What was your original career plan and does it correlate now with the position you're in today?
NPower Harlem Student interested in IT for the music industry. #technology #IT
8 answers
Catherine’s Answer
This is a great question. In my experience, I went to college and chose Business Marketing as my major. Not because I had a strong desire to do this (at the time, I didn't even know what it was), but I knew the goal was to work at a large company in the corporate world in NYC where I was from. After graduating, it was difficult getting my foot in any door of the Marketing department of any firm , so I took a management job at Verizon. I was hired as a Training Manager and learned what I needed to know on the job. From there, I took a few different positions until I landed in Performance Assurance where I found my groove. I have been here for 28 years. That said, get an education in something that interests you and that you can take to any big company. You resume and interview gets you in the door. Then you can learn on the job skills that can be honed to move within that firm OR take somewhere else! Don't be discouraged if you do not end up doing what you studied in school, it could be a blessing in disguise that uncovers talents you never knew you had. Good luck!
VIctoria’s Answer
I took both technology classes and business classes. Technology classes were tough as a female (as there weren't many females to begin with and about half the students would drop or not continue from 100 level classes). I hope it has changed as I had some pretty disheartening interactions. This was about 20 years ago. Now, with the diversity initiatives taking place in tech, my hope is that the culture may have changed. Looking back, I realize we're talking a mostly male program with males who are awkward introverts, not necessarily known for their social skills. I shouldn't have let that hold me back. After all, the earnings are there once in the workplace. That said, I'm more of an extrovert, so deciding to major in something else was a good move long term.
I decided against astronomy because at the college level it's about math and calculations, not staring at pretty pictures and dreaming about what is beyond reach. In business, I majored in marketing because it was fun. I've been in sales most of life and tech sales for part of it. I write stories and make short form video sometimes for fun.
Nina’s Answer
Good Luck!
Silvia’s Answer
Kushal’s Answer
Yes. You are bound to succeed more when you are able to follow the path you have always chosen in first place. My advice is to pursue and so something which excites you day and day out , rather than something your made to do. Sometimes in our carrier we change our plans because a newer exposure leads to newer vision, so you plans do change and nothing harm in that. But need to take a call if that is something which makes you feel happy.
Carrie’s Answer
Pursue what speaks to you. Figure out your passion and how you want to give back. I graduated with a degree in history and psychology with the intent to go to law school but I had school drain by the time I received my degree. I ended up working at an Insurance Company where I have been for 26 years and love it. I have been provided so many opportunities.
Steven’s Answer
Hi Christian,
For a bit of context, I'm currently working in the tech industry where I have been for the last 6 years of my career. However my trajectory to where I am today was quite unconventional, as I was on a very different path during my college career. I entered university taking general engineering classes, as well as introductory Computer Science courses. However, since I struggled in these computing courses, I ultimately transitioned into Economics and graduated with a bachelor's degree. After completing a finance-related internship in Medellín, Colombia, I quickly realized that I wanted to transition back into tech/engineering and began self-learning front-end web development. After completing a development bootcamp, and ultimately landed a job in the tech industry and haven't looked back ever since!
In terms of defining what career path you want to take, in addition to continuing to gain insights here on Career Village, I would encourage that you get connected with other people in your target industry so they can share advice and experience from their direct work experience.
I see that you're interested in music/tech, so perhaps one option for you would be to keep an eye on what kinds of events are being hosted by Spotify in your area that you can attend.
Jimmy’s Answer
What I studied in college is not the most common path to what I do now. In college, I studied electrical and computer engineering. Today, I work in data science. Sure, both technological -- but a lot of what I learned to do my day-to-day work was ON THE JOB.
That said, engineering taught me how to structure a problem and then solve it. So whatever you study in college, there's always a way to take lessons away that let you improve your skills at work.
So maybe you study IT and then you can apply it to an industry that isn't music. Or maybe you study music and end up in music education vs IT work . Study what you enjoy, and then you can figure out how to apply those skills to industry when you get there. Best of luck!!!