4 answers
Ren
Student
Willmar, Minnesota
2
Questions
4 answers
Edmundo Prado
Talent Acquisition
4
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Edmundo’s Answer
Great inquiry, Ren! My initial step towards discovering my post-high school path began with scheduling a meeting with my high school guidance counselor. This was a pivotal moment in my journey of self-discovery and future planning. Initially, I was uncertain about my next steps - whether to pursue higher education or jump straight into the workforce, and if I even had the resources or opportunities for college.
However, my counseling sessions proved to be incredibly helpful. My counselor assisted me in devising a strategy that resonated with my personality and preferences, based on our discussions. It wasn't just one plan, but several, giving me the flexibility to choose a path that best suited my interests. Whether it was entering a field that I enjoyed or heading to college, they provided me with various options and even suggested ways to finance my education. This guidance was instrumental in shaping my future and I'm sure it can be for you too!
However, my counseling sessions proved to be incredibly helpful. My counselor assisted me in devising a strategy that resonated with my personality and preferences, based on our discussions. It wasn't just one plan, but several, giving me the flexibility to choose a path that best suited my interests. Whether it was entering a field that I enjoyed or heading to college, they provided me with various options and even suggested ways to finance my education. This guidance was instrumental in shaping my future and I'm sure it can be for you too!
Kevin Eldred
Strategy and Operations
2
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Great question! There are a few different ways to think about starting. None of them are inherently better than others, but they do often proceed at different paces and present different challenges. It sometimes helps to experiment with such approaches and discover which one works best for you personally. Some recommendations:
1. Reflect on one or more of your values. You might value creativity. You might value having positive social impact. You might value earning a certain income. You might value collaboration. You might value working independently without direct oversight. Reflecting on your values and understanding how and why they mean something to you is a good way to filter opportunities. You can start to focus on things that really matter to you, rather than starting on things that may or may not be aligned with your core values.
2. Reflect on what you excel at. Sadly, the things we value might not always be the things that we are really good at. But everyone is good at something and many are good at more than one thing. If you start focusing on your strengths and capabilities you can also start identifying areas where you could have a positive impact. Focusing on strengths first also opens up the possibility of identifying areas where you can improve or increase your acumen. Some people like to double-down on their strengths; other people like to focus on solving for areas where they might have gaps or not be as proficient. Both sorts of people can have a lot of success.
3. Work backwards from a goal. It can be a short-term or long-term goal. It might be something you are concerned about in the moment; or it might be a goal that has occupied you for many years. Once you understand the goal, you can figure out a sensible path and potential barriers to getting there. It gives you a measure to gauge progress and success. Break goals down into their sub-components to make them easier to manage.
4. Experiment. Maybe you don't know where to start at all. So just start. Start doing, start experimenting, be courageous. Assume you will fail and learn from mis-steps. Do something: create, build, talk, imagine, deconstruct. You will learn what it takes to start in starting.
1. Reflect on one or more of your values. You might value creativity. You might value having positive social impact. You might value earning a certain income. You might value collaboration. You might value working independently without direct oversight. Reflecting on your values and understanding how and why they mean something to you is a good way to filter opportunities. You can start to focus on things that really matter to you, rather than starting on things that may or may not be aligned with your core values.
2. Reflect on what you excel at. Sadly, the things we value might not always be the things that we are really good at. But everyone is good at something and many are good at more than one thing. If you start focusing on your strengths and capabilities you can also start identifying areas where you could have a positive impact. Focusing on strengths first also opens up the possibility of identifying areas where you can improve or increase your acumen. Some people like to double-down on their strengths; other people like to focus on solving for areas where they might have gaps or not be as proficient. Both sorts of people can have a lot of success.
3. Work backwards from a goal. It can be a short-term or long-term goal. It might be something you are concerned about in the moment; or it might be a goal that has occupied you for many years. Once you understand the goal, you can figure out a sensible path and potential barriers to getting there. It gives you a measure to gauge progress and success. Break goals down into their sub-components to make them easier to manage.
4. Experiment. Maybe you don't know where to start at all. So just start. Start doing, start experimenting, be courageous. Assume you will fail and learn from mis-steps. Do something: create, build, talk, imagine, deconstruct. You will learn what it takes to start in starting.
Judith-Ann Anderson
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at AndeersonCounselingTexas( ACT)
106
Answers
Grapevine, Texas
Updated
Judith-Ann’s Answer
Hello Ren, your question is a beautiful question: Where to start? In fact your city of Willmar, Minnesota has a very interesting history of beginnings: I encourage you to read this article about your town:https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2011/little-mogadishu-in-the-allamerica-city-somali-entrepreneurship-in-willmar-minnesota#:~:text=Today%2C%20it%20is%20estimated%20that,their%20numbers%20to%20be%20higher.
It seems your town is full of diversity and opportunity for immigration of those seeking asylum and employment. Willmar has a diverse population of Latinos and Somalis. Did you know that Willmar was the site of a bank robbery by the Machine Gun Kelly gang on July 15, 1930? All this to say that a good place to start is to look at your history: where were you born? who are your parents or major caretakers? What career do they follow? What do they want for you? Look at where you have been then look at who you are today, then look into the future and consider where your opportunities might be. The age old questions: who am I, where did I come from, and where I am going. I think we all need a person or a pet to love, something to do and something to look forward to.
If you need help with these questions, I might suggest visiting with a counselor either in person or virtually. I trust you are in for a wonderful adventure. Be brave, be kind, and find your adventure.
It seems your town is full of diversity and opportunity for immigration of those seeking asylum and employment. Willmar has a diverse population of Latinos and Somalis. Did you know that Willmar was the site of a bank robbery by the Machine Gun Kelly gang on July 15, 1930? All this to say that a good place to start is to look at your history: where were you born? who are your parents or major caretakers? What career do they follow? What do they want for you? Look at where you have been then look at who you are today, then look into the future and consider where your opportunities might be. The age old questions: who am I, where did I come from, and where I am going. I think we all need a person or a pet to love, something to do and something to look forward to.
If you need help with these questions, I might suggest visiting with a counselor either in person or virtually. I trust you are in for a wonderful adventure. Be brave, be kind, and find your adventure.
Karla Jara Williams
Customer Service
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Karla’s Answer
This is an excellent query. With the abundance of choices available, it can indeed feel quite intimidating and overwhelming. My advice would be to begin by pinpointing your strengths - these are the areas where you naturally excel. Also, consider what activities bring you joy and spark your passion.
There's a Japanese philosophy known as Ikigai that guides individuals to lead a life filled with joy. It encompasses four key elements: Your passion (what you genuinely love), your mission (what the world requires), your vocation (what you're naturally skilled at), and your profession (what you can earn a living from). This concept could be a helpful guide in your journey.
There's a Japanese philosophy known as Ikigai that guides individuals to lead a life filled with joy. It encompasses four key elements: Your passion (what you genuinely love), your mission (what the world requires), your vocation (what you're naturally skilled at), and your profession (what you can earn a living from). This concept could be a helpful guide in your journey.