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When should you start taking your career seriously.
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Matthew’s Answer
Take your career seriously as soon as you can, preferably before leaving high school. This does not mean that you will always be pointed in the same direction. As a university Freshman my major was Politics and I attended school in the DC area. One week after starting class I began my first internship and continued to intern on and around Capitol Hill for 6/8 semesters (the other two I worked on campus). I've never worked in Politics professionally. When I graduated college in 2009 the economy was in the midst of the Great Recession and jobs were hard to come by. I pivoted and have dedicated myself to an enjoyable career in Information Security.
Statistically, you will see the highest financial increases in compensation during the first ~10 years of employment. Financial benefit is not happiness but something many still value. These early years are critically important. While your focus may change, you should always take your career seriously.
Statistically, you will see the highest financial increases in compensation during the first ~10 years of employment. Financial benefit is not happiness but something many still value. These early years are critically important. While your focus may change, you should always take your career seriously.
Updated
Canan’s Answer
Hello Dylan,
I always found the word career quite daunting, as I associated it with a linear path of hierarchical progression to a single location. Since I wasn't 100% sure on where that destination should be for me and I wasn't very confident in my capabilities, I didn't plan a career path. You could say, I didn't take my career very seriously!
The constant factors for me have been that I have always worked hard and tried to achieve the best outcomes/standard whatever the task and I have been curious, always open to and looking for opportunities to enhance and improve the processes and procedures, and willing to take on additional tasks which may not necessarily be in 'my job description'. Over time, through self observation and feedback from others, i have also learned about myself and my skills and weaknesses. Adopting this approach has resulted in a gradual and authentic progression through various roles, some more fulfilling than others, and building strong relationships with some great people.
I have learned that I really enjoy navigating and resolving challenges, individually and by collaborating across different groups who may be at odds with one another, and helping other people navigate their challenges, be they personal or business related. I therefore utilise the skills and knowledge I have acquired through various roles to perform my current role as head of an anti-bribery compliance program to the best of my ability. The most rewarding aspect is working with and leading people to grow, develop and reach their personal goals!
A rather long winded insight into my path, which was not planned but worked through and navigated day to day, month to month. I often wonder how things would have turned out if I'd thought and planned more carefully...?
The truth is your career path will likely have a significant impact on the quality of your life and future, so it is important to take it seriously and planning it out increases the chances that you will achieve your goals sooner rather than later and hopefully, find your day to day life more fulfilling.
My advice to you would be as follows:
1. think carefully about what your core interests and passions are, what motivates and excites you, what you strengths are?
2. ask others who know you well their view and include this in your considerations;
3. use the above as a basis to research jobs/roles you are likely to find fulfilling, that meet your personal motivators and your skills;
4. research what qualifications you will need to increase your chances of successfully getting a job in desired field;
5. if you don't have the qualifications, you may need to undertake courses, or explore apprenticeship opportunities;
6. engage with recruitment agencies who can further advise on suitable career paths and vacancies which you can apply for.
Resources:
1. You can gain an understanding of your personality and preferences by undertaking an MBTI Personality Profiling;
2. You can consider external guidance on charting your career path here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/getting-a-job/how-to-choose-a-career
Good luck!
I always found the word career quite daunting, as I associated it with a linear path of hierarchical progression to a single location. Since I wasn't 100% sure on where that destination should be for me and I wasn't very confident in my capabilities, I didn't plan a career path. You could say, I didn't take my career very seriously!
The constant factors for me have been that I have always worked hard and tried to achieve the best outcomes/standard whatever the task and I have been curious, always open to and looking for opportunities to enhance and improve the processes and procedures, and willing to take on additional tasks which may not necessarily be in 'my job description'. Over time, through self observation and feedback from others, i have also learned about myself and my skills and weaknesses. Adopting this approach has resulted in a gradual and authentic progression through various roles, some more fulfilling than others, and building strong relationships with some great people.
I have learned that I really enjoy navigating and resolving challenges, individually and by collaborating across different groups who may be at odds with one another, and helping other people navigate their challenges, be they personal or business related. I therefore utilise the skills and knowledge I have acquired through various roles to perform my current role as head of an anti-bribery compliance program to the best of my ability. The most rewarding aspect is working with and leading people to grow, develop and reach their personal goals!
A rather long winded insight into my path, which was not planned but worked through and navigated day to day, month to month. I often wonder how things would have turned out if I'd thought and planned more carefully...?
The truth is your career path will likely have a significant impact on the quality of your life and future, so it is important to take it seriously and planning it out increases the chances that you will achieve your goals sooner rather than later and hopefully, find your day to day life more fulfilling.
My advice to you would be as follows:
1. think carefully about what your core interests and passions are, what motivates and excites you, what you strengths are?
2. ask others who know you well their view and include this in your considerations;
3. use the above as a basis to research jobs/roles you are likely to find fulfilling, that meet your personal motivators and your skills;
4. research what qualifications you will need to increase your chances of successfully getting a job in desired field;
5. if you don't have the qualifications, you may need to undertake courses, or explore apprenticeship opportunities;
6. engage with recruitment agencies who can further advise on suitable career paths and vacancies which you can apply for.
Resources:
1. You can gain an understanding of your personality and preferences by undertaking an MBTI Personality Profiling;
2. You can consider external guidance on charting your career path here: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/getting-a-job/how-to-choose-a-career
Good luck!
Updated
Dante’s Answer
You should start taking your career seriously by age 25. That is the age of having gone through the motions of adulting alongside getting your feet wet with the workforce.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
There is no definite answer for this question. It depends on when you start considering your career. I believe you may have encountered the question 'What you want to be when you grown up?' starting when you are still toddler. Many people may have different answers at different times since their dreams may change. However, some people may make up their mind at early stage and do not change.
You can start thinking about this question more serious during your high school. This may affect your choice of major and minors in the college. You can think about what subjects you are interested in or your hobbies and then identify the relevant careers. Hence, you can explore further on these careers and shortlist a few of them. You can then focus on the subjects that you need for these career and find the out the entry criteria of the colleuges.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
You can start thinking about this question more serious during your high school. This may affect your choice of major and minors in the college. You can think about what subjects you are interested in or your hobbies and then identify the relevant careers. Hence, you can explore further on these careers and shortlist a few of them. You can then focus on the subjects that you need for these career and find the out the entry criteria of the colleuges.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Keenan’s Answer
Dylan, you should start taking your career seriously from day one! Every day in your field presents you with opportunity to gain experiences, sharpen your skills, continue your learning, and demonstrate those skills to employer, coworkers, customers, etc. You should create a short to long term career plan as soon as possible, so that you are not wasting the valuable years. For many of us, including myself, when we are/were young, we are thinking only about the moment, which causes us to waste those years in some instances. Recognize that what you are doing in the moment with your career can have an impact down the road on promotions, earning potential, others views of you etc.