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How do I know that the career I'm aiming for is right for me?
I've always aimed for being a lawyer, but how do I know that I will be able to aim that or that It's the right career. I love having debates an sometimes like to argue with people.
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Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
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Paul’s Answer
It will really come down to what you want to do in life. The one thing that you are very passionate about, and can't wait to get into the office every day. It has to be something, where even if you were not paid to do it, you would still do it anyway, because you love it so much.
This is all part of what people might call enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is essential for working at your fullest ability and potential. If you are not enthusiastic, then you will not be making your best effort to help others attain their goals and objectives in life.
What you might want to do, during this particular period of time in your life, is start with a self-assessment to understand your skills, interests, values, and lifestyle that you wish to attain.
I should also research the potential career paths that align with your core values and find the industries, that are associated with these career paths, and start to talk to people in those fields.
Many colleges and universities have career centers, where you can gain assistance in researching these careers. They occasionally have people visit the colleges, on recruiting trips, who you can talk to and discuss the various employment and careers opportunities of a particular occupation.
I would also look into, gaining practical experience through internships or volunteer work to determine of a career is a good fit, before finally committing to a particular path.
This is all part of what people might call enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is essential for working at your fullest ability and potential. If you are not enthusiastic, then you will not be making your best effort to help others attain their goals and objectives in life.
What you might want to do, during this particular period of time in your life, is start with a self-assessment to understand your skills, interests, values, and lifestyle that you wish to attain.
I should also research the potential career paths that align with your core values and find the industries, that are associated with these career paths, and start to talk to people in those fields.
Many colleges and universities have career centers, where you can gain assistance in researching these careers. They occasionally have people visit the colleges, on recruiting trips, who you can talk to and discuss the various employment and careers opportunities of a particular occupation.
I would also look into, gaining practical experience through internships or volunteer work to determine of a career is a good fit, before finally committing to a particular path.
Updated
Nefeli’s Answer
Hello Missel,
It's great that you're thinking about career satisfaction and what is right for you early on.
The truth is that knowing which career is right for you is very hard at this early age when you're called to make a decision which will have a lasting impact in your life.
Personally, I believe the most important thing when choosing a career is what sparks your interest. Try to thing of what interests you. You should also try to research in which other professions your interests can apply. For example, liking debates is a good sign for a career in Law, but are there any other professions where this could also be of use? For example you could maybe also consider careers in politics. Please note that I am working in engineering so I do not know specifically about Law, but I'm trying to use some general examples so you can get the idea.
The second most important factor is what kind of opportunities each profession can give you. Sometimes you may like a subject very much but maybe there are not a lot of opportunities on this subject in your area. This means that you would have to then find a different job. That's why it's important to research the job market and understand what a day in your life will actually be if you choose a specific job. For example your top passion may be astrobiology, but since this is a highly theoretical field, it means that in order to find a job you would have to be doing academic research. Would you be okay with this possibility? Do you find research interesting, or would you be more interested in a corporate environment? It may be hard to think about these things at an early age, but I believe it's helpful for picking out something that is good for you. Of course I'm not saying you should not aim high or abandon your passions, but always think about what a day in your life will be like.
At the end of the day, if your job is helping you live the life you want to live and sparking your interests, you made a great choice! There is always a possibility you will not find 100% fulfillment in your job, so just try to find whatever brings you the most fulfillment.
It's great that you're thinking about career satisfaction and what is right for you early on.
The truth is that knowing which career is right for you is very hard at this early age when you're called to make a decision which will have a lasting impact in your life.
Personally, I believe the most important thing when choosing a career is what sparks your interest. Try to thing of what interests you. You should also try to research in which other professions your interests can apply. For example, liking debates is a good sign for a career in Law, but are there any other professions where this could also be of use? For example you could maybe also consider careers in politics. Please note that I am working in engineering so I do not know specifically about Law, but I'm trying to use some general examples so you can get the idea.
The second most important factor is what kind of opportunities each profession can give you. Sometimes you may like a subject very much but maybe there are not a lot of opportunities on this subject in your area. This means that you would have to then find a different job. That's why it's important to research the job market and understand what a day in your life will actually be if you choose a specific job. For example your top passion may be astrobiology, but since this is a highly theoretical field, it means that in order to find a job you would have to be doing academic research. Would you be okay with this possibility? Do you find research interesting, or would you be more interested in a corporate environment? It may be hard to think about these things at an early age, but I believe it's helpful for picking out something that is good for you. Of course I'm not saying you should not aim high or abandon your passions, but always think about what a day in your life will be like.
At the end of the day, if your job is helping you live the life you want to live and sparking your interests, you made a great choice! There is always a possibility you will not find 100% fulfillment in your job, so just try to find whatever brings you the most fulfillment.
Updated
Navalayo’s Answer
Hi Missel - you're asking the right questions at the right time, which tells me you're on a good path. I was a lawyer for exactly a day. My first time in a courtroom working on a criminal case was also my last. I also did an internship where my first assignment was to serve divorce papers to someone who was not expecting them, and witnessing their public breakdown made me know deep down that I was not going to go into family law. I'm in business now, and the most significant asset is my law degree because it gave me a foundation for understanding so many things. However, I sometimes feel I wasted time exploring different facets of law when I could have been in an environment where I could experience it and then decide whether I liked it. Experience as many careers as you can when you are younger.
1. Talk to people in the profession (law or others), and even for law, there are so many specialities for you to look into and talk to lawyers practising in those specialities.
2. Ask (if you can) to shadow them, walk into courtrooms that allow the public to sit in, etc.
When you observe, you will understand, and when you understand, you will know what works for you and what doesn't.
All the best!
1. Talk to people in the profession (law or others), and even for law, there are so many specialities for you to look into and talk to lawyers practising in those specialities.
2. Ask (if you can) to shadow them, walk into courtrooms that allow the public to sit in, etc.
When you observe, you will understand, and when you understand, you will know what works for you and what doesn't.
All the best!
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. You are the person who knows what careers you have interest. Others are hardly to design it for you.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
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 accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
If you like debating, you can consider to be mediator or negotiator.
2. Find ont 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 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
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 accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
If you like debating, you can consider to be mediator or negotiator.
2. Find ont 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 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!