12 answers
Isabela
Student
Watertown, Wisconsin
2
Questions
Asked
482 views
How to find a career you like??
I'm currently stuck in this rut of being in a job I don't like, but I do t know how to find one I lik.
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12 answers
Eric Becera
System Administrator
15
Answers
Mililani, Hawaii
Updated
Eric’s Answer
One of the best ways to seek out a career you would be good at or something you would like to do, is to perform a self assessment for choosing a career. You can choose the college route, trade school route, or go straight in to the workforce while focusing on where you would like to be. There are many resources on the internet and I would recommend creating a LinkedIn account, add your resume and skills and utilize any of the free services they offer. Another great resource is monster jobs, which offer assessments as well:
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/best-free-career-assessment-tools
I have also used Indeed, but beware of the services that will charge you for assessments, unless you are willing to pay for them. But with so many free resources, a small investment of time to do research will reap dividends in the long run. I wish you well in finding your career.
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/best-free-career-assessment-tools
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/best-free-career-assessment-tools
I have also used Indeed, but beware of the services that will charge you for assessments, unless you are willing to pay for them. But with so many free resources, a small investment of time to do research will reap dividends in the long run. I wish you well in finding your career.
Eric recommends the following next steps:
Shane Campbell
Client Executive
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Shane’s Answer
Great question!
I would recommend narrowing down your passions in life (Hobbies, Natural Abilities, Strong Interests, Skillset), then decide if your passion/interests correlate to an industry. Find jobs that will align your interests where you can best utilize your skillset.
If you find that your passion doesn't align with your financial requirements, that's ok! You can always find a way to incorporate your passions into almost any job that serves your financial needs. This will also increase your own job satisfaction in the work place. One idea is to ask your direct manager if there are opportunities to work on a passion project that will benefit your team or the business that showcase your own passion/interests. I have found that this opens a lot of doors and sometimes employers will adopt the practice company wide, or incorporate the practice for your immediate work group.
Taking into consideration, salary, satisfaction, need(s) and self fulfillment among many other aspects; not everything will always align perfectly, so it will be important to keep hobbies and projects on your plate during personal time to help break up the monotony of any job.
I saw previously mentioned in another comment: Mapp testing is a good place to start!
I would recommend narrowing down your passions in life (Hobbies, Natural Abilities, Strong Interests, Skillset), then decide if your passion/interests correlate to an industry. Find jobs that will align your interests where you can best utilize your skillset.
If you find that your passion doesn't align with your financial requirements, that's ok! You can always find a way to incorporate your passions into almost any job that serves your financial needs. This will also increase your own job satisfaction in the work place. One idea is to ask your direct manager if there are opportunities to work on a passion project that will benefit your team or the business that showcase your own passion/interests. I have found that this opens a lot of doors and sometimes employers will adopt the practice company wide, or incorporate the practice for your immediate work group.
Taking into consideration, salary, satisfaction, need(s) and self fulfillment among many other aspects; not everything will always align perfectly, so it will be important to keep hobbies and projects on your plate during personal time to help break up the monotony of any job.
I saw previously mentioned in another comment: Mapp testing is a good place to start!
Samantha Perry
Copywriter, Content Writer, Editor
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Such a wonderful question. I think a great place to start would be making a list of things you enjoy and skills and personality traits that you have.
For most careers, you’ll need to be able to dedicate several hours every day to your job without burning out. Unless your priority is to be a part-time worker, a stay-at-home parent, a volunteer, or something similar.
It’s also possible to do lots of different odd jobs or freelance, but then you would need to pay for your own benefits rather than have them provided by an employer, if you are in the United States. This approach can give you more control and variety in your day, but it has drawbacks too, like less stability and predictability.
I would recommend a job that isn’t necessarily just your passion, but also one that fits your natural skillsets and personality. That way, it will be easy to maintain your job performance even on tough days.
For example:
- Are you really good at planning?
- Do you love to socialize?
- Would you prefer to take direction from a boss or be responsible for managing your own workload?
These are some questions to get you brainstorming. There are also career quizzes online that ask you these types of questions, like the O*NET Interest Profiler.
The more you understand about yourself and what you do and don’t like doing all day, the more you’ll be able to narrow down viable job options.
Good luck! And remember, you’re allowed to change jobs at any time if it’s not what you want.
For most careers, you’ll need to be able to dedicate several hours every day to your job without burning out. Unless your priority is to be a part-time worker, a stay-at-home parent, a volunteer, or something similar.
It’s also possible to do lots of different odd jobs or freelance, but then you would need to pay for your own benefits rather than have them provided by an employer, if you are in the United States. This approach can give you more control and variety in your day, but it has drawbacks too, like less stability and predictability.
I would recommend a job that isn’t necessarily just your passion, but also one that fits your natural skillsets and personality. That way, it will be easy to maintain your job performance even on tough days.
For example:
- Are you really good at planning?
- Do you love to socialize?
- Would you prefer to take direction from a boss or be responsible for managing your own workload?
These are some questions to get you brainstorming. There are also career quizzes online that ask you these types of questions, like the O*NET Interest Profiler.
The more you understand about yourself and what you do and don’t like doing all day, the more you’ll be able to narrow down viable job options.
Good luck! And remember, you’re allowed to change jobs at any time if it’s not what you want.
DAUDI KINYE
Career Counselling
7
Answers
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Updated
DAUDI’s Answer
Nowadays there is a lot of ONLINE MAPP CAREER TEST that will help you to know what potential you have but most people are looking or searching directly SPECIFIC CAREER but they are not looking for Potential that people can do example you can See people doctor as their career but typically is doing business so for this kind of people his looking has a potential for both but the issue is to make a connection from doctors into business as he can involving in selling Medical instrument as well as he can open pharmacy for doing business and so on. You can search this link:
www.takemapp.com
Or check my email
dkhamis@shamsiyeschools. Org
www.takemapp.com
Or check my email
dkhamis@shamsiyeschools. Org
DAUDI KINYE
Career Counselling
7
Answers
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Updated
DAUDI’s Answer
Nowadays there is a lot of ONLINE MAPP CAREER TEST that will help you to know what potential you have but most people are looking or searching directly SPECIFIC CAREER but they are not looking for Potential that people can do example you can See people doctor as their career but typically is doing business so for this kind of people his looking has a potential for both but the issue is to make a connection from doctors into business as he can involving in selling Medical instrument as well as he can open pharmacy for doing business and so on. You can search this link:
www.takemapp.com
www.takemapp.com
Megan Busey
Medical assistant and social worker
38
Answers
Canal Winchester, Ohio
Updated
Megan’s Answer
I completely understand. I switched professions all together as an adult and was an adult learner for one of my degrees.
Think about what makes you happy or puts a smile on your face. Then think, is it marketable? Can I make a living doing it? If your answer is yes to both, then go for it!
Think about what makes you happy or puts a smile on your face. Then think, is it marketable? Can I make a living doing it? If your answer is yes to both, then go for it!
Nivedita Balaji
Test Analyst
18
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Nivedita’s Answer
Hi Isabela,
I have been through a same situation as yours and would like to talk about it.
I have been working as a quality analyst and I thoroughly don't like it. However, I had to learn about accessibility testing for my project. So I learnt and started doing accessibility testing. That fascinated me a little and then I started to explore more about it. Slowly I realised about the subject called User Experience Design. Again to understand better, I started taking up courses and doing practice projects. Now I am very sure that I have to transition from a quality analyst to a ux designer.
The reason I'm telling you is, although your job is not what you like, you might find some small thing/subject that you learnt from it and if you dive deep and research you may actually find another career emerging out from it.
Or another thing you could do is, think about the time you were a child and what made you happy then.. E.g Drawing, Painting and Reading books made me happy. I would always be curious to learn new stuffs and unknowingly, UX design aligns with my happiness [digital drawing, researching (reading) and curiosity to learn].
So this makes me double sure that I won't regret my transition.
Always make sure that you find a career based on your true values
1) Find something out of your job that fascinated you and research more about it
2) If there's nothing fascinating, think about your hobbies and true values when you were a child
3) Explore multiple careers by enrolling in various courses ( udemy, Coursera etc..)
4) Always be curious to learn, then you could easily find alternatives if you're current situation doesn't make you happy.
I have been through a same situation as yours and would like to talk about it.
I have been working as a quality analyst and I thoroughly don't like it. However, I had to learn about accessibility testing for my project. So I learnt and started doing accessibility testing. That fascinated me a little and then I started to explore more about it. Slowly I realised about the subject called User Experience Design. Again to understand better, I started taking up courses and doing practice projects. Now I am very sure that I have to transition from a quality analyst to a ux designer.
The reason I'm telling you is, although your job is not what you like, you might find some small thing/subject that you learnt from it and if you dive deep and research you may actually find another career emerging out from it.
Or another thing you could do is, think about the time you were a child and what made you happy then.. E.g Drawing, Painting and Reading books made me happy. I would always be curious to learn new stuffs and unknowingly, UX design aligns with my happiness [digital drawing, researching (reading) and curiosity to learn].
So this makes me double sure that I won't regret my transition.
Always make sure that you find a career based on your true values
Nivedita recommends the following next steps:
Brianna C., MS, SLP
Speech language pathology
148
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
When looking for a career, it's important to know what you value a d what your priorities for happiness are. What makes you happy- free time, a flexible schedule, a structured schedule, lots of guidance, lots of independence, a large salary, moving around, staying in one place, working with your hands, intellectual work, working from home, working in an office, working with people, working on your own? Once you've thought more about what kind and structure of work you would enjoy, then you can start researching what jobs suit your own needs for financial, physical, and mental wellness. I would suggest taking a career aptitude test for some guidance on what fields would suit your values and interests.
After you've narrowed down a few career options, you can begin researching what is required for the job- amount and type of schooling, credentialing, etc.
Assess your values
Take a career apptitude test
Research educational requirements for jobs you are interested in
After you've narrowed down a few career options, you can begin researching what is required for the job- amount and type of schooling, credentialing, etc.
Brianna recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1509
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. A lot of students have the same question.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest or your favorite subjects and identify the related careers, E.g.
If you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, maths teacher, financial analyst, etc.
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a music teacher, singer, musician, music producer, music composer, etc.
2. Find out more on these subjects and identify what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these subject. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, you parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Having said that, it is common to change the interest throughout your lifetime. At that time, you may consider to change the career. A lot of people have the same experience.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest or your favorite subjects and identify the related careers, E.g.
If you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, maths teacher, financial analyst, etc.
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a music teacher, singer, musician, music producer, music composer, etc.
2. Find out more on these subjects and identify what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these subject. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, you parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Having said that, it is common to change the interest throughout your lifetime. At that time, you may consider to change the career. A lot of people have the same experience.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Savitha Damodaran
Product Manager
1
Answer
Updated
Savitha’s Answer
Isabela,
I think at some point, we are all stuck with 'I don't like what I am doing'. The very fact that you are at this point is because you are wanting to do do something in your life that you are more in alignment of.
The simple and easy way to start doing this is ponder on and really try to understand what you really like to do. You can perhaps narrow down on a few subjects/career options.
As an example, if you like Math, you can explore options to volunteer or teach online (Wyzant or other online platforms). If you like psychology, you can explore options to volunteer in those areas by looking up online resources that need help. https://www.purewow.com/wellness/virtual-volunteer is a good link that you can explore for volunteering. When you volunteer by doing something you like, you get a lot of satisfaction. It is 2 fold, you help others as well as get the satisfaction of doing something you like :)
When you have discovered what you truly like (it takes time) you can hopefully quit your current 'boring' job and venture full time into something you enjoy doing.
Hope this helps :)
I think at some point, we are all stuck with 'I don't like what I am doing'. The very fact that you are at this point is because you are wanting to do do something in your life that you are more in alignment of.
The simple and easy way to start doing this is ponder on and really try to understand what you really like to do. You can perhaps narrow down on a few subjects/career options.
As an example, if you like Math, you can explore options to volunteer or teach online (Wyzant or other online platforms). If you like psychology, you can explore options to volunteer in those areas by looking up online resources that need help. https://www.purewow.com/wellness/virtual-volunteer is a good link that you can explore for volunteering. When you volunteer by doing something you like, you get a lot of satisfaction. It is 2 fold, you help others as well as get the satisfaction of doing something you like :)
When you have discovered what you truly like (it takes time) you can hopefully quit your current 'boring' job and venture full time into something you enjoy doing.
Hope this helps :)
Brandi Reisterer
Consultant
12
Answers
Clearwater, Florida
Updated
Brandi’s Answer
I, too, have been in a similar situation. Making a change can be scary, especially when you don't have a clear path you want to take. Ask friends and family about their professions, what they love, what they don't love, etc. and see if anything sounds interesting. Try and job shadow for a day if something sounds interesting but you'd like to better understand the day to day work.
Don't be afraid to go back to school if something you want to do requires a degree you don't currently possess. It can be really scary going back to school as a non-traditional, adult student, but don't be intimidated. It could lead you to a career you love!
Don't be afraid to go back to school if something you want to do requires a degree you don't currently possess. It can be really scary going back to school as a non-traditional, adult student, but don't be intimidated. It could lead you to a career you love!
Edmundo Prado
Talent Acquisition
4
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Edmundo’s Answer
I completely understand the feeling of uncertainty that comes with changing careers, as I too have experienced it multiple times! But remember, it's never too late to follow your dreams and find that perfect fit for you. Just take a step back and focus on identifying your passions – it may be time for some self-discovery.
Consider using multiple assessments to help reveal your strengths and potential paths. This approach could shed some light on careers that are not only well-suited for you, but also ones that will bring you long-lasting happiness and fulfillment. Sometimes an outside perspective can make all the difference in guiding us towards our true calling.
Embrace this journey with positivity and believe in yourself! You have a world of possibilities ahead, waiting to be explored. Keep persevering, and soon you'll find that perfect match where your passion and success align.
Consider using multiple assessments to help reveal your strengths and potential paths. This approach could shed some light on careers that are not only well-suited for you, but also ones that will bring you long-lasting happiness and fulfillment. Sometimes an outside perspective can make all the difference in guiding us towards our true calling.
Embrace this journey with positivity and believe in yourself! You have a world of possibilities ahead, waiting to be explored. Keep persevering, and soon you'll find that perfect match where your passion and success align.