5 answers
Paul
Student
El Sobrante, California
1
Question
Asked
735 views
What career choice should I choose?
I am a junior in high school and don't know what to do after high school.#careerchoice
5 answers
Alexandria (Aly) Allen
Program Manager
4
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Alexandria (Aly)’s Answer
Choosing a career in high school can be really difficult. Some people know right away what they want to do. Others, like myself, take a little time to figure it out. The best place to start is to figure out what kind of career you want and break it down piece by piece. This can help narrow your search. Here is an example:
1. Do you want to work with the public (customers)?
2. Do you want to work at a desk?
3. What's your personality type? There are lots of personality quizzes and assessments online that can help you determine how detail oriented you are or rather a big picture person.
4. What are your interests?
5. What are you good at?
I was really good at public speaking and explaining things to people. People naturally trust me and I have a lot of patience. I thought I wanted to be an actor and started college with theater as my major but found I loved Sociology classes. I graduated with a Sociology degree. I started working in Sales because I still didn't know what I wanted to do. My natural people, patience and explaining skills helped me get noticed and I interviewed for a training position within my company. That started my career in Learning & Development.
Something I hadn't thought about, as I came out of high school, is that just about every industry has dozens of jobs within it helping to support and keep it running. For example, if you love music and are interested in working in the music industry, you don't have to be a singer, songwriter, or producer. You can be in Human Resources, IT, Marketing etc.
If you plan to go to college for a Bachelors degree, also keep in mind that your first 2 years will be general education. GenEd courses (as they're called), can help you explore different topics and interest. Lots of people change their major so you can go in with a major like Communications, Humanities, or IT and explore what aspects get you excited and pick something different later.
Keep an open mind and get a part-time job. When you start working you'll start to see what kinds of things you're interested in and what you definitely don't want to do. This is also a great place to talk to other professionals and learn more about what they do.
Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself. I know it seems like adults have it all figured out, but we don't! There are a lucky few who know exactly what they want to do in High School and stick with it, but most people only have a vague idea and figure it out as they go along. Narrow down the kinds of things you like and then explore. It's ok to change your mind.
Once you've answered some of the questions I entered above, post another question and the community can give you some ideas about possible career paths.
Good luck! You've got this!
Make a list of things you're good at (Try to keep it high level, for example, I was good at acting but the skill I developed through acting was public speaking)
1. Do you want to work with the public (customers)?
2. Do you want to work at a desk?
3. What's your personality type? There are lots of personality quizzes and assessments online that can help you determine how detail oriented you are or rather a big picture person.
4. What are your interests?
5. What are you good at?
I was really good at public speaking and explaining things to people. People naturally trust me and I have a lot of patience. I thought I wanted to be an actor and started college with theater as my major but found I loved Sociology classes. I graduated with a Sociology degree. I started working in Sales because I still didn't know what I wanted to do. My natural people, patience and explaining skills helped me get noticed and I interviewed for a training position within my company. That started my career in Learning & Development.
Something I hadn't thought about, as I came out of high school, is that just about every industry has dozens of jobs within it helping to support and keep it running. For example, if you love music and are interested in working in the music industry, you don't have to be a singer, songwriter, or producer. You can be in Human Resources, IT, Marketing etc.
If you plan to go to college for a Bachelors degree, also keep in mind that your first 2 years will be general education. GenEd courses (as they're called), can help you explore different topics and interest. Lots of people change their major so you can go in with a major like Communications, Humanities, or IT and explore what aspects get you excited and pick something different later.
Keep an open mind and get a part-time job. When you start working you'll start to see what kinds of things you're interested in and what you definitely don't want to do. This is also a great place to talk to other professionals and learn more about what they do.
Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself. I know it seems like adults have it all figured out, but we don't! There are a lucky few who know exactly what they want to do in High School and stick with it, but most people only have a vague idea and figure it out as they go along. Narrow down the kinds of things you like and then explore. It's ok to change your mind.
Once you've answered some of the questions I entered above, post another question and the community can give you some ideas about possible career paths.
Good luck! You've got this!
Alexandria (Aly) recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4211
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Paul!
Embarking on the Journey to Your Ideal Career After High School
As a high school junior, it's perfectly okay to feel a bit unsure about what lies ahead in terms of your career. The world is your oyster, with countless possibilities to explore. It's key to look at your hobbies, strengths, and future ambitions in making this life-changing choice. Here are some practical steps to guide you in this significant decision-making journey:
Self-Exploration: Before you make any choices, it's vital to delve into your interests, principles, and talents. Think about what subjects or activities light up your world and where you truly shine. Reflect on your core values and see how they match with different career paths. Also, envision the kind of work setting that would bring out the best in you.
Investigate Various Career Paths: Dive into the sea of career options to better understand the opportunities that await you. Explore different sectors, job roles, and potential growth areas. Engage in conversations with professionals in areas that pique your interest to learn about their daily tasks and the qualifications needed.
Education and Training: Once you've identified the career paths that resonate with you, delve into the educational and training prerequisites for those fields. Some careers might necessitate a college degree, while others may require vocational training or apprenticeships. Knowing the required qualifications will help you map out your educational journey.
Internships and Job Shadowing: Consider dipping your toes into internships or job shadowing experiences to get a taste of potential career fields. This can offer priceless insights and help you figure out if a specific career is the perfect match for you.
Seek Advice: Don't shy away from seeking advice from school counselors, teachers, or mentors who can offer invaluable guidance and support as you explore various career options. They can provide resources, insights about potential career paths, and advice on educational opportunities.
Follow Your Heart: When choosing a career path, it's crucial to take your passions and hobbies into account. Sometimes, transforming a hobby into a career can lead to a satisfying and rewarding professional journey.
Adaptability and Growth Potential: Seek out careers that offer adaptability and growth potential. The job market is ever-changing, so it's advantageous to choose a field that provides opportunities for advancement and skill enhancement.
Networking: Cultivating a professional network can prove invaluable as you navigate your career choices. Connect with professionals in your fields of interest through networking events, informational interviews, or online platforms like LinkedIn.
Final Thoughts: Keep in mind that it's perfectly fine if you don't have all the answers right now. Many people switch careers several times throughout their lives. The key is to make an informed decision based on self-exploration, research, and advice from trusted sources.
By following these steps and considering these factors, you'll be well-prepared to make an informed decision about your future career path after high school.
Image Description: An image of an individual standing at a junction with directional signs pointing in various directions.
Junction
The Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used in Answering this Question:
The Balance Careers: This source offers a wealth of information on diverse career paths, educational prerequisites, and tips for choosing the ideal career.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: The official site provides in-depth data on employment trends, job prospects, and educational requirements for various professions.
CareerOneStop: This resource provides tools for self-exploration, information on different careers, training programs, and resources for exploring various career paths.
These sources were used to ensure the information provided is accurate and reliable.
GOD BLESS,
JAMES.
Embarking on the Journey to Your Ideal Career After High School
As a high school junior, it's perfectly okay to feel a bit unsure about what lies ahead in terms of your career. The world is your oyster, with countless possibilities to explore. It's key to look at your hobbies, strengths, and future ambitions in making this life-changing choice. Here are some practical steps to guide you in this significant decision-making journey:
Self-Exploration: Before you make any choices, it's vital to delve into your interests, principles, and talents. Think about what subjects or activities light up your world and where you truly shine. Reflect on your core values and see how they match with different career paths. Also, envision the kind of work setting that would bring out the best in you.
Investigate Various Career Paths: Dive into the sea of career options to better understand the opportunities that await you. Explore different sectors, job roles, and potential growth areas. Engage in conversations with professionals in areas that pique your interest to learn about their daily tasks and the qualifications needed.
Education and Training: Once you've identified the career paths that resonate with you, delve into the educational and training prerequisites for those fields. Some careers might necessitate a college degree, while others may require vocational training or apprenticeships. Knowing the required qualifications will help you map out your educational journey.
Internships and Job Shadowing: Consider dipping your toes into internships or job shadowing experiences to get a taste of potential career fields. This can offer priceless insights and help you figure out if a specific career is the perfect match for you.
Seek Advice: Don't shy away from seeking advice from school counselors, teachers, or mentors who can offer invaluable guidance and support as you explore various career options. They can provide resources, insights about potential career paths, and advice on educational opportunities.
Follow Your Heart: When choosing a career path, it's crucial to take your passions and hobbies into account. Sometimes, transforming a hobby into a career can lead to a satisfying and rewarding professional journey.
Adaptability and Growth Potential: Seek out careers that offer adaptability and growth potential. The job market is ever-changing, so it's advantageous to choose a field that provides opportunities for advancement and skill enhancement.
Networking: Cultivating a professional network can prove invaluable as you navigate your career choices. Connect with professionals in your fields of interest through networking events, informational interviews, or online platforms like LinkedIn.
Final Thoughts: Keep in mind that it's perfectly fine if you don't have all the answers right now. Many people switch careers several times throughout their lives. The key is to make an informed decision based on self-exploration, research, and advice from trusted sources.
By following these steps and considering these factors, you'll be well-prepared to make an informed decision about your future career path after high school.
Image Description: An image of an individual standing at a junction with directional signs pointing in various directions.
Junction
The Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used in Answering this Question:
The Balance Careers: This source offers a wealth of information on diverse career paths, educational prerequisites, and tips for choosing the ideal career.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: The official site provides in-depth data on employment trends, job prospects, and educational requirements for various professions.
CareerOneStop: This resource provides tools for self-exploration, information on different careers, training programs, and resources for exploring various career paths.
These sources were used to ensure the information provided is accurate and reliable.
GOD BLESS,
JAMES.
The first thing you need to figure out is what you actually like to do. Then I would do research on this. For example, I love technology so I chose a field I can excel in so I decided to work at IBM and work in the tech world. The first question you need to ask yourself what do I like to do.
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charles theisen
Danielle Stephens, MBA, CSSM
Business Analyst
4
Answers
Brusly, Louisiana
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
The first thing you need to figure out is what you actually like to do. Then I would do research on this. For example, I love technology so I chose a field I can excel in so I decided to work at IBM and work in the tech world. The first question you need to ask yourself what do I like to do.
Mayank Gupta
Senior Analyst- Business Intelligence | Pricing Analyst at Dell
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Mayank’s Answer
Career choice is one of the most difficult but most important decisions of your life.
You should not select any career only because which your friends are pursuing. You should not take decision based on the family or societal pressure. But you should be choosing a career which suits your personality and interests.
Example: If you are an extrovert, then marketing and sales is for you. You can be a good VJ too.
So, align your interest. What exactly do you want to achieve in life. Do not listen to people who are going to say that there is very less money in the field you chose, or less fame etc.
Remember, in each field people have earned more than millions of money and achieved lot of fame.
If you have an interest in what you are doing, you will enjoy that career and work. Its better than blaming society or friends or parents for any career where you might succeed but never enjoy working.
Choose wisely. It is the most important decision of your life. Don't take a decision in a flash. Devote sometime.
All the best.
You should not select any career only because which your friends are pursuing. You should not take decision based on the family or societal pressure. But you should be choosing a career which suits your personality and interests.
Example: If you are an extrovert, then marketing and sales is for you. You can be a good VJ too.
So, align your interest. What exactly do you want to achieve in life. Do not listen to people who are going to say that there is very less money in the field you chose, or less fame etc.
Remember, in each field people have earned more than millions of money and achieved lot of fame.
If you have an interest in what you are doing, you will enjoy that career and work. Its better than blaming society or friends or parents for any career where you might succeed but never enjoy working.
Choose wisely. It is the most important decision of your life. Don't take a decision in a flash. Devote sometime.
All the best.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1532
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a common question many high school students have.
Below is my suggestions :
1. Think about your hobbies and favourite subjects that you have interest on and identify the relate careers.
E.g. If you are interested on Maths, would you like to be a accountant, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, composer, musician, musica teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and identify what you have interested on
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek advice from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below is my suggestions :
1. Think about your hobbies and favourite subjects that you have interest on and identify the relate careers.
E.g. If you are interested on Maths, would you like to be a accountant, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, composer, musician, musica teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and identify what you have interested on
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek advice from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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