5 answers
Sofia
Student
Guatemala City, Guatemala
1
Question
Asked
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What should I choose as a possible career choice?
Hi everyone,
For almost two years now, I didn't know what I wanted to study after high school. Nothing really ever called my attention to the point that I knew that was my calling. Now, the time to start applying is coming closer and I feel really lost.
I focused on my strengths, and I have two main qualities:
1. I'm very good with people. It's easy for me to remember their names (after just meeting them) , things they like, their qualities, and so on. No matter how extroverted or introverted they are, I will almost always make conversation with them and make them talk and also make them feel welcomed and included.
2. The second one is a little bit different, but I also like to manage things. Maybe this a stupid example, but I always end up being the "mom" of my friend group, I usually will end up deciding where are we going to go, at what time, how much money to bring, transportation, and so on. When I go on vacations, I usually take hours before the begin of it to look all the things I want in the online sites and starting building a budget around it. And I'm very strict with it! And sometimes during the trip I may change my budget to fit with new things I want that I saw after what I planned. I downsize or upsize depending on what's appropriate. I like to be the one in charge of schedule planning and making sure everyone sticks to it.
I gave a little bit more detail for all of you guys to maybe help me a little bit better!
I was thinking going into HR, but all suggestions of possibles careers are welcomed and needed.
So, what should I study?
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5 answers
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
344
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Looks like you have already done a great job of developing useful skills. Keep in mind that many people have more than one career in their lifetime, so it's just a question of where to start. You can apply the skills you described in many areas. Your thoughts of HR would be an excellent choice. Other possibilities could be in general business, administration or training. If you have a high school counselor, talk to them about ideas.
General courses will get you started, and you can then decide if there's a specific area you want to focus on. Stay open to possibilities. Remember to enjoy life and keep the faith!
With every good wish.
General courses will get you started, and you can then decide if there's a specific area you want to focus on. Stay open to possibilities. Remember to enjoy life and keep the faith!
With every good wish.
Thanks for taking the time to answer Karen. I just have a question, what could be the best possible outcome if I studied in the area of administration?
Also, thank you for reminding me that my future is not set in stone! It's very important to have that in mind. Thank you.
Sofia
The area of administration could possibly lead to a management position in various organizations. Where I previously worked we had a VP of Administration who led teams in HR, Payroll, and Planning.
Karen Kitchel
Arlene Daniels
Deal Manager
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Arlene’s Answer
Hello,
Firstly, kudos to you for recognizing your strengths! One possible career path for you could be in sales, where your ability to communicate effectively and strategize would be highly valued. Your knack for planning trips and managing budgets showcases your strategic thinking skills. Sales is a broad field with various niches like medical equipment, IT, or fashion. If you're inclined towards making a difference in people's lives, medical sales could be an ideal starting point for you.
Another promising area is healthcare, particularly roles like nursing. The medical field offers a number of jobs that don't necessarily involve handling bodily fluids. Roles such as radiation therapists or X-ray technicians allow you to assist people without bearing the responsibility of their lives.
I hope these suggestions prove useful and inspire you to explore more possibilities.
Best of luck!
Firstly, kudos to you for recognizing your strengths! One possible career path for you could be in sales, where your ability to communicate effectively and strategize would be highly valued. Your knack for planning trips and managing budgets showcases your strategic thinking skills. Sales is a broad field with various niches like medical equipment, IT, or fashion. If you're inclined towards making a difference in people's lives, medical sales could be an ideal starting point for you.
Another promising area is healthcare, particularly roles like nursing. The medical field offers a number of jobs that don't necessarily involve handling bodily fluids. Roles such as radiation therapists or X-ray technicians allow you to assist people without bearing the responsibility of their lives.
I hope these suggestions prove useful and inspire you to explore more possibilities.
Best of luck!
Hi Arlene, thank you for the suggestions! I was wondering if you have any idea of how difficult ( in terms of demand of jobs offers) could the healthcare area be focusing on jobs like X-ray technicians? Could I have a very stable and well paid job?
And also, are sales just about selling things to people? (I understand that may be a dumb question but I want to know more). Or what can be other careers I could do using a degree in sales?
Truly a big thank you for the suggestions, and thank you for answering.
Sofia
Hannah Rasmussen
Human Resources Advisor
2
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Hello Sofia! I was the exact same way in high school! I had no idea what I wanted to do and I was also always the 'mom' of my friend group and in any class project.
When I went to college, I ended up studying business with an emphasis in HR and I have been working in HR for 6+ years. I love it! You get to work with people everyday to help solve problems and build an amazing employee experience. There are so many different roles in HR that its easy to find what suites you best, but from what you are saying so far, I think these would be great roles to shoot for in HR:
-Recruiter- if you really like talking and enjoy selling (you basically are selling candidates on the role you need to fill) this would be a good fit. This role is a bit more fast-paced and there are metrics you need to meet
-HR Generalist- if you like helping people and teaching people things, an HR generalist work with managers and employees to review policies, have conversations on performance and benefits administration.
I was also thinking you would make a great project manager!
Hope this helps!
When I went to college, I ended up studying business with an emphasis in HR and I have been working in HR for 6+ years. I love it! You get to work with people everyday to help solve problems and build an amazing employee experience. There are so many different roles in HR that its easy to find what suites you best, but from what you are saying so far, I think these would be great roles to shoot for in HR:
-Recruiter- if you really like talking and enjoy selling (you basically are selling candidates on the role you need to fill) this would be a good fit. This role is a bit more fast-paced and there are metrics you need to meet
-HR Generalist- if you like helping people and teaching people things, an HR generalist work with managers and employees to review policies, have conversations on performance and benefits administration.
I was also thinking you would make a great project manager!
Hope this helps!
Hi Hannah! Thanks for answering. I was just wondering what may be the cons of being an HR? I also heard a lot about the stigmas that HR usually have... does that affect your work environment? And also, do you know what is the best jobs opportunities I may have being a project manager?
I really send a big hug for helping me out, thanks!
Sofia
Jason Melton
Sales and Operations, Innovation
2
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Jason’s Answer
I suggest you consider a career in project management, given your skillset. If you have a knack for keeping things in order and excel at connecting with people, this could be the great match for you! During my time as a project manager, I found that not only did I need to keep things streamlined and progressing towards set objectives, but I also needed strong people skills to steer the course when things didn't go exactly as planned. Moreover, there's a high demand for project managers globally and the pay is pretty good. While AI can design project plans, the human touch required to ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget won't be replaced by AI in the foreseeable future. So, your interpersonal skills will always be in demand.
Check out https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp
Check out https://davidepstein.com/range/
Jason recommends the following next steps:
Paul Rapoza
Project Manager
2
Answers
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hello Sofia,
Embarking on the journey of choosing a career is a monumental step, and it's heartening to see you're seeking guidance. Have you thought about venturing into the vibrant world of project management? This dynamic profession presents an array of opportunities across various sectors. As a project manager, you'll have the exciting chance to lead teams, tackle challenges, and witness projects evolve from their initial concept to successful completion. This role demands robust organizational and communication abilities, and it's immensely satisfying to see your hard work bear fruit.
Beyond strategizing and coordinating, project managers also shoulder the responsibility of budget management. This entails crafting financial plans, allocating resources judiciously, and ensuring projects adhere to their budget. This crucial skill introduces an element of financial supervision to your role.
Furthermore, project management encompasses considerable human resources duties. You'll have the privilege of assembling and guiding teams, overseeing personnel, and making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction. This facet of the job enables you to hone strong leadership and interpersonal skills, making it a well-rounded and gratifying career path.
Project management also promises fantastic career advancement and the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, spanning from technology to construction to healthcare. If you find joy in planning, coordinating, and collaborating with people, project management could be the ideal match for you.
Wishing you all the best in making your decision!
Paul
Embarking on the journey of choosing a career is a monumental step, and it's heartening to see you're seeking guidance. Have you thought about venturing into the vibrant world of project management? This dynamic profession presents an array of opportunities across various sectors. As a project manager, you'll have the exciting chance to lead teams, tackle challenges, and witness projects evolve from their initial concept to successful completion. This role demands robust organizational and communication abilities, and it's immensely satisfying to see your hard work bear fruit.
Beyond strategizing and coordinating, project managers also shoulder the responsibility of budget management. This entails crafting financial plans, allocating resources judiciously, and ensuring projects adhere to their budget. This crucial skill introduces an element of financial supervision to your role.
Furthermore, project management encompasses considerable human resources duties. You'll have the privilege of assembling and guiding teams, overseeing personnel, and making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction. This facet of the job enables you to hone strong leadership and interpersonal skills, making it a well-rounded and gratifying career path.
Project management also promises fantastic career advancement and the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, spanning from technology to construction to healthcare. If you find joy in planning, coordinating, and collaborating with people, project management could be the ideal match for you.
Wishing you all the best in making your decision!
Paul
Hi Paul! Thanks for answering. I have a question for you, do you know how much is a normal salary for a project manager in France? And if the demands for job is low or high? I study in a french school and right now I'm working to get my french school diploma, so the most probable thing is that I go study there... But if you may know for any other countries in Europe that would also help me, thanks!
Sofia
oh, and also... is there a career that just focuses on that or do I need to study something before (or after) to become a project manager?
Sofia
Hi Sofia, a recent Project Management Institute (PMI) salary survey of project managers shows that an entry-level project manager, or PM1, in France earns an annual salary between 37500 and 76962 Euros. This increases with a PMI certification such as a CAPM or PMP (HTTP://www.pmi.org).
Paul Rapoza
Some schools offer a degree in project management, and there are many online courses on the subject; however, many people end up in project management roles without formal education. I also mentioned certifications, which some PMs obtain to show their knowledge and expertise. You'll sometimes see it listed on a job posting as required or preferred. The PMI certifications require many training hours and testing to get certified, followed by logging additional training hours to keep the certification. Many other certifications are available, and I found this website that lists a few: https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/project-management-certification-right.
Paul Rapoza