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What careers do you think relate to my interests?
Hi everyone, I did some self-reflection to think about my career interests and what to study in college.
I’m a high school senior looking to combine interests in public policy, law, and computer science for social impact. Areas of social impact I am interested in are income inequality, health care accessibility, and STEM inclusion for minority groups. I’ve developed an interest in policies impacting marginalized groups through AP Government, TV shows and movies involving legal cases, and reading about past cases. I think it’s important to have a career linked to technology because it will impact our future. I’m familiar with basic computer science but am also interested in non-coding tech-related roles with one example being product management. I enjoy math and computer science because it helps improve my logical thinking skills which I believe are important for preparing for a career in tech or law. To the extent possible, I’d like the type of work I do to be challenging, fast-paced, structured, and enable diverse experiences. I work best under pressure and think it would be fun to start my career in NYC.
A separate interest is organizing and planning events that help others, whether fundraising for a charity or organizing mentors and resources to educate and mentor fellow students. I’m also passionate about lifestyle design, personal productivity, and understanding myself to plan for my future and learn about career options. This occurred when I was reaching out to the local community to find partners for internships and mentors for events and school clubs I was helping run where I was exposed to a variety of career types and advice. I’m neither extremely outgoing or an introvert. I’m more reserved around new people I meet but don’t mind forming new relationships if it can lead to a positive outcome for others or help me learn new perspectives. I’m still interested in understanding people and how to influence relationships, for instance I’m currently reading the book by Daniel Carnegie “How to Win Friends & Influence People.”
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Ryan’s Answer
Hey Brian,
It's wonderful to see that you have such a diverse range of interests and are keen on combining them to make a meaningful impact. Based on your interests in public policy, law, computer science, and social impact, there are several career paths that might align well with your goals and preferences.
One option to consider is becoming a technology policy analyst or consultant. In this role, you would work at the intersection of technology, public policy, and law, advising governments, nonprofits, or private organizations on how to address various social issues using technology. You might focus on creating policies related to digital accessibility, data privacy, or bridging the digital divide for marginalized communities.
Another possibility is to pursue a career in social impact tech startups or nonprofit organizations that leverage technology for social good. You could work as a product manager, overseeing the development of products or services designed to address income inequality, healthcare accessibility, or STEM inclusion for minority groups. In this role, you would collaborate with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the products you create positive impact the communities you serve.
Given your interest in event organizing and mentoring, you might also explore roles in community engagement or outreach within the technology sector. This could involve organizing workshops, hackathons, or mentorship programs that promote STEM education and inclusion for underrepresented groups. You might work for an educational institution, nonprofit, or tech company with a strong focus on corporate social responsibility.
Remember, your career path will evolve over time, and you may find yourself blending these roles or exploring new ones as you gain experience and discover new interests. By staying curious, open-minded, and proactive in seeking opportunities, you'll be well-equipped to forge a fulfilling and impactful career that aligns with your passions and values.
It's wonderful to see that you have such a diverse range of interests and are keen on combining them to make a meaningful impact. Based on your interests in public policy, law, computer science, and social impact, there are several career paths that might align well with your goals and preferences.
One option to consider is becoming a technology policy analyst or consultant. In this role, you would work at the intersection of technology, public policy, and law, advising governments, nonprofits, or private organizations on how to address various social issues using technology. You might focus on creating policies related to digital accessibility, data privacy, or bridging the digital divide for marginalized communities.
Another possibility is to pursue a career in social impact tech startups or nonprofit organizations that leverage technology for social good. You could work as a product manager, overseeing the development of products or services designed to address income inequality, healthcare accessibility, or STEM inclusion for minority groups. In this role, you would collaborate with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the products you create positive impact the communities you serve.
Given your interest in event organizing and mentoring, you might also explore roles in community engagement or outreach within the technology sector. This could involve organizing workshops, hackathons, or mentorship programs that promote STEM education and inclusion for underrepresented groups. You might work for an educational institution, nonprofit, or tech company with a strong focus on corporate social responsibility.
Remember, your career path will evolve over time, and you may find yourself blending these roles or exploring new ones as you gain experience and discover new interests. By staying curious, open-minded, and proactive in seeking opportunities, you'll be well-equipped to forge a fulfilling and impactful career that aligns with your passions and values.
Updated
Gabriel’s Answer
I preface this, again, by saying take it with a grain of salt. It is your future, not mine.
I do not know anyone under age sixty - friends, family, co-workers or contemporaries...the ONE exception being teachers/professors...who have had the same job, or worked for the same company their entire career.
My advice - again, grain of salt...separate the goals of what to do and what to study. When I was in high school my parents pushed me hard to go into culinary school. They knew my love of cooking...and this was pre-Food Network back in 19mumble-mumble. I decided not to go that route because cooking was kind of a passion for me. I love the creative challenge and organizational skills involved. Part of me thought that if I did it as a career I might grow to hate it. I went the option of a business degree, concentration in accounting. I did work at a couple restaurants to pay the bills but it wasn't my endgame.
Unless you have a specific career goal involving very specific needs...medical or law, for example...what you major in does not have to define you. I took a semester off that lasted nine years because I did not know what I wanted to do. I was double-major, triple minor. It wasn't until AFTER I left that a counselor told me, "you don't necessarily go to college to learn a skill or trade...you go so you can learn to learn". (Where was that nine months prior when I needed it?)
I appreciate you reading Carnegie's book - I had to do the whole Strengths Finder thing at work. Please take that with a grain of salt as well. Some of that literature, and you're probably too young to appreciate, I classify as "Kum Ba Yah". Please try to find time to read things just for pleasure too. It gets harder as you get older to find time. (I'm partial to Ray Bradbury, Douglas Adams, Ernest Hemingway, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and John Irving.)
My general vibe is that you might do very well in a non-profit situation. I know there are specialized program for that, though many at the graduate level. So you may want to look at something like a business degree. Having those letters after your name mean more than anything other than experience in a specific field. My mum was a dental hygienist. Very-specialized. I would not have hired her to do my taxes. (In fact, I did hers.) I have worked for twenty years in financial aid at a not-for-profit university. I'm not getting rich but I can provide for my family. It's not something people go to college to "do" as a career. But the best part about it is that every day offers a new challenge. I get to use critical-thinking, I get to use my strengths in math and I get to do problem solving. And most importantly...I get to help kids and their families. Even if on the back-end when I have to deal with State and Federal governments...even if they never meet me...it feels good to know that something I did affected someone else's life in a positive way. Think of what you would like to do that inspires you...not like me with culinary...but something that you think you may like to do where you can come home at the end of the day and feel like you made a difference. We all have to look out for each other.
Whatever you do...when you start college...don't stop. Tough it out, no matter what. If in doubt, talk to family and friends. That extended semester off is the biggest regret of my life. I don't see that as being in your future. If anything, I think your challenge is going to be how to split and focus your energy on your causes. One step at a time...You got this!
I do not know anyone under age sixty - friends, family, co-workers or contemporaries...the ONE exception being teachers/professors...who have had the same job, or worked for the same company their entire career.
My advice - again, grain of salt...separate the goals of what to do and what to study. When I was in high school my parents pushed me hard to go into culinary school. They knew my love of cooking...and this was pre-Food Network back in 19mumble-mumble. I decided not to go that route because cooking was kind of a passion for me. I love the creative challenge and organizational skills involved. Part of me thought that if I did it as a career I might grow to hate it. I went the option of a business degree, concentration in accounting. I did work at a couple restaurants to pay the bills but it wasn't my endgame.
Unless you have a specific career goal involving very specific needs...medical or law, for example...what you major in does not have to define you. I took a semester off that lasted nine years because I did not know what I wanted to do. I was double-major, triple minor. It wasn't until AFTER I left that a counselor told me, "you don't necessarily go to college to learn a skill or trade...you go so you can learn to learn". (Where was that nine months prior when I needed it?)
I appreciate you reading Carnegie's book - I had to do the whole Strengths Finder thing at work. Please take that with a grain of salt as well. Some of that literature, and you're probably too young to appreciate, I classify as "Kum Ba Yah". Please try to find time to read things just for pleasure too. It gets harder as you get older to find time. (I'm partial to Ray Bradbury, Douglas Adams, Ernest Hemingway, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and John Irving.)
My general vibe is that you might do very well in a non-profit situation. I know there are specialized program for that, though many at the graduate level. So you may want to look at something like a business degree. Having those letters after your name mean more than anything other than experience in a specific field. My mum was a dental hygienist. Very-specialized. I would not have hired her to do my taxes. (In fact, I did hers.) I have worked for twenty years in financial aid at a not-for-profit university. I'm not getting rich but I can provide for my family. It's not something people go to college to "do" as a career. But the best part about it is that every day offers a new challenge. I get to use critical-thinking, I get to use my strengths in math and I get to do problem solving. And most importantly...I get to help kids and their families. Even if on the back-end when I have to deal with State and Federal governments...even if they never meet me...it feels good to know that something I did affected someone else's life in a positive way. Think of what you would like to do that inspires you...not like me with culinary...but something that you think you may like to do where you can come home at the end of the day and feel like you made a difference. We all have to look out for each other.
Whatever you do...when you start college...don't stop. Tough it out, no matter what. If in doubt, talk to family and friends. That extended semester off is the biggest regret of my life. I don't see that as being in your future. If anything, I think your challenge is going to be how to split and focus your energy on your causes. One step at a time...You got this!
Updated
Gabriel’s Answer
Have you done the Myers Briggs test? Grain of salt but...insightful...
I have and did some personality tests before but struggled to figure out how to apply to figuring out what I want to do and study. Do you have any advice?
Bryan
Updated
Atul’s Answer
If you have a bank balance you can do many things in your life that you are seeking to do.
Today, Software Engineering is the ideal profession to pursue your dream. It pays handsomely if you have a high SAT/ACT score, has taken multiple AP subjects, and have volunteered during your high school (4 years) which helps you secure scholarships.
Secondly, you can acquire Law Degree after your undergraduate degree for what you want to do.
Lastly, many things can be done off hours/weekends, but you need funds to do what you want to give back to society.
Today, Software Engineering is the ideal profession to pursue your dream. It pays handsomely if you have a high SAT/ACT score, has taken multiple AP subjects, and have volunteered during your high school (4 years) which helps you secure scholarships.
Secondly, you can acquire Law Degree after your undergraduate degree for what you want to do.
Lastly, many things can be done off hours/weekends, but you need funds to do what you want to give back to society.
Thank you! Very helpful. Do you have any thoughts on linking interest in law/policy to software engineering?
Bryan
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have a wide range of interest.
It is important to work on the careers that you have interest on. However, it might be difficult to have a career covering all your interest.
Given you are interested in Technology, you can consider to work in the Technology team in the industry you have interested on, e.g. Media, NGO, etc. Also, since you are interested in planning events/projects, would you consider to work as a Project Manager in Technology team in NGOs, etc. This is a position that would not require coding.
First of all, I believe you would need to have the Technology relevant knowledge and skills to start with first. I suggest you can take Computer Science course as your major and consider the industry you have interested on or project management subjects as your minor.
You can find out the entry criteria of the college and make the applications.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
It is important to work on the careers that you have interest on. However, it might be difficult to have a career covering all your interest.
Given you are interested in Technology, you can consider to work in the Technology team in the industry you have interested on, e.g. Media, NGO, etc. Also, since you are interested in planning events/projects, would you consider to work as a Project Manager in Technology team in NGOs, etc. This is a position that would not require coding.
First of all, I believe you would need to have the Technology relevant knowledge and skills to start with first. I suggest you can take Computer Science course as your major and consider the industry you have interested on or project management subjects as your minor.
You can find out the entry criteria of the college and make the applications.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Appreciate this! Very helpful how you reflected on my multiple interests, it helps to give me direction.
Bryan
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
That is a lot of different interests. One career path that you may want to look into is Community Organizing. Some of the bigger colleges actually offer degrees on this. They can teach you how to make changes in your communities. It sounds like you are already doing this, so the degree would expand your knowledge and help you make a career of it.
As for the tech side of things, have you considered a double major? It is a lot of work, but many colleges will allow you to get two Bachelor's degrees at once so you can do both and increase the likelihood of getting a job afterwards. Good luck.
As for the tech side of things, have you considered a double major? It is a lot of work, but many colleges will allow you to get two Bachelor's degrees at once so you can do both and increase the likelihood of getting a job afterwards. Good luck.
Definitely a lot of interests! I'm intentionally starting wide and doing experiments to narrow since I am still in high school. I really like your suggestion for community organizing. Also, double major is a great idea too! Thank you so much.
Bryan
Updated
Danah’s Answer
I would recommend doing some internships or volunteering for organizations that match your beliefs and this may help you decide on the direction you want to focus. Just my opinion, but follow your heart when it comes to your career and you will always be fulfilled.
Thank you, Danah!
Bryan
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