8 answers
Zach
Student
Grafton, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
606 views
How do I find an occupation that I care for?
I'm a sophomore student athlete in high school and want to work with technology.
#student #career #technology
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8 answers
Dakayla Haywood
College student
38
Answers
Macon, Georgia
Updated
Dakayla’s Answer
Hello Zach. You should take time to consider what your interests are. You should also think of things that you are passionate about. Consider occupations in these areas. You may also want to shadow workers in different occupations that you may be interested in to see if they are occupations that you care about working in.
hemant patel
Technology Operations Engineer
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
hemant’s Answer
This is an excellent question and I'm glad you are thinking about it early in your career journey.
There are 2 things that stood out from your message and I believe focusing on them may help you get to your answer:
(1) finding an occupation that you care for
This is achieved by understanding your WHY. If you were to create a list of likes and dislikes about potential occupations, would you still continue at a job if you had to spend months doing something you disliked? If so, is it because you saw the purpose and believe your dislikes are a small price to pay towards the bigger goal? If you answered yes, you have found your WHY. You can also narrow this down by getting to know what you are passionate about, what you find meaningful, and what aligns with your personal value system. When you get here, it then becomes a matter of how will you get to an occupation that aligns with your purpose - perhaps through a technology role?
(2) wanting to work in technology
Since technology is heavily used in every industry, your WHY from above can perhaps help narrow down specific industry or industries you have a passion and drive to work in. You can then identify roles you would enjoy on a day-to-day basis. A lot of this can't be found by simple searches, but engaging with others in conversations (like you are doing on this forum), can help.
Note that to get through both of the above items, it may be productive to go through the exercises alone and with those in the field/teachers/guidance counselors/friends/relatives/etc. to understand more about them.
All the best!
There are 2 things that stood out from your message and I believe focusing on them may help you get to your answer:
(1) finding an occupation that you care for
This is achieved by understanding your WHY. If you were to create a list of likes and dislikes about potential occupations, would you still continue at a job if you had to spend months doing something you disliked? If so, is it because you saw the purpose and believe your dislikes are a small price to pay towards the bigger goal? If you answered yes, you have found your WHY. You can also narrow this down by getting to know what you are passionate about, what you find meaningful, and what aligns with your personal value system. When you get here, it then becomes a matter of how will you get to an occupation that aligns with your purpose - perhaps through a technology role?
(2) wanting to work in technology
Since technology is heavily used in every industry, your WHY from above can perhaps help narrow down specific industry or industries you have a passion and drive to work in. You can then identify roles you would enjoy on a day-to-day basis. A lot of this can't be found by simple searches, but engaging with others in conversations (like you are doing on this forum), can help.
Note that to get through both of the above items, it may be productive to go through the exercises alone and with those in the field/teachers/guidance counselors/friends/relatives/etc. to understand more about them.
All the best!
Kacy Alexander
Risk Management
2
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Kacy’s Answer
Hello Zach,
When searching for a career, find something that you are passionate about. Being passionate means to find something that you feel productive doing, always wanting to know more and gives you a sense of fulfillment. Also find a career that you feel is challenging to you. While money is important, it shouldn't be your only motivation when choosing a career but I understand that it can be a huge factor. You mention being interested in technology which encompasses a lot of different areas. Look at the different college programs that are in the fields of Computer Science, IT Networking, Data, Programming, Software, etc. and see what piques your interest.
When searching for a career, find something that you are passionate about. Being passionate means to find something that you feel productive doing, always wanting to know more and gives you a sense of fulfillment. Also find a career that you feel is challenging to you. While money is important, it shouldn't be your only motivation when choosing a career but I understand that it can be a huge factor. You mention being interested in technology which encompasses a lot of different areas. Look at the different college programs that are in the fields of Computer Science, IT Networking, Data, Programming, Software, etc. and see what piques your interest.
Aruna Subramanian
Lawyer (Commercial Counsel at Twilio)
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Aruna’s Answer
Hi Zach,
Similar to what the others have suggested here, I would start by doing some independent research into various areas within technology, as it's a very broad field. You may also find it useful to touch base with your career services office in school to see if there are various elective courses available to you. I would also suggest networking among family and friends and speak to other professionals within the tech sector to identify which areas may be of interest to you. Best of luck!
Similar to what the others have suggested here, I would start by doing some independent research into various areas within technology, as it's a very broad field. You may also find it useful to touch base with your career services office in school to see if there are various elective courses available to you. I would also suggest networking among family and friends and speak to other professionals within the tech sector to identify which areas may be of interest to you. Best of luck!
Roshan Washington
Program Lead
4
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Roshan’s Answer
Hi Zach - this is a great question! The best way to begin is by listing the various options that you're considering and do your research about what each occupation has to offer and how that would be aligned to what your interests are. Just reading about these occupations will not be enough, so you could talk to your teachers or get connected with people who work in these different roles to get an understanding from their perspectives.
It all boils down to what would you be a good fit for you at the end and how you perceive a particular area of interest . So don't be afraid to explore these options and get an exposure in these areas by means of internships. Having that first-hand experience will definitely help you make a clearer decision.
I hope this helps!
It all boils down to what would you be a good fit for you at the end and how you perceive a particular area of interest . So don't be afraid to explore these options and get an exposure in these areas by means of internships. Having that first-hand experience will definitely help you make a clearer decision.
I hope this helps!
Sherry Leeks
2
Answers
Updated
Sherry’s Answer
Your question is not an easy one but a valid and necessary one that we have all struggled with at some point in our life. When thinking about your future career journey, think about what you see in the world today or what you have experienced in your life that either intrigued you the most or just made you want to know or do more. Starting with identifying those two things sometimes opens you up to career paths that you may have never thought about. Just thinking of those things may spark interest in subsets of a specific topic of interest that you can seek more information about it. It doesn't have to be all about money but more about being happy with your choice and where you feel you'll do the most good. Only you can determine the right path for you but other professionals can definitely help provide their unbiased opinions, experience and knowledge about career paths that can help you sort through the vast amounts of information that is out there. Good luck!
Check out this article about careers in high demand over the next 5 years - https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/20/jobs-growing-in-high-demand-over-next-5-years-some-pay-more-than-80000-in-salary.html
Sherry recommends the following next steps:
Veena Singh
Business Continuity
3
Answers
Cartersville, Georgia
Updated
Veena’s Answer
Hi Zach,
The best way to know if it is for you, is to take a course in it. Try it out! Get hands on. Look on the internet for free courses. It is best to get a feel for it first to know if it is right for you. It may not be everybody's cup of tea. You need to try it out for yourself and see if it is something exciting to learn and do.
The best way to know if it is for you, is to take a course in it. Try it out! Get hands on. Look on the internet for free courses. It is best to get a feel for it first to know if it is right for you. It may not be everybody's cup of tea. You need to try it out for yourself and see if it is something exciting to learn and do.
Jorge Gonzalez Franco
Team Lead Leasing Company
13
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Jorge’s Answer
Hi Zach. The first thing I recommend you is to make a review of the different branches of the Technology: Aerospace, Applied Physics, Computing, Electronics, Energy, Engineering, Industry, Mining, Nanotechnology and Sustainability.
Once you have made that research, I am pretty sure you will feel more interested about one or two topics. Then, you can start reading about them. I know that some topics could be very difficult, but you can find literature for beginners’ levels. Also, there are numerous Stream providers that have documentaries of all of them. So that’s could be another option. The important part is to find a topic that is interesting to you.
Also, you can talk with your Schools Teachers or Counselors to ask more information of a specific topic or Programs that could help you to start developing those skills and acquire new knowledge.
Once you have made that research, I am pretty sure you will feel more interested about one or two topics. Then, you can start reading about them. I know that some topics could be very difficult, but you can find literature for beginners’ levels. Also, there are numerous Stream providers that have documentaries of all of them. So that’s could be another option. The important part is to find a topic that is interesting to you.
Also, you can talk with your Schools Teachers or Counselors to ask more information of a specific topic or Programs that could help you to start developing those skills and acquire new knowledge.
Hi Jorge: I find your answer insightful and like how you mentioned the different branches of technology. Your answer provides opportunity for Zach to research those areas further.
Sheila Jordan