9 answers
Josie
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
6
Questions
Asked
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Do you feel like you made the correct career choice right away? or did you change careers?
Did you have to go back to college and persue something else?
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9 answers
Dieu Earheart
Senior Project & Program Manager
6
Answers
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Updated
Dieu’s Answer
My first job blossomed into my lifelong career. Fresh out of high school, I stepped into an entry-level position, not knowing then that it would shape my professional journey. As I navigated through various roles within the company, I discovered my knack for project management. Looking back, it's clear that elements of project management were woven into each role I held. After finding my passion, I decided to further my education, earning both my bachelor's and master's degrees. While I wasn't always certain I had chosen the right path, it's certainly paying off now. Remember, it's okay to change careers if you need to. Life is all about embracing the experiences that come your way and making adjustments as needed.
Thomas Sawyer
Learning and Development
8
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Life is what happens when you're making plans. I doubt there are many people out there that are still actively pursuing the initial career they selected in high school or college. If I had, I would be a fighter pilot! But that's okay. As we grow, we learn new things, develop new passions, and we may find a calling we never expected would be our life's work. This may be an unsatisfying answer, but I would suggest you pursue what you think is best for you now, start working it, and see where it takes you. Be okay with change. One caveat to consider - some careers need to be nurtured and managed. This is a "mistake" I made early on in my Army career - not considering timelines, assignments, promotions, etc. And I got behind my peers. I often looked at that with regret, but now I thoroughly enjoy my current career and I may not have landed here if not for those choices.
Jessica Mills-Odoi
Operations Engineer
1
Answer
Silver Spring, Maryland
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Indeed, my journey to my current career as an Operations Engineer was not a straight path. It was filled with numerous twists, transforming my initial career into more of a part-time hobby. I believe that we evolve and experience different versions of ourselves at various life stages. You can see this by looking at people who have switched careers throughout their lives.
When it comes to career choices, I think you should choose what suits your present self. Careers shouldn't be seen as intimidating or lifelong commitments. When I made my first career choice, I followed my interests and passions at that time, and I excelled in it. Now, my passion has shifted, and I am thriving in my current career.
I firmly believe there's no such thing as a 'correct' choice. Your desires and aspirations should guide your decisions. Thus, my mantra is "feel the fear and do it anyway." Choosing a career that aligns with your interests and passions will naturally drive you to excel, regardless of the field.
Looking back, if I could revisit my college years, I would approach things with a more open mind. I would explore more options before settling on a choice. My initial choice was influenced by my likes and fears. If I could do it over, I would make more confident decisions and experiment more.
College is a place for exploration and trying new things. Give yourself the chance to do so. Engage in more internships to see your feelings about your chosen path. I've observed some people who chose their careers out of fear and are now stuck in jobs they don't like.
So, my advice is, don't stress about making the 'right' choice. Instead, arm yourself with the best information. Ask questions, try different things, and when you make your choice, you'll know it's made with confidence and truly reflects what you want.
When it comes to career choices, I think you should choose what suits your present self. Careers shouldn't be seen as intimidating or lifelong commitments. When I made my first career choice, I followed my interests and passions at that time, and I excelled in it. Now, my passion has shifted, and I am thriving in my current career.
I firmly believe there's no such thing as a 'correct' choice. Your desires and aspirations should guide your decisions. Thus, my mantra is "feel the fear and do it anyway." Choosing a career that aligns with your interests and passions will naturally drive you to excel, regardless of the field.
Looking back, if I could revisit my college years, I would approach things with a more open mind. I would explore more options before settling on a choice. My initial choice was influenced by my likes and fears. If I could do it over, I would make more confident decisions and experiment more.
College is a place for exploration and trying new things. Give yourself the chance to do so. Engage in more internships to see your feelings about your chosen path. I've observed some people who chose their careers out of fear and are now stuck in jobs they don't like.
So, my advice is, don't stress about making the 'right' choice. Instead, arm yourself with the best information. Ask questions, try different things, and when you make your choice, you'll know it's made with confidence and truly reflects what you want.
Misha D'Andrea
Learning + Development
24
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Misha’s Answer
Hi Josie!
In short, no - I did not make the correct career choice right away, but that's okay! Your first job (or even industry) is rarely your forever job. That being said, I still learned a lot of really valuable skills and things about myself in the career that was not for me, so it was still a beneficial use of my time. Even coming out of college there were still so many roles and industries that I was not exposed to, one that I now find myself in.
Yes, it's good to do research, but you also learn by doing and getting out there to find out what is right for you and you will refine that over time. I think it is such a great thing to never be done growing and learning and following new passions should they arise. I personally did not need to go back to college or obtain specific certifications to move into my current field. I would recommend that if an area you are eyeing might require that, start at whatever entry level jobs (that don't require the additional education) there might be that are in the field, and then if you like it, consider pursuing the additional education/certification as they can be quite costly if you are not sure.
As you enter the professional world, keep an open mind! Notice what you do/don't like about a position or field and use that to inform your decisions as you move forward. If a position stops meeting what you need (whether financially, flexibility, skill building/learning/aligning with values), then start looking for what your next step might be. Start building a network who you can rely on for advice and/or to connect you with other people who you could benefit learning more from.
Make a list of your values - what is important to you in life and your career
Make list of what skills you are good at, but also want to grow and learn more in
In short, no - I did not make the correct career choice right away, but that's okay! Your first job (or even industry) is rarely your forever job. That being said, I still learned a lot of really valuable skills and things about myself in the career that was not for me, so it was still a beneficial use of my time. Even coming out of college there were still so many roles and industries that I was not exposed to, one that I now find myself in.
Yes, it's good to do research, but you also learn by doing and getting out there to find out what is right for you and you will refine that over time. I think it is such a great thing to never be done growing and learning and following new passions should they arise. I personally did not need to go back to college or obtain specific certifications to move into my current field. I would recommend that if an area you are eyeing might require that, start at whatever entry level jobs (that don't require the additional education) there might be that are in the field, and then if you like it, consider pursuing the additional education/certification as they can be quite costly if you are not sure.
As you enter the professional world, keep an open mind! Notice what you do/don't like about a position or field and use that to inform your decisions as you move forward. If a position stops meeting what you need (whether financially, flexibility, skill building/learning/aligning with values), then start looking for what your next step might be. Start building a network who you can rely on for advice and/or to connect you with other people who you could benefit learning more from.
Misha recommends the following next steps:
Nithya Kumar
Director
1
Answer
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Nithya’s Answer
Excellent question, Josie.
Choosing a career isn't just about selecting the 'right' one, but also about timing. I'm a big advocate of squiggly careers and my famously overused line is ' the best career path is not always a straight line.. '
Careers are journeys of discovery, where each experience contributes to your professional growth and helps shape your future career trajectory. For instance, I initially thought I had found my ideal job right after university, but my perspective changed four years later. I explored different roles within the same organisation, and when the time felt right, I returned to school to pursue a master's degree, which opened up a completely new career path for me.
I've seen many of my friends and colleagues make similar lateral shifts into related fields, without necessarily needing to return to university for another degree. However, if a specific career path requires professional certifications, it may be necessary to pursue further studies, either part-time or full-time, to gain that specialisation. It's all about finding what works best for you and embracing the journey.
listen to this ted talk when you get a chance. https://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_ellis_and_helen_tupper_the_best_career_path_isn_t_always_a_straight_line
Choosing a career isn't just about selecting the 'right' one, but also about timing. I'm a big advocate of squiggly careers and my famously overused line is ' the best career path is not always a straight line.. '
Careers are journeys of discovery, where each experience contributes to your professional growth and helps shape your future career trajectory. For instance, I initially thought I had found my ideal job right after university, but my perspective changed four years later. I explored different roles within the same organisation, and when the time felt right, I returned to school to pursue a master's degree, which opened up a completely new career path for me.
I've seen many of my friends and colleagues make similar lateral shifts into related fields, without necessarily needing to return to university for another degree. However, if a specific career path requires professional certifications, it may be necessary to pursue further studies, either part-time or full-time, to gain that specialisation. It's all about finding what works best for you and embracing the journey.
Nithya recommends the following next steps:
Thank you! I will make sure to listen to that. :D
Josie
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4054
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Josie,
I'm so glad I made a pivotal decision when I was just 18, shifting my career path from astronomy to the fields of dietetics, nutrition, and medical biochemistry. You might wonder why such a drastic change? The answer lies in the heart-wrenching losses in my family, all succumbing to the merciless coronary artery disease.
I still remember the day when doctors tirelessly tried to revive my Uncle Mike for over an hour, but their efforts were in vain. In such cases, the coronary arteries are nearly 100 percent blocked. This sparked a curiosity in me to understand why these premature deaths were happening, especially among the Greek males in our family.
Although I couldn't intervene in time to save my family members, I've been able to use my knowledge to assist many others through proper nutrition. With 35 years as a dietitian and 51 years as a programmer under my belt, I've managed to merge these two skills to create nutrition education software. And there you have it!
May God bless you,
James.
I'm so glad I made a pivotal decision when I was just 18, shifting my career path from astronomy to the fields of dietetics, nutrition, and medical biochemistry. You might wonder why such a drastic change? The answer lies in the heart-wrenching losses in my family, all succumbing to the merciless coronary artery disease.
I still remember the day when doctors tirelessly tried to revive my Uncle Mike for over an hour, but their efforts were in vain. In such cases, the coronary arteries are nearly 100 percent blocked. This sparked a curiosity in me to understand why these premature deaths were happening, especially among the Greek males in our family.
Although I couldn't intervene in time to save my family members, I've been able to use my knowledge to assist many others through proper nutrition. With 35 years as a dietitian and 51 years as a programmer under my belt, I've managed to merge these two skills to create nutrition education software. And there you have it!
May God bless you,
James.
Tatiana T. Scott
Software Engineer, Former Forensic Scientist
6
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Tatiana T.’s Answer
Hi!
This is a great question. I decided early on that I wanted to study science and that I wanted to work in that field (which is broad, but at the time that meant either in medical, or a laboratory setting). I ultimately took an interest in Forensic Science (studied Biology in undergrad and then Forensic in grad) and I worked as a Forensic Scientist for many years. This felt like a great career fit for me, and I don't regret it. However, I did make the decision after 10+ years in that field to do something completely different. My interests changes, my life goals and aspirations changed and I decided to enter into Tech and I am now a Software Engineer. Similar to James comment, in many ways I find myself wanting to find a way to merge my Forensic experience with my current experience in programming. I currently love what I do, and I feel like theres possible opportunities for me to do both things that I love if I look hard enough. :-)
That is my story and I am happy to answer any more questions if you have it. I hope that these responses are helpful.
Best of luck on your journey!
This is a great question. I decided early on that I wanted to study science and that I wanted to work in that field (which is broad, but at the time that meant either in medical, or a laboratory setting). I ultimately took an interest in Forensic Science (studied Biology in undergrad and then Forensic in grad) and I worked as a Forensic Scientist for many years. This felt like a great career fit for me, and I don't regret it. However, I did make the decision after 10+ years in that field to do something completely different. My interests changes, my life goals and aspirations changed and I decided to enter into Tech and I am now a Software Engineer. Similar to James comment, in many ways I find myself wanting to find a way to merge my Forensic experience with my current experience in programming. I currently love what I do, and I feel like theres possible opportunities for me to do both things that I love if I look hard enough. :-)
That is my story and I am happy to answer any more questions if you have it. I hope that these responses are helpful.
Best of luck on your journey!
Dorrie Presson
Career Coach
3
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Dorrie’s Answer
Thanks for this thoughtful question! In my case, I think I made a good choice to pursue a master's in higher education (after a liberal arts degree), though I haven't worked in colleges and universities for my entire career journey.
A good thing to remember is that it's totally normal to change careers multiple times -- as many as 5 or more complete career changes isn't out of the ordinary. And you might have as many as a dozen different jobs through your working life.
I don't believe there's necessarily a "correct" career choice for me, as there are multiple, different careers that I've very much enjoyed and been fulfilled by, including college administrator (my first career), fundraiser, music festival organizer (sponsorships), and career coach. It's good to remember that careers aren't linear, but can take unexpected zig zags, and that can be a good thing!
My advice is not to stress over choosing the "correct" career from the beginning. Choose something you think you'll enjoy and can thrive in, knowing that you'll likely move onto something different. If your first career choice doesn't go as expected, you can pivot to something else using related skills, or perhaps get some additional training to help you move into something new.
A good thing to remember is that it's totally normal to change careers multiple times -- as many as 5 or more complete career changes isn't out of the ordinary. And you might have as many as a dozen different jobs through your working life.
I don't believe there's necessarily a "correct" career choice for me, as there are multiple, different careers that I've very much enjoyed and been fulfilled by, including college administrator (my first career), fundraiser, music festival organizer (sponsorships), and career coach. It's good to remember that careers aren't linear, but can take unexpected zig zags, and that can be a good thing!
My advice is not to stress over choosing the "correct" career from the beginning. Choose something you think you'll enjoy and can thrive in, knowing that you'll likely move onto something different. If your first career choice doesn't go as expected, you can pivot to something else using related skills, or perhaps get some additional training to help you move into something new.
Brian Baptista
Financial Accounting
7
Answers
Rocklin
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Josie,
That's a great question that I'm sure a lot of people want to know how to go about approaching it. Let me start with college first. I'll be the first to tell you it was very hard coming out of high school and knowing what to major in. That's to be expected as we are all still very young adults having to make the first big decision of our life. My main interests at that age was basketball and Jacques Cousteau (a famous marine biologist who did deep sea diving exploration). I was too skinny and not big enough to play basketball as a career, so I chose to study marine biology. I learned fast that I did not have an intuition for the sciences (I flunked biology) and decided to take some time away to free my mind. I returned to school after a few years off and decided to study accounting. I learned that accounting and finance made so much sense to me and it was very intuitive. I took economics and accounting classes and I loved them. I have to say that when I was studying marine biology, I had a college roommate that told me to stay away from Economics because it was too hard. Unfortunately, I listened to him and it probably delayed me a few years finishing college, but that's OK. I was happy to find what suited me.
30 years later I am still doing accounting and finance. I work for a successful telecommunications company and have obviously found the right niche for myself. I guess the main take way is to find your own path, even it takes a little more time than your peers, and don't always believe what others have to say until you truly find it out for yourself! We are all different and have a number of interests, strengths and a personal sense inside of us that tells us "this makes sense to me”! You live at an enviable time where access to anything is at your fingertips. Keep your mind free, explore different ideas and topics that resonate with you internally and you will find the path that works for you. Good luck with your endeavors!
That's a great question that I'm sure a lot of people want to know how to go about approaching it. Let me start with college first. I'll be the first to tell you it was very hard coming out of high school and knowing what to major in. That's to be expected as we are all still very young adults having to make the first big decision of our life. My main interests at that age was basketball and Jacques Cousteau (a famous marine biologist who did deep sea diving exploration). I was too skinny and not big enough to play basketball as a career, so I chose to study marine biology. I learned fast that I did not have an intuition for the sciences (I flunked biology) and decided to take some time away to free my mind. I returned to school after a few years off and decided to study accounting. I learned that accounting and finance made so much sense to me and it was very intuitive. I took economics and accounting classes and I loved them. I have to say that when I was studying marine biology, I had a college roommate that told me to stay away from Economics because it was too hard. Unfortunately, I listened to him and it probably delayed me a few years finishing college, but that's OK. I was happy to find what suited me.
30 years later I am still doing accounting and finance. I work for a successful telecommunications company and have obviously found the right niche for myself. I guess the main take way is to find your own path, even it takes a little more time than your peers, and don't always believe what others have to say until you truly find it out for yourself! We are all different and have a number of interests, strengths and a personal sense inside of us that tells us "this makes sense to me”! You live at an enviable time where access to anything is at your fingertips. Keep your mind free, explore different ideas and topics that resonate with you internally and you will find the path that works for you. Good luck with your endeavors!
Thank you so much for all your input, this really helped me! I'm pretty confident in my career, but I don't want to choose the wrong one. I guess I can't know until I try though! :D
Josie