5 answers
Jake
Student
New London, Wisconsin
1
Question
Asked
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Was there any point were you wondered if you should change career paths or if what you were pursuing wasn't right or meant for you? And if so, what was it that reaffirmed that you were pursuing the right thing?
Is there anything in which you recommend to someone with many years of schooling ahead of them? I am someone who plans to go into anesthesiology. I know I will have many years of schooling to go through, and I want to make sure that I don't experience burnout.
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5 answers
Mary Ann Faue
Communications, Training, and People Development
59
Answers
Hayward, California
Updated
Mary Ann’s Answer
Hi Jake,
Wondering if you should take a different path in a career, or in life, is a perfectly normal thing. Think about it for a minute. The world is always changing. And with each change comes a new opportunity. For example, when I was going to school, riding a skateboard on a half-pipe was not a job/way to earn money. Playing video games competitively was not a job/way to earn money. But for those people who had invested time in riding a skateboard and doing tricks, and for those people who invested time in learning all the levels of a video game, they suddenly had a possible career path.
That being said, my advice is to pursue learning about things that interest you. Look for things that spark your curiosity or give you a feeling of accomplishment. And, pay attention to how you learn. Do you learn by reading? By someone telling you how to do something? Figuring it out yourself? Or doing something while following instructions? If you're lucky, you will continue to learn new things throughout your life. And, if you know how you learn, you can change paths and learn new things along the way.
So, here are some of the jobs I've had in my life:
1. Children's photographer in the mall
2. Sales clerk in a bookstore and department store
3. Social Worker (helping people who are in crisis)
4. Payroll clerk (Did the payroll for a company of about 10,000 people)
5. Facilities Manager (Managed the remodel of a building and then managed the running of the building, had 3 people reporting to me)
6. Field Representative for a politician (You know those people who answer the letters you write to your Congressman? That was me answering them. I also went to different events on behalf of my elected official)
7. Administrative assistant/Secretary
8. Project Manager (Figured out and managed the steps to complete a project, who did what, made sure they were on schedule)
9. Talent Recruitment Manager (Identified, Interviewed and hired Sales people for a company)
10. Organization Development Manager (people reported to me).
11. Change Manager (I plan and execute large scale changes in companies, like when they're going to start using a new computer system and everyone need to learn how to use it)
Some of these jobs I applied for. Some were jobs where my manager said, "We need someone to do this, and we think you would be good at it. Are you interested?" This has resulted in a very diverse and interesting career for me. So, as you go forward, don't limit yourself. Pay attention to what you like to do and be open to the opportunities that arise.
Wondering if you should take a different path in a career, or in life, is a perfectly normal thing. Think about it for a minute. The world is always changing. And with each change comes a new opportunity. For example, when I was going to school, riding a skateboard on a half-pipe was not a job/way to earn money. Playing video games competitively was not a job/way to earn money. But for those people who had invested time in riding a skateboard and doing tricks, and for those people who invested time in learning all the levels of a video game, they suddenly had a possible career path.
That being said, my advice is to pursue learning about things that interest you. Look for things that spark your curiosity or give you a feeling of accomplishment. And, pay attention to how you learn. Do you learn by reading? By someone telling you how to do something? Figuring it out yourself? Or doing something while following instructions? If you're lucky, you will continue to learn new things throughout your life. And, if you know how you learn, you can change paths and learn new things along the way.
So, here are some of the jobs I've had in my life:
1. Children's photographer in the mall
2. Sales clerk in a bookstore and department store
3. Social Worker (helping people who are in crisis)
4. Payroll clerk (Did the payroll for a company of about 10,000 people)
5. Facilities Manager (Managed the remodel of a building and then managed the running of the building, had 3 people reporting to me)
6. Field Representative for a politician (You know those people who answer the letters you write to your Congressman? That was me answering them. I also went to different events on behalf of my elected official)
7. Administrative assistant/Secretary
8. Project Manager (Figured out and managed the steps to complete a project, who did what, made sure they were on schedule)
9. Talent Recruitment Manager (Identified, Interviewed and hired Sales people for a company)
10. Organization Development Manager (people reported to me).
11. Change Manager (I plan and execute large scale changes in companies, like when they're going to start using a new computer system and everyone need to learn how to use it)
Some of these jobs I applied for. Some were jobs where my manager said, "We need someone to do this, and we think you would be good at it. Are you interested?" This has resulted in a very diverse and interesting career for me. So, as you go forward, don't limit yourself. Pay attention to what you like to do and be open to the opportunities that arise.
Gina Kette
Manager, Staff Talent Acquisition
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Hi Jake!
Know your strengths and passions, and follow them. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying agile. As an elder millennial, I’ve navigated "unprecedented times," shifted job markets, and experienced burnout. Learning to adapt has made me a stronger manager and employee.
I started my career as a high school teacher, dedicating my collegiate years to that path. After one year, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me and left. Initially, I felt like I’d failed, but in hindsight, I gained valuable experience that shaped my approach to managing talent. Those lessons have been instrumental in my work as the Firmwide Manager of Staff Talent Acquisition at a large law firm.
If you’re considering a career, talk to people who are already on that path or in the academic programs you’re exploring. Connect with alumni on LinkedIn or reach out to universities directly for insight. Plan for the possibility that your chosen profession may not align with your passion later—and know that it’s okay to pivot. Taking an unexpected path can provide unique perspective and growth.
In my role, I regularly hire former practicing attorneys who transitioned into non-attorney careers like HR, Legal Tech, and Project Management. Similarly, in the medical field, there are countless lesser-known opportunities worth exploring beyond traditional roles.
Above all, be kind to yourself, and use the resources available—whether it’s college services, mentors, or professional networks. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Know your strengths and passions, and follow them. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying agile. As an elder millennial, I’ve navigated "unprecedented times," shifted job markets, and experienced burnout. Learning to adapt has made me a stronger manager and employee.
I started my career as a high school teacher, dedicating my collegiate years to that path. After one year, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me and left. Initially, I felt like I’d failed, but in hindsight, I gained valuable experience that shaped my approach to managing talent. Those lessons have been instrumental in my work as the Firmwide Manager of Staff Talent Acquisition at a large law firm.
If you’re considering a career, talk to people who are already on that path or in the academic programs you’re exploring. Connect with alumni on LinkedIn or reach out to universities directly for insight. Plan for the possibility that your chosen profession may not align with your passion later—and know that it’s okay to pivot. Taking an unexpected path can provide unique perspective and growth.
In my role, I regularly hire former practicing attorneys who transitioned into non-attorney careers like HR, Legal Tech, and Project Management. Similarly, in the medical field, there are countless lesser-known opportunities worth exploring beyond traditional roles.
Above all, be kind to yourself, and use the resources available—whether it’s college services, mentors, or professional networks. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Matthew Ibalio MBA
3
Answers
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Hey Jake that's a very tough question and it's hard to answer.
I didn't realize I made a mistake in schooling until recently and I'm about 8 years out of college. I studied marketing and realized I wasn't really passionate about the work and didn't care much to tell people about the school projects I was working on.
What helped me realize this was a few things:
- Volunteering: I have no idea what that looks like for anesthesiology but definitely do some research and see if you can do some sort of volunteer/internship/job shadowing to see what the work is really like. You'll get a good sense in your gut if whether or not you can see yourself doing it for 30+ years
- Coffee Chats: Reach out to alumni or senior students on the same path as you to get their thoughts. If you do enough you can get a good sense for what the next few years of your life will look like
- Online learning platforms: Websites like Coursera, Harvard Extension, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning had projects in finance that gave some idea of what I'd be doing. Try seeing if there are some projects or extra videos that relate to what you want to do. It might help inform you if you care about the topics or not.
Find volunteer/internship/job shadowing opportunities either through school or outside
Coffee chats with alumni or senior students
Check out online learning platforms for topics related to your major
I didn't realize I made a mistake in schooling until recently and I'm about 8 years out of college. I studied marketing and realized I wasn't really passionate about the work and didn't care much to tell people about the school projects I was working on.
What helped me realize this was a few things:
- Volunteering: I have no idea what that looks like for anesthesiology but definitely do some research and see if you can do some sort of volunteer/internship/job shadowing to see what the work is really like. You'll get a good sense in your gut if whether or not you can see yourself doing it for 30+ years
- Coffee Chats: Reach out to alumni or senior students on the same path as you to get their thoughts. If you do enough you can get a good sense for what the next few years of your life will look like
- Online learning platforms: Websites like Coursera, Harvard Extension, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning had projects in finance that gave some idea of what I'd be doing. Try seeing if there are some projects or extra videos that relate to what you want to do. It might help inform you if you care about the topics or not.
Matthew recommends the following next steps:
Sagar Picha
QA Manager
2
Answers
Princeton, New Jersey
Updated
Sagar’s Answer
Hi Jake,
Great question!
I suggest talking to a consular and connecting with people working in the field you're interested in. They can give you valuable insights into the pros and cons of that career. Remember, life can be unpredictable, and sometimes we need to switch careers. Stay flexible, keep learning, and stay informed. It's never too late to pursue a career that excites you.
Do your research and follow your passion. Best of luck!
Talk to Consular
Talk to people in that field
Great question!
I suggest talking to a consular and connecting with people working in the field you're interested in. They can give you valuable insights into the pros and cons of that career. Remember, life can be unpredictable, and sometimes we need to switch careers. Stay flexible, keep learning, and stay informed. It's never too late to pursue a career that excites you.
Do your research and follow your passion. Best of luck!
Sagar recommends the following next steps:
Amy McComas
Music Educator & Instructional Coach
3
Answers
Mooresville, North Carolina
Updated
Amy’s Answer
I studied music education when arts programs faced many cuts. My family, full of teachers, urged me to switch my focus from music to something else. But one piece of advice stayed with me: if you're doing what you love and it makes you happy, you're in the right place.
I suggest finding a mentor in your field. Ask them why they chose their path and what brings them joy. They might have faced similar challenges and can help you discover what you truly want to do. Good luck!
I suggest finding a mentor in your field. Ask them why they chose their path and what brings them joy. They might have faced similar challenges and can help you discover what you truly want to do. Good luck!
Thank you!
Jake