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What should I do, how do I become more aware of what I want to do?

I'm a High School Student and am about to enter my junior year which I have heard is the most important life changing year... ever. I am stuck in between wanting to be a Film Director or go into the Engineering field. I have no experience in either and my father gave me advice to look for internships, but it has been very difficult. I have experience volunteering in the science field as I volunteer at a science museum and an aquarium but it isn't what I want to do or major in in college... What should I do?

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Subject: Career question for you

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Brandi’s Answer

The only thing you can do is research and try things. The easiest way, of course, is to find internships in what you want to do. You can experiment on your own in those areas. You can make a movie for youtube with some friends or vow to build something cool. The key is "experiment and research."

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Peter’s Answer

Dililah:


Engineering and film directing are two very different occupations, as I'm sure you are aware. I can't make any suggestions about the former, but as a practicing Engineer for more than 30 years, I can certainly address the latter. I suggest that you find and join a high school engineering competition team. Design a robot, assemble a car, address a challenging environment problem, etc. This will introduce you to key aspects of engineering and, importantly, to a working team environment; most engineering involves working with a team. If you find this challenging and exciting, engineering may be for you.


With regard to your most important time of Life, I agree that this typically occurs sometime during the first couple of decades of your life. However, don't worry too much about your Junior H.S. Year. For me, high school was OK, but my College years were, far and away, my most important, formative years. By the way, I did not have a clue of what I wanted to do until the end of my Sophomore Year in college, when I had the privilege of a great Biology Professor. I then majored in Molecular Biology. But even so, my career ended up in Water Resources (Civil Engineering). So you never really know what twists your career can take....


Pete Sturtevant, P.E.

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Septa’s Answer

Other than researching and trying something new. u should make a decision what your heart wants.. its Important for u to get a job that you want. it will effecting your performance and your mood at the job. if you father doesnt agree of anything you want. try to talk with him honesty. he sure will understand slowly. dont forget to consider what your fathers choose too, coz he got more experiences in life than you.. it maybe can also be a good choice for you.. just discuss about it :) and chose one carefully. you gonna go for it

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Doug’s Answer

Try Internships.com - apply for both areas of interest and test drive. Can't say enough how trying on the shoes makes you move...

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Andrei’s Answer

Whenever I found myself asking a similar question, I often find that its due to lack of knowledge about the particular subject. "Knowledge is power", the more you know about those particular careers, the easier it will be to decide which way to go. Remember, sometimes you pick the career, and sometimes the career picks you. Those two choices are very different, so you will have to ask yourself which is a better fit for you. Directors are usually very extroverted and outspoken, constantly controlling and directing people to do what they need. Not that Engineers are more introverted, but they tend to rely more on their own abilities.
When you volunteered at the science museum, where you the person that told people where to put the exhibits and how to display them, or where you more the person that was fascinated by the science and tried to figure how to make it better?
Do some research, Google some directors and some engineers and see which lifestyle seems more appealing to you. However, don't base your decision on the success of another.
I wanted to be an engineer at one point, and even though I was good with math, calculus, algebra, trigonometry and geometry, I realized that it was not for me.
Do your homework and follow your hart, always stick with your dream. Good luck.

Thank you comment icon Thank you very much for your great advice! I really appreciate it. :) Delilah
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peter’s Answer

Your position sounds very familiar to where I was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. I first went to a liberal arts college and took all the math and science I could get my hands on. Joined the USAF and then onto an Engineering school. Try things, apply yourself. Don't worry about forever, just for today or until it no longer works, you will find you path. As I retire this month at 55, it was never the plan, but what an adventure it has been in aerospace for 34 years.

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Duane’s Answer

One thing to be aware of is that in the "film industry" most everyone is self-employed freelancers. So if you're business and marketing minded, that may suit you. Because in the biz, whether you're working or not, you're always dealing with marketing your skills and trying to get paid for those services (the business part). If just having a job or career where you get a steady paycheck, benefits, bonus, etc... sounds more appealing, then any field but the film biz would be worth considering. What's more, television stations, production companies, networks and other production-minded companies hire staff and freelancers, but tend to use more staff, so maybe that's a consideration; and they are fairly easy to intern at. The straight-up "film" business (where you're working on movies) is tough and not for the faint of heart. That's my 2¢, //dc

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Sabyasachi’s Answer

A very nice question. Do what ever makes you happy. What ever you have dreamed since childhood. Internship is always a good idea however there may be situation you won't get it easily so try yourself, make a good video with your friends and upload it in youtube. Moreover don't stop till you are successful.
by doing so it will increase your experience and that is what people look for. So think what would make you happy and just go for it.


One more thing, to understand what makes you happy you will need to do new things, come up with new ideas and see how far you can do that thing continuously without feeling tired. The best thing is try, try and keep trying till you get it right.


Moreover do not go for anything just for money or a steady career path. Rather go for anything and make a it a steady career path.

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