6 answers
Jenifer
Student
1
Question
Asked
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what can i do to be on the right career path?
i do not know what to do to be on the right career path, what can i do?
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6 answers
Sara Link
Talent Branding
5
Answers
Cork
Updated
Sara’s Answer
If you're unsure about your career path, here’s what you can do to get on the right track:
Explore Your Interests: Try different hobbies and activities to see what excites you. Take classes or workshops to get hands-on experience.
Research Careers: Look into careers that align with your interests. Take career quizzes to see which jobs might suit your strengths.
Gain Experience: Try internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering in areas you’re interested in. This will help you understand if it’s the right fit.
Develop Skills: Focus on building skills like communication and teamwork. Learn specific skills for fields you’re interested in, like design or cooking.
Set Goals: Create short-term goals to help you move forward. This could include taking a course or connecting with someone in your field.
Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor or talk to a career counselor who can offer guidance and advice.
Stay Open: It’s okay to change your mind as you learn more about yourself and different careers.
Keep exploring, gaining experience, and stay flexible. The right career path will become clearer over time!
Explore Your Interests: Try different hobbies and activities to see what excites you. Take classes or workshops to get hands-on experience.
Research Careers: Look into careers that align with your interests. Take career quizzes to see which jobs might suit your strengths.
Gain Experience: Try internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering in areas you’re interested in. This will help you understand if it’s the right fit.
Develop Skills: Focus on building skills like communication and teamwork. Learn specific skills for fields you’re interested in, like design or cooking.
Set Goals: Create short-term goals to help you move forward. This could include taking a course or connecting with someone in your field.
Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor or talk to a career counselor who can offer guidance and advice.
Stay Open: It’s okay to change your mind as you learn more about yourself and different careers.
Keep exploring, gaining experience, and stay flexible. The right career path will become clearer over time!
Misha D'Andrea
Learning + Development
37
Answers
New York, NY
Updated
Misha’s Answer
Hi Jenifer! Great question, it can definitely seem daunting and overwhelming to explore and learn about all the potential careers out there. Identify what gives you energy - what type of tasks do you find yourself looking forward to? What types of subjects do you find yourself seeking out more information independently? Equally as important, know what drains you and what is more of barrier to overcome.
A great activity I always recommend is doing a values exercise: Brene Brown has a great list/exercise you can follow here: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/
Know what your non-negotiables are. And this may change overtime as your priorities change! Thank is okay, this is not meant to be a one and done exercise, check in with yourself regularly, your career may takes twists and turns and most likely will not be linear, be open to new opportunities based on where you are at in life and what is important to you, at first it may be something like money or location, and then it may be flexibility with your schedule or a mission driven organization.
Always lean into a growth mindset! Learn through conversations (informational interviews), hands-on experience (shadowing, internships, etc.), or through rotational/temporary placements. As you learn more about what interests you, identify those skillsets and knowledge and start to upskill in those areas.
Self-awareness is going to be key throughout the process. Be honest with yourself about what you want, not what you think other people want from you or what you think society wants. Make sure you are making decisions for you, and remember, it's okay if that changes over time!
Make an energy driver list of tasks, activities, and topics
Search and explore which careers might overlap
Have conversations with professionals and start upskilling
Make SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals to help keep you on track throughout the process
A great activity I always recommend is doing a values exercise: Brene Brown has a great list/exercise you can follow here: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/
Know what your non-negotiables are. And this may change overtime as your priorities change! Thank is okay, this is not meant to be a one and done exercise, check in with yourself regularly, your career may takes twists and turns and most likely will not be linear, be open to new opportunities based on where you are at in life and what is important to you, at first it may be something like money or location, and then it may be flexibility with your schedule or a mission driven organization.
Always lean into a growth mindset! Learn through conversations (informational interviews), hands-on experience (shadowing, internships, etc.), or through rotational/temporary placements. As you learn more about what interests you, identify those skillsets and knowledge and start to upskill in those areas.
Self-awareness is going to be key throughout the process. Be honest with yourself about what you want, not what you think other people want from you or what you think society wants. Make sure you are making decisions for you, and remember, it's okay if that changes over time!
Misha recommends the following next steps:
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Jenifer,
It's completely normal to feel unsure about your career path. Figuring out the right career path can feel overwhelming, but there are some practical steps to help you get clarity and make confident decisions. Here’s a step-by-step approach that can guide you in the right direction:
1. Identify Your Strengths and Interests:
- Make a list of things you’re good at, whether they’re academic, creative, or practical skills. Include activities you genuinely enjoy.
- If you’re unsure, consider taking a few career assessment tests. They can help pinpoint areas where your interests and strengths intersect.
2. Explore Different Career Paths:
- Start researching fields that relate to your interests. For instance, if you like helping people and find science interesting, healthcare roles might be worth exploring.
- Try job shadowing, internships, or part-time work in areas that catch your interest. Real-world experience can clarify whether you’d enjoy a field.
3. Develop Relevant Skills:
- Many career paths require specific skills. Identify skills needed for roles you’re considering and begin developing them through courses, online learning, or hands-on practice.
- Focus on both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving) since both are essential in any career.
4. Set Short-Term Goals:
- Break down your long-term career goal into short-term, achievable steps. For example, start with an entry-level position or enroll in a course to build your qualifications.
- Having small goals can make your path feel more manageable and give you a sense of accomplishment along the way.
5. Seek Mentorship and Advice:
- Talking to professionals in fields you’re interested in can offer you valuable insights. They can provide real-life perspective, advice on navigating the field, and even help you network.
- Mentors can also help guide your decisions and support your development.
6. Stay Open to Change:
- Many people change their career paths multiple times. Keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to shift direction if you discover something new or lose interest in a particular field.
- Your career path doesn’t have to be a straight line; it’s okay to take the time to explore different options.
7. Focus on Personal Growth:
- In any career, adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to learn will be valuable. Make personal development a priority alongside your career growth.
Finally, remember that there’s no “perfect” career path, your interests and strengths may evolve, and so might your goals. Take things one step at a time, stay proactive, and learn from each experience.
Best wishes!
It's completely normal to feel unsure about your career path. Figuring out the right career path can feel overwhelming, but there are some practical steps to help you get clarity and make confident decisions. Here’s a step-by-step approach that can guide you in the right direction:
1. Identify Your Strengths and Interests:
- Make a list of things you’re good at, whether they’re academic, creative, or practical skills. Include activities you genuinely enjoy.
- If you’re unsure, consider taking a few career assessment tests. They can help pinpoint areas where your interests and strengths intersect.
2. Explore Different Career Paths:
- Start researching fields that relate to your interests. For instance, if you like helping people and find science interesting, healthcare roles might be worth exploring.
- Try job shadowing, internships, or part-time work in areas that catch your interest. Real-world experience can clarify whether you’d enjoy a field.
3. Develop Relevant Skills:
- Many career paths require specific skills. Identify skills needed for roles you’re considering and begin developing them through courses, online learning, or hands-on practice.
- Focus on both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving) since both are essential in any career.
4. Set Short-Term Goals:
- Break down your long-term career goal into short-term, achievable steps. For example, start with an entry-level position or enroll in a course to build your qualifications.
- Having small goals can make your path feel more manageable and give you a sense of accomplishment along the way.
5. Seek Mentorship and Advice:
- Talking to professionals in fields you’re interested in can offer you valuable insights. They can provide real-life perspective, advice on navigating the field, and even help you network.
- Mentors can also help guide your decisions and support your development.
6. Stay Open to Change:
- Many people change their career paths multiple times. Keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to shift direction if you discover something new or lose interest in a particular field.
- Your career path doesn’t have to be a straight line; it’s okay to take the time to explore different options.
7. Focus on Personal Growth:
- In any career, adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to learn will be valuable. Make personal development a priority alongside your career growth.
Finally, remember that there’s no “perfect” career path, your interests and strengths may evolve, and so might your goals. Take things one step at a time, stay proactive, and learn from each experience.
Best wishes!
Eunice Rodriguez
3
Answers
Updated
Eunice’s Answer
Great question! Reflect on your interests, values, strengths, and weaknesses. Consider taking career assessments or personality tests to gain insights into what might suit you best. I recommend getting the book Discover Your CliftonStrengths" by Don Clifton. You can read the whole book or skip to the test. In the back of the book, you will have an access code where you can take the test for free. There are other free personality questionnaires online that you can do as well. Explore different fields and industries. Read about various roles, job descriptions, and growth potential especially in your area/city. Be open to new opportunities and experiences. Sometimes the right path may not be the one you initially envisioned. Listen to your gut feelings about what feels right for you. Passion and fulfillment are key to long-term career satisfaction as opposed to jumping to a career or job for the money.
Deeshani Batra
Software Engineer
48
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Deeshani’s Answer
To get on the right career path, start by exploring your interests, strengths, and values. Take time to think about what excites you—what activities or subjects do you enjoy? Once you have a better idea of what you’re passionate about, research careers that align with those interests.
Internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs in fields you're curious about can give you hands-on experience and help you make connections. You can also take courses or certifications to build relevant skills.
Networking is important too—talk to professionals in different fields to learn about their experiences. It’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. Keep exploring, stay curious, and don't be afraid to adjust your course as you learn more about yourself and the opportunities out there.
Internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs in fields you're curious about can give you hands-on experience and help you make connections. You can also take courses or certifications to build relevant skills.
Networking is important too—talk to professionals in different fields to learn about their experiences. It’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. Keep exploring, stay curious, and don't be afraid to adjust your course as you learn more about yourself and the opportunities out there.
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
750
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Choosing the right career path might seem like a huge task, but don't worry, there are several positive actions you can take to effectively steer this important journey. Start by taking some time for self-discovery, identifying what you love, what you're good at, and what truly matters to you. Think about the activities that fill you with energy and the topics that ignite your passion.
Then, dive into opportunities that allow you to explore different fields, like internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs. These experiences can offer you a glimpse into various industries and help you build crucial skills. Remember, networking is key; reach out to professionals in fields that spark your curiosity. You can learn from their experiences through informational interviews or mentorship programs.
Also, don't forget to consider career assessments or chatting with a career counselor. They can provide personalized advice and resources that can be incredibly helpful. As you collect information and gain experience, stay open to fresh ideas, and remember that your career path can change and grow with time. By following these steps, you can develop a clearer picture of your future and make well-informed decisions that resonate with your dreams.
Then, dive into opportunities that allow you to explore different fields, like internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs. These experiences can offer you a glimpse into various industries and help you build crucial skills. Remember, networking is key; reach out to professionals in fields that spark your curiosity. You can learn from their experiences through informational interviews or mentorship programs.
Also, don't forget to consider career assessments or chatting with a career counselor. They can provide personalized advice and resources that can be incredibly helpful. As you collect information and gain experience, stay open to fresh ideas, and remember that your career path can change and grow with time. By following these steps, you can develop a clearer picture of your future and make well-informed decisions that resonate with your dreams.