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What's the best way to find the right career for you?

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career-counseling careeradvice careerexploration collegeprep careerplanning careerpath careerdevelopment highschoolsenior goalsetting careertips personalgrowth careerchoices careeropportunities self-discovery findyourpassion
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Wong’s Answer

Hi Katelynn. Finding the right career can feel confusing, but there are simple steps that can help you choose the best path. First, you need to think about what you enjoy doing. What are your hobbies or favorite school subjects? If you like helping others, maybe a job in healthcare or teaching could be a good fit. If you enjoy solving problems or working with computers, you might like a career in technology or engineering.

Next, try to understand your strengths. Are you good at talking to people, working with your hands, or managing tasks? Your skills can help you find a job that matches what you’re naturally good at.

It also helps to research different careers. Look up what people do in those jobs, how much they earn, and what kind of education is needed. You can talk to people who work in those fields or even try internships or volunteer work to get experience.

Finally, remember that it’s okay to change your mind. Many people switch careers during their lives. The most important thing is to find a job that makes you feel happy and fulfilled. Good luck!
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John’s Answer

Hi Kate,

It's really straightforward. Think about what you love doing so much that you'd do it just for the joy it brings. For me, that was writing. In high school, it was my favorite thing to do, but I didn't follow that path right away. I chose something different after graduation. It took me a while to realize where my true passion was. Eventually, I went back to college, majored in English, and built a career in technical writing that lasted over 25 years!
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Courtney’s Answer

When thinking about your career, remember that it's perfectly fine not to have a detailed plan! Many careers grow through exploration. Besides following the great advice of considering your passions, doing research, and talking to many people, think about the skills you want to learn and improve. As you begin your journey, even if a job isn't a perfect match, focus on the key skills you want to develop before moving on. This approach can help you build a strong skill set and prevent frequent job changes when challenges arise. Lastly, make learning a priority and seek out a supportive manager in your early roles who can guide you.
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Cliff’s Answer

Katelynn,

I agree 100% with Rebecca's answers about thinking about what you like to do. I would also add: Talk to older people/adults about their careers and think about people you look up to and respect. Ask them about their careers: What they like/dislike about them and what they would do if they had to do it over again.

Find people to shadow who are willing to let you follow you around for a day or so. There are many different groups that will allow this.

Spend some amount of time researching possible careers. Guidance counsellors are a great resource. If you give up ONE afternoon per month of video games to do career research, you will be WAY ahead of many of your peers. You will always have video games to play, but career planning will be useful for years into the future and this planning can give great benefits.

Start early. My son shadowed a doctor when he was in 5th grade and he's now a pediatrician.

I'm thrilled that you are asking about this - it's great to spend time planning your future.

Good luck!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, egg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg. If you like maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher etc
If you have interest in music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer music producer, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-3 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
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Wyatt’s Answer

Hello Katelynn,

There are some excellent responses to your question, so I will keep this short. I was in the same boat, so I started by earning an Associate of Arts in General Studies before eventually choosing to pursue business school. If you’re unsure where to start, do yourself a favor and take a career assessment like the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the Holland Code (RIASEC). I regularly recommend these tools in my career coaching sessions for people just entering the job market or those considering a career change, they’re a great way to gain clarity and direction.

Best Wishes,
Wyatt
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James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Katelynn!

There are parts of this, deciphering the best career for you. The first one is your genealogy, your DNA that you've inherited from your ancestors. Historically, a couple of centuries ago, if you lived in New Mexico, you might be selling beans with your parents, if you lived in Greece, it might be galaktoboureko or tomatoes you get my drift? It was easy living with the parents, to choose your career.

The next way of determining this is by a psychological profile test such as the Myers-Briggs Assessment to find the best employment for you.

The next dynamic is your intake of nutrients. These greatly affect your employment, particularly your ability to complete tasks efficiently and quickly. The result can be higher intellectual quotients. Certainly, improved nutrition can elicit brilliant academic results.

This is observed in higher GPAs for students better nourished. I have the research evidence to prove it!

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389845635_Nutrition_and_its_Impact_on_the_Academic_Performance_of_Seventh-Year_Students
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386478558_Association_of_Breakfast_Skipping_with_Academic_Performance_among_Undergraduate_Students?_sg=XJu459qsX3mTuCC4NLYMQAvv68TJ8apzsoDvvOcazFIUMoEEPPhVv5ADPet75PYoWed9iZhhsbW7bfY&_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QiLCJwYWdlIjoiX2RpcmVjdCJ9fQ
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389818419_Role_of_Nutrients_in_Cognitive_Development_of_Children_A_Review?_sg=ZmVVB_WO9SxDrEUefaVrTiJoUEeZkQHXZT2MlfU72YuDeP4yJUzoNa3ofve-0PRf6chL21jOavh06fA&_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QiLCJwYWdlIjoiX2RpcmVjdCJ9fQ
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385700135_Hungry_Minds_How_branding_and_communication_design_can_educate_students_on_the_importance_of_a_healthy_diet_for_academic_performance
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380724027_THE_IMPACT_OF_FOOD_AND_NUTRITION_ON_STUDENTS%27_ACADEMIC_PERFORMANCE_IN_CHEMISTRY_IN_NIGERIA
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392237420_Mental_Health_and_Foundational_Academic_Behaviours_Pieces_of_the_Academic_Success_Puzzle

Next do not settle for any old job, get one that is best suited to you, not the other way around. You should not have to stress out and lose sleep over an unsuitable job or a bad boss. Your job should be free of harassment and victimization, because the money is not worth it.

Does the job pay well? Some American air hostesses are paid employees, and they cannot afford rent, so they live out of their cars.

Surely helping people 'on the rough end of the stick' has got to be an expressed priority! We see evidence of this in our communities when someone is a victim of accidents, bereavements, diseases, fires, losses, murderers, for instance.

MCS = MORE COMING SOON.
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Greg’s Answer

Wonderful question, Katelynn.

I don't think there's a "right" career. Career is a fluid thing, you can always change, and not only that but you can always change by building on what you learned from your previous opportunities.

I believe it's important to know that your career is not a rail track but the culmination of your journey through professional life. Learned something but realized you wanted to do something else? No problem, you didn't waste your time, you enriched your future opportunities with perspectives others don't have. Companies increasingly look for people who can offer not just expertise but also experience. Something you did for a while before realizing it wasn't for you can be the competitive advantage when applying for something else entirely.

My studies in philosophy turned out to be an asset when I started writing technical documentation. Why? Because my company thought that philosophy gave me an advantage in systematic thinking. Anything you do can and will be an asset.
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Patrick’s Answer

I know this might sound crazy, but the best way to find the right career for you is to start by gaining a clear understanding of yourself. I mean what are your strengths, interests, values, and the kind of work that genuinely motivates you. I know my son used the technique of asking us what we thought he was good at just to gain some insight of how others saw him. After you have this information at hand, then take time to reflect on what you enjoy doing, what comes naturally to you, and what kind of environment you thrive in. From there, explore different career options through research, conversations with professionals, internships, or volunteer experiences to see what aligns with who you are. It’s also important to stay open-minded and flexible. Careers aren’t always a straight path, and your goals may evolve over time. The right career isn’t just about what you can do as it is about finding work that feels meaningful, fulfilling, and sustainable for your lifestyle and aspirations. I hope this helps.
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hi Katelynn,

This question is really important, and to be honest, many people are still trying to understand it. The process of discovering the "right" career involves learning about yourself, trying many things, and focusing on what genuinely excites you rather than having a single, ideal solution.

What topics or interests cause me to lose track of time, you ask? Do I enjoy organizing, creating, assisting others, working with people, and solving problems? Additionally, consider the lifestyle you desire: are you more comfortable with structure, independence, stability, or flexibility?

To get some ideas based on your personality, you may also take career evaluations (many are free online or through school counselors). Beyond that, however, exposure to the real world has an important impact. Explore volunteering, internships, job shadowing, or even part-time employment in fields that interest you. These encounters can help you rule things out or solidify your curiosity, and both are helpful.

Don't feel compelled to figure everything out at once. Before discovering what truly works, most people explore a few different paths. Simply be open, continue to explore, and take stock as you go. Things will become easier to see as you get more knowledge about both the workplace and yourself. Keep in mind that your career should feel right for you; it doesn't have to go in a certain direction.

Best wishes!
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Stephanie’s Answer

Hi Katelynn,

You may be surprised to know that many adults who have been working for a long time are still asking themselves this question! I know it seems like such a daunting task to try and figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life when you are so young, but the good news is that you don't! The best advice I got on this topic is to see each job as a stepping stone that will lead you closer to the right role for you. For example, I majored in accounting and worked as an accountant for 12 years. Through that journey, I was able to figure out my strengths and weaknesses, what I liked and what I didn't like, and eventually now I am working as a Senior Program Manager in the Human Resource department....a completely different shift! And I don't regret my 12 years in accounting at all as it taught me many things and I am a big believer of transferable skillsets.

One thing I did in order to determine the right career for me was to do informational interviews with many people who worked in various fields that sounded interesting to me. That way I could hear about what their job is really like, what are the things they like and don't like, what do they do day to day, and learn more about what working in that role would be like. The more people I spoke to, the more confident I became in making a career change. I also took a lot of online tests to see what types of roles best fit my personality (although this was more for fun and a way to see if there was something I didn't consider that would be good).

In summary, you can always chart your path as you go along your journey so don't feel like the one decision you make is the final one for your job/career!
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Misha’s Answer

What's the best way to find the right career for you?

Great question Katelynn - and a tricky one to answer at that! In short, it's going to look different for everyone, however, I recommend doing a few things to help narrow it down for you:
- Identify your core values (I personally really like the Brene Brown exercise on this front and would recommend that one), then start to search roles/careers/organizations that highlight, emphasize those values in the work being done
- Identify what your current skills are and what of those skills when you engage in them bring energy vs. deplete your energy (you can also do this with hobbies)
- Write down what types of tasks and activities bring you the most joy and which ones are the most draining
- Figure out your non-negotiables (ie. location, pay, travel, remote/hybrid/in-office, hours/time of day worked, etc.)

Once you start examining these items you can then start to hone in on what types of roles/careers look like that might align and see what requirements of obtaining a role like that might be and put together an action plan for becoming a competitive candidate.

Misha recommends the following next steps:

Complete the Brene Brown Values Exercise
Identify which skills/task types bring energy and excite you
List out your non-negotiables for a role
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Jerome’s Answer

I would recommend that you get involved with as many programs and clubs as possible. Try new things after school, volunteer in the community to gain experience and attend every job fair or career session that is offered.

Most people don’t know what they want to be, but the best way to find out is by experiencing as much as you can.
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Jerry’s Answer

Katelynn,

First, there are many fine answers here for you to review and I hope to not offer repetitive advice.

Truly, you are experiencing what I, the other folks who answered you, and about 50 million others on planet Earth also have gone through at your age in their lives. And your "search" may last decades, if I offer my own path as an example.

I'm currently 75. When I was 43, an employer looked at my resume and said my career progression didn't make sense to him because it appeared I had worked across multiple, and seemingly unrelated, jobs. In truth, he was right. I'd moved from Ohio to Los Angeles to the SF Bay area, which meant new employers at each stop. My interests and skills/abilities changed; not only my geographic location. Truly, only I could link together why the shifts in employment had been made. Bottom line, while he kindly took a gamble when he hired me in 2003; I worked for him as an employee and then a contractor for 15 years. My point is that life and career decision-making is not cookie-cutter and uncertainty and life situations tend to be fluid.

That all said, factor this into your decision-making. We're living in rapidly changing times. Our weather, technology and our ability to work globally are in flux and evolving. E.g., who knows where artificial intelligence is headed and how will it affect your future work opportunities? One thing will remain consistent and valuable. Your ability to communicate effectively. And what can assist you in communicating more easily and therefore become even more employable? Language. Make an effort to learn to speak, write and read a second language. Or two. Your worth will increase dramatically. Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?

Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years

Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be...hence, my advice about learning multiple languages.

Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.

Good fortune to you moving forward.
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Stephanie’s Answer

Discovering a career that suits you starts with figuring out what you love. Once you know your interests, try volunteering or doing internships in that field. This experience will help you see if you want to build a long-term career there.
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