Advice on future career?

[ninahz]

Hi guys

What advice would you give to someone who didn't know what they wanted to do for a career?

I'm currently doing a general science degree because I know I want to do something science related, I want a professional job but I'm not sure in which field...I want a job where I can climb the corporate ladder and one day be recognised for either doing something remarkable or for being behind a lot of major events or projects. I like the usual chemistry and physics but I have found that I excel in biology, so I'm taking subjects in pathology and physiology but I'm not sure of what career titles there are in those fields etc. Of course, I had being an optometrist in my eyes for 2-3 years now but after doing some other subjects and finding that I do well in them I'm starting to think where I should go from here.

Any advice for me out there? Should I just continue my degree and see where it takes me? What should I do?

[kwjw88]

Originally Posted by ninahz

Hi guys

What advice would you give to someone who didn't know what they wanted to do for a career?

I'm currently doing a general science degree because I know I want to do something science related, I want a professional job but I'm not sure in which field...I want a job where I can climb the corporate ladder and one day be recognised for either doing something remarkable or for being behind a lot of major events or projects. I like the usual chemistry and physics but I have found that I excel in biology, so I'm taking subjects in pathology and physiology but I'm not sure of what career titles there are in those fields etc. Of course, I had being an optometrist in my eyes for 2-3 years now but after doing some other subjects and finding that I do well in them I'm starting to think where I should go from here.

Any advice for me out there? Should I just continue my degree and see where it takes me? What should I do?

Hey, till recently, I have had many times where I feel the exact same way you do. For starters, I need to ask for your age, 'cause such things change with age. You should also know the difference between being used to a field of study and being completely absorbed by it. To successfully complete a degree you are going to need an intense amount of desire to learn everything you can in the field because you love it. Think about it...are you doing these units because you've been doing them all your life and thus, aren't comfortable to change, or are you really interested in it?

If you're sure of your choice, you choose continue your degree and perhaps follow the path of being an academic. You get to increase your status with every advancement of your study, and aim to be a professor. You will probably end up teaching and researching, for the most part.

You can also turn to being a researcher, where academics aren't as important...usually with a general science degree, a person would end up a lecturer though...that is, the physics, chemistry and biology part...

With the pathology and physiology however, you can choose to adjust your course to aim to be a physiotherapist maybe? though doing such courses mean completely going into medicine, which kinda involves a lot of what you're studying, even chemistry....

This is really really brief, but if you need something more substantial and well referenced, go consult a career counsellor...

You can trust me when I say the most important thing is to choose a field that you're crazy about (interest more important than money), stick to it and overcome everything that comes your way without quitting...such things will come to you naturally as time passes and as you get older...

I'm not sure if I was entirely helpful but I wish you all the best! Let me know how things go...

[ninahz]

Originally Posted by kwjw88

Hey, till recently, I have had many times where I feel the exact same way you do. For starters, I need to ask for your age, 'cause such things change with age. You should also know the difference between being used to a field of study and being completely absorbed by it. To successfully complete a degree you are going to need an intense amount of desire to learn everything you can in the field because you love it. Think about it...are you doing these units because you've been doing them all your life and thus, aren't comfortable to change, or are you really interested in it?

If you're sure of your choice, you choose continue your degree and perhaps follow the path of being an academic. You get to increase your status with every advancement of your study, and aim to be a professor. You will probably end up teaching and researching, for the most part.

You can also turn to being a researcher, where academics aren't as important...usually with a general science degree, a person would end up a lecturer though...that is, the physics, chemistry and biology part...

With the pathology and physiology however, you can choose to adjust your course to aim to be a physiotherapist maybe? though doing such courses mean completely going into medicine, which kinda involves a lot of what you're studying, even chemistry....

This is really really brief, but if you need something more substantial and well referenced, go consult a career counsellor...

You can trust me when I say the most important thing is to choose a field that you're crazy about (interest more important than money), stick to it and overcome everything that comes your way without quitting...such things will come to you naturally as time passes and as you get older...

I'm not sure if I was entirely helpful but I wish you all the best! Let me know how things go...

Wow thanks kwjw88 for that feedback! It was really insightful, I've thought about some of the things you've said regarding the money and interest balances but I've never thought about whether or not I was just too comfortable doing those type of subjects...thanks so much for opening my eyes to those aspects of this problem! I guess you're right about that though, I like biology but I'm not driven to learn things about it I mean I find some things really remarkable and interesting but that's it and I do get daunted by the experimental methods and the tediousness of things in that aspect. As for physiology and pathology I'll be doing the basics this year so I'll let you know how I like it or how I don't like it.

Again this has been really really helpful! Thanks again kwjw88! Oh yeah I'm turning 19 in a few days and I'm in my 2nd year of uni.

[kwjw88]

Happy I helped
Like I said, I went through the exact same phase and asked that same questions to tons of people, so I was actually just relaying their answers for me to you, hehe...

Also, about the matter on seeking a career counsellor's help, I strongly advise it, especially if your uni provides this service for free. I consulted one and she gave me a Self-Direction test, which is simply marking your interests against your capabilities and seeing what path is best for you. Well, to be perfectly honest, I didn't find it helped much...lol, but it sure did solidify my mindset to what I want to do a little more...

I should also warn you that such things change as years pass so don't depend too much on it, just let it be some sort of a guide...

I'm just a year older and I've failed a LOT (yes guilt welling up and all...)...I will be doing second year subjects this year so...best of luck to the both of us I guess...heheh...

Also, Happy Birthday in advance!!lols...let's keep in touch...

Edit: One more thing, this is the rule I have been following though it will probably mess up your life for a while if you follow it too. Go around asking friends who are studying in other fields about what they are learning. Research on as many areas of study as possible as soon as possible if you're having second thought about your course, because if you were to change your degree, it would cost a lot less money and time, to change it earlier than later.

I did just that and wasted a lot of money on studying something I was influenced to do instead of what I really wanted. It's very exasperating to realise what you really want to do that much later on so...yeah...

Like I mentioned earlier, look up on what other fields offer and see if your passion lies in anywhere else. If not, focus on studying what you already are 'cause doing what I said is a big gamble as well as a great payoff if it comes out to be where your calling lies=)

I really hope the above didn't confuse or scare you too much. Last thing I wanna do is to drive someone away from what could be great...gd luck!

[dice_auroa]

I am also in the field of sciences. However in my field there are many branches such as research and development, sales, clinical, etc. You need to figure out some parameters, such as working with people or dealing with numbers and paper. I'm in a similar position where I'm not sure what path to take. Thus I've been doing internships at different places in different fields so I can get a look at what it's really like doing this as day to day living instead of as a job description on paper. This has really helped and as you have some time it will be good to start early as you can do more rotations and narrow down likes/dislikes. Good Luck!

[Krivolapov]

Best fields are nursing/ medical and oil/ accounting, they never run out of sources and always people need them...

[kwjw88]

That's quite true, though you don't really have to worry about job opportunities just yet...such tings are constantly changing...you can't predict what jobs will be available and what field is most sought after in a few years...so...just do your best and take things as it comes. May not sound like the best, nor the most encouraging advice, but it's true so...yeah

[Krivolapov]

What is open then might only be open then, you want something thats always open and always there...A consistancy...

[ninahz]

Yeah, thats one of the problems i'm battling with now, i want to finish up a degree and snatch up a job before it becomes really difficult later on. But at the same time i don't want to be stuck in something i'm absolutely not passionate about either because i wouldn't be giving it my all and i wouldn't be able to contribute to the business, company etc. thus i probably won't be in a very good position to move up in the corporate ladder or make a name for myself you know?

also if i take too long to decide what i want to do then i'd say jobs will disappear fast. the national population is expanding at a rapid rate and the longer i take the worse it could be for me. what if i decide that i love business or something like that? where jobs are already very competitive.

argh decisions decisions.

I've decided to seek advice from my uni admin about this matter and i'll let you know what's going on. I have to sort out some paper work with them anyway so yeah, keep you posted.

[Krivolapov]

Well best of wishes to you.