3 answers
Victoria
Student
Apex, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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When in your education should you narrow your career path?
I prioritized English and writing related classes because I thought that was my future career. However, I feel like it isn't, and now I feel behind.
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3 answers
Dr. James Zavala
Lieutenant Colonel
145
Answers
Lorton, Virginia
Updated
Dr. James’s Answer
The timing for deciding on your career path can be different for everyone, based on personal goals, interests, and life situations. Here are some helpful tips:
1. High School: This is an exciting time to try out different interests through classes, clubs, and part-time jobs. You don’t have to pick a specific career yet, but discovering what you love and what you're good at can help you make choices for college.
2. College/University: By your first or second year, it's a good idea to start focusing more. This is when you usually choose a major that fits your career goals. Internships, meeting new people, and career advice can help you find the right path.
3. Postgraduate Studies: If you decide to continue your education, this is the time to get really specific. For instance, medical students pick their specialties during residency, and law students might choose a particular field of law.
4. Continuous Learning: Your career can change and grow even after school. Taking courses, attending workshops, or earning certifications helps you learn new skills or become an expert in your field.
Remember, the best time to focus on your career is when you're ready and when chances arise. It's perfectly fine to take your time and explore before settling on a path!
I personally didn't start my master's until my 30s and my doctorate in my 40s. You're never behind—it's your journey!
1. High School: This is an exciting time to try out different interests through classes, clubs, and part-time jobs. You don’t have to pick a specific career yet, but discovering what you love and what you're good at can help you make choices for college.
2. College/University: By your first or second year, it's a good idea to start focusing more. This is when you usually choose a major that fits your career goals. Internships, meeting new people, and career advice can help you find the right path.
3. Postgraduate Studies: If you decide to continue your education, this is the time to get really specific. For instance, medical students pick their specialties during residency, and law students might choose a particular field of law.
4. Continuous Learning: Your career can change and grow even after school. Taking courses, attending workshops, or earning certifications helps you learn new skills or become an expert in your field.
Remember, the best time to focus on your career is when you're ready and when chances arise. It's perfectly fine to take your time and explore before settling on a path!
I personally didn't start my master's until my 30s and my doctorate in my 40s. You're never behind—it's your journey!
Heather MacDonald
Principal Consultant
16
Answers
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Heather’s Answer
Hi, Victoria! As someone who couldn't make up my mind in school, and subsequently never finished my degree, I can assure you you're not behind. I used to tell myself I was worse off than people who knew what they wanted to do, went to school, got their degree, and started working in their field. That totally works for some people and for some of us life just doesn't work out that way. I've met so many people along the way that didn't finish their degrees until their 40s or later.
I've learned that we are always where we should be and for me learning to not regret my educational decisions and to embrace all the skills and capabilities I do bring to the table changed so much for me. I do tell folks if you have the opportunity to finish a degree in something, do it. I have experienced times where not having a degree has impacted me though for a lot of my career it's been fine. I also work with a lot of folks who have degrees but their day-to-day work has nothing to do with their degree.
If you have other things you might want to do I'd recommend doing some job shadowing or informational interviews to learn more about what a day in the life could look like in careers you are considering. You might also connect with your career center or student services groups to see if they can support you in changing your major or learning more about other options. Either way, just know that you're not behind and no matter what you choose you can always change your mind later. I've made many career pivots in my career to new roles, new industries, and new sectors and it's all taught me so much that I use today. Life works out eventually and I am sure it will for you too. Best of luck to you!
I've learned that we are always where we should be and for me learning to not regret my educational decisions and to embrace all the skills and capabilities I do bring to the table changed so much for me. I do tell folks if you have the opportunity to finish a degree in something, do it. I have experienced times where not having a degree has impacted me though for a lot of my career it's been fine. I also work with a lot of folks who have degrees but their day-to-day work has nothing to do with their degree.
If you have other things you might want to do I'd recommend doing some job shadowing or informational interviews to learn more about what a day in the life could look like in careers you are considering. You might also connect with your career center or student services groups to see if they can support you in changing your major or learning more about other options. Either way, just know that you're not behind and no matter what you choose you can always change your mind later. I've made many career pivots in my career to new roles, new industries, and new sectors and it's all taught me so much that I use today. Life works out eventually and I am sure it will for you too. Best of luck to you!
Dominic Wragg
Electrician
4
Answers
Morrisville, North Carolina
Updated
Dominic’s Answer
Just remember that life is not a competition. You are living to learning to find your proper path. Some people find it right away some take longer. All you need to do is keep moving forward. Having said that, generally speaking undergraduate level classes are designed to help you understand the basics of those fields and help you narrow down what you are interested in. Upper graduate level classes are focused on specialization. What I often suggest high school students do is attend community college first. This is an inexpensive way to accrue experience in the differing fields of study while still gaining the experience to transfer to the university level once you have figured out what you want. Just take your time and learn. you aren't behind, you aren't ahead, you are exactly where you need to be. "Just keep swimming!"