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What are tips for people between the ages of 18-22 that don’t know what career to pursue? ?

This question was asked during our Internships 101 webinar

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Jaclyn’s Answer

This is certainly a tough question to answer, but I will give my advice based on my past experiences. One thing that you could do is make a list and write down everything you like to do currently; this could be anything from school projects to hobbies. Next, see if you can find any patterns in those activates, what where you are doing? what did you like? and what did you not like?

Then make a second list, this list is full of the area's that you would be interested in getting involved in: Engineering, Farming, writing etc.
As an extra step start ranking the interest from most interested to least interested, from there see if you can find a pattern, what aspect about these activities do you find most enriching?

Then, if you are able to try those on your new list and then reevaluate what you liked about those experiences.

I say this because while we all have a vast amount of range when it comes to our interests, we may also exhibit patterns related to our interest. So as an idea to have a better understanding of what you want to pursue, try finding your pattern.
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Rita’s Answer

Honestly, I don't know how you can pick a career at that age. It's very hard to know what you want to do but my thought is that even if you make the "wrong decision," you learn from your mistakes and go on in life. What you learn from one job will help you in another job. I don't know anyone who has never made a mistake. Life is about learning and growing.
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Bryson’s Answer

Find what you're really passionate about and pursue that
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello CVOH,

Guidance for Young Adults Aged 18-22 Unsure of Their Career Path

Choosing the right career can seem like a huge challenge, especially for those aged 18-22 who are just beginning to explore their possibilities. Here are some practical steps to help guide this crucial decision-making journey:

1. Self-Reflection and Evaluation:

Spend time thinking about your interests, values, strengths, and weaknesses. Identify the activities or subjects you enjoy and are good at.
Use self-evaluation tools like career quizzes, personality tests, and skills inventories to uncover potential career paths that match your preferences.

2. Discover Various Fields:

Investigate different industries and professions to understand the opportunities out there. Think about carrying out informational interviews with professionals in various fields to learn about their daily tasks.
Look for internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering opportunities in areas that pique your interest. This practical experience can offer valuable insights into whether a specific field suits you.

3. Learning and Skill Enhancement:

Follow higher education or vocational training programs that align with your interests and career aspirations. Think about exploring different majors or courses to widen your knowledge.
Build transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, which are useful in many industries.

4. Networking and Mentorship:

Create a professional network by attending career fairs, industry events, and networking gatherings. Connect with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn to broaden your network.
Look for guidance from mentors or career advisors who can offer valuable insights, advice, and support as you journey through your career exploration.

5. Welcome Flexibility and Experimentation:

Realize that it's perfectly fine not to have everything planned out at a young age. Be open to discovering different paths and making changes as you go.
Don't hesitate to try new things and step outside your comfort zone. Welcoming experimentation can lead you to unexpected opportunities and help you uncover your real passions.

6. Pursue Professional Advice:

Think about consulting with a career counselor or coach who can offer personalized advice based on your interests, skills, and goals. They can assist you in crafting a strategic career plan and overcoming any hurdles in your way.

Remember, choosing a career is a journey involving self-discovery, exploration, and ongoing learning. It's vital to approach this process with an open mind, curiosity, and a readiness to take risks to find a rewarding career path that aligns with your dreams.

Top 3 Reliable Sources Used in Answering this Question:

Harvard Business Review: The Harvard Business Review offers insightful articles and research on career development strategies, self-assessment tools, networking advice, mentorship guidance, and other relevant topics for individuals exploring their career options.

The Balance Careers: The Balance Careers provides comprehensive guides on various industries, job roles, educational paths, skill enhancement strategies, networking methods, and other resources designed to help individuals make informed decisions about their careers.

CareerOneStop: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop offers dependable information on career exploration tools, labor market data, educational resources, job search strategies, professional networking advice, mentorship programs, and more for individuals at all stages of their careers.

May God Bless You!
James Constantine Frangos.
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John’s Answer

Check out mynextmove.org o*Net interest profiler and start exploring various fields. This is the bureau of labor and statistics list of every job title and what the role includes.
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Amin’s Answer

Look for the subjects, skills, careers that interest you the most and the ones you could be best at.
It could be related to education, health, IT, arts, business, counseling and so on.
Consider if the careers have a good scope.
Now select the best one.
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Kieran’s Answer

Try everything once and explore every field possible. After all, how do you know you don't like something unless you try it? You don't need to invest everything into each field you explore, just dip your toes in before you commit. Think you want to go into computer science? Try to learn the basic coding languages on your own first. If you find that interesting, perhaps take classes a community college. If you're bored, maybe that's not for you.

If you plan on attending university, often times you will need to complete General Education requirements and Elective courses. These are times to explore other disciplines and areas that you might be interested in. It is completely fine and normal to get admitted as one major, but switch majors if you find that you're interested in a different field after taking multiple classes.

Furthermore, play on your strengths and interests. In high school, did you exceed in STEM classes? Did you enjoy writing and the humanities? Did you enjoy creating art? This is a good starting point, then you can narrow it down into which field you want to go.

There are so many opportunities that you may often feel analysis paralysis. But regardless of your decision, you will always win. Say you dive into a field that you find that you're not interested in. That is not a failure, but an unsuccessful exploration. At least you know what you like and don't like.

And remember, it is never too late to switch career paths. Many people major in one area but find jobs in a completely different field. Just find what you like/dislike earlier and it'll be easier for you.
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Jocelyn’s Answer

Consider seeking out internship opportunities across diverse fields. Engage with alumni from various sectors and inquire about their personal experiences in their respective areas. Over the summer, aim to secure a job that provides exposure to these fields. This could be in a setting such as a clinic, hospital, or office.
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Jocelyn’s Answer

Firstly, remember that you're not the only one facing this. The thought of selecting a career for the entirety of your adult life can indeed be daunting. However, I encourage you to delve into research about diverse fields. Once you step into college, seize the opportunity to engage in internships that align with your interests. Once you get to college you will have access to the career office team who will be available to help you with your resume, provide interview tips and internship/job leads.

I wish you the best of luck! And do not get discouraged!

I warmly encourage you to click on the link provided below to navigate through various career options.

Jocelyn recommends the following next steps:

Explore on Access Your Potential’s site potential career opportunities like internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits.
To learn more: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com
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