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: How has setting your career goal made you think differently?
Hi I am a high school student I just very curious about this question, but I need to help about this questions.
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12 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
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Paul’s Answer
Hi Ty:
I emphasize with students that setting goals causes you to adapt and shift your perspective by adopting a Growth Mindset, rather than viewing your capabilities as fixed elements (Fixed Mindset). Creating goals changes your thinking by prompting you to focus on long-term potential, incremental adaptation, and personal satisfaction.
I break this mental shift into three specific ways of thinking. Here is more insight on each of them:
1. Thinking in Increments Rather Than Totals
I advise against pushing yourself too hard toward massive, unachievable objectives all at once. Instead, a goal changes your thought process to focus on "achievable increments." I compare this mindset to setting up higher-altitude camps, while climbing to the summit of Mount Everest—allowing your mind and body to adapt to the environment step-by-step, before making a final push for the top.
2. Prioritizing Personal Peace Over Timelines
When you internalize goals with a growth mindset, you stop letting rigid, external timelines dictate your thoughts. I have to note that a goal might take one year or possibly ten years. True success, according to my philosophy, is basically a state of mind: the peace of mind and self-satisfaction that comes from knowing you simply did your absolute best to become the best you are capable of being.
3. Evaluating Alignment Instead of Forcing Outcomes
Goals change how you think about your choices by acting as a litmus test for your intrinsic motivation. I teach that if you are genuinely motivated to maintain effort towards attaining a goal, and feel happy with the plan, the direction is right. If you find yourself deeply disliking the process, your goals prompt you to think critically, reassess, and change paths. You must make sure that you are making your own independent choices, rather than following the peer pressure of others, who may not have your best interests in their plans.
I hope this has been helpful for you. Best of luck in achieving your future goals.
I emphasize with students that setting goals causes you to adapt and shift your perspective by adopting a Growth Mindset, rather than viewing your capabilities as fixed elements (Fixed Mindset). Creating goals changes your thinking by prompting you to focus on long-term potential, incremental adaptation, and personal satisfaction.
I break this mental shift into three specific ways of thinking. Here is more insight on each of them:
1. Thinking in Increments Rather Than Totals
I advise against pushing yourself too hard toward massive, unachievable objectives all at once. Instead, a goal changes your thought process to focus on "achievable increments." I compare this mindset to setting up higher-altitude camps, while climbing to the summit of Mount Everest—allowing your mind and body to adapt to the environment step-by-step, before making a final push for the top.
2. Prioritizing Personal Peace Over Timelines
When you internalize goals with a growth mindset, you stop letting rigid, external timelines dictate your thoughts. I have to note that a goal might take one year or possibly ten years. True success, according to my philosophy, is basically a state of mind: the peace of mind and self-satisfaction that comes from knowing you simply did your absolute best to become the best you are capable of being.
3. Evaluating Alignment Instead of Forcing Outcomes
Goals change how you think about your choices by acting as a litmus test for your intrinsic motivation. I teach that if you are genuinely motivated to maintain effort towards attaining a goal, and feel happy with the plan, the direction is right. If you find yourself deeply disliking the process, your goals prompt you to think critically, reassess, and change paths. You must make sure that you are making your own independent choices, rather than following the peer pressure of others, who may not have your best interests in their plans.
I hope this has been helpful for you. Best of luck in achieving your future goals.
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Jamie’s Answer
Great question! I think career goals are very important. If you know where you want to end up, it's easier to find a path to get there. When you know what the destination is, you start thinking about how to get there, what steps you need to take, what success looks like along the way, and what mindset you should have as you work to reach the goal. By having a goal, you can look for internships or part-time jobs that help you learn in the field you want to work in. You can also look for volunteer opportunities that contribute to that goal, as well. I don't know how old you are or what stage of life you are in, but your high school or college may have organizations geared towards the career path you want to take. Having a career goal helps you think more long-term. Instead of "I need to ace this test tomorrow," you can say, " I need to do well on this test tomorrow, so that I can make a good grade in this class, which will help me get that internship I really want." It helps give everything purpose, instead of just focusing on the here and now. Good luck!!
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Pooja’s Answer
Hi Ty! I read your question and it made me think about my own journey. In college, I studied Supply Chain Management, but my internships led me to government and public service consulting. Now, I design benefit systems for different states. I wasn't interested in technology back then, but I always loved problem-solving, teamwork, and finding purpose. A few years into my career, I see that while my studies didn't directly relate, they helped me understand what I value in my team and workplace. Knowing myself and my goals has really made a difference!
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Kalpita’s Answer
Great question! Setting career goals has made me think about the future with more intention, but it has also taught me that goals do not have to be fixed forever. They are personal, and they can change as you learn more about yourself and the world around you. When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a doctor, partly because medical TV shows made it seem so exciting. But after working in a hospital setting, I realized it was not the right fit for me. I also tried exploring law by working in a law office, and I learned that path was not for me either.
Eventually, I found my way into consulting and realized it matched who I am much better. I liked the problem-solving, creativity, variety, and people-focused nature of the work. So my advice is to have goals, but give yourself room to explore and adjust them. Especially in high school, it is completely okay not to have everything figured out. Trying different things can help you discover what feels right, and changing your mind is not failure - it is part of learning what fits you.
Eventually, I found my way into consulting and realized it matched who I am much better. I liked the problem-solving, creativity, variety, and people-focused nature of the work. So my advice is to have goals, but give yourself room to explore and adjust them. Especially in high school, it is completely okay not to have everything figured out. Trying different things can help you discover what feels right, and changing your mind is not failure - it is part of learning what fits you.
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Mahak’s Answer
That's a fantastic question!
It really helps you find your way and shows you where to go. You can start mapping out your future, like choosing a college and deciding on a major. You can plan your classes and feel motivated to apply for jobs that will give you experience in your chosen field.
I started in the medical field and worked as a receptionist. While there, I helped solve some computer problems and realized I was more interested in IT. This inspired me to pursue IT, and I began applying for data entry jobs to work with different software. Taking it step by step helped me build my career.
It really helps you find your way and shows you where to go. You can start mapping out your future, like choosing a college and deciding on a major. You can plan your classes and feel motivated to apply for jobs that will give you experience in your chosen field.
I started in the medical field and worked as a receptionist. While there, I helped solve some computer problems and realized I was more interested in IT. This inspired me to pursue IT, and I began applying for data entry jobs to work with different software. Taking it step by step helped me build my career.
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MANAHIL’s Answer
Hiii
Setting a career goal has changed the way I think about my future. Before, I mostly focused on getting good grades, but now I think more about the skills and experiences I need for the career I want.
For example, once I decided on a career path, I started paying more attention to subjects related to that field and looking for opportunities to learn outside the classroom. It also made me think more carefully about how I spend my time because I know that the choices I make today can affect my future.
Setting a career goal has given me direction and motivation. Even though my goals may change as I learn more, having a goal helps me stay focused and make better decisions for my future.
Thank you
Setting a career goal has changed the way I think about my future. Before, I mostly focused on getting good grades, but now I think more about the skills and experiences I need for the career I want.
For example, once I decided on a career path, I started paying more attention to subjects related to that field and looking for opportunities to learn outside the classroom. It also made me think more carefully about how I spend my time because I know that the choices I make today can affect my future.
Setting a career goal has given me direction and motivation. Even though my goals may change as I learn more, having a goal helps me stay focused and make better decisions for my future.
Thank you
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Joshua’s Answer
Great question! I think setting my career goals has allowed me to clearly visualize where I am headed and what it takes to get me there. I find that I am much more motivated and confident if I know the plans that are laid out in front of me and setting my goals of where I want to be in the next 1,3,5 years has allowed me to lay out those plans more clearly. This can be what internship you want to try to work at, or how much many you want to try and save up. Being able to visualize your goals will allow you to achieve your goals in a much faster, and more accurate way.
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Grace’s Answer
It’s great that you are thinking about your future this early. You might also want to read Scott Adams’ book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. It shares a different way of looking at success, not just focusing on one big goal, but building habits and routines that help you keep growing, learning, and improving over time. That can be really helpful when you’re still figuring out what you want to do.
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Patti’s Answer
When I started my career, I didn't really have a career goal. But as I gained more experience, I found that having an achievable goal within a reasonably short time period not only gave me a timeframe to work towards, but also once I reached that goal, I felt a great sense of accomplishment that propelled my momentum to keep going.
Before that I kind of just sailed along (which is fine every once in a while). If you have nothing to shoot for, how will you know where you are going?
Before that I kind of just sailed along (which is fine every once in a while). If you have nothing to shoot for, how will you know where you are going?
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Ilan’s Answer
Hi Ty,
That is a good question.
When you set your career goal, your mindset about many things starts to shift.
For example, let's say you decide that you want to become a lawyer, you will start already focusing on writing classes, presentations, reasoning...
You will also start to think of which schools to join, what SAT score you might need, what GPA they require... All of this will start to shape how you prepare for your future.
I am not sure if you are a Freshman or closer to graduating, but the earlier you figure out your career goal(s) the better you can prepare for that goal, anticipate any potential setback, and get ahead of the curve to help you come out on top.
I hope that helps you in your career decision!
Good luck!
That is a good question.
When you set your career goal, your mindset about many things starts to shift.
For example, let's say you decide that you want to become a lawyer, you will start already focusing on writing classes, presentations, reasoning...
You will also start to think of which schools to join, what SAT score you might need, what GPA they require... All of this will start to shape how you prepare for your future.
I am not sure if you are a Freshman or closer to graduating, but the earlier you figure out your career goal(s) the better you can prepare for that goal, anticipate any potential setback, and get ahead of the curve to help you come out on top.
I hope that helps you in your career decision!
Good luck!
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Wong’s Answer
Setting my career goals has changed the way I think about my work and future. It helps me understand that my choices today can affect my long-term success.
Now I try to choose work and tasks that help me build useful skills. I focus more on learning and improving instead of only thinking about quick results.
I also understand that success takes time. I need to be patient and keep working step by step to reach my goals. When I make mistakes, I now see them as chances to learn and grow. They help me become better at what I do.
Now I try to choose work and tasks that help me build useful skills. I focus more on learning and improving instead of only thinking about quick results.
I also understand that success takes time. I need to be patient and keep working step by step to reach my goals. When I make mistakes, I now see them as chances to learn and grow. They help me become better at what I do.
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Ladahvia’s Answer
That’s a thoughtful question. Once you have a clearer idea of what you want to pursue, it becomes easier to set direction and align your goals. I also recommend exploring volunteer opportunities in your field of interest, as they can provide valuable experience and help you move closer to your desired career path.