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How can you find out what career is right for you without wasting time?

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How can you find out what career is right for you without wasting time? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

Yesterday I read what Professor Leung Wing-on said: One must first master a task thoroughly and achieve the best possible performance in one's field of expertise. Only then can one say whether one really loves it or not, and whether one is really suited to it. One cannot shy away just because it is hard at first. Life is never easy, and the process of suffering is unavoidable for everyone.

But in practice, as a young person, I don't have the opportunity or confidence to try without any burden. How can I be sure to do something thoroughly when the cost of trial and error is so high? So what form should the exploration of a career take?

Genevieve Davis Genevieve Davis A total of 2232 people have been helped

When I read what the professor said, I had similar thoughts to you: career-or-personal-life-how-should-she-cope-10339.html" target="_blank">life is so limited in time, the window of opportunity is so fleeting, and the available resources cannot be wasted. How many chances do we have to try and make mistakes?

This paragraph is packed with information. It covers a lot of ground in a short space, including things like field, thoroughness, love, suitability, ease, persistence, and so on. Some of the words themselves are a bit confusing, as if they all make sense, but there's something not quite right.

There are lots of different ways to explore a career. One way to think about it is that your career is related to how you see yourself and who you think you are.

First, you need to ask yourself if it's a good fit. This requires a clear understanding of who you are: what are your strengths and weaknesses, do your strengths match this career, and are your weaknesses harmless in this career?

The three questions in the interview are about self-awareness. You can try answering them to see if you're clear on who you are and if you like yourself.

Having a clear sense of who you are and what you want is key to building self-esteem. When you're more confident in yourself, you're also more likely to have a better understanding of your career path.

Then ask yourself if you love it. We all think it's silly to try to force a foot into a shoe, but in reality, our thoughts about work are similar: I'm not comfortable in this job, I'm not adaptable enough, I need to change myself, I can change myself, I should change myself.

For most people, having a tolerable job can help solve other practical problems. Solving practical problems can help avoid psychological problems, so people will stick with it even if they don't love it. If you don't love your current job, adjust yourself, accept it with an open mind, and adjust your course. It's also necessary to have a clearer understanding of your situation and resources.

Next up is setting goals and expectations. When you ask how to explore a career, imagine what your career picture looks like. If you achieve the desired picture, what kind of feeling will you have, and what emotion will be fulfilled?

How old are you in the picture? What type of work are you doing? Are you with other people? The more detail you can add to the picture, the clearer your expectations will be. The more we can adjust our expectations, set small goals for the present, and then move forward steadily and with peace of mind.

A career isn't something you can explore in isolation. It's closely tied to your life and family. When we talk about exploring careers, we're often also asking ourselves: what kind of life do I want?

I'm also a bit confused about my career. This is an attempt to answer the question and also a way for me to sort out my own thoughts. I'm really grateful to the person who asked the question. We're not alone in figuring out what to do next.

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Dominic James Lindsey Dominic James Lindsey A total of 5538 people have been helped

Dear Sir/Madam, From your description, I can discern your feelings of hesitation and helplessness. You wish to pursue a path that aligns with your interests, yet you are uncertain about the optimal course of action. To engage in contemplation about the most suitable direction at this crossroads represents a significant shift in perspective for you.

I am currently a psychotherapist. Upon reflection, I realize that I originally aspired to become a teacher. Given that my father was a teacher, I held him in high regard from an early age, observing him instruct students at the lectern. My father's office was replete with books and paper. As a child, I particularly enjoyed visiting my father's office to read, write, and draw. Upon graduating from junior high school, I unexpectedly passed the entrance examinations for vocational school, nursing school, and high school. At the time, I was young and faced with a decision I was unsure how to navigate. My mother felt that I had demonstrated remarkable academic rigor and supported my decision to pursue nursing school, suggesting that being a nurse, donning a white coat, was a straightforward and technical profession for a woman. My older sister was also a teacher, and there were no medical students in the hospital.

I pursued a vocational education in nursing and was subsequently assigned to a hospital setting. During the initial three decades of my professional tenure, I experienced a sense of discontent. Nurses are required to work in three distinct shifts, with no designated day or night, and the nature of the work is inherently challenging. This was particularly evident given that the majority of my classmates from the three-year nursing program had attended university, whereas I had completed a vocational nursing program. At the time, I felt a sense of inferiority and regret. However, as I continued working, I pursued further education, obtaining a nursing diploma and a bachelor's degree, while also assuming the role of a teaching assistant. In 2014, I was promoted to a managerial position within the mental health department and obtained qualifications as a psychological counselor and a psychotherapist. In my professional interactions with visitors, I am affectionately referred to as "Teacher Zhao." I perceive that I am steadily progressing towards my professional goals. My initial training has also contributed to a rich and fulfilling life. My professional skills, mutual assistance with patients, and a wealth of diverse experiences and insights gained as a counselor have all contributed to my personal and professional growth. Currently, I derive a genuine sense of fulfillment from my profession and have been engaged in the pursuit of deeper knowledge and understanding in the field of psychology.

I admire your capacity to engage in introspection at such an early age, and I am gratified to witness your inclination towards self-reflection. I encourage you to identify an area of interest, establish a goal, and pursue it with dedication. As you progress along this path, you will discover a growing sense of fulfilment. Never lose sight of your initial passion, for it will serve as a guiding force in your journey towards success. The world and I hold you in high regard, and it is essential that you embrace your own self-worth. I support you wholeheartedly.

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Pauline Pauline A total of 3679 people have been helped

Good day. My name is June.

From your inquiries, it is evident that you are facing a career or academic impasse. You have expressed a lack of enthusiasm for your current studies or profession, and it is crucial to identify a compelling rationale to either persevere or abandon your current pursuit.

One must master a subject thoroughly, become the best in one's field, and only then can one ascertain whether one truly loves it or not, and whether one is truly suited to it. One cannot simply back away just because it is challenging at first. Life is inherently difficult, and the process of suffering is unavoidable for all.

The professor's message to young people is that success is not easily attained in any industry. Rather than pursuing a multitude of disparate interests, it is more prudent to focus one's efforts on a single, well-defined area of study.

Subsequent to attaining a goal, the majority of individuals experience a sense of love. In the absence of this emotion, it is reasonable to conclude that the endeavor in question is not a source of satisfaction.

However, in practice, as a young person, I lack both the opportunity and the confidence to pursue a career without significant pressure. How can I possibly undertake a thorough exploration of a career when the cost of trial and error is so high?

The argument put forth is that if one has not achieved a result after a considerable period of effort and then chooses to abandon the endeavor, the cost of trial and error may be considerable.

In consideration of the professor's remarks, have you contemplated the potential challenges associated with the endeavor you intend to pursue? What would you consider the most formidable obstacle?

What circumstances would lead you to abandon the endeavor?

If the difficulties are foreseeable and surmountable, there is no obligation to select a particular course of action. When one has considered the potential challenges and remains resolute, the pursuit should be one that is both meaningful and worthwhile.

The aforementioned information is intended for reference only. I extend my best wishes for success.

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Patricia Patricia A total of 3180 people have been helped

For most people, their parents decide what field of specialization they choose, including which university entrance exam to take and what job to pursue afterwards. We have to consider the advice of our elders and the limitations of realistic choices influenced by our family. We usually have the opportunity to change careers after entering society, which often involves switching majors after one or two years of college when we realize that we either don't like it or can't pass the exams.

The timing of this choice might not be right for us or what we love because we have to think about whether I can learn well and graduate successfully in the new major, and whether my new job and salary can support the daily expenses of a family.

So we get confused and don't know if the work we're doing is right for us or if it's our favorite because we really can't put aside these questions. If we don't consider other factors like family, life, etc., and just talk about what we like and what fits, it's just a theoretical discussion.

First, you need to know yourself and what you like and dislike. This will help you choose a job you'll enjoy even if it doesn't pay well, and help you stick with it when it gets boring. Passion can make up for long hours.

The practical significance of the field is what we call "belief." Some people believe that medicine saves lives and heals the sick, while others believe that being a soldier protects the family and the country.

On the other hand, some people find studying medicine challenging and tedious, with a lot of memorization involved. They may also have to deal with unexpected challenges beyond just "curing diseases and saving people." Some people are reluctant to join the military because they feel it will keep them away from their families, preventing them from fulfilling their filial duties. They may also have to accept the reality that one day they will die before their parents and elders. Therefore, it's crucial to identify with the field you're choosing. As long as you're determined internally, you won't be overly concerned with the actual gains and losses involved.

Ability is also split into physical and intellectual.

Absolutely. You can improve your abilities through hard work. Once you've reached a certain level, you'll be more adept at doing things. Of course, you'll be willing to do something that's both rewarding and effortless.

Talent is a bit of a metaphysical topic.

Someone who doesn't like kids but is great with them might find teaching rewarding. Someone who isn't into art might have perfect pitch.

This "talent" can help us reach the top of a field. If we have it, we probably won't be confused about which field to choose.

These are the ideal situations, and if we can achieve any of them, we can do it without hesitation. But when we add in the reality, that's when choosing a field in society becomes more difficult.

It's not easy to find a field of expertise that we like. It's challenging to understand ourselves, and it's not simple to understand the world.

There are so many professions out there, and it's impossible to know them all. With so many choices, it's even harder to decide what to do.

Any job has its own set of expectations, and not all of them align with our personal values. For instance, if you're aiming for a role in the civil service, navigating the political landscape can be challenging, and it's not something you can easily choose or change.

In some fields, if you don't have a master's or doctorate, it's tough to get anywhere near the top.

This sense of powerlessness is a reality that ordinary people cannot overcome through hard work.

Reality: If our family needs us to support it, we have to have a high-paying job. Right now, we don't have a choice, and what we like or what is suitable won't matter.

Or we might not be able to find a high-paying job at all, which would be pretty miserable.

If we combine our chosen fields, we can list several dimensions and create an overlay.

1. The field of study you originally learned. 2. The field of study you like.

3. Family situation, including social status, financial situation, support that can be provided, and the burden. 4. Prospects of the work that can be contacted or the development of the field that has been and is being worked in.

5. Your own social network, including former classmates and teachers, family members, close friends, colleagues, and other social resources. 6. Your own learning capacity and strengths. Think about what you can learn now from scratch, such as a talent for languages, strong thinking skills, a good memory, etc.

Make a list and see if any of the areas overlap between 1 and 5. Then you can get started. Or you can just combine 2 and 5 with 6 and start again.

We should be happy that we're living in an era of many new interdisciplinary fields and a highly open-minded era that's willing to accept new things. It's not impossible to start your own business or create a new field.

Young people have a lot to offer, so there's no need to be afraid of trying out different things before you find your niche. With experience and the chance to develop new skills, you might even find yourself drawn to a different field than the one you started out in. And if you're not happy in your current role, it's always an option to switch careers.

It's also important to know how to be content, apart from having courage.

If there's no way to solve the "realistic" problems, and there isn't a "backbone or escape route," then contentment has to outweigh courage. Let's be honest, there aren't many geniuses in the world, and there aren't many families with enough capital to support us in trying and failing again and again. So when our abilities match our field, we can move forward with determination.

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Comments

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Florence Thomas One day, or day one. You decide.

I totally get what you're saying. It's tough to dive deep into something when the stakes feel so high and there's no room for error. Yet, maybe we can start small, with less risky projects that still allow us to learn and grow. Over time, as we build up our skills and confidence, bigger opportunities will come along.

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April Davis Teachers are the encouragers who cheer students on as they climb the mountains of knowledge.

The fear of not being good enough or making mistakes can be paralyzing. But isn't it better to take on challenges step by step? We don't have to master everything overnight. Each attempt teaches us something valuable, even if it doesn't go perfectly. It's all about progress, not perfection.

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Desmond Miller The essence of growth is to see the growth that comes from being more intentional about our growth journey.

It sounds like a lot of pressure is weighing on you. Maybe instead of aiming for complete mastery right away, we could focus on finding joy in the learning process itself. By enjoying the journey, we might discover unexpected talents and interests that lead us to our true calling.

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Herbert Thomas Teachers have the power to turn ordinary students into extraordinary achievers.

Career exploration doesn't always mean committing fully from the start. We can experiment with different roles through internships, parttime jobs, or volunteering. This way, we gain practical experience without the heavy commitment. It's a safer way to figure out what really suits us.

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Beatrice Wood A dishonest man is always in trouble.

I agree that jumping straight into something can be daunting. But perhaps we can look at failures as stepping stones rather than setbacks. Every trial gives us insights into what works and what doesn't. With each iteration, we refine our path. The key is to keep moving forward, even if it's one small step at a time.

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