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What is the best way to choose a career path?

Hello! I am a high school senior attending UCLA in the fall. I have always been interested in science, and reading, learning, and understanding cells has always been one of my favorite pastimes. As I am approaching the time to select my college classes, what are the most effective strategies for choosing a career path that aligns with my personal interests and strengths? Additionally, what steps should I take to ensure I make the right career choice?

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Lance’s Answer

To choose a career path that fits your passion for science and cells, start with self-reflection and personality assessments, explore a variety of science-related careers, and create a clear but flexible plan with achievable milestones. Gain practical experience through internships and research, align your choices with your core values, and seek mentorship to guide your decisions.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! This will help in my career journey! Adanna
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Michelle’s Answer

Congratulations! Fellow Bruin here! When I started I also had a bit of an idea of the things I was interested in and enjoyed, but no idea where to go with that. I took advantage of being at a liberal arts school and took a variety of classes my first two years so that I could test and learn where I might have interests. I tried out architectural history, astronomy, accounting, linguistics, and so on; but I kept gravitating back to math and problem solving. Once I decided what I wanted to study I still didn't know what I wanted to do with it! I took advantage of all that UCLA has to offer from professional associations to trying out a concurrent teaching program. I ruled out a lot more than I ruled in at first!
You have plenty of time to both hone in on your major and your career path so give yourself some freedom to get to know yourself and your interests and your journey will lead you to something you both enjoy and can make a career out of.
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Salsabil’s Answer

Hey! First off, congrats on UCLA—that’s an amazing achievement. Since you already have a love for science and a curiosity for how things work at the cellular level, you’re off to a strong start. The best way to choose a career path is to stay close to what excites you. Explore different classes, talk to professors, and get involved in research or internships early on to see what feels like a good fit. Don’t stress about having it all figured out right away—your interests will evolve, and that’s okay. Keep reflecting on what you enjoy, what you're good at, and where you see yourself making a difference. The right path usually reveals itself through experience, not pressure.
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Karim’s Answer

Great job, congrats! To choose a career path, start by understanding yourself. Think about what activities you enjoy and what others say you're good at. Next, talk to people working in different fields to learn more about their jobs.
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Faye’s Answer

Hi Adanna! Great question. A helpful exercise would be to understand what some entry level roles could be in each of those fields, and to set up informational interviews with either students specializing in those subjects or finding folks within your network (personal relationships or LinkedIn) who could give you insight into what their day to day looks like. Being interested in the subject is the first step, and then understanding how the practical application of what work will look like in a daily practice, and whether or not it's interesting to you, would be the next. Best of luck!
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Arabela’s Answer

It's okay not to know. The best way to find guidance about what we want in life is to question ourselves. One activity you can try is making a list of the things you like—write down any word that comes to mind that reflects something you enjoy. This will help you organize your thoughts. Additionally, you can look for free vocational orientation tests online to better understand yourself and get directed toward the career path that suits you best. Don’t worry if multiple careers come up—that’s part of learning more about yourself.

Arabela recommends the following next steps:

Question yourself with introspective questions
Make a list of what you like and the first words that come to mind
Take a vocational guidance test
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