10 answers
Deshani
Student
Aberdeen, South Dakota
1
Question
Asked
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How do you find the career that is best fit for you?
i have been thinking a lot about what career path i want to go down and i am having some troubles figuring out what to do. Is it okay not to know what i want to do?
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10 answers
Dr. Hanan Alnizami
Director and Head of UX Research
4
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Dr. Hanan’s Answer
First, I'd like to advise you to be kind to yourself as many don't start off knowing exactly what career is best suited for them. I am 15+ years in my career journey, and though my career has shaped up in a direction, I still don't know what I want from my career and that is ok.
To know where to start, it would be good to learn more about your strengths and your passions. Look for aptitude tests free on the web, or partake in the assessment provided by strength finder. Strength finder is a framework created to help one find their strengths.
At the end, knowing that you can always pivot and change your career should help ease the stress that comes with thinking you need to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. I hope this helps you and best of luck to you
To know where to start, it would be good to learn more about your strengths and your passions. Look for aptitude tests free on the web, or partake in the assessment provided by strength finder. Strength finder is a framework created to help one find their strengths.
At the end, knowing that you can always pivot and change your career should help ease the stress that comes with thinking you need to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. I hope this helps you and best of luck to you
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
657
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
It is completely fine to not know what you want to do in life, especially when you are young.
There is sometimes a lot of peer pressure for us to choose a life occupation. But why rush into something, especially when there is so much to experience in life.
It is always good common sense to do self reflection and see where our strengths and strongest interests are in life.
But, with this, let me say the following. Try and find something that you love to do so much in life, that if they did not pay you to do it, you would still do it anyway. Something where you can't wait to get into the office each morning, and are the last to leave in the evening.
When you find this in your life, then you are on the right career path.
There is sometimes a lot of peer pressure for us to choose a life occupation. But why rush into something, especially when there is so much to experience in life.
It is always good common sense to do self reflection and see where our strengths and strongest interests are in life.
But, with this, let me say the following. Try and find something that you love to do so much in life, that if they did not pay you to do it, you would still do it anyway. Something where you can't wait to get into the office each morning, and are the last to leave in the evening.
When you find this in your life, then you are on the right career path.
Martina Dove
Senior UX researcher
17
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Martina’s Answer
Think about what you love doing and how you can channel this into a career. You may have this career for a long time and loving what you do will get you through the tough times. Good luck.
Sheel Bedi
7
Answers
Updated
Sheel’s Answer
There are many ways to find the career that is best suited for you. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. **Self-reflection**: Take some time to reflect on your interests, values, and skills. What are you passionate about? What motivates you? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Answering these questions can help you identify what you want in a career.
2. **Research**: Once you have an idea of what you're looking for, start researching different careers that align with your interests and skills. You can use online resources like **Indeed.com** ¹ and **Hiration** ² to find job descriptions and requirements for different positions.
3. **Networking**: Reach out to people in your desired field and ask them about their experiences. You can also attend career fairs and other networking events to meet professionals in your field.
4. **Internships and volunteering**: Consider taking on internships or volunteer work to gain experience in your desired field. This can help you build your skills and make connections in your industry.
5. **Career counseling**: If you're still struggling to find the right career path, consider seeking the help of a career counselor. They can help you identify your strengths and interests and provide guidance on finding the right career for you.
Remember, finding the right career takes time and effort. Don't be afraid to explore different options and take risks. Good luck!.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 12/5/2023
(1) How To Find the Perfect Job For You (With Tips and Tricks). https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-find-a-perfect-job.
(2) What Career is Right for Me: The 2023 Guide With 10+ Examples - Hiration. https://www.hiration.com/blog/what-career-is-right-for-me/.
(3) Finding Your Career Fit - UGA Career Center. https://career.uga.edu/uploads/documents/FindingYourCareerFit.pdf.
(4) Finding the Right Career - HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/finding-the-right-career.htm.
(5) How to Choose a Career: 7 Ways to Narrow Your Options. https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-choose-a-career.
(6) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career.
1. **Self-reflection**: Take some time to reflect on your interests, values, and skills. What are you passionate about? What motivates you? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Answering these questions can help you identify what you want in a career.
2. **Research**: Once you have an idea of what you're looking for, start researching different careers that align with your interests and skills. You can use online resources like **Indeed.com** ¹ and **Hiration** ² to find job descriptions and requirements for different positions.
3. **Networking**: Reach out to people in your desired field and ask them about their experiences. You can also attend career fairs and other networking events to meet professionals in your field.
4. **Internships and volunteering**: Consider taking on internships or volunteer work to gain experience in your desired field. This can help you build your skills and make connections in your industry.
5. **Career counseling**: If you're still struggling to find the right career path, consider seeking the help of a career counselor. They can help you identify your strengths and interests and provide guidance on finding the right career for you.
Remember, finding the right career takes time and effort. Don't be afraid to explore different options and take risks. Good luck!.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 12/5/2023
(1) How To Find the Perfect Job For You (With Tips and Tricks). https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-find-a-perfect-job.
(2) What Career is Right for Me: The 2023 Guide With 10+ Examples - Hiration. https://www.hiration.com/blog/what-career-is-right-for-me/.
(3) Finding Your Career Fit - UGA Career Center. https://career.uga.edu/uploads/documents/FindingYourCareerFit.pdf.
(4) Finding the Right Career - HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/finding-the-right-career.htm.
(5) How to Choose a Career: 7 Ways to Narrow Your Options. https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-choose-a-career.
(6) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career.
S.B. Brown
Attorney
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
S.B.’s Answer
Yes. There are 4 of us helping answer this question and we have all had numerous jobs/careers:
- lawyer now (formerly marketer, stage manager, and executive assistant)
- software engineer now (Walmart associate, fast food worker, and tech support)
- technical account manager for IT (group home worker, tree farmer, and computer services)
- marketing (administrator for university, ambassador for college prep course, intern for Dell Foundation)
We have all done a lot of different things. Keep open to opportunities and don't expect to be doing the same thing for your whole career. Investigate any opportunity that interests you.
Think about what you are good at - and what people praise about you
Think about what keeps you interested
Look for opportunities - including volunteering and making your own business - to explore different paths
- lawyer now (formerly marketer, stage manager, and executive assistant)
- software engineer now (Walmart associate, fast food worker, and tech support)
- technical account manager for IT (group home worker, tree farmer, and computer services)
- marketing (administrator for university, ambassador for college prep course, intern for Dell Foundation)
We have all done a lot of different things. Keep open to opportunities and don't expect to be doing the same thing for your whole career. Investigate any opportunity that interests you.
S.B. recommends the following next steps:
Grotius Hugo
Sales Operations
7
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Grotius’s Answer
It is perfectly fine to not know what you want to do, especially if you are a student. People (myself included) have switched careers and explored other opportunities. To echo some of the feedback in this thread, you should definitely hone in on things about careers that interest you and not just the careers themselves to broaden your options. For example: helping people, working in teams, managing projects, interests in STEM fields, etc.
One of the best advice I received as a student was from a lawyer I was interning for, and she said: "In your career, you will encounter different doors that you have to go through. Each door go through another, and another, and so on. There's luck involved, but just make sure you open the doors in front of you."
One of the best advice I received as a student was from a lawyer I was interning for, and she said: "In your career, you will encounter different doors that you have to go through. Each door go through another, and another, and so on. There's luck involved, but just make sure you open the doors in front of you."
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1514
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. Firstly, you have to find out what career you have interest.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Yelena Gerassimenko
Product Manager
3
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Yelena’s Answer
Deciding on your career can be approached like a research project, only the subject of the research is yourself. Analyze what your strong sides are - those would be tasks you can be doing for hours without getting tired or bored, while mark as weaknesses tasks that you can't stand and not willing to do. These would be different for every person, like working with documents, creative writing, presenting, to name a few.
Based on that look into career paths that exist currently, but don't overthink it - some of the professions available today did not exist a decade a two ago. You just need to start with something that would allow you to grow and be happy with what you do.
And of course throughout the life one can take a pivot or completely change careers. It is completely possible and happens quite often.
Based on that look into career paths that exist currently, but don't overthink it - some of the professions available today did not exist a decade a two ago. You just need to start with something that would allow you to grow and be happy with what you do.
And of course throughout the life one can take a pivot or completely change careers. It is completely possible and happens quite often.
Josie Zhou
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Josie’s Answer
Hey Deshani, I think this is a very important question that you want to figure out early on.
I would suggest to start from getting to know yourself better. What things/activities that you love to do, the things that you have passion for and make you happy and excited. You may also want to understand your personality by getting broad feedback from your friends, classmates, and family. The MBTI test is also a good way to find out your personality type, so you may have an idea what kind of career may be good for you.
At last, find some time for yourself and look deep within to figure out what you are really eager to be.
I would suggest to start from getting to know yourself better. What things/activities that you love to do, the things that you have passion for and make you happy and excited. You may also want to understand your personality by getting broad feedback from your friends, classmates, and family. The MBTI test is also a good way to find out your personality type, so you may have an idea what kind of career may be good for you.
At last, find some time for yourself and look deep within to figure out what you are really eager to be.
Corinne Kunze
Lead Software Engineer
4
Answers
Hood River, Oregon
Updated
Corinne’s Answer
Dashani-
First of all, it's ok to not know what to do! It's a struggle for many of us and it can take us many years, sometimes a lifetime to answer this!
A good place to start would be to self reflect on the things that are interesting to you. A good exercise is writing out a list of things that are interesting to you as potential areas that you may be interested in getting a job in.
After you pick a few areas, you can use the following ideas to explore them more:
- Attend a career day in your local community that allows you to explore different careers and talk to people working in those careers.
- If you are curious about a specific career, you can spend time with them at their workplace for a day seeing what their day to day is like.
- You could find volunteer opportunities in a field that you are interested to see what the experience is like.
First of all, it's ok to not know what to do! It's a struggle for many of us and it can take us many years, sometimes a lifetime to answer this!
A good place to start would be to self reflect on the things that are interesting to you. A good exercise is writing out a list of things that are interesting to you as potential areas that you may be interested in getting a job in.
After you pick a few areas, you can use the following ideas to explore them more:
- Attend a career day in your local community that allows you to explore different careers and talk to people working in those careers.
- If you are curious about a specific career, you can spend time with them at their workplace for a day seeing what their day to day is like.
- You could find volunteer opportunities in a field that you are interested to see what the experience is like.