Choosing a career..

[zyronet]

This is about the college courses or career.. I'm needing an advice..
Okay.. Here's my situation. I am so confuse in choosing what career or course i'm gonna take for college. I need advices on how to choose on those.
The Decision:
Would I rather choose a course based on my hobbies or talents, even if I know there are few job offerings for that and the pay money isn't that great, but on the good side you're making your talents improve and those are what you're good at. Or choose a course that has tons of job offerings with great deal of money? But no connection in whatever hobby or talent you have. How could I test myself on choosing what career??
I'm pretty sure that there are lots of people like me who are in the same situation, regarding those i know personally.
Any comment or advices are appreciated!! Thanks! Thanks!! n_n

[Kyo Kusanagi]

A bit young to worry about this now, but I guess its best to be prepared.

I have/had the same problem. Generally speaking you want to go with what you like so long as it pays enough. Most colleges have a career planning center in which you take a test to determine which careers match your interests. Ask a counselor about it.

[Wolfboy]

well i have that problem, well kinda but choosing wot collage to go to.
but i would choose the hobbies cuz then u if u don't u could regret it and don't like it one bit but u will get some experience out of it, and that in future you could use it in future. or choose ur hobbies and enjoying the work but on that side u can't care about the pay, just care about that u like it and enjoy

[Levanter]

I'm gonna graduate college in September, and I chose to have a Filmmaking career. I know it doesn't make money. I know it takes a huge capital to start making a feature film. But this is what I love to do.

I know it might be a little harder to succeed in my field, but it doesn't mean that I can't, right? It's hard to make an income in filmmaking, but still, all is not lost. If i just work hard enough, study hard enough, and never stop aiming for perfection, I know someday, I'll be able to make a living out of it. All I need is to plan my future and make sure I have everything in place. And also make sure you have a plan B! I can't stress how important that is. You always need a plan B for everything, for every important decision that you make. Now I have a very specific plan A and plan B (which is too long to post here^^), and I'm feeling secure in my future.

What I did was I imagined myself---what I wanted to be 10 years from now. I couldn't imagine myself in a stable desk job. That would probably kill my enthusiasm for life little by little because for me (of course maybe not for other people), jobs like that are repetitive. Too "normal", too systematic.

So what do you see 10 years from now? Rich person in a comfortable house? Or something else? If you have to choose whether to go for your passion or to go for a job that you're not that passionate about but has a good pay...it will just come down to how much do you think money is important to you.

[Ookie]

Uh this is a problem for me too. I have taken some tests based on what I'll be good at and all that stuff. And I've also talked to counsellors and stuff like that, but what I really want to do is something that doesn't really pay where I live, graphic Design. I'd rather choose something I'll enjoy doing and stuff. But it also has to pay so it's a bit of a dilemma.

Best thing you can do is analyze your talents/hobbies and do a match with a job that corrisponds to it. IF you live in a country were this is possible.

[Wolfboy]

hmm...true but if i imagined myself in something that would be the problem, because if it don't work out the way u wanted it to be then ur pretty sccrewed soo i would start of by getting one job that is ur hobbie *** in part time job then choose another part time job that is boring if that is possible (it might be u never no) if not possible u can try both as full time as in u work in the where it is good pay but tell them that u want to work there just for the amount of time you want to work there for but say u might want this job after then try the other job as well but say the same thing.

[Eris]

I was at a crossroads too, when I was about to start higher education. I'm a natural at programming, and I find it enjoyable and all, so I could have taken computer science or something along that line; but I have a burning passion for physics, so I could also have taken physics.

I ended up leaving programming and computers a hobby, and took physics. Partially because many jobs in computer science are menial and repetitive, and completely would spoil the fun of programming. I think programming would have been easier, because it's so easy to me, but the fact that physics is hard as hell is part of what attracted me in the first place, so I'm not regretting things.

[OminousCloud]

That's a very good question. There's no point spending all that time, effort and money studying only to be in a position where there aren't enough job openings. You should persue a career in something you are interested in, if you don't like what you're studying then you're more likely to fail subjects or drop out.

Make a list of things you like and then research them career wise, it will make your decision a lot easier.

[Eris]

That's a very good question. There's no point spending all that time, effort and money studying only to be in a position where there aren't enough job openings. You should persue a career in something you are interested in, if you don't like what you're studying then you're more likely to fail subjects or drop out.

Make a list of things you like and then research them career wise, it will make your decision a lot easier.

Though, you don't want to put too much emphasis on career. Then you might end up with a job that you hate the rest of your life. And it's virtually impossible to determine how the market will look 3-4 years down the line. What's a useless degree today, can be in short demand tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong, you should factor it in, but it shouldn't be the only factor.

[UrusaiSevera]

Ok here's my advice.... Look up a person who has made his career out of his hobby or just somebody who has the job .... then ask if you could follow him around for a few days *I dont mean stalk* ...on the work floor...just soo that you get an idea of what he actually does... and if this could be something you would want to do on a day to day basis, in say 4 or 5 years *I say this cause your 15* ....

Also where I live all universities and colleges have special open days for general information and days where you can follow classes with actual first year students who are taking the course (or courses)...During these sort of days you also get to hear what sort of prospects there are for a career after you finish the study... Also these days helps you decide which college you eventually want to go to...

And of course follow your heart and choose a college course that will challenge you to think and learn more....

I did both of the above and decided I want to study veterinary sciences and if that falls through biology ...

well that just my and I hope it helps you decide !!!

[zyronet]

Thanks for the advices!! I'm so thankful!! And every advice and comment, is really helping..!!

*I say this cause your 15* ....

A bit young to worry about this now,

about my age..? 15 years old. Let me explain, why am i thinking about college life too much..
In our country we have 3 years of pre-elementary ( kids, 4-6 yrs. old), the elementary division, having grades 1 to 6 ( 7-12 yrs. old) and the highschool division (13-16 yrs old) 4 yrs, having the freshman to senior.. and the college department where the school years are based on what course you are taking..

And in our upcoming school year by the first week of June I'm gonna be a 4th year, entrance exams for the universities and choosing the career is within the time of bein a 4thyr. and so there's not much time left for me to choose and decide. ( making my headache here.. hehe..).. Hope that explains my reason for the age.. n_n

What's a useless degree today, can be in short demand tomorrow.

This just struck my mind.. wow...

[black26]

For me is course that has tons of job offerings with great deal of money.
Money is important

if you have job with great deal of money
your life will be more sucessful

after your sucess
go choose course based on my hobbies or talents

[Antares]

Wow, this brings up memories of my senior year. I spent a whole year investigating, asking around and taking tests. I hope you still have time to think and choose correctly.

Choosing between your hobbies and talents, and a job that pays great might be tough, but at the end of the day I think that the real question that you must answer is: how much am I going to sacrifice? Sure, if you follow the path of your hobbies and end up in job with low payment you'll be happy because you're doing what you love, but: do you imagine yourself driving a expensive car? Living in a big house? Traveling? Please don't take that comment/question that if you follow your talents, you might end up bad, I'm just giving scenarios lol

You always need a plan B for everything

That's very true. Study some languages, computer class, baking, whatever. Things like that may help you in tough situations in the future.

Oh, and if you have a lot of interest/hobbies, why don't you try to merge that? I remember that when I was in your position, I was interested in: Writing, Law, Medicine and Bussiness Administration (being that my number one choice). The counselor (and a few people) recomended me to study Economy, because it has a little bit of everything (well, not Medicine and Writing lol) that I liked it and right now I'm very happy with my choice.

Anyway, good luck with your election.

[Sagat]

Here's my advice:

Stop asking everyone else for advice and do what you want to do and not have a bunch of damn strangers on the internet decide for you.

You can choose to go ahead and pick the money career, guaranteed you'll be raking in the dough and won't be the least bit happy. Money only goes so far.

[BlueyedFox]

Hmm, I suggest you incorporate your talents into other jobs. You can try a career that uses your talents on a minimal level, and is more about teaching you new things as well. For example you may be good at art. Instead of becoming an artist with a very small success rate, you may want to get into video game development where you can draw the characters or whatever. They still don't make very much, but you'll find yourself much more stable financially.