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How do you find a career that you like
I want to find a career that is fun for me and that will be interesting in the future. Also being able to have fun and have a purpose in that field. #findingcareers
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Evelyn’s Answer
Hello Kevin!
This question will always change depending on what is going on in your life, what your ambitions are, and how those events / goals play out to allow you to reach your goal. I feel like everyone is always clouded by the idea of having a set occupation / career right after high school; however, not a lot of people know what they want to do with their lives and it's super common to change around if you're unsure.
What I would recommend first is figure out what you don't like - try out as many things as you can so that you understand what you like and don't like. A big part of finding out what you want to do is trying out new things and giving it a good amount of time to see if it's the right opportunity for you. Once you've identified what you like, it's a lot easier to shape what kind of career you see yourself in. You'll begin to ask yourself questions like, "Can I see myself sitting in a desk job? Do I want to interact with people for my job? Do I have a passion for technology / healthcare / law?". For me, talking to someone in the industry was a big part in how I landed my career. If you're able to reach out and connect to someone who is already in your field / doing what you aspire to do, it doesn't hurt to reach out and ask them what they do. I know this might seem weird, but a career quiz might help you as well!
Take a career quiz
Figure out what your other colleagues or friends are doing to get inspired
Research possible careers
Find out what you like and don't like
Know that it's ok to change / makes shifts because your interests may change
This question will always change depending on what is going on in your life, what your ambitions are, and how those events / goals play out to allow you to reach your goal. I feel like everyone is always clouded by the idea of having a set occupation / career right after high school; however, not a lot of people know what they want to do with their lives and it's super common to change around if you're unsure.
What I would recommend first is figure out what you don't like - try out as many things as you can so that you understand what you like and don't like. A big part of finding out what you want to do is trying out new things and giving it a good amount of time to see if it's the right opportunity for you. Once you've identified what you like, it's a lot easier to shape what kind of career you see yourself in. You'll begin to ask yourself questions like, "Can I see myself sitting in a desk job? Do I want to interact with people for my job? Do I have a passion for technology / healthcare / law?". For me, talking to someone in the industry was a big part in how I landed my career. If you're able to reach out and connect to someone who is already in your field / doing what you aspire to do, it doesn't hurt to reach out and ask them what they do. I know this might seem weird, but a career quiz might help you as well!
Evelyn recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
What a great question and congratulations for making time to think through your options and what will be a good fit for YOU!
First, understand that your career will be a marathon that you will work through for many decades. I second the response recommending that you do some research on the various tools that help you identify your strengths. Building on strengths will allow you to feel confident and fulfilled, regardless of the specific job/career. Check out Strength Finder or other solutions you feel resonate with you, there are many to choose from.
Also, understand that depending on where you are today in your career, you may find yourself transitioning over the years, so understand that you are plotting a journey and you should plan to revisit this question every 3-5 years, to allow yourself to explore option to continue to identify options as the world changes and new options arise.
Lastly, you will consider other aspects such as earning potential, societal impact, geo's, etc. One or more of these may help you narrow down the portfolio of career options you will find fulfilling.
First, understand that your career will be a marathon that you will work through for many decades. I second the response recommending that you do some research on the various tools that help you identify your strengths. Building on strengths will allow you to feel confident and fulfilled, regardless of the specific job/career. Check out Strength Finder or other solutions you feel resonate with you, there are many to choose from.
Also, understand that depending on where you are today in your career, you may find yourself transitioning over the years, so understand that you are plotting a journey and you should plan to revisit this question every 3-5 years, to allow yourself to explore option to continue to identify options as the world changes and new options arise.
Lastly, you will consider other aspects such as earning potential, societal impact, geo's, etc. One or more of these may help you narrow down the portfolio of career options you will find fulfilling.
Updated
Will’s Answer
Hey Kevin,
Having fun in your career while also finding purpose is a great way to think about your future. The first thing I would figure out is what brings you joy? Jobs will always have their ups and downs no matter where you work, but if you figure out what brings you personal joy it will be a big step into figuring out what you want to do with your life. To figure this out start to ask yourself simple questions like:
Do I like working directly with people?
What is "fun" for you; hanging out with friends, building things, writing, drawing, etc?
Do I want to work at a desk all day?
Do I value money, family, travel, serving people, etc?
Finding what you love to do every day is a lifelong pursuit. I personally spent 8 years working for marketing agencies and at 29 years old, have worked for 5 different companies and it took 7 years for me to figure out that I even wanted to be in Tech and another 1+ year to figure out a way in. The biggest thing I have learned is that it is okay to change jobs, keep pursuing what makes you happy, and just get a job and go from there. As you grow up your priorities will change and that is okay, the goal is to constantly keep reflecting if you are happy and never stop trying to grow.
Take the Myers Briggs personality test
Take an Eneeagram personality test
Keep asking questions
Having fun in your career while also finding purpose is a great way to think about your future. The first thing I would figure out is what brings you joy? Jobs will always have their ups and downs no matter where you work, but if you figure out what brings you personal joy it will be a big step into figuring out what you want to do with your life. To figure this out start to ask yourself simple questions like:
Do I like working directly with people?
What is "fun" for you; hanging out with friends, building things, writing, drawing, etc?
Do I want to work at a desk all day?
Do I value money, family, travel, serving people, etc?
Finding what you love to do every day is a lifelong pursuit. I personally spent 8 years working for marketing agencies and at 29 years old, have worked for 5 different companies and it took 7 years for me to figure out that I even wanted to be in Tech and another 1+ year to figure out a way in. The biggest thing I have learned is that it is okay to change jobs, keep pursuing what makes you happy, and just get a job and go from there. As you grow up your priorities will change and that is okay, the goal is to constantly keep reflecting if you are happy and never stop trying to grow.
Will recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Gerald’s Answer
In addition to the answers already provided, I would also add that sometimes, a job you started that may not check all the boxes in terms of your "ideal career" may turn into something more like a position that you truly enjoy. I have known plenty of people who started a job at a company, and found out after a few years that their strengths are not aligned with their current job, but they love the people they work with, and are able to move into a different job in a different department, but still maintain those relationships and end up in a job position that they enjoy and grow in to build a career.
I think another important point is that as you build experience, you form a network of peers, supervisors, bosses, who may even recommend you for an opening that you may not have initially considered. So instead of having the expectation that the first job you have will directly lead you into your ideal career, I would approach each job, each work relationship, with a sense of curiosity and openness.
I think another important point is that as you build experience, you form a network of peers, supervisors, bosses, who may even recommend you for an opening that you may not have initially considered. So instead of having the expectation that the first job you have will directly lead you into your ideal career, I would approach each job, each work relationship, with a sense of curiosity and openness.
Updated
Miranda’s Answer
Hi Kevin,
School projects or side projects can help you identify which things you think would be cool to do further down the road. Checking out what you like and how to monetize it can also be a good option - understanding what are those things that actually bring you joy and that you see yourself doing day after day; asking people who are already in a field you see yourself in might be a good starting point, as well as seeing if there's a chance of an internship or a program where you can learn by doing and check if you really want to do study that or work there.
Also, keep in mind that you don't have to do the same thing forever, even if you start something that in a couple of years leaves you feeling like you need a change, there are always transferable skills and ways to pivot into different industries and fields.
Identify what makes you happy
Determine what thinks you don't want to do
Play to your strengths
Talk to people!
Make a plan
School projects or side projects can help you identify which things you think would be cool to do further down the road. Checking out what you like and how to monetize it can also be a good option - understanding what are those things that actually bring you joy and that you see yourself doing day after day; asking people who are already in a field you see yourself in might be a good starting point, as well as seeing if there's a chance of an internship or a program where you can learn by doing and check if you really want to do study that or work there.
Also, keep in mind that you don't have to do the same thing forever, even if you start something that in a couple of years leaves you feeling like you need a change, there are always transferable skills and ways to pivot into different industries and fields.
Miranda recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Tanya’s Answer
Begin with self-awareness. Think about what you enjoy doing and reach out to people already in that career field and ask if you could have an informational interview with them via video or a cup of coffee. Ask them questions such as:
What do they do in their day-to-day activities?
What gets them excited about their job?
What challenges do they face in the role?
What is your current position like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?
Why did they choose this career path?
What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this career? What type of person do you need to be?
What is the best bit of advice you have for someone looking to move into this area?
Asking questions to those already in that position will help you decide whether that career is something you want to pursue.
What do they do in their day-to-day activities?
What gets them excited about their job?
What challenges do they face in the role?
What is your current position like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?
Why did they choose this career path?
What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this career? What type of person do you need to be?
What is the best bit of advice you have for someone looking to move into this area?
Asking questions to those already in that position will help you decide whether that career is something you want to pursue.
Updated
Priya’s Answer
There are multiple ways to find a career that you would like or enjoy. One thing you can do is actually find a career survey online that will take you through multiple questions and at the end of it, suggest some that would best fit with the answers your provided. Another option is to take a personality type test (e.g. MBTI) online and based on that personality profile, there will be a few general fields and roles that will be recommended. The last suggestion reflect on the types of jobs you've had and what you've liked/disliked about them, and see if you can get some hands-on experience with the types of roles you may enjoy (this can be a bit harder to do and definitely takes some investment of time). As you go through your career, you will get a better understanding of what roles you enjoy more and will naturally gravitate towards those.
Priya is right!
Evelyn Wong