6 answers
Ivalani
Student
Woodside, NY
1
Question
Asked
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What are some ways I can meet people in the field that I want to create a career in?
Extra:
What are some good questions to ask about a field we might be interested in?
What is the best first step to take when you don’t have any clue on what to do for your future?
p.s. I know it was only one question but I had to take space.
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6 answers
Amanda A
2
Answers
Lewes, Delaware
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi!
-Attend career fairs at nearby colleges or universities.
-Meet with career counselors every few months.
-Join LinkedIn groups related to your field of interest.
-Connect with people on LinkedIn who work in roles or fields you want to explore. (Don't hesitate to send them a message to introduce yourself and ask about any internship opportunities.)
-Attend career fairs at nearby colleges or universities.
-Meet with career counselors every few months.
-Join LinkedIn groups related to your field of interest.
-Connect with people on LinkedIn who work in roles or fields you want to explore. (Don't hesitate to send them a message to introduce yourself and ask about any internship opportunities.)
Corey King
Solution Architect
7
Answers
Bainbridge Island, WA
Updated
Corey’s Answer
Agreeing with Wong is a great start, and here are some encouraging steps you can take:
- Reach out to a career counselor at a local college. They are usually eager to help you explore career options and discuss the education you might need. You can simply share your interests and dislikes, and they'll guide you on possible career paths to consider.
- Although I can't provide links, there are many excellent websites where you can take career quizzes. These quizzes ask questions to help you discover careers that might suit you. Once you have some ideas, check out the education requirements for those jobs and see how you feel about them. It's a chance to learn what excites you.
- Another easy step is to talk to your friends' parents about their jobs and what people do at their companies. They can offer valuable insights and advice. If something catches your interest, ask if you can meet someone in that field to learn more and ask questions.
- Reach out to a career counselor at a local college. They are usually eager to help you explore career options and discuss the education you might need. You can simply share your interests and dislikes, and they'll guide you on possible career paths to consider.
- Although I can't provide links, there are many excellent websites where you can take career quizzes. These quizzes ask questions to help you discover careers that might suit you. Once you have some ideas, check out the education requirements for those jobs and see how you feel about them. It's a chance to learn what excites you.
- Another easy step is to talk to your friends' parents about their jobs and what people do at their companies. They can offer valuable insights and advice. If something catches your interest, ask if you can meet someone in that field to learn more and ask questions.
Alex Shapero
Volunteer Event Host
18
Answers
Helsinki, Finland
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Hi Ivalini!
Lots of good advice here already, but one that has worked really well for me and many of my colleagues is coffee calls - you can think of them as informational interviews, but lots of professionals are used to this as a space where you can "pick people's brains" - ask questions about how they got to where they were, what steps they are happy with and what they would change, etc. The important thing is that you shouldn't use these ask a way to ask a job. It goes against the whole ethos. Instead, it's a way to share what you know and what you want to know.
Lots of good advice here already, but one that has worked really well for me and many of my colleagues is coffee calls - you can think of them as informational interviews, but lots of professionals are used to this as a space where you can "pick people's brains" - ask questions about how they got to where they were, what steps they are happy with and what they would change, etc. The important thing is that you shouldn't use these ask a way to ask a job. It goes against the whole ethos. Instead, it's a way to share what you know and what you want to know.
Sarah Koenig
Corporate Responsibility
24
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Try using ChatGPT to find job titles in a field you're interested in. Then, check LinkedIn to see the experience of people in those roles. Another advantage of LinkedIn is that if you find someone in your network with relevant experience, you can contact them directly to learn more.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Ivalani. If you want to start a career in a field you like, meeting the right people is very important. You can do this by going to events, workshops, or small local meetups. Big conferences are great, but smaller groups are often easier for talking to people. You can also use LinkedIn or other online networks. Through LinkedIn, you can join groups, comment on posts, and send polite messages to people in your field. Another great idea is to do informational interviews, where you ask someone about their job and how they got there. Most people like helping someone who is curious and serious.
When you talk to people in a field, it helps to have some questions ready. You can ask: "How did you start in this field?" or "What advice do you have for someone new?" You can also ask what their day-to-day work is like, what the hardest part of their job is, and what skills are most important. Another good question is: "What changes do you see happening in this field in the next few years?" Asking these kinds of questions shows you are interested and paying attention. Always listen carefully and try to make the conversation friendly, not just a list of questions.
If you don't know what to do with your future, you need to think about what you enjoy, what you are good at, and what matters to you. You can try volunteering, doing internships, or shadowing someone at work for a day. You can also read about different careers online or watch webinars. The goal is to learn and try new things. Wishing you all the best.
When you talk to people in a field, it helps to have some questions ready. You can ask: "How did you start in this field?" or "What advice do you have for someone new?" You can also ask what their day-to-day work is like, what the hardest part of their job is, and what skills are most important. Another good question is: "What changes do you see happening in this field in the next few years?" Asking these kinds of questions shows you are interested and paying attention. Always listen carefully and try to make the conversation friendly, not just a list of questions.
If you don't know what to do with your future, you need to think about what you enjoy, what you are good at, and what matters to you. You can try volunteering, doing internships, or shadowing someone at work for a day. You can also read about different careers online or watch webinars. The goal is to learn and try new things. Wishing you all the best.
Isaac Joseph
IT Data & Analytics
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Isaac’s Answer
You've received some great advice, Ivalani. When I was in college studying Engineering, the job market wasn't great for my field, but IT was booming. I spent months at career fairs and spoke with career counselors to learn more about the job market for my graduation year. Start by reaching out to them and ask if they can connect you with people who have interned in your area of interest. This is a fantastic starting point. Best of luck!