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How can I figure out what career is right for me?
I wanna make a lot of money, and I have knowledge in biomedical science, but am interested in music and philosophy. So I am not sure what to do!
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40 answers
Updated
Mikaela’s Answer
Hi Raphael,
When I was deciding my major, I actually looked up careers and picked a major with the highest salary. That was NOT the decision I should have made, and I ended up working as an engineer and was on call many weekends. Needless to say, I was pretty miserable in my first job and even though the money was nice, it was not worth losing my weekends and working all the time. I knew I needed to make a switch and I was even contemplating becoming a yoga instructor or getting a masters in data science. A good friend of mine gave me some advice that really stuck with me - Finding a career path is less about following your passion and more about focusing on things you enjoy doing that also give you some flexibility. It's very important not to hate your job but it doesn't need to be your end all be all passion. Find a job that you enjoy doing and focus on your passions like music and philosophy in your free time. I did just that! I really enjoyed working with people and driving some kind of meaningful change, so I became a consultant. I still get to duck out of work early to go to yoga and I have time to explore some of my other passions like cooking and traveling.
When I was deciding my major, I actually looked up careers and picked a major with the highest salary. That was NOT the decision I should have made, and I ended up working as an engineer and was on call many weekends. Needless to say, I was pretty miserable in my first job and even though the money was nice, it was not worth losing my weekends and working all the time. I knew I needed to make a switch and I was even contemplating becoming a yoga instructor or getting a masters in data science. A good friend of mine gave me some advice that really stuck with me - Finding a career path is less about following your passion and more about focusing on things you enjoy doing that also give you some flexibility. It's very important not to hate your job but it doesn't need to be your end all be all passion. Find a job that you enjoy doing and focus on your passions like music and philosophy in your free time. I did just that! I really enjoyed working with people and driving some kind of meaningful change, so I became a consultant. I still get to duck out of work early to go to yoga and I have time to explore some of my other passions like cooking and traveling.
Explore your interests, watch current job trend and follow your heart.
parvathi v
Updated
Caira’s Answer
Hi Raphael,
This is a great question and the main piece of advice I really want to emphasize here is that you do not solely need to choose, especially at this starting point in your career, just one option. As I began to think about what I wanted to do for a job and be financially secure, I was certainly overwhelmed and kept convincing myself that I had to choose only one thing or occupation and be that for 20-30 years to be successful. I have found, now about 10 years into my career, that it's much more about going for positions that look interested and when you interview you feel genuinely excited to hear on whether you made it to the next round. Money will always go up and down and all around and I would advise you to be cautious to solely look at financial outcomes this early, as when you start your career you have the most flexibility to try anything! It's okay to start in engineering and then take a position with a musical focus and then do something entirely different. It's truly all about communicating the skills you bring to each role, regardless of how different they may be. I have made many career shifts and continue to grow financially and developmentally in each unique role. try new things, hate some, love some, but enjoy the opportunities you have in front of you with all of your interests and not just one. Best of Luck!!
This is a great question and the main piece of advice I really want to emphasize here is that you do not solely need to choose, especially at this starting point in your career, just one option. As I began to think about what I wanted to do for a job and be financially secure, I was certainly overwhelmed and kept convincing myself that I had to choose only one thing or occupation and be that for 20-30 years to be successful. I have found, now about 10 years into my career, that it's much more about going for positions that look interested and when you interview you feel genuinely excited to hear on whether you made it to the next round. Money will always go up and down and all around and I would advise you to be cautious to solely look at financial outcomes this early, as when you start your career you have the most flexibility to try anything! It's okay to start in engineering and then take a position with a musical focus and then do something entirely different. It's truly all about communicating the skills you bring to each role, regardless of how different they may be. I have made many career shifts and continue to grow financially and developmentally in each unique role. try new things, hate some, love some, but enjoy the opportunities you have in front of you with all of your interests and not just one. Best of Luck!!
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Saurabh’s Answer
Be sure to focus on the courses you participate in. Those that spark your enthusiasm or where you truly shine could be a clue to the profession you'll eventually embrace. Remember, you don't have to make this choice during high school or college, so stay open to exploring anything that piques your curiosity even slightly.
If music and philosophy pique your interest, enroll in classes related to these subjects. Investigate various career paths. As you become skilled in your chosen field, you can be confident that financial rewards will come your way!
If music and philosophy pique your interest, enroll in classes related to these subjects. Investigate various career paths. As you become skilled in your chosen field, you can be confident that financial rewards will come your way!
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Nicole’s Answer
To find out what career is best for you, try to find different types of internships, jobs and volunteer experiences that can help you align with your passions as well as what you can see is best fit for yourself.
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amie’s Answer
Request to observe individuals in their professions to gain insight into their daily routines. Additionally, investigate income levels to ensure compatibility with your preferred lifestyle and financial plan.
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ASHWIN’s Answer
Here's an enhanced version of the text:
1. Identify your top passion, for example, music.
2. Explore the music industry and find what excites you the most, such as music production, singing, or playing an instrument.
3. Choose 2 or 3 career options based on your interests from step 2. This is because these careers can either support each other (a singer who knows how to improve music quality) or complement each other (a singer who can play guitar).
4. Pick the one career option that interests you the most from your list.
5. Focus on the main career choice you made, but also consider learning the other 2 options you selected.
In summary, specialize in what you're most passionate about and choose another career option that complements your main passion. This way, you'll have a primary plan (specialize) and a backup plan (supplemental income). Good luck and best wishes!
1. Identify your top passion, for example, music.
2. Explore the music industry and find what excites you the most, such as music production, singing, or playing an instrument.
3. Choose 2 or 3 career options based on your interests from step 2. This is because these careers can either support each other (a singer who knows how to improve music quality) or complement each other (a singer who can play guitar).
4. Pick the one career option that interests you the most from your list.
5. Focus on the main career choice you made, but also consider learning the other 2 options you selected.
In summary, specialize in what you're most passionate about and choose another career option that complements your main passion. This way, you'll have a primary plan (specialize) and a backup plan (supplemental income). Good luck and best wishes!
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parvathi’s Answer
Figure out what your passion is here rather making tons of money, end of the day job satisfaction is important.
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Lauren’s Answer
I used to be in your situation, up until I was a Sophomore in College. My best advice is to shadow different types of jobs and see which one's interest you the most! Also, even if you like multiple jobs, there are different ways to incorporate other interests into your full-time job! I know people who work full-time and then go to a part time job, where they are working on a start-up or volunteering at an animal shelter. There are many ways to combine multiple passions together, while still being productive. Best of luck with everything!
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Eric’s Answer
Hello Raphael,
It's essential to focus on what truly sparks your enthusiasm, as many individuals falter when they chase solely monetary gains. Your passion has the potential to transform into a successful career if you excel at it. If music is your love, but you feel you may not have the ability to build a career from it, consider pursuing it as a side interest while selecting Biomedical Science as your primary occupation if that's where your talents lie. I spent three years as a music major at a community college, only a few courses away from completing my degree. However, I eventually realized that music might not be the best career choice for me, so I changed my major.
Fortunately, I discovered a newfound passion for Web Development and chose to follow a career in the Information Technology field. I adore my current profession, but I still play music for my church and participate in a few gigs whenever I can.
Remember, it's not about chasing money; it's about following your passion and utilizing your talents.
It's essential to focus on what truly sparks your enthusiasm, as many individuals falter when they chase solely monetary gains. Your passion has the potential to transform into a successful career if you excel at it. If music is your love, but you feel you may not have the ability to build a career from it, consider pursuing it as a side interest while selecting Biomedical Science as your primary occupation if that's where your talents lie. I spent three years as a music major at a community college, only a few courses away from completing my degree. However, I eventually realized that music might not be the best career choice for me, so I changed my major.
Fortunately, I discovered a newfound passion for Web Development and chose to follow a career in the Information Technology field. I adore my current profession, but I still play music for my church and participate in a few gigs whenever I can.
Remember, it's not about chasing money; it's about following your passion and utilizing your talents.
Updated
Samantha M’s Answer
My suggestion is to prioritize your goals vs just telling yourself you want to make "a lot of money". Don't get me wrong, having that thought is certainly a positive one and is technically a goal, but it's more like the end goal; and in all honesty, it's not the end all be all goal! So with that, here are 3 pieces of advice:
1. Start small. We have all been asked the infamous question, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" during almost every interview we have ever taken, and believe it or not, it has significance. It's important to ask yourself that question so that you can begin making the necessary preparations in order to eventually arrive there. But I've discovered that it's best to begin modestly and give yourself the chance to reach those milestones which keeps the fire burning within you. For instance, you'll try to gain as much experience as you can in years 1 and 2 to help you build your resume. Whether that entails beginning to take leadership responsibility for projects at your current job or You start working harder to cross-collaborate with other departments or teams at work or outside of it, you start taking on extra work or volunteering your time to join professional networks (more on this later), and all of that will eventually move mountains. Regardless of your position or income, you will become a little more established in your career in years 3 and 4. Being successful leads to being established, and being established leads to actually making money. If your current job is not meeting your needs, start looking for alternative employment opportunities. The notion that "job hopping" is a bad thing has less validity today. There is such a thing as loyalty, and the only way you can achieve your goals is if you are loyal to yourself. Although we all hope that our employers will be loyal to us, there are times when this isn't the case, so your only choice is to be loyal to yourself. Do your homework, be persistent, and look for what you require for your career. To be completely honest, you might not be exactly where you wanted to be in year 5, but you are four times closer than you were 4 years earlier. Continue on, give it a little more than you normally would, and have faith in the process.
2. Network, network, network! It's a cliche, but it's also true when they say that it's not what you know, but who you know. As a professional, networking is absolutely essential. Join professional networks, be active on LinkedIn, and don't be afraid to connect with the C-Suite level decision-makers in your current organization. The idea is for them to remember you, know who you are, and understand what you hope to accomplish in your career. The people you network with either got to where they are by doing the same thing you are doing or are getting to where they want to be by making moves. These will be people that you likely have a lot in common with and can learn from. They will be an asset to you, you will see value in networking with them even if not right away, and doors will open for you. Again, have faith in the process!
3. Be patient. There may be times when it appears as though things are at a standstill, but there may also be times when things move quickly, you will advance in the ranks and begin bringing in more and more cash flow fairly quickly and consistently. Slow progression happens, and that's okay, it's still progression; but it's not okay if you just stand by and let the standstill become a constant state. In order to advance professionally, you must be persistent as well as patient. Keep going and resist getting sidetracked. Your career milestones will cause your goals to grow in size and difficulty, but that too is okay. So what. You will learn from each of these experiences, and if you are persistent and patient, things will come together over tiime. Understand the difference between being patient and being complacent. Take risks because, again, if you have patience, rewards will come with risks eventually. The fact remains that only you have control over this; other variables and/or factors may be present, but ultimately, your success is under your control. You should always remember that.
1. Start small. We have all been asked the infamous question, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" during almost every interview we have ever taken, and believe it or not, it has significance. It's important to ask yourself that question so that you can begin making the necessary preparations in order to eventually arrive there. But I've discovered that it's best to begin modestly and give yourself the chance to reach those milestones which keeps the fire burning within you. For instance, you'll try to gain as much experience as you can in years 1 and 2 to help you build your resume. Whether that entails beginning to take leadership responsibility for projects at your current job or You start working harder to cross-collaborate with other departments or teams at work or outside of it, you start taking on extra work or volunteering your time to join professional networks (more on this later), and all of that will eventually move mountains. Regardless of your position or income, you will become a little more established in your career in years 3 and 4. Being successful leads to being established, and being established leads to actually making money. If your current job is not meeting your needs, start looking for alternative employment opportunities. The notion that "job hopping" is a bad thing has less validity today. There is such a thing as loyalty, and the only way you can achieve your goals is if you are loyal to yourself. Although we all hope that our employers will be loyal to us, there are times when this isn't the case, so your only choice is to be loyal to yourself. Do your homework, be persistent, and look for what you require for your career. To be completely honest, you might not be exactly where you wanted to be in year 5, but you are four times closer than you were 4 years earlier. Continue on, give it a little more than you normally would, and have faith in the process.
2. Network, network, network! It's a cliche, but it's also true when they say that it's not what you know, but who you know. As a professional, networking is absolutely essential. Join professional networks, be active on LinkedIn, and don't be afraid to connect with the C-Suite level decision-makers in your current organization. The idea is for them to remember you, know who you are, and understand what you hope to accomplish in your career. The people you network with either got to where they are by doing the same thing you are doing or are getting to where they want to be by making moves. These will be people that you likely have a lot in common with and can learn from. They will be an asset to you, you will see value in networking with them even if not right away, and doors will open for you. Again, have faith in the process!
3. Be patient. There may be times when it appears as though things are at a standstill, but there may also be times when things move quickly, you will advance in the ranks and begin bringing in more and more cash flow fairly quickly and consistently. Slow progression happens, and that's okay, it's still progression; but it's not okay if you just stand by and let the standstill become a constant state. In order to advance professionally, you must be persistent as well as patient. Keep going and resist getting sidetracked. Your career milestones will cause your goals to grow in size and difficulty, but that too is okay. So what. You will learn from each of these experiences, and if you are persistent and patient, things will come together over tiime. Understand the difference between being patient and being complacent. Take risks because, again, if you have patience, rewards will come with risks eventually. The fact remains that only you have control over this; other variables and/or factors may be present, but ultimately, your success is under your control. You should always remember that.
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Ban’s Answer
Hello Raphael,
My advice is to keep trying things, to explore the area in which you are interested. You do not have to make decision while you are in high school or college. you can try one hundred things, you are not interested in ninety-nine things, but once you found that ONE thing you really enjoy, then just pursue it with all your passion. Once a career become your hobby, success and money will eventually come along.
You are still young, keep trying different things, and don't be afraid of failure or wasting time, just enjoy your show.
My advice is to keep trying things, to explore the area in which you are interested. You do not have to make decision while you are in high school or college. you can try one hundred things, you are not interested in ninety-nine things, but once you found that ONE thing you really enjoy, then just pursue it with all your passion. Once a career become your hobby, success and money will eventually come along.
You are still young, keep trying different things, and don't be afraid of failure or wasting time, just enjoy your show.
Updated
William T’s Answer
Hey Rapheal,
You've already got great advice above, but I'll add my 2 cents. As someone who does music on the side, you've got to create an idea of what you want your job to be and what you want your passions to be and decide whether you want to blend them together. Biomedical engineering will provide you with a path to alot of money, but it is taxing and you have to determine how much you're actually passionate about it. You'll have less time to do music and less time to study philosophy, but you'd be able to "pay your bills" which is extremely important. Contrastingly, it is a bit more elusive to make money doing music or philosophy. You can start creating music online as a content creator, become a producer or music engineer, join a band etc. There are multiple ways to express yourself musically, but when it becomes the main source of your income, it will become less fun, and you'll need to decide if you're willing to view music in a different light. Philosophy is cool so perhaps you can write a book, start a podcast, become a teacher, but again, it's a less stable way to make money. Another option is to find a way to blend all of these together. Perhaps you can write philosophical music or allow philosophy to shine in the lyrics you write, or bring philosophical perspective to your day job as a biomedical engineer. Or create a band at work. Think through some of these and youll be able to prioritize your passions better
You've already got great advice above, but I'll add my 2 cents. As someone who does music on the side, you've got to create an idea of what you want your job to be and what you want your passions to be and decide whether you want to blend them together. Biomedical engineering will provide you with a path to alot of money, but it is taxing and you have to determine how much you're actually passionate about it. You'll have less time to do music and less time to study philosophy, but you'd be able to "pay your bills" which is extremely important. Contrastingly, it is a bit more elusive to make money doing music or philosophy. You can start creating music online as a content creator, become a producer or music engineer, join a band etc. There are multiple ways to express yourself musically, but when it becomes the main source of your income, it will become less fun, and you'll need to decide if you're willing to view music in a different light. Philosophy is cool so perhaps you can write a book, start a podcast, become a teacher, but again, it's a less stable way to make money. Another option is to find a way to blend all of these together. Perhaps you can write philosophical music or allow philosophy to shine in the lyrics you write, or bring philosophical perspective to your day job as a biomedical engineer. Or create a band at work. Think through some of these and youll be able to prioritize your passions better
Tessa Campbell
Human Resources Strategy & Transformation - Recruiting Technology
3
Answers
Updated
Tessa’s Answer
Hi Raphael,
Starting out and identifying a career path is very challenging! CareerVillage is a great place to start and learn from individuals that share your interests and asking them about their own career path and how they got to where they are today. I recommend researching more about jobs that interest you and this can be done through googling different jobs and reading through the job descriptions and qualifications. This can give you some initial insight into the type of work that is done for a specific career. Networking is also a great way to learn about different careers and meet people and learn not only the positives but the challenges to a career. By focusing in on your areas of interest and passion this can also help you align with something that you will enjoy doing day to day.
Starting out and identifying a career path is very challenging! CareerVillage is a great place to start and learn from individuals that share your interests and asking them about their own career path and how they got to where they are today. I recommend researching more about jobs that interest you and this can be done through googling different jobs and reading through the job descriptions and qualifications. This can give you some initial insight into the type of work that is done for a specific career. Networking is also a great way to learn about different careers and meet people and learn not only the positives but the challenges to a career. By focusing in on your areas of interest and passion this can also help you align with something that you will enjoy doing day to day.
Updated
Joseph-Shannon’s Answer
Give yourself a little grace and a little time. All of these desired outcomes do NOT arrive on "Day 1." Rather, you might think this way: you have a beautiful opportunity to figure-out a new path, one that will help you achieve your desired goals. You just need to START. Pick a starting role, a first organization to join. Within a few short months you will learn what you love and what you don't like, about that role. GREAT; you are refining and focusing your search (remember, your starting point was not knowing anything, and now you know several valuable things about that work and your interests). And, equally important, this role will introduce you to many people, some of whom might become incredible mentors or resources). Ask questions. Tons of questions. All this info/feedback will help you decide: what's your next step? Something that gives you more of what you like/ want, or exposure to more great people? And then you repeat that process of discovery (what you like and don't, who might be helpful or not). That allows you to refine and focus your thinking even more, for your next role. Do you see the pattern emerging? This wonderful journey of exploration and discovery will help you find your unique solution which combines many of your interests and achieves many of your goals.
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Amy’s Answer
Hi Raphael! My advice on this is always the best situation is to find a balance of what you are passionate about and what "pay's the bills". If you can find that ONE thing that does both of these things, that is great. However, many people may pursue a job/career that they are happy with but might not fulfill their 'creative passions (like music, philosophy etc). Those creative passions do not need to go -- there's more to life than just your job/career - and you can still feel fulfilled by doing those things on night/weekend etc! If you are one of the lucky ones that can find the perfect mix of all your passions and a good paying job, definitely go for it! Hopefully this is helpful!
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Gyu Hyun "Q"’s Answer
Jenna provided a thorough response that will be useful for you and your fellow students! I'd like to contribute one more idea - discover the world around you! Your objectives and interests might evolve as you encounter new individuals and gain exposure to various viewpoints. Experiment with areas that intrigue you to determine if they're something you'd enjoy doing for the rest of your life. For instance, if you're passionate about composing music, you could create and share your tunes on SoundCloud to see if it suits you. If the biomedical field appeals to you, connect with professionals on LinkedIn and inquire about their daily work experiences. Additionally, consider applying for internships at your dream company. Life is all about trial and error - we never stop exploring.
Personally, I didn't attend university immediately after high school. I've been a restaurant manager, a soldier, a barista, and now an accountant. I enjoy my current job, but it took me a while to figure it out. It's perfectly fine if you're unsure about your future path, just remember to keep exploring.
Personally, I didn't attend university immediately after high school. I've been a restaurant manager, a soldier, a barista, and now an accountant. I enjoy my current job, but it took me a while to figure it out. It's perfectly fine if you're unsure about your future path, just remember to keep exploring.
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Jenna Kashcheeva’s Answer
Hi Raphael,
Based on your question, you don't have a clear picture yet of what exactly you want to pursue.
What do you mean by "a lot of money?". How deep is your "knowledge in biomedical science"? What kind of "music" are you interested in? For example, do you want to play in a rock band or play violin in opera? Do you have any skill right now/do you still have enough time to gain this skill (playing some instruments might require training from an early age for increased capability)?
Depending on the answers, you might already have an idea of where you can start right now. "A lot of money" doesn't often happen overnight, so it will take time anyway, whichever career path you will pursue.
I suggest you do research on potential roles that might be interesting to you based on your aspirations, the cost of pursuing these roles (e.g., how much you will have to pay for college, what's the competition, whether will you have to relocate to get closer to potential employers, etc.) and decide for yourself whether you're ready to move in that direction.
Since professions in philosophy are not always necessarily paid well and music (whatever you mean) might be a risky/lengthy endeavor, you can start with securing a more traditional job and developing other opportunities in parallel. Many people have side hustles, so it's very realistic, and you can always pursue whatever works best for you.
At the end of the day, it's always more comfortable when you know what to expect but it's very uncomfortable to realize that you hate what you're doing and think about lost opportunities that you never tried to get.
I hope that it helps!
Based on your question, you don't have a clear picture yet of what exactly you want to pursue.
What do you mean by "a lot of money?". How deep is your "knowledge in biomedical science"? What kind of "music" are you interested in? For example, do you want to play in a rock band or play violin in opera? Do you have any skill right now/do you still have enough time to gain this skill (playing some instruments might require training from an early age for increased capability)?
Depending on the answers, you might already have an idea of where you can start right now. "A lot of money" doesn't often happen overnight, so it will take time anyway, whichever career path you will pursue.
I suggest you do research on potential roles that might be interesting to you based on your aspirations, the cost of pursuing these roles (e.g., how much you will have to pay for college, what's the competition, whether will you have to relocate to get closer to potential employers, etc.) and decide for yourself whether you're ready to move in that direction.
Since professions in philosophy are not always necessarily paid well and music (whatever you mean) might be a risky/lengthy endeavor, you can start with securing a more traditional job and developing other opportunities in parallel. Many people have side hustles, so it's very realistic, and you can always pursue whatever works best for you.
At the end of the day, it's always more comfortable when you know what to expect but it's very uncomfortable to realize that you hate what you're doing and think about lost opportunities that you never tried to get.
I hope that it helps!
Updated