientist: Works on issues related to environmental protection and sustainability.
Utilize resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook to gather information about job descriptions, required education levels, salary ranges, and job outlooks for these careers.
3. Consider Educational Requirements
Evaluate the educational pathways necessary for each career option you’re considering. For instance:
Forensic scientists typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a related field.
Law enforcement positions often require specific training at police academies along with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Understanding the educational requirements will help you determine which majors align with your career goals.
4. Evaluate Job Market Trends
Investigate current job market trends in the fields you’re interested in. Look for industries that are growing or facing shortages of qualified professionals. Websites like LinkedIn or Indeed can provide insights into job postings and demand for specific roles.
5. Gain Experience
Consider internships or volunteer opportunities related to your areas of interest while still in college. Engaging in hands-on experiences will not only enhance your resume but also give you practical insights into what working in those fields is truly like.
6. Network with Professionals
Reach out to professionals already working in the fields you’re considering through informational interviews or networking events. They can provide valuable insights about their daily responsibilities and the realities of their jobs.
7. Make an Informed Decision
After gathering all this information—self-assessment results, research on careers and educational requirements, job market trends, experience gained through internships or volunteering—you should be able to make a more informed decision about which career path aligns best with your passions and goals.
8. Stay Flexible
Remember that career paths are not always linear; many people change their careers multiple times throughout their lives based on evolving interests and circumstances. Stay open-minded about new opportunities that may arise during your college journey.
By following these steps systematically, you’ll be better equipped to choose a major that aligns with both your academic strengths and career aspirations.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - Provides comprehensive data on various occupations including job outlooks, salaries, educational requirements, and industry trends.
National Career Development Association (NCDA) - Offers resources for self-assessment tools and guidance on exploring different career paths based on individual interests and skills.
American Psychological Association (APA) - Publishes research on career development theories which can aid individuals in understanding how personal factors influence career choices over time.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
Deciding on a Career Path: A Step-by-Step Guide
Choosing a career path is a significant decision that can shape your future. Given your interests and strengths in science, as well as your involvement in law enforcement classes, you have a solid foundation to explore various options. Here’s a detailed approach to help you decide on the right career path:
1. Self-Assessment
Start by evaluating your interests, skills, values, and personality traits. Since you enjoy science and have excelled in subjects like chemistry, forensic science, and biology, consider how these subjects align with potential careers. Tools such as the Holland Code (RIASEC) can help categorize your interests into six types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. This assessment can guide you toward fields that resonate with your natural inclinations.
2. Research Potential Careers
Once you have a clearer understanding of your interests and strengths, research careers related to science and law enforcement. Some potential paths include:
Forensic Scientist: Involves applying scientific principles to solve crimes.
Criminal Justice Professional: Roles may include police officer, detective, or legal analyst.
Biochemist or Biophysicist: Focuses on studying biological processes through chemical or physical methods.
Environmental Scientist: Works on issues related to environmental protection and sustainability.
Utilize resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook to gather information about job descriptions, required education levels, salary ranges, and job outlooks for these careers.
3. Consider Educational Requirements
Evaluate the educational pathways necessary for each career option you’re considering. For instance:
Forensic scientists typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a related field.
Law enforcement positions often require specific training at police academies along with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Understanding the educational requirements will help you determine which majors align with your career goals.
4. Evaluate Job Market Trends
Investigate current job market trends in the fields you’re interested in. Look for industries that are growing or facing shortages of qualified professionals. Websites like LinkedIn or Indeed can provide insights into job postings and demand for specific roles.
5. Gain Experience
Consider internships or volunteer opportunities related to your areas of interest while still in college. Engaging in hands-on experiences will not only enhance your resume but also give you practical insights into what working in those fields is truly like.
6. Network with Professionals
Reach out to professionals already working in the fields you’re considering through informational interviews or networking events. They can provide valuable insights about their daily responsibilities and the realities of their jobs.
7. Make an Informed Decision
After gathering all this information—self-assessment results, research on careers and educational requirements, job market trends, experience gained through internships or volunteering—you should be able to make a more informed decision about which career path aligns best with your passions and goals.
8. Stay Flexible
Remember that career paths are not always linear; many people change their careers multiple times throughout their lives based on evolving interests and circumstances. Stay open-minded about new opportunities that may arise during your college journey.
By following these steps systematically, you’ll be better equipped to choose a major that aligns with both your academic strengths and career aspirations.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - Provides comprehensive data on various occupations including job outlooks, salaries, educational requirements, and industry trends.
National Career Development Association (NCDA) - Offers resources for self-assessment tools and guidance on exploring different career paths based on individual interests and skills.
American Psychological Association (APA) - Publishes research on career development theories which can aid individuals in understanding how personal factors influence career choices over time.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Michelle
A PLEASURE TO HELP!
James Constantine Frangos
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have a wide variety of interest. The most important is to find out what careers you have interest.
Below are my suggestions:
1. You have interest in science especially chemistry, do you have interest to be a chemist, pharmacist, biochemistry engineer, chemistry teacher, etc. On the other hand, would like to be a legal counsellor, paralegal, judge, etc. You an find out more chemistry and law related careers online.
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. You have interest in science especially chemistry, do you have interest to be a chemist, pharmacist, biochemistry engineer, chemistry teacher, etc. On the other hand, would like to be a legal counsellor, paralegal, judge, etc. You an find out more chemistry and law related careers online.
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!
I appreciate your support, Rebecca
Michelle
Updated
Ken’s Answer
Great question! I decided to pursue a major in Computer Science after taking a high school programming class and loving it. After graduation, I landed a couple of jobs doing UX and back end systems development in telecom. I was writing my own user guides / release notes and enjoyed that part of the job better than being a developer, so switched careers to Business Analysis which led to Project & Program Management, and then switched industries to Financial Services where I landed in Electronic Trading Tech which I love. Through my career I’ve met people who were Philosophy majors and became Tech managers or History majors and became a COO of a startup.
The point of all this is don’t think that you will be married to what you majored in to land in a career that you love. Life’s a journey and you should be open to any opportunity to learn something new as you never know where it will lead.
Sure it makes sense to choose to major in something you think you will enjoy, but there is also nothing wrong with going in Undecided and choosing your major after taking classes to see what motivates you.
The point of all this is don’t think that you will be married to what you majored in to land in a career that you love. Life’s a journey and you should be open to any opportunity to learn something new as you never know where it will lead.
Sure it makes sense to choose to major in something you think you will enjoy, but there is also nothing wrong with going in Undecided and choosing your major after taking classes to see what motivates you.
Updated
Twilio’s Answer
Be open, and take electives that you enjoy so you can explore other topics outside your chosen degree path. This is my greatest advice on pursuing a career path. I started as a Nursing major, then switched to History. I did this because, after 2 years, I wasn’t enjoying my classes in Nursing. When I examined what I was really enjoying, I realized that all my electives were History Classes. I ended up switching paths and graduating with a BA in History. Then I got my MA in History.
Updated
Twilio’s Answer
Choose a career that you will enjoy and make you happy. I know money is important but your mental health and happiness is important too. It’s expected at first that you will be confused, stuck and feel you don’t have a talent or passion so don’t beat up yourself and just enjoy the process. First start with the career that you think you are good at, if it works you can continue with that but if not you can always change career. It's your journey and not other people's journeys so you decide where you want to go. But if you still feel you don’t know where you want to go you can always take some tests like what I did. I took a career assessment and based it on what I should take in college.
Updated
Twilio’s Answer
I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do with my career for a long time. I tried many jobs, learned what I like and what I didn’t like - Things fell into place with more time and experience. Don’t be afraid to try something you think you may like, give it a year and take your learnings to another career if you find that suits you.
Updated
Twilio’s Answer
Choose something that you are passionate about and not something for the money. Money will come later, but it will be hard to succeed in a career that you do not enjoy. I started my career in Quality Engineering and later found enjoyment in working with people and pivoted to a Sales Engineer where I can continue to utilize my technical skills and work directly with Customers
Updated
Twilio’s Answer
I started to take advantage of internships or opportunities to work in fields that I thought might be interesting to me during the summers. I would go into the summer with 1-3 questions that I wanted to get answered about the that specific industry and connected with as many people as I could to understand if this was the right career for me
Updated
Twilio’s Answer
Looking back at my career progression, I always wanted to “help people” and “make people’s lives better. I started out as an Emergency Medical Technician, and went to college in a Nursing program. But, I realized after a couple years that medicine wasn’t what I wanted. I got exposed to technology via various temporary jobs, and found my way into UX Design, which I love. I think the advice I’d give is to be open to the various ways to embrace your passions, and try to focus on your passion rather than a specific field/industry/job. There are so many careers out there that can help you fulfill your passion.
Updated
Rod’s Answer
Hi Michelle, a great question wherein ‘career choice’ answers may not be easily identified! That said, here are a few of my thoughts:
—Look online for some sort of ‘career aptitude test,’ and take one (or more). That’s a great place to start!
—Consider working a variety of jobs, either paid or volunteer positions. That’s one thing I did, winding through a dozen different jobs before finally embarking on my career. (This may not be as easy to do in today’s environment, but it’s worth a try!)
—For each job or volunteer position, make a list of your ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ about each job. For example, if you really enjoy the outdoors, then being a chemist may not be a good fit, since they mostly work inside. On the other hand, if you really like chemistry *and* the outdoors, maybe you can look for a chemistry job where those two ‘likes’ intersect!
—Last, pay special attention to jobs that ‘energize’ you, rather than ‘de-energize’ you. In other words, try to identify what you’re ‘passionate’ about. A career will *always* be ‘work,’ but you don’t want it to be decades of ‘toil’!!
Enjoy your journey of discovery, Michelle!
—Look online for some sort of ‘career aptitude test,’ and take one (or more). That’s a great place to start!
—Consider working a variety of jobs, either paid or volunteer positions. That’s one thing I did, winding through a dozen different jobs before finally embarking on my career. (This may not be as easy to do in today’s environment, but it’s worth a try!)
—For each job or volunteer position, make a list of your ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ about each job. For example, if you really enjoy the outdoors, then being a chemist may not be a good fit, since they mostly work inside. On the other hand, if you really like chemistry *and* the outdoors, maybe you can look for a chemistry job where those two ‘likes’ intersect!
—Last, pay special attention to jobs that ‘energize’ you, rather than ‘de-energize’ you. In other words, try to identify what you’re ‘passionate’ about. A career will *always* be ‘work,’ but you don’t want it to be decades of ‘toil’!!
Enjoy your journey of discovery, Michelle!