4 answers
Ellana
Student
Placerville, California
1
Question
Asked
599 views
How would you go about entering a potential career as a minor looking for more than just an entry level job?
I just graduated a year and a half ahead of time and I've been working since I was 14. I've been promoted to leadership positions and would like to start a more permanent career that I would enjoy asap. I do have interests in moving to Montana and I'd like a job that I could continue there or at least use skills from to start higher up at a different company.
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4 answers
Ann Reilly
Medical Coding Manager
10
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Ann’s Answer
Hi Ellana,
I am not one who believes that college is the only path to success. I have a one year college certificate in medical coding and have taken other college classes working toward another coding certification, but I do not have a college degree. I've done very well in my career through hard work and working my way up from being a housekeeper to now managing a team of 18 employees. So, in my case some college courses and certifications were necessary, but not all careers require college degrees. They certainly help, but it's not always necessary. Only you can decide if the cost and time are worth it and necessary to reach your goals.
Keep in mind, you may not know what your true goals and true career passion is for some time yet. I was in my 30's with 2 kids before I finally found my passion and my dream career. I worked many low paying or lower paying jobs to reach this point and I truly believe those jobs gave me the skills and life experience I needed to help me be successful now.
As James recommended in his response, look into career counseling and aptitude testing to see where your strongest skills lie. This is usually a great way to find "hidden" areas of strengths. But, while you are working toward your career goals, look for jobs that not only pay the bills but will give you marketable skills. Customer service skills, leadership skills, etc. which you mention you have, but work toward building more responsibility in different areas/skill sets. One of the assets that was most helpful in building my career was my varied experience in previous jobs.
I am not one who believes that college is the only path to success. I have a one year college certificate in medical coding and have taken other college classes working toward another coding certification, but I do not have a college degree. I've done very well in my career through hard work and working my way up from being a housekeeper to now managing a team of 18 employees. So, in my case some college courses and certifications were necessary, but not all careers require college degrees. They certainly help, but it's not always necessary. Only you can decide if the cost and time are worth it and necessary to reach your goals.
Keep in mind, you may not know what your true goals and true career passion is for some time yet. I was in my 30's with 2 kids before I finally found my passion and my dream career. I worked many low paying or lower paying jobs to reach this point and I truly believe those jobs gave me the skills and life experience I needed to help me be successful now.
As James recommended in his response, look into career counseling and aptitude testing to see where your strongest skills lie. This is usually a great way to find "hidden" areas of strengths. But, while you are working toward your career goals, look for jobs that not only pay the bills but will give you marketable skills. Customer service skills, leadership skills, etc. which you mention you have, but work toward building more responsibility in different areas/skill sets. One of the assets that was most helpful in building my career was my varied experience in previous jobs.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3809
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello there, Ellana!
Mapping Out Career Goals and Passions
Embarking on a career journey is an exciting step, especially when you're young. It's vital to pinpoint your career objectives and interests. Doing so will guide you in selecting a career path that resonates with your passions and dreams. In your case, you've expressed a desire to relocate to Montana and secure a job that either continues or utilizes skills from a different company.
Exploring Career Opportunities
To land a job that aligns with your interests and can be pursued in Montana, it's crucial to explore potential careers. This involves investigating various industries, job roles, and companies that match your skills and interests. Here are some resources to aid your career exploration:
O*NET OnLine (https://www.onetonline.org/) - This extensive occupational information database offers detailed descriptions of various job roles and the skills they require. It's a great tool to help you identify careers that suit your interests and skills.
CareerOneStop (https://www.careeronestop.org/) - Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop provides career exploration tools, job postings, and resources for job seekers. Use it to research potential careers and find job opportunities in Montana.
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/) - As a professional networking platform, LinkedIn enables you to research various industries, job positions, and companies. By connecting with professionals in your desired field, you can gain valuable insights into the job market and potential career paths.
Acquiring Relevant Skills and Experience
Once you've identified potential career paths, it's time to focus on gaining the necessary skills and experience for your chosen field. Here's how:
Enroll in relevant courses or certifications: Platforms like Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/) and Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/) offer a broad array of courses that can help you develop your skill set.
Participate in internships or apprenticeships: These provide hands-on experience in your chosen field, which is invaluable when entering the job market. Look for opportunities on job boards, networking events, and company websites.
Volunteer or join professional organizations: These activities can help you network with industry professionals and gain valuable experience.
Building Connections through Networking
Networking is a key aspect of any job search, especially when transitioning into a new field or moving to a new location. To establish connections in your chosen industry:
Attend industry events and conferences: These gatherings allow you to meet industry professionals and stay updated on the latest trends and developments.
Join online and in-person networking groups: Groups on LinkedIn and local meetups can be particularly useful for connecting with professionals in your field.
Leverage professional networks: Use existing networks, such as alumni associations or colleagues, to find job opportunities or connect with professionals who can offer guidance and support.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to starting a fulfilling career that aligns with your interests and aspirations, whether in Montana or elsewhere.
Lastly, don't forget to check out my autobiography, "About James Constantine." At the end of the book, you'll find a list of nutrient-rich foods that support academic activities, learning, studying, and exam preparation.
Stay blessed,
James Constantine.
Mapping Out Career Goals and Passions
Embarking on a career journey is an exciting step, especially when you're young. It's vital to pinpoint your career objectives and interests. Doing so will guide you in selecting a career path that resonates with your passions and dreams. In your case, you've expressed a desire to relocate to Montana and secure a job that either continues or utilizes skills from a different company.
Exploring Career Opportunities
To land a job that aligns with your interests and can be pursued in Montana, it's crucial to explore potential careers. This involves investigating various industries, job roles, and companies that match your skills and interests. Here are some resources to aid your career exploration:
O*NET OnLine (https://www.onetonline.org/) - This extensive occupational information database offers detailed descriptions of various job roles and the skills they require. It's a great tool to help you identify careers that suit your interests and skills.
CareerOneStop (https://www.careeronestop.org/) - Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop provides career exploration tools, job postings, and resources for job seekers. Use it to research potential careers and find job opportunities in Montana.
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/) - As a professional networking platform, LinkedIn enables you to research various industries, job positions, and companies. By connecting with professionals in your desired field, you can gain valuable insights into the job market and potential career paths.
Acquiring Relevant Skills and Experience
Once you've identified potential career paths, it's time to focus on gaining the necessary skills and experience for your chosen field. Here's how:
Enroll in relevant courses or certifications: Platforms like Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/) and Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/) offer a broad array of courses that can help you develop your skill set.
Participate in internships or apprenticeships: These provide hands-on experience in your chosen field, which is invaluable when entering the job market. Look for opportunities on job boards, networking events, and company websites.
Volunteer or join professional organizations: These activities can help you network with industry professionals and gain valuable experience.
Building Connections through Networking
Networking is a key aspect of any job search, especially when transitioning into a new field or moving to a new location. To establish connections in your chosen industry:
Attend industry events and conferences: These gatherings allow you to meet industry professionals and stay updated on the latest trends and developments.
Join online and in-person networking groups: Groups on LinkedIn and local meetups can be particularly useful for connecting with professionals in your field.
Leverage professional networks: Use existing networks, such as alumni associations or colleagues, to find job opportunities or connect with professionals who can offer guidance and support.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to starting a fulfilling career that aligns with your interests and aspirations, whether in Montana or elsewhere.
Lastly, don't forget to check out my autobiography, "About James Constantine." At the end of the book, you'll find a list of nutrient-rich foods that support academic activities, learning, studying, and exam preparation.
Stay blessed,
James Constantine.
Holly Huffine
Sales
18
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Holly’s Answer
Hello Ellana,
Kudos on your early graduation, that's truly impressive! The first step on your career journey is to identify your passion. Is it technology, science, or health that sparks your interest? Once you pinpoint what truly motivates you, I suggest exploring the leading companies in those sectors. Visit their websites, delve into their job postings, and filter for roles that are entry-level or require 0-3 years of experience.
Next, take a proactive approach by seeking out some of the company's executives on LinkedIn and establishing a connection with them. To take it a notch higher, don't hesitate to send them a message on LinkedIn, introducing yourself and requesting a brief 15-minute networking session. Demonstrating your determination through networking and going the extra mile can significantly boost your career, especially in its early stages. Best of luck on your journey!
Kudos on your early graduation, that's truly impressive! The first step on your career journey is to identify your passion. Is it technology, science, or health that sparks your interest? Once you pinpoint what truly motivates you, I suggest exploring the leading companies in those sectors. Visit their websites, delve into their job postings, and filter for roles that are entry-level or require 0-3 years of experience.
Next, take a proactive approach by seeking out some of the company's executives on LinkedIn and establishing a connection with them. To take it a notch higher, don't hesitate to send them a message on LinkedIn, introducing yourself and requesting a brief 15-minute networking session. Demonstrating your determination through networking and going the extra mile can significantly boost your career, especially in its early stages. Best of luck on your journey!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ellana !
I would like to shed some light on what you can expect in the labor market although you haven't mentioned what field of work you want to have these plans for and that is a very important detail. You may want to add that to your question for the next advisors for more focused advice. I am interested in advising you on this in general because your goals are very unusual. You are about 16 1/2 or 17 and you want to step directly into a career of which subject is not stated. Your work experience is within a high school age realm and you haven't stated what positions you've had. You have probably been trying this plan for a couple of years now with no results, I am assuming.
If you were qualified, skilled and 100% ready for a career, you would have already stepped into the career you want. So let's talk about what goes into getting hired for careers as opposed to jobs. When people send their resumes for career positions, employers consider many things. It depends on the company or organization, but career positions have a lot of responsibilities and heavy communications demands, as well as high salaries. The people also need to be an expert in their field while not always jumping into the highest position, rather working their way up the ladder of success.
There is an expectation of having a college degree for most specialized careers and employers also want to see if the person went to a training program and became certified for their career. Employers want to trust that whomever they hire will be able to do the work fully and know how to critically think about the work and handle spontaneous things that come up. No matter what career you apply for, someone who is also applying will have a college degree and more experience and the right certifications or licenses and someone who does not have that won't look as qualified.
The final and best way an employer discovers who is the best for the career position is the interview process. There has to be a social and intellectual connection happening in the interview and even than, there may be many that fit this and the employer may have to choose out of ten good, qualified people, weighing many factors. Employers may think that a teenager with no college and experience in only jobs while being a teenager is not ready for a career. Are you sending out resumes for career jobs and not getting responses ? Even adults don't get responses sometimes, so don't feel bad. We all can't be qualified for everything.
The next step for you would be to reconsider going to college for at least a Bachelors degree and focus on the necessary licenses and certifications you'll need for a real career. There are steps to take and you must be willing to take them. No one can tell what will happen when you relocate. You have to remember that employment is not impossible but the reality is that it is competitive and we all liked to prepare ourselves for it at your age and take the steps and process we needed for an actual career position.
I hope that this advice is something you can use to either continue what you are doing or make some important changes by going to college or for a training program and certification that will authorize you to be an expert in the field of work you love. This way, you can compete in the job market and see results. Do not give up and always think positive. It is your decision.
I wish you well in all you do !
I would like to shed some light on what you can expect in the labor market although you haven't mentioned what field of work you want to have these plans for and that is a very important detail. You may want to add that to your question for the next advisors for more focused advice. I am interested in advising you on this in general because your goals are very unusual. You are about 16 1/2 or 17 and you want to step directly into a career of which subject is not stated. Your work experience is within a high school age realm and you haven't stated what positions you've had. You have probably been trying this plan for a couple of years now with no results, I am assuming.
If you were qualified, skilled and 100% ready for a career, you would have already stepped into the career you want. So let's talk about what goes into getting hired for careers as opposed to jobs. When people send their resumes for career positions, employers consider many things. It depends on the company or organization, but career positions have a lot of responsibilities and heavy communications demands, as well as high salaries. The people also need to be an expert in their field while not always jumping into the highest position, rather working their way up the ladder of success.
There is an expectation of having a college degree for most specialized careers and employers also want to see if the person went to a training program and became certified for their career. Employers want to trust that whomever they hire will be able to do the work fully and know how to critically think about the work and handle spontaneous things that come up. No matter what career you apply for, someone who is also applying will have a college degree and more experience and the right certifications or licenses and someone who does not have that won't look as qualified.
The final and best way an employer discovers who is the best for the career position is the interview process. There has to be a social and intellectual connection happening in the interview and even than, there may be many that fit this and the employer may have to choose out of ten good, qualified people, weighing many factors. Employers may think that a teenager with no college and experience in only jobs while being a teenager is not ready for a career. Are you sending out resumes for career jobs and not getting responses ? Even adults don't get responses sometimes, so don't feel bad. We all can't be qualified for everything.
The next step for you would be to reconsider going to college for at least a Bachelors degree and focus on the necessary licenses and certifications you'll need for a real career. There are steps to take and you must be willing to take them. No one can tell what will happen when you relocate. You have to remember that employment is not impossible but the reality is that it is competitive and we all liked to prepare ourselves for it at your age and take the steps and process we needed for an actual career position.
I hope that this advice is something you can use to either continue what you are doing or make some important changes by going to college or for a training program and certification that will authorize you to be an expert in the field of work you love. This way, you can compete in the job market and see results. Do not give up and always think positive. It is your decision.
I wish you well in all you do !