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How do I begin to narrow down my interest in order to choose a career path?
I'm a rising college student that is majoring in Environmental and Sustainability, although I'm not sure I will remain with this major. I feel clueless as I don't have any passion for a career, and I don't see how I can turn my interests into a career or livelihood.
#college #undecided #career #college-major
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5 answers
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Alice’s Answer
Hello. I think Environmental and Sustainability is a great start. It's okay not to know your exact major at this point, but I would recommend that you start doing some research on colleges that may offer broader curriculums that align with what you feel could be interesting. For example, given ESG is a potential area of interest, perhaps you can start from that angle. This is a relatively new area and over the coming years should be a great opportunity for new roles and careers. Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for the advice !
Katherine
Updated
Ralph’s Answer
Environmental and sustainability is becoming more and more top of mind for many companies. It's not going anywhere. I think you should look to take your knowledge and leverage what you love doing to a place that needs a diverse eye on this important topic. My company is heavily focused in this space: https://www.ubs.com/global/en/investment-bank/what-we-offer/esg.html. I'll second Alice's response above when she says to start from the ESG angle. Do you want to be boots on the ground (i.e., physically helping with environmental groups)? Helping companies analyze their ESG impact? Or, do you want to work for a financial services firm that is focused in product/solution in this space? The sky is the limit.
What do you enjoy doing.
Research companies/non-profits that could allow you to do what you love and leverage your major.
Volunteer with various non-profits for exposure.
Ralph recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Pro’s Answer
You could switch to wildlife ecology & conservation-that would make it more interesting
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Katherine,
I know what you are feeling. You have a major but I didn't see a career specifically that you are talking about. A major and a career are two different things. For example, a business major can want to own a business or just work for a company as a bookkeeper. You may want to think in terms of what you want to do every day and how to make a career out of what you would do anyway. Do you want to help businesses become more sustainable? Do you want to help governments reduce their carbon footprint? Do you want to make products that reduce human impact on the environment? Your major, especially in a bachelor's program, is a way of laying down knowledge of the many ways you can use the knowledge. In many ways, it is just to show you the general topics of a field. It is then that you are supposed to find yourself in that work. An education major can want to be a teacher or a principal or even an architect who builds schools. It is going to take some imagination or maybe even research to find your place.
Gloria
I know what you are feeling. You have a major but I didn't see a career specifically that you are talking about. A major and a career are two different things. For example, a business major can want to own a business or just work for a company as a bookkeeper. You may want to think in terms of what you want to do every day and how to make a career out of what you would do anyway. Do you want to help businesses become more sustainable? Do you want to help governments reduce their carbon footprint? Do you want to make products that reduce human impact on the environment? Your major, especially in a bachelor's program, is a way of laying down knowledge of the many ways you can use the knowledge. In many ways, it is just to show you the general topics of a field. It is then that you are supposed to find yourself in that work. An education major can want to be a teacher or a principal or even an architect who builds schools. It is going to take some imagination or maybe even research to find your place.
Gloria
Valerie Gulston
Work part-time for Board of Elections; counsel college students about careers via networking
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Valerie’s Answer
Visit the Assessment.com website and take their personality assessment test. I think it costs $69. It will evaluate your personality, strengths and weaknesses and will give you a list of ten possible careers based on your answers. I took it forty years ago and it advised me to switch from marketing to sales which I did , was much happier and more than doubled my salary. I agree with a response advising you to seek a job or internship in the sustainability
space to see if you really like it!!!
If you don’t, think critically about the Assessment.com suggestions.
You may also want to visit Indeed.com and see what people say about specific firms in the sustainability arena, benefits, working conditions, etc. Last but not least, check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook to determine the long term prospects in the various fields you are considering!! Good luck!
Take the Assessment.com test!!!
space to see if you really like it!!!
If you don’t, think critically about the Assessment.com suggestions.
You may also want to visit Indeed.com and see what people say about specific firms in the sustainability arena, benefits, working conditions, etc. Last but not least, check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook to determine the long term prospects in the various fields you are considering!! Good luck!
Valerie recommends the following next steps: