8 answers
Madeline
Student
Saint Charles, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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How do you find meaning and value in the work you do?
Hi! I'm a current freshman at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I'm undecided on my major as of right now, but I would appreciate knowing what makes you feel like your career is worthwhile. A feeling of fulfillment and purpose is a huge factor in helping me determine what major I want to pursue, as well as what work I want to do in my future.
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8 answers
Mark Frankel, CCMP
Engineering Analyst
4
Answers
Wayne, New Jersey
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Don't worry so much about the major. Study what interests you.
Take a job after school that interests you. Be flexible and grow into it. For example, I majored in Economics, but am now in engineering support.
Take a job after school that interests you. Be flexible and grow into it. For example, I majored in Economics, but am now in engineering support.
marianne madsen
I work in an IT company as an Supplier Operational Manager
5
Answers
Copenhagen, Denmark
Updated
marianne’s Answer
Dear Madeline
Besides the great advice of William above, I truly believe when chosen a carrier go for your dream, go for what your heart tell you, and what I feel has been really important for me, if not possible getting exactly the job you are looking for, yet getting a job, for me the greatest things are, to be happy what you do, to be happy with your colleagues, to be positive, to be open minded, this has been working out for me given me so much joy in my working life
Hope this can also help
Wish you good luck for the future and you already did good by taken the step asking questions at CareerVillage
Cheers Marianne
Besides the great advice of William above, I truly believe when chosen a carrier go for your dream, go for what your heart tell you, and what I feel has been really important for me, if not possible getting exactly the job you are looking for, yet getting a job, for me the greatest things are, to be happy what you do, to be happy with your colleagues, to be positive, to be open minded, this has been working out for me given me so much joy in my working life
Hope this can also help
Wish you good luck for the future and you already did good by taken the step asking questions at CareerVillage
Cheers Marianne
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2430
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. The most important is to find out what careers you have interest. The relevant subject is the major you can focus on.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, financial analyst, banker, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these subjects and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from you mentor, school career counsellor, 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!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, financial analyst, banker, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these subjects and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from you mentor, school career counsellor, 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!
Justin Masse
Sr. Platform DevOps Engineer
7
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Justin’s Answer
In my experience this is going to change from time to time especially in your teens/early 20s. I went into college wanting to be a chemical engineer but by the time I actually picked a college I had changed to computer science. I was getting a minor in psych and always thought it was so crazy interesting but knowing you couldn't find a job with just an undergrad made it not something I could pursue... and then junior year at Mizzou I really began to love nutrition and fitness and fell in love with personal training/etc.
Of course when you graduate its time to find a job that can actually support what you want to do in life on top of what you love to do... so I resorted back to using my computer science background and got a job in programming. College had really burnt me out on computer science stuff but coming into it as a career was actually really fun. It was something that I really enjoyed because it involved deep problem solving and constant learning.
With all that being said (and most of it useless i'm sure) my advice is to just go with the flow. Pursue what you enjoy doing and if it changes then change with it. If you end up doing something for a career and don't enjoy it you can always find ways to pursue something else if you're dedicated enough to spend the time.
Of course when you graduate its time to find a job that can actually support what you want to do in life on top of what you love to do... so I resorted back to using my computer science background and got a job in programming. College had really burnt me out on computer science stuff but coming into it as a career was actually really fun. It was something that I really enjoyed because it involved deep problem solving and constant learning.
With all that being said (and most of it useless i'm sure) my advice is to just go with the flow. Pursue what you enjoy doing and if it changes then change with it. If you end up doing something for a career and don't enjoy it you can always find ways to pursue something else if you're dedicated enough to spend the time.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
154
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Madeline,
I guess you're at crossroads. You are not alone in this though. Many students go through similar experiences.
It might be best if we first took a look at the purpose of our existence. Fundamentally, we aim to make this world a better place than we found it. In this regard, destiny bestows talent in each one of us so we can make a contribution to this noble cause.
In life, we make choices and such decisions are influenced by many things. The things we are good at give us the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives: communication, learning, work, transport, health, shelter, clothes, furniture, appliances, social life etc. Meeting the basic needs of society, usually is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.
It's also normal for us to choose what we love and enjoy doing. If what we love and enjoy doing is what we are good at, then we are on a solid ground to choose a purposeful & fulfilling career.
Pursue as many internships as you can. They give you an opportunity to experience the real work environment. This can truly help you figure out not only what suits you best but also what is practically possible regarding your career choices.
Membership in professional associations can be helpful too, especially in terms of the exposure they give you in the field of work.
Working alongside professionals is an opportunity to get mentorship and guidance regarding career choices.
The role models we cherish often influence our choices in life. They can be a great source of inspiration for us.
I guess you're at crossroads. You are not alone in this though. Many students go through similar experiences.
It might be best if we first took a look at the purpose of our existence. Fundamentally, we aim to make this world a better place than we found it. In this regard, destiny bestows talent in each one of us so we can make a contribution to this noble cause.
In life, we make choices and such decisions are influenced by many things. The things we are good at give us the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives: communication, learning, work, transport, health, shelter, clothes, furniture, appliances, social life etc. Meeting the basic needs of society, usually is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.
It's also normal for us to choose what we love and enjoy doing. If what we love and enjoy doing is what we are good at, then we are on a solid ground to choose a purposeful & fulfilling career.
Pursue as many internships as you can. They give you an opportunity to experience the real work environment. This can truly help you figure out not only what suits you best but also what is practically possible regarding your career choices.
Membership in professional associations can be helpful too, especially in terms of the exposure they give you in the field of work.
Working alongside professionals is an opportunity to get mentorship and guidance regarding career choices.
The role models we cherish often influence our choices in life. They can be a great source of inspiration for us.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Madeline! HELPING PEOPLE! ESPECIALLY THE NEEDY!
I really did not like death as a young boy. Meanings attached to sharing the good things in life were important to me. When my uncle and my father had coronaries and died - I was not a happy chappy. The Greek relatives, males were afflicted with familial hypercholesterolemia type IV.
The medical resuscitation team of doctors had worked on my uncle for one hour, trying to revive him. To no avail. Then my uncle's old academic boss Professor Masters turns up at our university lecturing in biochemistry. I changed my study majors from physics and mathematics to biochemistry and nutrition.
The year after my father died, I commenced studies to be a dietitian. My desire was to treat sick people, patients with nutritional needs. It was too late to save my relatives, but I assisted thousands of people. I had the good fortune to work with medical doctors who used vitamins and minerals to treat sickness. They were good at diagnosing, and I was good at fixing sick people.
I did an audit of patient results and many of them did not stick to their diet. Of the people that did 6 people had a reversal of diabetes!
GOD BLESS!
I really did not like death as a young boy. Meanings attached to sharing the good things in life were important to me. When my uncle and my father had coronaries and died - I was not a happy chappy. The Greek relatives, males were afflicted with familial hypercholesterolemia type IV.
The medical resuscitation team of doctors had worked on my uncle for one hour, trying to revive him. To no avail. Then my uncle's old academic boss Professor Masters turns up at our university lecturing in biochemistry. I changed my study majors from physics and mathematics to biochemistry and nutrition.
The year after my father died, I commenced studies to be a dietitian. My desire was to treat sick people, patients with nutritional needs. It was too late to save my relatives, but I assisted thousands of people. I had the good fortune to work with medical doctors who used vitamins and minerals to treat sickness. They were good at diagnosing, and I was good at fixing sick people.
I did an audit of patient results and many of them did not stick to their diet. Of the people that did 6 people had a reversal of diabetes!
GOD BLESS!
Ghaaliya Fatima
Graphic designing
3
Answers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Updated
Ghaaliya’s Answer
Hello Madeline,
As being a student myself I understand that deciding a major is not easy but have a minute and decide what you want to do which major you want to work on that will make your career life more bright and engaging, first go through you interest on working which things you are interested in and what major shapes your personality.
As being a student myself I understand that deciding a major is not easy but have a minute and decide what you want to do which major you want to work on that will make your career life more bright and engaging, first go through you interest on working which things you are interested in and what major shapes your personality.
Anna Grace Schroeder
Marketing
4
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Anna Grace’s Answer
GREAT QUESTION! I find meaning in my work by understanding that work isn't the biggest thing about me. Having a life outside of work - friends, family, faith, hobbies - is so important.
At work, I find meaning through the people around me and our shared interests/passion in what we are doing.
At work, I find meaning through the people around me and our shared interests/passion in what we are doing.