14 answers
Kayla
Student
Reedsville, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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How to Find the Perfect Career for Me
What is the best way to find which career path is the best fit for me?
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14 answers
janine seftel
Registered nurse
1
Answer
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
janine’s Answer
The best way to start would be to make a list. One side put what you enjoy doing and any extracurricular activities you may be involved in, what classes do you most enjoy?
The other side would be what your personality is, who are you at your core. Sometimes that’s hard to do by self reflection so ask those closest to you how they see you and what they feel your strengths are.
Really study your lists when they are done, is there some common theme coming to mind? Do you love chess and have a very intense personality? Think lawyer or surgeon. Are you compassionate, love to help people and enjoy complex ideas? Think nursing school or social work.
Remember to never spend the time or money going into a career solely because you can make a lot of money. Do it because it will give you joy- the money will come when you’re doing something you love.
The other side would be what your personality is, who are you at your core. Sometimes that’s hard to do by self reflection so ask those closest to you how they see you and what they feel your strengths are.
Really study your lists when they are done, is there some common theme coming to mind? Do you love chess and have a very intense personality? Think lawyer or surgeon. Are you compassionate, love to help people and enjoy complex ideas? Think nursing school or social work.
Remember to never spend the time or money going into a career solely because you can make a lot of money. Do it because it will give you joy- the money will come when you’re doing something you love.
Nandini Krishna
Manager
34
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Nandini’s Answer
Hello Kayla,
Perfect job is a very subjective term. A perfect job for me or my friend might not be a perfect job for you.
To get to what really works for you (your perfect job), you can introspect as to what you enjoy and come to your own conclusion. Below are some of the things you can do to get started on your journey in defining what you would enjoy doing for a large part of your life! :)
1. What are you fields of interests? I would go back to a year or two and think about what still interests you. Whatever you choose for your college, you will be studying that subject for a couple years - so I would pick something that you are genuinely interested in.
2. Do you envision a future in that field - Take a reality check. Do you see yourself getting a job in your field of interest and supporting yourself and your family with that income?
3. Affordability - Are there good colleges that can offer your field of study with affordable tuition?
4. Talk to people close to you - your friends, family, some of your teachers and/ or guidance counselors and see that they think.
5. Once you slim down your list of careers, talk to people who are currently doing that job and get their opinion as well.
Best of luck!
Perfect job is a very subjective term. A perfect job for me or my friend might not be a perfect job for you.
To get to what really works for you (your perfect job), you can introspect as to what you enjoy and come to your own conclusion. Below are some of the things you can do to get started on your journey in defining what you would enjoy doing for a large part of your life! :)
1. What are you fields of interests? I would go back to a year or two and think about what still interests you. Whatever you choose for your college, you will be studying that subject for a couple years - so I would pick something that you are genuinely interested in.
2. Do you envision a future in that field - Take a reality check. Do you see yourself getting a job in your field of interest and supporting yourself and your family with that income?
3. Affordability - Are there good colleges that can offer your field of study with affordable tuition?
4. Talk to people close to you - your friends, family, some of your teachers and/ or guidance counselors and see that they think.
5. Once you slim down your list of careers, talk to people who are currently doing that job and get their opinion as well.
Best of luck!
Sophie Dennis-Reed
Career Coach
8
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Sophie’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
this is such a great question concerning your career role, and the first thing I would suggest for you is to purchase a journal and start thinking about all the things you like to do. Think about hobbies, talents, and activities you could do for hours in a day, and it will excite you. You have to use your imagination and take time to meditate on these things.
Next, I would suggest taking some free online career and personality assessments that will give you an idea of who you are and what you are good at. I would suggest taking more than two assessments just to see if your results are consistent which will give you some information on where to start your career journey.
When you have some ideas about your niche, I would suggest connecting with people who are already experts doing what you're interested in. Ask questions and if you can shadow them to see exactly what they do on a day-to-day basis this will give you more of an idea of whether this is the right career role for you.
I hope this helps you to at least get started with your new career journey.
this is such a great question concerning your career role, and the first thing I would suggest for you is to purchase a journal and start thinking about all the things you like to do. Think about hobbies, talents, and activities you could do for hours in a day, and it will excite you. You have to use your imagination and take time to meditate on these things.
Next, I would suggest taking some free online career and personality assessments that will give you an idea of who you are and what you are good at. I would suggest taking more than two assessments just to see if your results are consistent which will give you some information on where to start your career journey.
When you have some ideas about your niche, I would suggest connecting with people who are already experts doing what you're interested in. Ask questions and if you can shadow them to see exactly what they do on a day-to-day basis this will give you more of an idea of whether this is the right career role for you.
I hope this helps you to at least get started with your new career journey.
Toya Nix
Counselor
7
Answers
Converse, Texas
Updated
Toya’s Answer
Hi. Finding the best career path can begin by identifying what you are passionate about. Whether it be helping people, math, computers, animals, etc., there may be something that you can envision putting a lot of time and effort into AND make money.
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
472
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
Hi, Kayka,
Good question. The good news is that there are probably many careers that would qualify as "best fits." That is, if you find work that you enjoy, work that makes you feel good about yourself, then you have a "best fit" career. The good news is that you needn't feel stressed about finding one specific career above all others. Some excellent suggestions have already been offered, and by pursuing whatever interests you, careers within that scope will appear. I wish you well.
Good question. The good news is that there are probably many careers that would qualify as "best fits." That is, if you find work that you enjoy, work that makes you feel good about yourself, then you have a "best fit" career. The good news is that you needn't feel stressed about finding one specific career above all others. Some excellent suggestions have already been offered, and by pursuing whatever interests you, careers within that scope will appear. I wish you well.
Rich Burr
Director of Engineering Organization
21
Answers
Ventura, California
Updated
Rich’s Answer
The most successful and happiest people find a way to turn what they enjoy to do into a career. What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you like working on a computer? Hiking outside? Writing? Taking care of people? Cooking? Whatever is your passion, start there. If you do what you love, you never work a day in your life.
Annie Gronlund
12
Answers
Updated
Annie’s Answer
Informational interviews are your best friend. Consider what careers interest you and write down questions you have about those careers. You can also google informational interview questions to help you get a better idea of what you can ask. Then reach out to people on linked in or acquaintances or ask your teachers if they know anyone in that specific field. People love to talk about themselves and share their experiences, and it's a great way to network!
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
363
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hello Kayla,
Excellent question! I would say start with a career assessment, you should be able to find some free assessments online. Knowing your values, passions, and skills will help you understand what kind of career you should pursue. And being alert of these factors means you can actively seek out careers that require your specific talents.
Make a list of all your options, whether those are tangible job opportunities, education, or career paths. Once you have everything written down, you can parse out what isn’t exactly right, and narrow your goals.
Good Luck on your journey,
Aisha T
Excellent question! I would say start with a career assessment, you should be able to find some free assessments online. Knowing your values, passions, and skills will help you understand what kind of career you should pursue. And being alert of these factors means you can actively seek out careers that require your specific talents.
Make a list of all your options, whether those are tangible job opportunities, education, or career paths. Once you have everything written down, you can parse out what isn’t exactly right, and narrow your goals.
Good Luck on your journey,
Aisha T
Elyse Brogdon
Director of People + Processes
19
Answers
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Updated
Elyse’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
When it comes to selecting a career I like to ask the following questions:
- What is a problem the world needs solved?
- What are my strengths + interests?
- Where do these two things overlap?
By determining what the world needs and aligning the solution with the things we enjoy and are good at, we are able to find meaning and success in our work. This line of questioning also allows for you to open yourself to more ideas of what work can be, as opposed to feeling tied to the job titles you may be familiar with.
Best of luck,
Elyse
When it comes to selecting a career I like to ask the following questions:
- What is a problem the world needs solved?
- What are my strengths + interests?
- Where do these two things overlap?
By determining what the world needs and aligning the solution with the things we enjoy and are good at, we are able to find meaning and success in our work. This line of questioning also allows for you to open yourself to more ideas of what work can be, as opposed to feeling tied to the job titles you may be familiar with.
Best of luck,
Elyse
Allegra Armas
Social Impact
6
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Allegra’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
I would start by thinking about what it is that you are passionate about or something that will make you happy. You can also think about the skills that you are good at and how you can continue to use those in the future. From there, you can make a list of some potential careers and do some research on these options to find what is most interesting to you.
Thinking about what you want to do for the rest of your life can be scary, but know that your skills and interests will continue to evolve as you progress in your career. Good luck!
I would start by thinking about what it is that you are passionate about or something that will make you happy. You can also think about the skills that you are good at and how you can continue to use those in the future. From there, you can make a list of some potential careers and do some research on these options to find what is most interesting to you.
Thinking about what you want to do for the rest of your life can be scary, but know that your skills and interests will continue to evolve as you progress in your career. Good luck!
Chirayu Rupani
Data Analyst
295
Answers
Frisco, Texas
Updated
Chirayu’s Answer
Finding the perfect career path for yourself can be a challenging task, but there are several steps you can take to help you discover a career that is a good fit for you. Self-Reflection: Start by reflecting on your interests, passions, skills, and values. What motivates you? What makes you happy? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your personal values and beliefs? Understanding your own preferences and what drives you can help you narrow down the potential career paths that might be a good fit for you. Once you have identified some potential career paths, research them thoroughly. Use online resources, such as career websites, job descriptions, and forums, to learn about the specific requirements, job duties, and earning potential of each career. Reach out to people working in these fields and conduct informational interviews to gain more insight into the daily work, challenges, and opportunities in these careers. Consider your educational background and the skills you have acquired through work, internships, or volunteering. Do they align with the requirements of the career you are interested in? If not, you may need to gain additional education, training, or certifications to be a competitive candidate. Consider internships, volunteering or job shadowing in the field you are interested in to get a firsthand experience of the work. This can help you determine if you enjoy the work and if it is something you can see yourself doing long-term.
John Rooney
Consultant
56
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
John’s Answer
I would recommend trying to start to decide the different qualities you want in a job rather than any specific job. For example, I wanted a job where I could work remotely, so even though I might like to do a job like managing construction because I get to be outside, that job wouldn't be compatible with working remotely. Other people decide they want to work with children, so anything from a teacher to a doctor. Another factor may be schooling. I was interested in being a scientist, but that often requires graduate schooling; so I decided to study business where I could compete for most jobs with my bachelor's degree. Using this strategy will be helpful to narrow down all of the job options and give you a short list of jobs to explore further. Then, you could meet with professionals who already work in that job to get more insight. An experience like shadowing would give you even more information into what the day-to-day is like.
Claude Shy
Product PR & Social Media Manager
4
Answers
San Leandro, California
Updated
Claude’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
First, definitely recommend identifying what your goals are. For you personally, do you prioritize long-term happiness, long-term financial stability, long-term job stability? Next, identify your passion. A helpful piece of advice I've heard about identifying passion is to keep a journal of things that make you happy. After a few months, go back and identify trends. Maybe drawing brings you happiness regularly, and if so, it's likely a passion of yours. Not everyone is naturally good at their passion, however, so after you've identified it, practice makes (near) perfect! Internships are a great way to test out different career paths and identify passions while honing your skills.
An additional thing to consider is where you want to be long-term. If you have a specific city/country in mind, understanding what that job market looks like is important. In San Francisco, for example, there's a bustling tech scene. But Milan or Paris has a bustling fashion scene, and New York and Chicago have strong advertising/marketing scenes.
Lastly, finding your dream job/career is a journey. For many people, they don't find their dream job/career immediately. There's a different path for everyone that often consists of trial and error. Don't be afraid to explore different jobs and roles in your journey!
Good luck!
First, definitely recommend identifying what your goals are. For you personally, do you prioritize long-term happiness, long-term financial stability, long-term job stability? Next, identify your passion. A helpful piece of advice I've heard about identifying passion is to keep a journal of things that make you happy. After a few months, go back and identify trends. Maybe drawing brings you happiness regularly, and if so, it's likely a passion of yours. Not everyone is naturally good at their passion, however, so after you've identified it, practice makes (near) perfect! Internships are a great way to test out different career paths and identify passions while honing your skills.
An additional thing to consider is where you want to be long-term. If you have a specific city/country in mind, understanding what that job market looks like is important. In San Francisco, for example, there's a bustling tech scene. But Milan or Paris has a bustling fashion scene, and New York and Chicago have strong advertising/marketing scenes.
Lastly, finding your dream job/career is a journey. For many people, they don't find their dream job/career immediately. There's a different path for everyone that often consists of trial and error. Don't be afraid to explore different jobs and roles in your journey!
Good luck!
Elizabeth Yang
Auditor
2
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi,
There isn't necessarily a one-size fits all definition of a perfect career. There can be flexibility when it comes to finding a career that you are truly passionate about, and it may take time and evolve as you continue with your career journey. I would recommend thinking about what you are interested in, what your strengths are, and what your values are, and using that as a starting point.
Career Exploration
Explore on Access Your Potential’s site potential career opportunities like internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. Sign up to have access to these free programs and more at accessyourpotential (on pwc.com)
There isn't necessarily a one-size fits all definition of a perfect career. There can be flexibility when it comes to finding a career that you are truly passionate about, and it may take time and evolve as you continue with your career journey. I would recommend thinking about what you are interested in, what your strengths are, and what your values are, and using that as a starting point.
Career Exploration
Explore on Access Your Potential’s site potential career opportunities like internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. Sign up to have access to these free programs and more at accessyourpotential (on pwc.com)