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What was the turning point in your life that made you realize that this was the career you wanted to pursue?
Just a small reflection of your experience!
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23 answers
Updated
Roger’s Answer
When I started college, I didn’t have everything figured out. I was taking general studies and experimenting with different subjects—computer-aided drafting, psychology, and electronics—just trying to see what clicked.
The turning point came in a pretty unexpected way. The computers in our lab would break fairly often, and no one really knew how to fix them. One day, I decided to take a shot at figuring it out myself. I was able to get them working again—and not only did that feel great, I realized I genuinely enjoyed the challenge. Before long, I became the “go-to” person in class whenever something wasn’t working.
That experience led me to an opportunity with a computer manufacturer. There, I started at the ground level, learning how to build computers from scratch. As I worked, I began to understand how each subsystem functioned and how everything connected. I loved it—and I worked hard at it—so I quickly moved into more advanced work, even down to repairing systems at the component level.
From there, my curiosity just kept growing. I started learning about operating systems, then networking, and eventually coding. What stood out to me was that each new area was just as fascinating as the last. I found myself wanting to learn more all the time, often going beyond what was required.
The biggest sign I was on the right path was that it never felt like work—it felt fun. I enjoyed digging into problems, learning how things worked, and talking about these topics in depth. Over time, I realized I was developing a level of understanding that set me apart, and I was consistently pushing myself to grow.
That’s when it clicked for me: this wasn’t just something I was good at—it was something I truly enjoyed and could see myself doing long-term. That’s when I knew technology was the right career for me.
The turning point came in a pretty unexpected way. The computers in our lab would break fairly often, and no one really knew how to fix them. One day, I decided to take a shot at figuring it out myself. I was able to get them working again—and not only did that feel great, I realized I genuinely enjoyed the challenge. Before long, I became the “go-to” person in class whenever something wasn’t working.
That experience led me to an opportunity with a computer manufacturer. There, I started at the ground level, learning how to build computers from scratch. As I worked, I began to understand how each subsystem functioned and how everything connected. I loved it—and I worked hard at it—so I quickly moved into more advanced work, even down to repairing systems at the component level.
From there, my curiosity just kept growing. I started learning about operating systems, then networking, and eventually coding. What stood out to me was that each new area was just as fascinating as the last. I found myself wanting to learn more all the time, often going beyond what was required.
The biggest sign I was on the right path was that it never felt like work—it felt fun. I enjoyed digging into problems, learning how things worked, and talking about these topics in depth. Over time, I realized I was developing a level of understanding that set me apart, and I was consistently pushing myself to grow.
That’s when it clicked for me: this wasn’t just something I was good at—it was something I truly enjoyed and could see myself doing long-term. That’s when I knew technology was the right career for me.
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Vianne’s Answer
I work in social services. My turning point came when I saw how important it is for someone to feel truly heard and supported during tough times. I learned that compassion, patience, and simply being there can make a big difference, especially when someone feels alone or lost. This inspired me to work in a field where I could help others feel less isolated and make a positive impact on their healing journey.
I also realized that I deeply value empathy and connection. I've always wanted to understand people's experiences and help them feel accepted without judgment. This career appealed to me because it combines compassion with meaningful support, and each interaction can remind someone that they deserve care and understanding.
I also realized that I deeply value empathy and connection. I've always wanted to understand people's experiences and help them feel accepted without judgment. This career appealed to me because it combines compassion with meaningful support, and each interaction can remind someone that they deserve care and understanding.
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Tanisha’s Answer
My interest in healthcare IT began during an internship with the police department’s IT team, where I developed a passion for technology. Later, I heard from a professional in one of my classes involved in implementing an electronic health record system which inspired me to pursue a similar path in healthcare.
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Peter’s Answer
I've been fascinated with computers since I first saw them in school, so I always knew I wanted to do something with them since that time. My advice to you is to pursue and do what you love, and to explore to figure out what that is. Following your passion will take you to where you want to be, because you will be doing what you love.
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Jason’s Answer
After trying a few different patches, I volunteered at ucla medical center, tried banking before going into Conuslting a the key is to try a few, you get different experiences.
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Viraj’s Answer
A major turning point for me came during and after graduation, when I was doing internships and going through interviews. As a candidate, I often felt curious and nervous about how decisions were made by employers. This curiosity led me to learn more about Human Resources and how companies assess and develop talent. Over time, I discovered a real passion for working with people, improving processes, and creating a positive experience for candidates. This interest grew into a desire to work in Human Resources, where I could help shape these experiences and guide others in their careers.
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Gregory’s Answer
It is truly hard to definitely decide what career path or occupation you may want to take. I chose a career in law enforcement, but that was not my first choice. It is important to expose your self to different courses and experience in college until you find the one you are passionate about. It is not uncommon to change your mind multiple times during the course of your undergraduate degree! The other point to consider for a career in law enforcement is that there is not one set major. You can be an English major, and accountant, or have a degree in Cyber and Technology. All options are skills that law enforcement agencies are looking for. Be open to change and learning different skills until you find the one that is best for you. Best of luck!
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Raj’s Answer
I once read a piece of advice online that really influenced my career choice. It said, "If you're good at something, make it your job because you have an advantage over those still learning."
This idea is inspiring because many of us naturally lean towards certain skills due to our upbringing or early experiences. For someone starting from scratch, reaching the same level of skill takes a lot of time and effort. Many new graduates face this challenge.
Think about what you already know well. Try to find a way to earn money from it, improve it, or build a career in that area. You have a unique connection to it, which gives you a head start!
This idea is inspiring because many of us naturally lean towards certain skills due to our upbringing or early experiences. For someone starting from scratch, reaching the same level of skill takes a lot of time and effort. Many new graduates face this challenge.
Think about what you already know well. Try to find a way to earn money from it, improve it, or build a career in that area. You have a unique connection to it, which gives you a head start!
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Bereket (Bek)’s Answer
The turning point came when I was working in civil and environmental engineering, originally drawn by my love for physics and its prestige (in my home country). While in that field, I began writing programs to solve engineering problems, and that sparked a passion I hadn’t experienced before. When I lost my first (after moving to USA) engineering role, it gave me the freedom to pivot. I fully transitioned into software development, where I not only found my career passion, but also realized it gave me new tools to solve complex problems—including those I once saw in engineering. That’s when I knew software development was the career I was meant to pursue.
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Kimberly’s Answer
One of the biggest turning points in my life was realizing that I was most energized not by doing just one task, but by bringing different people, timelines, and moving parts together to make a goal happen. I started noticing that I naturally liked organizing plans, solving problems before they grew, and keeping everyone aligned when things became stressful or unclear. That experience showed me that project management was a career where I could use my strengths in communication, coordination, and leadership to help teams succeed. Instead of wanting to be the person focused on only one piece of the work, I wanted to be the person making sure the whole effort moved forward smoothly. That is what made me realize project management was the right path for me.
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Michelle’s Answer
I don't think there was ever a single turning point for me. Instead, there were several changes In direction that led me to my current career path.
When I started about in college, I wasn't sure what I wanted to pursue. Accounting was not my first major, but it did feel like the best fit when I landed there. The courses made sense and there were a lot of great opportunities available in the field . Once I started recruiting , I enjoyed the different types of career paths that were available to me and have continued to enjoy the career and opportunities that the decision has brought me.
Sometimes you have to try many areas to figure out where your strengths lie and what energizes you. Finding out what you don't like can be just as important as finding what you do like. This may change over your life / career so it's important to remember that you can always change course and realign.
When I started about in college, I wasn't sure what I wanted to pursue. Accounting was not my first major, but it did feel like the best fit when I landed there. The courses made sense and there were a lot of great opportunities available in the field . Once I started recruiting , I enjoyed the different types of career paths that were available to me and have continued to enjoy the career and opportunities that the decision has brought me.
Sometimes you have to try many areas to figure out where your strengths lie and what energizes you. Finding out what you don't like can be just as important as finding what you do like. This may change over your life / career so it's important to remember that you can always change course and realign.
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Lake G.’s Answer
The turning point in my life happened when I was finishing high school. I was a science student and wanted to become a doctor. However, while choosing university courses, a talk with a childhood friend changed my path. He mentioned his older brother, an accountant, which piqued my interest in accounting. My friend suggested we explore social sciences like Accounting and Economics, as there were good opportunities in those fields. Inspired by his brother's career, we decided to switch. I chose Accounting, and my friend picked Economics. Today, he's a professor (PHD) in Australia, and I've completed my BA in Accounting, ACCA, MBA, and other certifications, including in AI. I joined Deloitte, a top firm, and now work as a consultant in the USA. Looking back, I'm happy with my choice. A simple chat with a friend shaped my future.
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Josh’s Answer
I've been working in communications for over a decade, specifically in working with companies to implement key changes in how their employees perform their jobs. This type of work can be uniquely challenging, in part because the concept of "communications" is so broad that some leaders feel they can communicate without any coaching, polish, etc. Just because the act of communicating seems easy doesn't make it so, a lesson I've learned (and seen demonstrated by others) time and time again.
When I first started in this specific subset of communications, I was essentially diving into the deep end of the pool. I worked for a major university that was updating its financial software and needed to tell its employees (staff members and faculty) how to navigate this new tool. While I worked for the division that was updating the software, the team of people who had to write every message and craft key trainings was a team of one: me. The moment when everything clicked for me and gave me a sense of the value of the work I was creating was relatively simple: I was talking to an employee who showed me a dog-eared and heavily used double-sided tri-fold brochure.
That brochure was designed to serve as a set of step-by-step instructions for a series of major tasks: how to submit expense reports, how to request travel, how to approve reports, etc. It was very text-heavy, and I imagine if I looked at it today, I'd want to overhaul it entirely. But in that moment, I flashed back to how much time I had spent on the tiniest details to ensure all of the key tasks could be captured in such a small space. I remember vividly two things: 1) in the process of building this brochure, all but driving myself crazy to get it *just right*, I thought, "Is anyone ever going to care about this once it's available?" 2) the sense of unexpected pride that people were leveraging this brochure months later.
That occurred a while ago, but it's moments like this that keep me going, and made me realize this work (while exhausting) can have an unspoken impact on so many people.
When I first started in this specific subset of communications, I was essentially diving into the deep end of the pool. I worked for a major university that was updating its financial software and needed to tell its employees (staff members and faculty) how to navigate this new tool. While I worked for the division that was updating the software, the team of people who had to write every message and craft key trainings was a team of one: me. The moment when everything clicked for me and gave me a sense of the value of the work I was creating was relatively simple: I was talking to an employee who showed me a dog-eared and heavily used double-sided tri-fold brochure.
That brochure was designed to serve as a set of step-by-step instructions for a series of major tasks: how to submit expense reports, how to request travel, how to approve reports, etc. It was very text-heavy, and I imagine if I looked at it today, I'd want to overhaul it entirely. But in that moment, I flashed back to how much time I had spent on the tiniest details to ensure all of the key tasks could be captured in such a small space. I remember vividly two things: 1) in the process of building this brochure, all but driving myself crazy to get it *just right*, I thought, "Is anyone ever going to care about this once it's available?" 2) the sense of unexpected pride that people were leveraging this brochure months later.
That occurred a while ago, but it's moments like this that keep me going, and made me realize this work (while exhausting) can have an unspoken impact on so many people.
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Reed’s Answer
At 31, I will be going back to school this fall to make a career pivot. So I am still figuring out exactly what career I want to pursue. In high school and college, I pursued mathematics and economics. That led me into consulting which allowed me to build quantitative skills and problem solving skills. I am interested in using those same skills towards a career in management, marketing, or corporate strategy. But for me, there has never been a specific turning point. It is a consistent effort to align where you are and where you want to be, and a question I am still figuring out. To me, it is not something that you can solve overnight or figure out in a moment. Just stay the course and continue to be BETTY. Better Today Than Yesterday.
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Carly’s Answer
I love this question because it reminds me of my own college days. I was sure I wanted a career with horses and riding. I was on the equestrian team, got a business management degree focusing on entrepreneurship, and minored in advertising. After graduation, I followed this path, but my passion faded, and life felt like work.
I decided to explore new opportunities with an open mind. I started waiting tables, which helped me enjoy customer service and creating a fun atmosphere. Then, I became an office manager at a mental health practice, where I learned about time management, multitasking, and empathy.
With this open mindset, I found my dream job in Treasury. It was unexpected, and I knew nothing about it, but I decided to say yes to learning and growing. My passion for my career grew with support from my leaders and peers.
Being open to new opportunities, not just in work but in life, can lead you to a passion worth pursuing. The turning point for me was gaining confidence in my abilities, which led to promotions and salary increases. I'm still learning and growing, especially with new AI projects in Finance. Stay curious and keep saying yes, but also take care of yourself to avoid burnout!
I decided to explore new opportunities with an open mind. I started waiting tables, which helped me enjoy customer service and creating a fun atmosphere. Then, I became an office manager at a mental health practice, where I learned about time management, multitasking, and empathy.
With this open mindset, I found my dream job in Treasury. It was unexpected, and I knew nothing about it, but I decided to say yes to learning and growing. My passion for my career grew with support from my leaders and peers.
Being open to new opportunities, not just in work but in life, can lead you to a passion worth pursuing. The turning point for me was gaining confidence in my abilities, which led to promotions and salary increases. I'm still learning and growing, especially with new AI projects in Finance. Stay curious and keep saying yes, but also take care of yourself to avoid burnout!
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Mahak’s Answer
I was pursing a totally opposite career and had the fortunate opportunity to gain some experience in that field. While working there I had started working on some issues the team had on their application. Turns out I enjoyed trouble shooting the application issues, rather then doing the work. It solidified for me to go into Application support.
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Shankar’s Answer
Early in my career, I took a job that seemed perfect on paper. It was with a good company, I had my CPA, and it seemed like a great fit. But after a few months, I realized something wasn't right. I wasn't bad at the job, but it just didn't feel like it was for me. I stayed longer than I should have because there's a lot of pressure to make things work, especially after earning your CPA. You feel like you owe it to yourself to keep going. But eventually, I had to admit that I was just going through the motions. Leaving felt like a failure at the time.
That's when everything changed. I stopped worrying about what a CPA should do and started focusing on what truly interested me. I thought about the problems I enjoyed solving and where I felt most like myself. This led me to Finance Transformation. It wasn't a grand plan, just a moment of clarity after feeling stuck.
So if you're unsure about your path, that's okay. Sometimes the wrong job teaches you more about yourself than the right one ever could.
That's when everything changed. I stopped worrying about what a CPA should do and started focusing on what truly interested me. I thought about the problems I enjoyed solving and where I felt most like myself. This led me to Finance Transformation. It wasn't a grand plan, just a moment of clarity after feeling stuck.
So if you're unsure about your path, that's okay. Sometimes the wrong job teaches you more about yourself than the right one ever could.
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Dylan’s Answer
This might be a bit of a cliche, but my turning point came in the form of my brother.
He pursued Computer Science after leaving home and during his visits, he would show me all the interesting projects he'd work on.
I was always interesting in Technology, more hardware at the time, but seeing him create all these cool apps and explaining how it all worked and the challenges he faced when creating them really targeted the problem-solving part of my brain and I knew from then that I wanted a career in building software solutions.
However, it is safe to say that it is not everyone's cup of tea so before fully committing to it, I tinkered around developing projects of my own; I got a Raspberry Pi and did simple projects making a tiny lightbulb turn on when a button was pressed, created a Pacman clone from scratch, etc. I think going through the implementation of those small project really solidified the idea that this would be my career path.
Explore your passions. I cannot stress enough how much work does not feel like work when you're doing what you love.
He pursued Computer Science after leaving home and during his visits, he would show me all the interesting projects he'd work on.
I was always interesting in Technology, more hardware at the time, but seeing him create all these cool apps and explaining how it all worked and the challenges he faced when creating them really targeted the problem-solving part of my brain and I knew from then that I wanted a career in building software solutions.
However, it is safe to say that it is not everyone's cup of tea so before fully committing to it, I tinkered around developing projects of my own; I got a Raspberry Pi and did simple projects making a tiny lightbulb turn on when a button was pressed, created a Pacman clone from scratch, etc. I think going through the implementation of those small project really solidified the idea that this would be my career path.
Dylan recommends the following next steps:
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Niya’s Answer
That's a fantastic question! When I started college, I chose to major in accounting. I loved math and wanted to learn more about managing finances, especially since financial literacy wasn't common in my community. Plus, the idea of job security and a stable income was appealing.
Even though I enjoyed my classes, something felt missing. I wasn't sure if this was the right career for me. So, at the start of my sophomore year, I took a career class to explore my options and find a path that truly matched my interests and who I am.
In that class, I took various quizzes and tests to see which careers might suit me best. I discovered a strong connection with the tech field. That same year, I took my first computer science class and fell in love with coding. Now, I'm thrilled to work as an IT Analyst at Deloitte, my dream company!
Even though I enjoyed my classes, something felt missing. I wasn't sure if this was the right career for me. So, at the start of my sophomore year, I took a career class to explore my options and find a path that truly matched my interests and who I am.
In that class, I took various quizzes and tests to see which careers might suit me best. I discovered a strong connection with the tech field. That same year, I took my first computer science class and fell in love with coding. Now, I'm thrilled to work as an IT Analyst at Deloitte, my dream company!
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Monica’s Answer
Every career has its ups and downs, with some days being better than others. But I discovered how much joy I found in making a positive impact on someone's life. It felt amazing to finish the day knowing I had helped brighten someone's day or offered advice that could change their life. As a campus recruiter, I help students find internships and job opportunities. Sometimes, I'm there for their very first job interview. Being part of such an important moment in someone's life is truly exciting and makes me look forward to work every day. Focus on the positive aspects of your job and always remember your purpose—every career has one!
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Alfred F.’s Answer
I took a job out of college just to have a job. I realized very quickly it wasn't what I wanted to do. So I looked into improving my education and skills, attained some professional certifications and experience, and began a journey which has lasted my entire career. So I would say never stop learning, never stop believing that you can find the thing that you truly love doing.
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Tim’s Answer
Choosing a career is a big decision, and while I can't pinpoint one exact moment, several factors guided me. I graduated with a degree in Accounting and have been working in Audit at Deloitte since 2022.
Here are some reasons why I chose this path:
1) Accounting is stable even during tough economic times. If you're exploring career options, this is something important to keep in mind.
2) There's expected growth in Accounting jobs. It's good to consider where a career might lead, especially with the rise of AI in many fields today.
3) I found the coursework understandable and could easily apply what I learned in class to my homework and exams.
The third reason was probably the most significant for me. I was drawn to the business world, and it was a bonus that Accounting came naturally to me compared to other subjects. I hope this insight is helpful to you!
Here are some reasons why I chose this path:
1) Accounting is stable even during tough economic times. If you're exploring career options, this is something important to keep in mind.
2) There's expected growth in Accounting jobs. It's good to consider where a career might lead, especially with the rise of AI in many fields today.
3) I found the coursework understandable and could easily apply what I learned in class to my homework and exams.
The third reason was probably the most significant for me. I was drawn to the business world, and it was a bonus that Accounting came naturally to me compared to other subjects. I hope this insight is helpful to you!
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Linda’s Answer
It might seem like everyone else has their goals figured out, but it's okay if you don't. I found my path by exploring different options. Trust your instincts and think about what kind of work gives you a sense of purpose and makes you proud. Even if you can't start with your dream job, begin somewhere. Use it as a chance to learn and grow, and you'll find your way from there.