4 answers
Talya
Student
Charleston, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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As an over-thinking college senior, how will I know when I've found the right career for me?
I know some say it takes trial and error, perhaps even pivoting. But is it a feeling, a lingering excitement after a few months on board? How will I know there isn't something better out there?
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4 answers
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
105
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Talya, something you can do now that will forever affect your life in a positive way is to develop your own intuition! This is an entirely internal sense for you of knowing when something feels right and good. This is not a black and white kind of knowing; what I mean by this is there is no one perfect answer. But for a moment in time, you feel a certain choice or path in life is what you want or need to do. The certainty may feel like all kinds of things- a satisfaction, a sense of solidity or grounding in your body, an excitement or anxiety (anxiety is not all bad), or a deep curiosity. Think back to when you did something that turned out to be great, wonderful, or a valuable learning experience. Again, do not focus on perfection because this is not obtainable. Perhaps you chose to take on a sport, learn a new skill, reach out to a new friend, - you get the gist. Something within you said, "take this risk! See where it goes. It may be worth it!" Finding a career path can take time and be built on many other decisions along the way. If you focus more on what you actually enjoy doing and doing activities that support your values, you will find your way! And sometimes the way to getting somewhere is the most interesting part. Just like the quote about the journey vs the destination. The destination may change but as long as the journey is challenging and full of surprises, try to trust where it may lead. One day you might just look back on all the twists and turns and see how each step built upon one another to get you to the end result. It is okay to make mistakes or double back. I encourage you to focus less on finding "the one" career and more on what you hope to learn and how you hope to grow personally and professionally. The rest will fall into place.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Talya,
It's understandable to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing a career, especially as an over-thinking college senior. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to your question. However, here are some insights that might help you navigate this decision:
1. Follow Your Interests: Think about what genuinely excites you. If you find yourself enthusiastic about a specific subject or activity, that’s a good sign you might want to pursue a career in that area. It’s not just about excitement but also about engagement—how often do you lose track of time while doing something?
2. Reflect on Your Values: Consider what matters most to you in a job. Is it work-life balance, helping others, creativity, or financial stability? A career that aligns with your values will likely feel more fulfilling.
3. Gain Experience: Internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities can provide insight into what a job is really like. Sometimes, you might find that you love something in theory but not in practice, or vice versa.
4. Trial and Error: As you mentioned, it often takes some experimentation. Many people don’t find their ideal career right away. Don’t be afraid to pivot if something doesn’t feel right. Each experience teaches you something valuable about what you want and don’t want.
5. Trust Your Gut: Sometimes, it’s about listening to your instincts. If a certain job or field feels right, even if it’s not what you initially envisioned, trust that feeling.
6. Talk to Others: Networking with professionals in fields you’re interested in can give you insight into different career paths. Hearing about others’ experiences can help you gauge if it’s a fit for you.
7. Consider Longevity: After a few months in a job, reflect on how you feel. Are you still excited to go to work? Are you learning and growing? A lingering excitement or a sense of purpose can be strong indicators that you’re on the right track.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The journey of discovering your career can be messy and nonlinear, but it’s all part of the process. Be open to exploration, and remember that your career path may evolve over time, which is perfectly okay!
Best wishes!
It's understandable to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of choosing a career, especially as an over-thinking college senior. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to your question. However, here are some insights that might help you navigate this decision:
1. Follow Your Interests: Think about what genuinely excites you. If you find yourself enthusiastic about a specific subject or activity, that’s a good sign you might want to pursue a career in that area. It’s not just about excitement but also about engagement—how often do you lose track of time while doing something?
2. Reflect on Your Values: Consider what matters most to you in a job. Is it work-life balance, helping others, creativity, or financial stability? A career that aligns with your values will likely feel more fulfilling.
3. Gain Experience: Internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities can provide insight into what a job is really like. Sometimes, you might find that you love something in theory but not in practice, or vice versa.
4. Trial and Error: As you mentioned, it often takes some experimentation. Many people don’t find their ideal career right away. Don’t be afraid to pivot if something doesn’t feel right. Each experience teaches you something valuable about what you want and don’t want.
5. Trust Your Gut: Sometimes, it’s about listening to your instincts. If a certain job or field feels right, even if it’s not what you initially envisioned, trust that feeling.
6. Talk to Others: Networking with professionals in fields you’re interested in can give you insight into different career paths. Hearing about others’ experiences can help you gauge if it’s a fit for you.
7. Consider Longevity: After a few months in a job, reflect on how you feel. Are you still excited to go to work? Are you learning and growing? A lingering excitement or a sense of purpose can be strong indicators that you’re on the right track.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The journey of discovering your career can be messy and nonlinear, but it’s all part of the process. Be open to exploration, and remember that your career path may evolve over time, which is perfectly okay!
Best wishes!
Prakhyath Sudini
business analytics specialist
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Prakhyath’s Answer
Finding the right career can indeed be a daunting task, especially when you're prone to overthinking. Here are some tips that might help you navigate this journey:
Self-Reflection: Take some time to understand your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. What activities make you lose track of time? What subjects or tasks do you find most engaging? Knowing yourself better can guide you towards a career that aligns with your passions and skills.
Research and Exploration: Look into various career options that interest you. Read about them, talk to professionals in those fields, and if possible, try to get some hands-on experience through internships or part-time jobs. This will give you a clearer picture of what to expect and help you make an informed decision.
Seek Guidance: Don't hesitate to seek advice from mentors, career counselors, or even friends and family. They can provide valuable insights and perspectives that you might not have considered.
Set Realistic Goals: It's important to set achievable goals and have a plan. Break down your long-term career aspirations into smaller, manageable steps. This will make the process less overwhelming and give you a sense of direction.
Stay Open-Minded: Remember that your first job doesn't have to be your forever job. It's okay to change paths as you grow and learn more about yourself and the industry. Stay open to new opportunities and be willing to adapt.
Trust Your Instincts: While it's good to gather information and seek advice, ultimately, you need to trust your own instincts. If something feels right, give it a try. If it doesn't work out, it's a learning experience that will bring you closer to finding the right fit.
Balance Passion and Practicality: While it's important to pursue something you're passionate about, also consider the practical aspects such as job availability, growth opportunities, and financial stability. Finding a balance between passion and practicality can lead to a fulfilling and sustainable career.
Remember, finding the right career is a journey, and it's okay to take your time. Trust the process and be patient with yourself.
Self-Reflection: Take some time to understand your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. What activities make you lose track of time? What subjects or tasks do you find most engaging? Knowing yourself better can guide you towards a career that aligns with your passions and skills.
Research and Exploration: Look into various career options that interest you. Read about them, talk to professionals in those fields, and if possible, try to get some hands-on experience through internships or part-time jobs. This will give you a clearer picture of what to expect and help you make an informed decision.
Seek Guidance: Don't hesitate to seek advice from mentors, career counselors, or even friends and family. They can provide valuable insights and perspectives that you might not have considered.
Set Realistic Goals: It's important to set achievable goals and have a plan. Break down your long-term career aspirations into smaller, manageable steps. This will make the process less overwhelming and give you a sense of direction.
Stay Open-Minded: Remember that your first job doesn't have to be your forever job. It's okay to change paths as you grow and learn more about yourself and the industry. Stay open to new opportunities and be willing to adapt.
Trust Your Instincts: While it's good to gather information and seek advice, ultimately, you need to trust your own instincts. If something feels right, give it a try. If it doesn't work out, it's a learning experience that will bring you closer to finding the right fit.
Balance Passion and Practicality: While it's important to pursue something you're passionate about, also consider the practical aspects such as job availability, growth opportunities, and financial stability. Finding a balance between passion and practicality can lead to a fulfilling and sustainable career.
Remember, finding the right career is a journey, and it's okay to take your time. Trust the process and be patient with yourself.
Steve Sterner
IT Management
31
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
That is an awesome question and Prakhyath's answer is fantastic advice. I would add one more theme that I think will help you and I think you already know it because you hit on it in your question.
1. You need to remember just because you make choice today you can always change your mind as you see what the work is like and what else is out there. Understanding this not only helps you be more open but also avoid the analysis paralysis that can attack over-thinkers like us. My first degree is in Accounting and Specialized Management and my first job out of college was Cost Accountant/Junior Comptroller and I was on the fast track to an officer level position to find out in the first 9 month how much I hated Accounting. I took the advice of a trusted colleague and pivoted to Computers and next to marrying my wife was the best decision I ever made.
2. The ability to pivot and be flexible is important both for viability and growth potential. The world both in and out of the work perspective is changing rapidly and we need to be prepared to change with it. When I started in my current company we were paper and pencil and large mainframe applications, then the Internet came, then Y2K came, the cell phones came, now AI came: disruptor after disruptor. This scares a lot of people because the confuse who they are both personally and professionally with what they do. I will use technology as an example I spent most of my career building Windows based computing environments and then came the cloud, now I can take my knowledge and build servers with code instead of floppy disks or take my understanding of applications and move into an application development/management role or completely pivot and build my own department to attack some of the problems in our technology area: all of these are viable because I have kept my mind and options open.
3. Lastly, whatever you do and while your there, Provide Value. A common misconception is the company owes me this and that the truth is you are a valuable part of an organization that you are a part of, if you make yourself so. Whatever role your given strive to give 100%, strive to make the people around you better, treat the business and the task you are doing like you own the company and it is your bottom line. I will not tell you good people do not get let go because that just isn't true. Good people find opportunities, they make lasting connections and they are sought out in organizations by other in the organization.
I hope this helps and based on the thoughtfulness of the question and your own self-awareness I know you'll kill it in whatever you decide to do.
1. You need to remember just because you make choice today you can always change your mind as you see what the work is like and what else is out there. Understanding this not only helps you be more open but also avoid the analysis paralysis that can attack over-thinkers like us. My first degree is in Accounting and Specialized Management and my first job out of college was Cost Accountant/Junior Comptroller and I was on the fast track to an officer level position to find out in the first 9 month how much I hated Accounting. I took the advice of a trusted colleague and pivoted to Computers and next to marrying my wife was the best decision I ever made.
2. The ability to pivot and be flexible is important both for viability and growth potential. The world both in and out of the work perspective is changing rapidly and we need to be prepared to change with it. When I started in my current company we were paper and pencil and large mainframe applications, then the Internet came, then Y2K came, the cell phones came, now AI came: disruptor after disruptor. This scares a lot of people because the confuse who they are both personally and professionally with what they do. I will use technology as an example I spent most of my career building Windows based computing environments and then came the cloud, now I can take my knowledge and build servers with code instead of floppy disks or take my understanding of applications and move into an application development/management role or completely pivot and build my own department to attack some of the problems in our technology area: all of these are viable because I have kept my mind and options open.
3. Lastly, whatever you do and while your there, Provide Value. A common misconception is the company owes me this and that the truth is you are a valuable part of an organization that you are a part of, if you make yourself so. Whatever role your given strive to give 100%, strive to make the people around you better, treat the business and the task you are doing like you own the company and it is your bottom line. I will not tell you good people do not get let go because that just isn't true. Good people find opportunities, they make lasting connections and they are sought out in organizations by other in the organization.
I hope this helps and based on the thoughtfulness of the question and your own self-awareness I know you'll kill it in whatever you decide to do.