4 answers
Hope
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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How do you know if you're picking the right major for you?
What if you are in the career for a couple years and don't like it anymore? I like not being stuck doing the same thing all day every day, and want a job that has some movement and activity, but don't know what careers of that sort will interest me.
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4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3882
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi there, Hope!
Deciding on the perfect major and career path is a big deal, and it's something that can shape your future in a big way. But don't worry, there are some handy signs that can guide you to make sure you're on the right track.
1. Self-Check: It's super important to take a good look at what you like doing, what matters to you, and what you're naturally good at. This can help you match up with the best majors and careers for you. There are loads of tools out there, like career tests and personality quizzes, that can give you a better idea of what might suit you.
2. Do Your Homework: Spend some time researching different majors and career paths. Check out what you'd be studying in different majors, what kind of jobs you could get, and what the future might look like in those fields. You could also try to get some real-world insight by interviewing professionals or shadowing them at work.
3. Ask for Help: Don't forget to use the resources around you, like career counselors at your school or professional career advisors. They're there to help you with information, advice, and support as you figure out your major and plan your future career.
4. Get Some Experience: Try out internships, co-op programs, or volunteering in the field you're interested in. This can give you a taste of what it's really like and help you see if a certain major or career is what you expected.
5. Be Open to Change: Remember, it's totally okay to change your mind about your major or career if you find out it's not right for you. Lots of people end up in careers that are different from their college major, and it's never too late to switch things up if your interests change over time.
If you've been in a job for a while and realize it's not for you, don't panic. Here's how to handle it:
1. Think It Over: Spend some time thinking about what parts of your job you don't like and why they don't match up with your interests or values. Understanding this can help you figure out what to do next.
2. Look at Your Skills: Think about the skills you've learned in your current job that could be useful in other careers. Lots of skills, like being good at communicating, solving problems, and leading, can be used in many different jobs.
3. Learn Something New: Think about whether getting more education or training in a different field could help you switch careers. This might mean getting new certifications, taking some classes, or even going back to school for a new degree.
4. Make Connections: Use your professional network to get advice, find a mentor, or look for job opportunities in fields that are a better fit for your changing interests.
5. Get Some Advice: Career counselors or coaches can be a big help when you're trying to change careers.
If you like jobs that keep you moving and active but aren't sure what careers might be a good fit, here are some ideas:
1. Physical or Occupational Therapy: These jobs involve working with patients to help them move better, get back to normal, and live active lives.
2. Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Education: Jobs in outdoor leadership, adventure therapy, or environmental education let you move around and connect with nature.
3. Sports Management or Coaching: If you love sports and being active, a career in sports management, coaching, or athletic training might be just the thing.
So, to sum up, finding the right major and a rewarding career involves knowing yourself, doing your research, asking for help, getting some real-world experience, being open to change, thinking things over when you need to make a change, identifying your transferable skills, getting more education or training if needed, networking, and considering careers that match your love of movement and activity.
Here are the top 3 authoritative reference publications/domain names:
1. The Balance Careers (www.thebalancecareers.com)
2. U.S. News & World Report - Education (www.usnews.com/education)
3. The Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com)
Wishing you all the best and lots of success!
James Constantine.
Deciding on the perfect major and career path is a big deal, and it's something that can shape your future in a big way. But don't worry, there are some handy signs that can guide you to make sure you're on the right track.
1. Self-Check: It's super important to take a good look at what you like doing, what matters to you, and what you're naturally good at. This can help you match up with the best majors and careers for you. There are loads of tools out there, like career tests and personality quizzes, that can give you a better idea of what might suit you.
2. Do Your Homework: Spend some time researching different majors and career paths. Check out what you'd be studying in different majors, what kind of jobs you could get, and what the future might look like in those fields. You could also try to get some real-world insight by interviewing professionals or shadowing them at work.
3. Ask for Help: Don't forget to use the resources around you, like career counselors at your school or professional career advisors. They're there to help you with information, advice, and support as you figure out your major and plan your future career.
4. Get Some Experience: Try out internships, co-op programs, or volunteering in the field you're interested in. This can give you a taste of what it's really like and help you see if a certain major or career is what you expected.
5. Be Open to Change: Remember, it's totally okay to change your mind about your major or career if you find out it's not right for you. Lots of people end up in careers that are different from their college major, and it's never too late to switch things up if your interests change over time.
If you've been in a job for a while and realize it's not for you, don't panic. Here's how to handle it:
1. Think It Over: Spend some time thinking about what parts of your job you don't like and why they don't match up with your interests or values. Understanding this can help you figure out what to do next.
2. Look at Your Skills: Think about the skills you've learned in your current job that could be useful in other careers. Lots of skills, like being good at communicating, solving problems, and leading, can be used in many different jobs.
3. Learn Something New: Think about whether getting more education or training in a different field could help you switch careers. This might mean getting new certifications, taking some classes, or even going back to school for a new degree.
4. Make Connections: Use your professional network to get advice, find a mentor, or look for job opportunities in fields that are a better fit for your changing interests.
5. Get Some Advice: Career counselors or coaches can be a big help when you're trying to change careers.
If you like jobs that keep you moving and active but aren't sure what careers might be a good fit, here are some ideas:
1. Physical or Occupational Therapy: These jobs involve working with patients to help them move better, get back to normal, and live active lives.
2. Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Education: Jobs in outdoor leadership, adventure therapy, or environmental education let you move around and connect with nature.
3. Sports Management or Coaching: If you love sports and being active, a career in sports management, coaching, or athletic training might be just the thing.
So, to sum up, finding the right major and a rewarding career involves knowing yourself, doing your research, asking for help, getting some real-world experience, being open to change, thinking things over when you need to make a change, identifying your transferable skills, getting more education or training if needed, networking, and considering careers that match your love of movement and activity.
Here are the top 3 authoritative reference publications/domain names:
1. The Balance Careers (www.thebalancecareers.com)
2. U.S. News & World Report - Education (www.usnews.com/education)
3. The Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com)
Wishing you all the best and lots of success!
James Constantine.
Karin P.
Lecturer
378
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Hope,
Since you like to have some activity in your job, how about something like geologist, marine biologist, environmental scientist, or zoologist etc, all of which have (or can have) an outdoor component for sampling and observation?
Good luck!
KP
Since you like to have some activity in your job, how about something like geologist, marine biologist, environmental scientist, or zoologist etc, all of which have (or can have) an outdoor component for sampling and observation?
Good luck!
KP
Christine Mansour-Rathgeber
Cyber Security
2
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Christine’s Answer
Great question! Depending on your workplace, there might be opportunities to explore other roles within the same organization. This could be a valuable chance to gauge if you're ready for a career shift, or if your current job is truly the best fit for you. If such opportunities aren't available at your workplace, don't worry! Local community colleges often offer a variety of courses (some of which might be free or at a minimal cost) that could ignite a new passion within you. Remember, most career paths offer room for growth, though it might not always be in the direction you initially envisioned. Your first point of contact should be your company's HR department or your immediate supervisor, to discuss the potential career opportunities available to you. Keep exploring, the perfect fit might be just around the corner!
Olivia McDonnell
Consulting
20
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Olivia’s Answer
As you progress in your career you will build up transferable skills which can help you move into different companies or roles. This will help you when you realize the job you have is no longer the right fit. You should keep a running list of skills that you acquire which can be helpful across multiple roles or industries. Check out the list of common transferable skills I've included below.
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/transferable-skills/
Olivia recommends the following next steps: