Aalijah
How do you choose the right career?
I wanted to become a surgeon since I was little, but as I got older, I also found an interest in both music and engineering. I want to choose the right career for myself, but I don’t know how.
#surgery #engineering #music #whatdoido #passion
8 answers
Kate Fay
Kate’s Answer
Hi Aalijah,
I also had a similar experience when I was picking a college major. I wanted to be a doctor for the longest time but in junior/ senior year of high school I realized I really enjoyed math and physics and did not enjoy the memorization that came with biology and chemistry. I also did not want to be in school for the next ten plus years. I actually applied to different colleges with different majors (pre-med, architecture and spanish since I was not sure. After doing some more research and talking to different people I determined that I wanted to try mechanical engineering.
One thing I want to point out is that picking a major does not mean that you are stuck to that as a career. The job I took out of college was not a mechanical engineering role it fell in line with a more electrical engineering role. I know many people who got an engineering major and are in different career paths. Some people went to more business focused roles while other went back to school to get law and medical degrees. I would recommend looking at engineering majors just because they offer a lot of flexibility and return on investment.
Justice Mele
Justice’s Answer
Aalijah,
When I was little I wanted to be a brain surgeon, but once I got a little older I wanted to work with child care. Then when college was around the corner I had to choose a major. All I knew was I have a passion for children and wanted to give the broken hearted a voice. So, freshman year I started studying Psychology because I thought I would counsel children and help them find solutions to their problems. After my first semester I realized Psychology was not meant for me. I wanted to be more hands on with making a difference in children's life. Not just counseling them and giving them words of encouragement. Then my sophomore year I switched to Social Work, because I thought if I studied Social Work I could work with a Foster Care agency or with sexual abuse victims. I am a junior now and love Social Work. It took a few switches to find my dream job, but it was totally worth it. I am now a Social Work major and have a Psychology minor. Going into college I would go in undeclared and take a few courses of the majors you are interested in and see how you interact with the professors and if you actually enjoy those subjects. You want to study something you are passionate about, but something you can mentally improve at.
Ann Cherrise Asia
Ann Cherrise’s Answer
I find your question very interesting because I had the same dilemma back when I was doing my college applications. It was also my ultimate dream to be a doctor because I have passion in helping and serving other people. Back then, we could say that I'm still unaware that I can fulfill my passion even if I'm not in the Medicine field. After 4 years in college, who would have thought that I'll be in Human Resources and will make an impact to the world in whole new different way.
In your case, I would recommend for you to apply to all three courses then wait and see where life will take you. Always remember that there's nothing wrong in TRYING. I firmly believe that opportunities will unfold when you least expect it. ;)
Hoping for the best!
Xx
Acee :)
Anthony Moat
Anthony’s Answer
Aalijah,
I'm going to take a slightly different track on this than the above response. I faced a similar situation, where my passion and interest was in philosophy and history, but I knew that the prospects for these two interests after college, in terms of variety and pay are not wide or deep. I decided on taking a more practical degree program; my view is if you are going to pay a significant amount of money to go to school, it should be in something that gives you commensurate value, a skill that you could not otherwise learn, and one that also enables you to create value to an employer or for your own practice (i.e. If you become a lawyer, or a doctor, YOU are the service provider). It's now been 10 years since I was faced with that decision, and I can tell you I still found plenty of time to pursue my other interests and continue to self-educate in history and philosophy all for free. You can do both, but unfortunately, school is not purely a passion project, it is also an economic decision. Good luck, think it over and talk about it with your parents.
Best,
AM
Dennis Prendergast
Dennis’s Answer
Find out what really drives you, interests you - your aspirations and really then go after that Career!
If you can really narrow it down and find that true passion for that Career - there’s a very good chance you will really enjoy that Job or Career for a long time!
Good Luck!
Srinivasa N
Srinivasa’s Answer
Rachel Weinheimer
Rachel’s Answer
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Choosing the perfect career for you can be quite a task, but remember, it's an exciting one! It's all about finding what makes you tick, and aligning that with your future work. Here's a friendly guide to help you navigate this important life decision:
1. Know yourself: Start by getting to know yourself a bit better. What are your interests? What are you good at? What are your values? Think about what activities make you feel happy and satisfied, and how you could turn these into a career. Look at your skills, abilities, and personality traits to see which careers might be a great match.
2. Explore careers: Once you have a good idea of what you're interested in and what you're good at, start exploring different careers that match those qualities. Look at various job roles and professions that catch your eye. Think about what kind of education you'll need, what the job market looks like, potential earnings, and the work-life balance.
3. Get hands-on: One of the best ways to understand a career path is to dive in and get some real-world experience. This could be through internships, part-time work, or volunteering. This will give you a taste of the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, and help you see if the job lives up to your expectations.
4. Ask for advice: Don't be afraid to ask for advice from people who are already working in the fields you're interested in. They can give you some great insights and advice. You could also chat with career counselors or mentors who can guide you with their expertise.
5. Think about the future: When you're choosing a career, think about where you want to be in five or ten years. Does this career path align with those goals? Think about opportunities for growth, chances for advancement, and how you can make a difference in your chosen field.
6. Balance your life: Work-life balance is a key factor when choosing a career. Different careers will demand different amounts of your time and energy. Think about how much time you're willing to give to your work, and whether the career you're considering allows for a healthy balance with your personal life.
7. Decide and stay open: Once you've considered all these factors, it's time to make a decision. But remember, career paths can twist and turn, and it's okay to change direction if you need to. Stay open to new possibilities and be ready to adapt as your interests and goals change over time.
In a nutshell, finding the right career involves knowing yourself, exploring options, gaining experience, seeking advice, planning for the future, balancing work and life, and staying flexible. By following these steps and really thinking about what you want, you'll be well on your way to choosing the career that's just right for you.
Top 3 Authoritative References Used:
1. The Balance Careers (www.thebalancecareers.com)
2. Indeed Career Guide (www.indeed.com/career-advice)
3. Harvard Business Review (hbr.org)