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How did you know this career was for you?

I have a few different career pathways I want to go into. I don’t know which one to choose or how to choose.

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Subject: Career question for you
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Richard J (Rich)’s Answer

Hi - as always - the other advise you are getting is spot on. But, to be simple - what it is that energizes you to wake up every morning and go do. I know you have a lot of interests - and we all do. But, do you think you know what your passion is. Now, once you get there - it may not meet your explanations - then you have your other options to pursue. But, for me, it's what motivates me to spend the rest of my day at work

Now, there is a reality check - and that is what is achievable. That is a balancing act only you can sort out based on your situation
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Daniel’s Answer

You are in the stage of making a big decision for yourself regarding your career.

The best advice I can give you is to try it yourself and gain as much professional experience as possible.

Based on your experience and your emotional attachment to the work and accomplishment, you will be able to determine the best option for you.

I think you don't always have to be attached or love every aspect of your chosen career. Sometimes, the best option is what you believe you can continue to pursue for an extended time and find comfortable and good at doing.

For example, you can become a novelist because you are comfortable writing and an excellent writer. However, your most considerable interest can be traveling, and you can spend your income from your job to support what you love doing.

Also, you are never late to make changes in your life. You can start by testing what you find most interesting to you, and if something doesn't seem to match your expectations, you can check something else.

I hope my answer helped you in contemplating your future and career. Have a great Easter Sunday!

Thanks,
D
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Kiran’s Answer

Which classes you took that excited you the most? Was there a project you worked on that made you forget about timelines and grades, and instead, focused more on the experience? Perhaps reflecting on these experiences will help you choose a career path. Chasing a higher salary alone may not keep you motivated; instead, focusing on what genuinely interests you and continuously learning new technologies to stay relevant can lead to better career growth overall. Even if it takes longer to achieve your financial goals, enjoying the work you do can greatly enhance your career journey.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. A lot of students have similar question.
Firstly, you may have to think about what you have interest.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
Eg if you are interested in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
If you are interested in music, would you like to be an musician, singer, music composer, music producer, music teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and identify what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from you our mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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Keyana’s Answer

Try to maybe work or volunteer in a place that pertains to your field of choice, like if it is a veterinarian, work in a shelter, or if it is a police officer, see if your local station offers ride alongs. That way you can get a feel about what really sticks out to you and fills your passion!
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Ruby’s Answer

Hi there! Well that's a very hard question and one that only you can answer. How easy was that for to answer? Lol.

The best advice I can give you is remember to remain flexible with your decision and follow what makes you passionate. Start with a broad degree that won't leave you stuck in one career field either. For instance, get a business degree if you're not sure which sector you're wanting to go into later. That way you can leave as many doors open as possible going forward.

And remember...you NEVER stop learning and most companies will pay for you to continue your education (like Verizon!). So - get your "base" degree and let corporate America pay for the rest. I always recommend using the programs available to you and maximize on the untapped niche - it's helped me find those underutilized resources that weren't very popular. For example, become an Officer of some group/student union that isn't as common. You will still get the recognition for holding a leadership position and often times gain even MORE experience because of the need rather than the clout (so to speak) of one of the more popular groups.

Ruby recommends the following next steps:

Get active in your student unions/groups
Get active in volunteering in community outreach programs
Look at every opportunity as networking...you never know who has what and when you will need it
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Samantha’s Answer

Hi Alyssa,
The best thing you can do is get as much experience as possible doing things you think you might enjoy, to help you validate whether or not certain career paths are for you. I know it’s not always easy to gain experience at a young age, but I’d highly recommend trying to get internships or doing some volunteer work related to potential careers of interest. I would also try to find people who are doing the jobs you think you might like and asking them lots of questions. If you’re struggling to find who to ask, start by asking your parents, your friend’s parents, teachers etc. if they know anyone you might be able to talk to. If possible, it would also be great to try to shadow some of these people to really get a better understanding of what their day to day job is like. If it’s not possible, make sure to ask lots of detailed questions of anyone working in the field that you are able to talk to, and try to get an understanding of the job without actually experiencing it yourself. Remember that if you try one job and decide you don’t like it, it’s always possible to pivot into a new career. Many jobs don’t require you to have a certain major, but just require you to be able to draw from your previous knowledge, skills, and experiences. You can also always pursue a graduate degree, if you eventually feel that it’s necessary to help you make a career switch. Best of luck!
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Josh’s Answer

The good news is that whatever you choose, it doesn't have to last forever. Many people make multiple career changes in their lives, so don't worry too much about it. Just go with what feels the most right to you at this time. Also, you can always apply for jobs in multiple types of careers and make a decision about which one you want once you know more about each option. Whatever you decide, you won't know how you really feel about it until you actually get into the first job and see what it's really like. Keep an open mind, maintain contacts in the different career areas that interest you, and keep in touch with them regularly, in case you ever want to make a switch.
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Deidre’s Answer

I’m in the class that my major has nothing to do with my career path. I majored in Health Communications, think I wanted to work at a hospital - until I did an internship at a hospital and realized I hated it. After I graduated, I went into the nonprofit field, first by doing an Americorp VISTA program for a year before transferring to a major nonprofit. From there, I worked 10 years in various nonprofits before making the switch to retail.

It’s really about what interests you and what experience you bring to the table. Internships and volunteering are a great ways to find out what you like or don’t like. You could also talk to people who have similar jobs that you’re interested in to see what they like/dislike about their positions.

Good luck in your exploration!
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Mike’s Answer

Sometimes your Minor is your Major and sometimes your career chooses you. My major in college was English but my first job was in an Art Gallery, which was very much alligned to my Art History minor. And as fate would have it my hobby was always technology. I was constantly providing friends and family unofficial tech support to all their electronics, computers and cell phones. It only took one temp job with government contractor to get pulled into the entire I.T. industry. I still make my living here, but I never fail to offer my take on literature or 18th Century English painting to anybody that might listen!
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Jeremy’s Answer

The great thing about being at the start and early stages of aligning yourself to your career is to explore!! You need to seek experience and validate that experience with people in the roles and industry that interest you. Ensuring your making choices that align your passions and interest is critical.

While there is no definitive data on how many times a person changes careers, it is not uncommon for individuals to switch careers at least once or twice during their working years, and some may switch careers several times. The reasons for changing careers can vary, from seeking new challenges or better pay to pursuing a new passion or interest.

At the early stages of your career you have full array of paths in front of you. Don't be afraid of any of them seek the best path for you!!
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