Career questions tagged career-advice
How do you stay committed to your true career goals when external pressure tells you to give up?
Hello everyone, I am currently at a critical crossroads regarding my future path. On one side, I have specific goals and personal ambitions that I am deeply passionate about achieving. On the other side, I am facing overwhelming external expectations—from family, societal norms, or environment—demanding that I surrender my dreams and choose a more conventional, "safe" route that others want for me. I would deeply appreciate advice from professionals who have stood in these exact shoes. Specifically: Persistence vs. Concession: How do you determine whether to keep pushing forward despite heavy opposition, or whether compromising is ever necessary? Real-Life Experiences: What is your true life story regarding a time you had to choose between societal expectations and your personal ambitions? What were the real-world consequences, and looking back, was it worth it? A Note on Responses: Please share genuine, unfiltered insights grounded in your actual life journey. I want to avoid platitudes or idealized, generic advice, as decisions made based on this guidance will directly impact my life and potentially the lives of other readers navigating similar struggles. Thank you for your time and honest guidance.
Should I go with computer science or Mechanical Engneering ?
Hi, I am an aspiring computer science student preparing for university applications. I would greatly appreciate any advice you might have to share!
What can i do right now as a 7th grader that knows what i want to do for a career i figured everything out just what can i do right now?
i want to be a acute care surgeon which is in genral surgeon
How difficult is a career in Medical Billing for a beginner, and what should a fresher expect on the job?
Hi everyone! I am currently exploring career paths in healthcare administration and am very interested in entry-level medical billing. Before committing fully to this field, I want to understand the day-to-day realities of the job beyond classroom training. If you work in medical billing, revenue cycle management, or health information, I would appreciate your advice on the following: Real-World Difficulty: How complex is the workload for a beginner? Is the main challenge mastering medical coding updates, understanding insurance policies, or managing claim denials? Pace and Stress: How fast-paced is a typical day, and how do you handle the pressure surrounding high accuracy rates and strict filing deadlines? Onboarding Expectations: What does the onboarding process look like for someone with zero prior experience? How long does it usually take to feel competent? Key Skills: Beyond basic computer literacy, what habits or soft skills help a novice medical biller excel? Thank you so much for sharing your time and industry insights!
How can I prepare during high school to become a successful AI Security Engineer?
I am a driven high school student with a deep passion for technology, language, and continuous self-improvement. My primary ambition is to become an AI Security Engineer, focusing on securing intelligent systems and building safe, ethical technology. Beyond my technical goals, I am an active digital creator running web design and voiceover projects, and I love challenging my mind through logic games, public speaking, and learning languages like French, German, and English. To maintain balance, I stay physically active through martial arts, swimming, and team sports, while feeding my creative side through web novel writing, astronomy, and media. Whether I am solving complex problems, building a project, or picking up a new skill, I approach everything with curiosity, focus, and a drive to excel.
How can I decide whether becoming a registered nurse, CRNA, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant would be the best career path for me? What are the biggest differences I should consider??
I'm a junior in high school and I've narrowed down my career/major options, but I'm still undecided and am in need of advice.
How should someone who is passionate in their skills in mathematics determine what career they should pursue with these traits?
Math is something I am passionate about and skilled in. Though, I am not certain which career pathway is correct for me.
Is there anything you wish you were told about or knew about your job when you got it?
When heading into a history-focused career, were there things that didn't make sense that should have or that should've been explained better to students?
I am still worrying about what I should study in the future
I am 14 and still worrying about what I should study in the future and the career path that I needed to take in order for my future career. Can you give a an idea on how I can choose the correct path to take?
Question from a 9th grader: How did you get started in your career, and what choices helped you the most?
Hello! I am a 14-year-old 9th-grade student from the United States. For a school assignment, I am exploring potential future career paths and learning about what it takes to succeed in the professional world. I have a wide range of interests right now, including therapy/mental health, law enforcement, law, architecture, writing, and military service (especially the Air Force). If you work in any of these fields, I would love to hear your insights. To help me complete my assignment data, please include the following background information at the beginning of your response: Occupation: Current Age: Sex: The year you started working in this field: The Country and State you work in: Company name (if you are comfortable sharing) or general field: In your reply, please also include these details about your journey: Your Journey: How did you get started, and what steps did you take to get where you are today (such as specific classes, internships, or volunteering)? Opportunities: How did you find those opportunities, and what were the main benefits of doing them? Decisions: What opportunities did you choose to take—or pass up—and why? Obstacles & Advice: Is there anything currently holding people back in your field, and what do you recommend a student my age do (or avoid doing) to move forward? Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your input! Your advice will help me a lot as I plan my next steps.
How can I turn my background into a successful career?
I have a Master's degree in Heritage Conservation and Site Management and I am currently doing a PhD in Media Studies in Germany, researching AI Art and art history. I also have several years of experience in project management, cultural/heritage projects, museums, and international organizations in Egypt. I am interested in culture, arts, creative industries, heritage, media, and potentially building my own cultural/creative business. However, I also want a career that is financially sustainable and offers good opportunities in Germany/Europe. If you were in my position, which career directions would you seriously consider? or should I consider starting my own business in the cultural or creative sector, but I currently have a very small online presence and do not have a large following on Instagram or LinkedIn. How can someone in this position start attracting their first clients and build a professional network from scratch? I would especially appreciate advice from people working in cultural management, creative industries, museums, NGOs, international organizations, consulting, or creative entrepreneurship.
If I were to go into the military first how many years would be recommended before going into being a flight attendant ?
I want to go into the military to be an 91a M1 Abrams Tank System Maintainer. I will be 17 when I graduate in 2028 turning 18 that summer.
As a student, Is Welding a Good Career Choice for the Future?
I’m a student and I’ve recently become interested in welding. I already know a little about it and would like to learn more through practical experience. I am thinking about joining a welding company as a beginner and building my skills from there. But I am wondering if welding is a good career choice for the long term. For anyone who works in welding or has experience in this field, I would really appreciate your honest advice. Is there good career growth in welding? Can I build a stable future by starting with a welding company and gaining experience over time?
what makes you independent ? And what could you do to be independent?
i am independent because i can make my own decisions, take care of my responsibilities , and do things on my own. I could because become more independent by learning how to manage my money, make good decisions, and take care of everyday tasks without always needing help.
Any advice for a rising High School Senior?
I start my senior year soon! What are some things you wish you did, or would advise someone on to do. Can be anything
Mechanical Automotive Engineer,?
Advice -What advice would you give someone like me to aim for in this role?
Anyone who started welding specifically for small DIY or art projects, what setup would you recommend?
I’ve been thinking about getting into welding, mostly for small creative projects rather than anything serious or structural. I’d like to make things like simple lawn art, garden decorations, small flowers, animals, signs, and other decorative pieces from scrap metal. I’ve seen some really cool metal art made from old horseshoes, tools, pipes, and other pieces of steel. The problem is I’ve never actually welded before, so I’m wondering where a complete beginner should start. As someone suggest me the Grofab Welding Services company but I need more options where I can explore my skills.
I am a 17 year old male in St. Louis, MO trying to start a career for welding. What can I do to get started on this career?
I'm trying to become successful in the near future and do welding. Can I get any tips on what I can do once i get started?
What path should I take?
I graduated last year with my BFA in Design Arts and have been working full time in my current job for one year. I have been realizing this profession is not what I thought it would be and honestly I want a change. I had the thought throughout college that I would become a professor in graphic design but now I really am liking the idea of going back to school and getting my masters either in Elementary-Middle Education or School Counseling. There are many pros and cons to both and it's been hard for me to choose. Since I was a kid I always thought I'd be a teacher or school counselor so both of these options are honestly a dream for me. I know both have a lot of work and emotional involvement but I truly need this change and just am not sure which path to go down. Any advice would be appreciated!
How is the Work/life balance as an Radiologist?
I am a rising Junior in college, and I am still deciding whether to attend medical school or PA school. I have always seen myself becoming a Dr. one day, but I was recently introduced to the PA side and how flexible it can be.
Is Philosophy a good choice?
As far as I know, Philosophy doesn't have many career options in it. Teacher, policy maker/defining ethics and like, someone who spreads their ideas through social media, author -- are some I am aware of. But does anything else also exist? What does a philosopher earn on average? Can there be time/researches and such things available, like in the Age of Philosophers - where they spread many ideas and such? Mainly, are Philosophers even recognised nowadays? What do the ones who have done a degree in philosophy do now-a-days?
How can a 14-year-old 10th grader recover from scoring below 60% on their 1st monthly exam to still qualify for a scholarship in Japan?
I am a 14-year-old student in the 10th grade, and my biggest dream is to get a scholarship to study in Japan. However, I just got the results for my very first monthly exam of the year, and my marks are below 60%. I am worried that this bad start will ruin my chances of studying abroad. I want to work hard and fix this immediately. Could you please advise me on Overcoming a bad start: How do scholarship boards in Japan view a student who started the year with low marks but improved later? Is a comeback respected? Grade improvement: What are the fastest ways to change my study habits to jump from below 60% to the high grades needed for international scholarships? Next steps: Besides raising my school marks, what else should I start doing at age 14 to make myself a strong candidate for Japan?
What are some bachelors degrees that are worth it in 2026?
With AI constantly evolving, there’s a lot of debate about which careers will still have strong job opportunities in the future. I’m looking for a bachelor’s degree that is projected to have strong demand and accessible entry-level jobs 4–6 years from now. I want to avoid fields that are already becoming oversaturated, like cybersecurity seems to be for many entry-level positions. I am looking for: - Strong long-term job outlook - Good entry-level opportunities after graduation. - High earning potential—I want my degree to be worth the investment. - If it’s in healthcare, I would prefer a non-clinical career (no direct patient care). What bachelor’s degrees best fit these criteria? I have been circling through finance, accounting, supply chain, data analytics, HIM, IT Honestly, my main priority is earning a bachelor’s degree that will allow me to land a stable, well-paying job while I work toward completing my master’s degree.
How can i gro my non-profit ?
Hi! I recently founded is non-profit call ARNA project (you are not alone), our mission is to advocate for mental health through educational content and care packages like post talking about different neuro diseases and how to mange stress. For care packages our plan is to send/donate to hospital for those struggling with mental health to show support and comfort. Hygiene product, snack, books, cards, and a lot more would be included in the care packages. As of right now I'm trying to build a strong foundation and internet presence on social media before outreaching to brand and hospital to ask if they would like to collab/donate. Currently im working on my brief and begining to post on socjal media and getting engagement up by creating "engagement group with other non-profit" ( first post will be next week) Some of my plan is 1, volunteers opportunities through cards making (online) which will be print out and included in our care packages 2. Propose a bill to government to improve mental health institutions ( idea might change) 3. Connect student to more medical opportunities through online post 4. Establish sponsorship 5. Create an executive team 6. Course on medical related Content ( not finalize ) 7. Fundraiser ( restaurant, brand, community event) I am a junior in high school and is new to this stuff but I really want to show an impact and support my community. It would be so great if anyone have any tips on like finance management for non-profit, any organizations worth outreaching to, what document or preparation should I make, content ideas, any person ( journalist, politicians, research, accountants, etc), how to grow my non-profit, legal stuffs, how to outreach to brand, website design/ creating. Anything would be so useful to me! I'm really grateful for your time reading this. I hope to learn in any capacity which then can be use to make an impact! *Note: Edited by Admin to adhere to guidelines.
How to get a pharmacy technician job without any degree or experience?
Hello! I’m an incoming freshman, about to attend college this fall. Therefore, I have no experience or degree for any medical field yet. However, I searched online and saw that you don’t need experience working as a pharmacy technician in a retail store, sometimes even in hospital. I’m in a pre nursing major, and it has nothing to do with pharmacy except that they both are medical related field. I thought I could try applying for some retail jobs in CVS and/or Walgreen and get those pharmacy tech skills. But I got rejected both times when I applied. I think they mostly want people with experience working in the position. Do you know what I can do to maybe increase the likelihood of getting into there? I heard if I start out working as a cashier in CVS, there’s a more likelihood that I can be promoted to working in the pharmacy area. Is it true? I’m not as serious about pharm tech jobs as of right now, that’s why I wanna try working there to see if I like this job or not. Thank you!
What associates are worth it in 2026?
I’m currently a Registered Behavior Technician making $22/hr and am looking into associate degree options because I’m feeling pretty burned out in my current field. Unfortunately, due to working full time and having bills to pay, programs that require clinicals aren’t really realistic for me right now. One thing I’m struggling with is that a lot of the careers I’ve looked into seem to want experience that I don’t have. I’m also not sure whether my experience as an RBT would be considered relevant healthcare experience for non-clinical hospital or healthcare roles. I live in a smaller city in Brevard County, so there aren’t a ton of job openings for some of the careers I’ve been researching. So far, I’ve been considering Business Administration, Office Management, and Health Information Technology. My goal is to transition into a stable career that pays at least close to what I’m making now, with opportunities for growth and advancement. I’d be willing to take a small pay cut if it led to better long-term career. I’m just trying to find a realistic path that fits my situation.
What made you choose psychology or psychiatry over the other ?
I’m planning to start college next year at the age of 28 to become a child psychiatrist or psychologist after working in childcare with children who had high trauma for three years. Was curious on how you stuck out the long education? How hard was it to afford financially? Also, how do you handle your mental health while also handling others? I struggle with my own battles and wanted to know how possible it would be for someone who has a diagnoses to also provide therapy and medication for others? Can you also give me pros and cons for each job? I did use chat gpt for advice, but I still need a professional opinion because I have to know if I’m pre-med or not. Overall my question is, does the additional investment in becoming a psychiatrist produce a sufficiently better financial return?
What are good degree options for a 20-year-old leaving ABA?
I’m 20 years old and planning to go to college. I’ve been in ABA for 7 months making $22/hr, and I don’t have a passion to pursue this field long-term. The job is both physically and mentally demanding, and I’ve received little to no support in what feels like an extremely unethical work environment. Right now, my main focus is to get my associate’s degree, but I want out of ABA as quickly as possible. I’m looking for something that can lead to a stable, supportive, and beneficial career with opportunities to grow. I can’t do programs that require clinicals because I need to work full-time while in school, but I am open to other healthcare-related roles. My main interests include psychology, law, beauty/cosmetology, and business. I’ve considered becoming a paralegal, but I live in a small city and I don’t think there are many job listings in that field. I’m open to other options as well—I just want something where I can get good support, decent pay, and long-term advancement opportunities.
Any advice for a student starting an embedded internship?
Hi. i sm a CS student in my 2nd year and I've got an internship starting in 2 weeks. I feel as if i sm behind the other interns and i don't know much to actually even start the internship. I've been learning some c++ and OOP principles as the firmware description said that those are the need to knows. I haven't got any practice with actual embedded coding however i do have an arduino uno 4 i bought recently along with some other components, breadboards, wires etc.
What path should I choose ?
Hello! I am currently pursuing BBA Business Analytics 3rd year. Parents want me to go for CAT (MBA exam in India) so I started taking coaching but I feel like it would be better to go for college placements or a job before doing masters. But I've already started coaching so I feel obliged to focus on CAT. I also have the option of going abroad for masters since I have family there and this is something I really want to do but it requires me to focus on completely different things so I'm just very confused and overwhelmed on what to do. My college is doing a lot of events and activties related to placements and just managing those with my CAT coaching and college studies has been tough