5 answers
Jennifer
Student
12
Questions
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Future career goals?
I want to do something in the stem field but I'm not really passionate about anything
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5 answers
Darrell Stam
Senior Principle Software Engineer
6
Answers
Hollis, New Hampshire
Updated
Darrell’s Answer
Hi Jennifer,
Have you ever thought about creating a mind map? There is a wonderful book by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans called "Designing Your Life" and they talk about finding a career that is in alignment with what you enjoy. You can view the career as something to look forward to everyday, or you can change your perspective and view your career as something that gives you the lifestyle that you want. Hopefully both are in alignment, but if not, then pick the later. The best way to decide if the position is a good fit for you is to do an internship - where you try for a few months, see what a typical day would be like in that field and if this is something worth pursuing. If not, then you only spent a few months figuring that out instead of a few years. Another option would be to explore various college open houses where they show what the current students are doing in the STEM field. Maybe you can get inspired by the programs they are showing. You don't have to be enrolled in the college/university to take advantage of the open house - just give the local colleges in your area a call and see if they have anything. If you find something that is interesting, make an appointment with the department chair and ask them more details about the program such as where do students find jobs, what is the base pay, what are the academic expectations to get into the program, etc. etc.
It's okay to not have a specific plan, but a plan will never happen by sitting on the sidelines and waiting for it to just appear. It will take some effort and those who try do much better than those who don't try. It's also okay to make a mistake and try again. Students change majors all the time, and sometimes even schools they attend.
Read "Designing your life" by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
Interview several folks in the science, technology, engineering, arts, and math fields and ask what they studied in school. What would they do differently now, and what suggestions they could give you.
Find your interest/hobbies and start there - maybe you can speak a foreign language and like to travel - so you could be an international tour guide - this is where the mind map comes in.
Have you ever thought about creating a mind map? There is a wonderful book by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans called "Designing Your Life" and they talk about finding a career that is in alignment with what you enjoy. You can view the career as something to look forward to everyday, or you can change your perspective and view your career as something that gives you the lifestyle that you want. Hopefully both are in alignment, but if not, then pick the later. The best way to decide if the position is a good fit for you is to do an internship - where you try for a few months, see what a typical day would be like in that field and if this is something worth pursuing. If not, then you only spent a few months figuring that out instead of a few years. Another option would be to explore various college open houses where they show what the current students are doing in the STEM field. Maybe you can get inspired by the programs they are showing. You don't have to be enrolled in the college/university to take advantage of the open house - just give the local colleges in your area a call and see if they have anything. If you find something that is interesting, make an appointment with the department chair and ask them more details about the program such as where do students find jobs, what is the base pay, what are the academic expectations to get into the program, etc. etc.
It's okay to not have a specific plan, but a plan will never happen by sitting on the sidelines and waiting for it to just appear. It will take some effort and those who try do much better than those who don't try. It's also okay to make a mistake and try again. Students change majors all the time, and sometimes even schools they attend.
Darrell recommends the following next steps:
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
265
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Jennifer
You do not need to be "passionate" about something to make it a career. You need to be knowledgeable about it (of course) and you need to not hate it, or like it enough to be able to work 40 hours a week (around) with possible constraints.
I would suggest you go to https://www.careerexplorer.com which is a free test (you can pay to get deeper questions) to guide you towards potential career paths for you. I always say, try to find something that fits within two of these three buckets:
- something you like enough that you can work 40 hours a week on it with no chance to not do it
- something you can do with constraints (like stop when it's good enough)
- something you are somewhat good at.
That can also help you find some paths. And "good at" could be extremely wide. Like "I like helping people", or "I like mathematics", or "I like being around animals". Whatever. That will start some interesting paths that you may not think about.
You do not need to be "passionate" about something to make it a career. You need to be knowledgeable about it (of course) and you need to not hate it, or like it enough to be able to work 40 hours a week (around) with possible constraints.
I would suggest you go to https://www.careerexplorer.com which is a free test (you can pay to get deeper questions) to guide you towards potential career paths for you. I always say, try to find something that fits within two of these three buckets:
- something you like enough that you can work 40 hours a week on it with no chance to not do it
- something you can do with constraints (like stop when it's good enough)
- something you are somewhat good at.
That can also help you find some paths. And "good at" could be extremely wide. Like "I like helping people", or "I like mathematics", or "I like being around animals". Whatever. That will start some interesting paths that you may not think about.
Jessica Tolentino, HRM
Recruiting
8
Answers
New Jersey, New Jersey
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Jennifer!
I'm not really "passionate" about anything either. I fell into my career by what feels like an accident. I chose what to study based on what I was interested in learning about, which was business, and now work in HR where I recruit in the tech and cyber fields. This has been fantastic but I'm not sure I would have chosen it right away myself. My suggestion is to explore what you are interested in and what you like to learn about. Then see if there are careers in that space that sound like they could be fulfilling for you. That could mean many things, depending what is most important to you. If you are valuing work-life balance than look for something like that or if you value money more, then tweak your search to that. There's something out there for everyone, even if you don't feel super strongly about it or passionate!
I'm not really "passionate" about anything either. I fell into my career by what feels like an accident. I chose what to study based on what I was interested in learning about, which was business, and now work in HR where I recruit in the tech and cyber fields. This has been fantastic but I'm not sure I would have chosen it right away myself. My suggestion is to explore what you are interested in and what you like to learn about. Then see if there are careers in that space that sound like they could be fulfilling for you. That could mean many things, depending what is most important to you. If you are valuing work-life balance than look for something like that or if you value money more, then tweak your search to that. There's something out there for everyone, even if you don't feel super strongly about it or passionate!
Neha Javed Khan
HR Business Partner
2
Answers
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Updated
Neha’s Answer
Hello Jennifer,
Okay so what I think is you should do is explore some fields. This happened with me when I was doing my Bachelors. At that time I didn't know where to go and what to pursue. So I explored my options. Take out some options and alternates that you think you're interested in. Search on google about them the courses the jobs and scope in your country. Apart from that try to talk to some people of that particular field to know more about it's scope. Again pursue something not just for the money but something that doesn't feel boring to you or something that you enjoy. A job that pays well but on the other side feels draining can be really hectic.
So I would suggest you to take your time and explore. It's okay and completely normal to sometimes feel like that just explore and try to get to know about fields you are interested in.
Okay so what I think is you should do is explore some fields. This happened with me when I was doing my Bachelors. At that time I didn't know where to go and what to pursue. So I explored my options. Take out some options and alternates that you think you're interested in. Search on google about them the courses the jobs and scope in your country. Apart from that try to talk to some people of that particular field to know more about it's scope. Again pursue something not just for the money but something that doesn't feel boring to you or something that you enjoy. A job that pays well but on the other side feels draining can be really hectic.
So I would suggest you to take your time and explore. It's okay and completely normal to sometimes feel like that just explore and try to get to know about fields you are interested in.
Lorraine Nieto
Client Services
3
Answers
Garden City, New York
Updated
Lorraine’s Answer
Hello Jennifer
It is okay to not be passionate about something right now as a student. You have a wonderful opportunity to explore, be curious and try different things that will help you find a role you are passionate about. Take the time to look into volunteer opportunities, internships and maybe even part time work to experience what it is you want to learn more about. Not every one knows what they want to do as a career right away so it is okay to take the time, and figure out what it is that really motivates you. Wish you the best in your educational and career journey!
It is okay to not be passionate about something right now as a student. You have a wonderful opportunity to explore, be curious and try different things that will help you find a role you are passionate about. Take the time to look into volunteer opportunities, internships and maybe even part time work to experience what it is you want to learn more about. Not every one knows what they want to do as a career right away so it is okay to take the time, and figure out what it is that really motivates you. Wish you the best in your educational and career journey!