#FindingTheRightJob #ExploringCareers #JobSearchTips
π€ Just try a few jobs out and see what you like? π€·ββοΈ
Do you find yourself feeling lost in your career path, unsure of what you want to do or where to start? It’s a common dilemma, especially for those who are just starting out in the workforce or looking to make a career change. You may have come across the advice to “just try a few jobs out and see what you like,” but is it really that simple? Let’s dive into this advice and explore the practicalities of finding the right job.
The Reality of Bills and Responsibilities πΈ
It’s true, most of us have bills to pay and financial responsibilities to uphold. The idea of casually “trying out” different jobs may seem unrealistic when the need for a steady income is pressing. The reality is that many entry-level positions in various fields do not offer competitive wages, making it challenging to simply experiment with different jobs without financial strain.
Additionally, many careers require specific qualifications, such as degrees or certifications, to even be considered for an entry-level position. This further complicates the notion of casually trying out different jobs, as one cannot simply walk into a professional setting and ask to “try out” a role without the necessary credentials.
Navigating the Job Market π
So, how can one explore different careers and find the right fit in a practical way? While it may not be as simple as trying ice cream flavors, there are strategic steps that can be taken to navigate the job market effectively.
Exploration through Internships and Volunteer Work π€
– Internships and volunteer opportunities provide firsthand experience in a specific field, allowing individuals to gain insights into various roles and industries.
– These opportunities often offer mentorship, skill development, and networking prospects, all of which are valuable in identifying potential career paths.
Researching and Networking π₯οΈ
– Utilize online resources and career websites to research different industries and job roles, as well as the qualifications and skills required for each.
– Networking with professionals in different fields can provide valuable information and connections that may lead to job shadowing or informational interviews.
Education and Skill Building π
– Pursuing relevant education, such as online courses or vocational programs, can equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter a new career field.
– Building transferable skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, can enhance employability across different industries.
Exploring Industry Trends and Market Demand π
– Analyzing industry trends and market demand can help individuals identify growing sectors and high-potential career paths, aligning their exploration with viable opportunities for growth and stability.
The Importance of Realistic Expectations and Planning π
While it’s important to explore different career options, it’s equally crucial to approach this process with realistic expectations and thoughtful planning.
Setting Clear Goals and Priorities π―
– Identifying personal values, career priorities, and long-term goals can guide the exploration of different jobs and industries, ensuring that efforts are focused on aligning with one’s aspirations.
Creating a Financial Safety Net π‘οΈ
– Building a financial safety net through savings or part-time work can provide the flexibility to explore career options without undue financial strain.
Seeking Guidance and Mentorship π€
– Engaging with career counselors, mentors, or industry professionals can provide valuable guidance and insights, as well as practical advice on navigating career exploration effectively.
Being Open to Learning and Adaptation π
– Embracing a growth mindset and being open to learning from diverse experiences can enrich the career exploration journey, fostering adaptability and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Ultimately, while the idea of “just trying out a few jobs” may not be feasible in the traditional sense, there are tangible steps and strategies that individuals can take to explore different careers and find the right fit. By approaching the process with intention, realistic expectations, and proactive planning, it is possible to navigate the job market and discover opportunities that align with one’s passions and aspirations. So, while it may not be as simple as trying out different ice cream flavors, the journey of finding the right job can be an enriching and transformative experience.
Same thoughts about those people, maybe they have saving? or live with parents?
Half the posts on here are something like “I’m 18 yrs old and messed up my life so bad I have no future live with my parents and not good at anything and don’t like trying what should I do with my life” Which leaves people nothing to work with except just try something maybe? If you are already at rock bottom not making much money taking on debt, volunteering or shadowing other people at their jobs isn’t the worst thing.
Learned helplessness is not going to make your future any better.
The way Iβd interpret that is if youβre gonna go into the trades, get trained up in several. Try carpentry, then go get certified in plumbing etc. because building all those skills and experience will benefit you so much in the long term even if you donβt do it professionally.
Another example is that I taught myself to code a few years back out of curiosities. It turns out I was surprised that I really liked it. Iβm not leaving my current profession but, I learned something about myself. I had always thought code was sucky and boring from all that Iβve heard from other people like a friend of mine who dropped out of comp sci years back. But I quite enjoy programming.
i think because realistically, there are no other answers. i realized this, there is no magical solution. so all you can do is try something else. what that version looks like differs for everyone. it might mean doing a google certificate on project management, it might mean volunteering at a vets office on a weekend, it might mean making a salesforce playground on fridays at work when it’s slow.
also, some people have the luxury of being able to have other income (a partner, parents, etc.) and some do not. If you do not, than your only option is to stay in your career and know you won’t find whatever it is that you’re looking for in your career, but the tradeoff is that you get paid more.
it really sucks, but there are no good answers.
Honestly, union work is the best for this especially if you got in during covid. For those who’ve never worked in **labor** unions, usually promotions are based on seniority alone, sometimes departmental seniority as well. People can usually trial a promotion before deciding to accept or reject the “bid” as it’s called. This allows you to continue working full-time, trial a few jobs with no risk, and if you don’t like it, allowing you to reject the bid to go back to your former position.
I have tried different things to see what I like (retail management, sales, hairdressing, marketing, techβ¦) and yes, it comes at a great cost and you never really reach the point where youβre a higher earner because you have to put time and focus into one thing to reach that point. Even now Iβm casually looking at switching to healthcare from tech and trying to figure out how Iβm gonna manage a pay cut and whether or not I really want it bad enough to put off my other dreams for years (wonβt be buying a dream house if Iβm committing to 5 more years of school).
We all do. The difference is the discipline to change our spending habits as the income raises or lowers.
You’re also cutting short on the timeliness when someone tells you to try a few jobs. There’s numerous unskilled jobs out there to be had, even places that pay well, and will rehire you at a later date, like FEDEX or UPS. Fall back jobs are part of this venture, try one for a few months, or a year, and if it doesn’t work out, search for another. You get fired? Go work a shitty 3rd shift at FedEx during the months you search and interview for the next desired opportunity. Employment is available, buts its not always the employment you want. More if us have learned to suck it up and work shit jobs while we pursue better opportunities. The key is not to get sucked into making the shit job your career.
This isn’t a privilege issue, it’s a discipline issue. Perhaps some have the safety net of mom and dad, but not all, and generalizing it like that says more about your character and work ethic than anything else.
So true!!!
Trying anything new is starting at a non-livable wage.
Anything more than entry level requires specified training, certifications, degrees etc which we must pay for and take years working towards and paying off.
It feels like a fail either way.
A lot of the popular side gigs to get ahead feels like a flooded marketβ¦
military? pay for your undergraduate degree, garanteed no money down home loans, healthcare without waiting until your 65?
These are some good answersβ¦ as older adults itβs certainly a mixed bag attempting to restart or even start in any capacity of that of which youβre looking for a job or opportunity that pays wellβ¦ itβs how habituated we become to gaining an extra weeks vacation or few dollarsβ¦ itβs seismicβ¦ my gf did her 6-8years of school and works in language/speechβ¦ her experience in the working force is interesting as sheβs already sort of fed up with 8hour daysβ 2weeks vacation and just has become used to a fat salary but canβt save moneyβ¦ small wins I guess and how you look at the glass and situation
Yeah gotta pay bills and try those jobs lol
I relate to this but I also understand their point its like try coding see if you like it, read about IT see if it sparks some passion in you and that stuff doesn’t for me. No one can tell you what will make you happy or successful.
Yes, when people on this sub say “I have no interest in anything and I don’t know what to do”, there is really no option but to just get a job at random and see how it goes.
Personally I have trouble believing that someone “has no interest in anything”. Really? Every job seems equally unattractive? Truck driver, dentist, tax accountant, chef? I guess some people are incapable of imagining doing things and having a positive or negative reaction.
And no, you can’t “try out” being a surgeon. But can’t people at least imagine being a doctor? After all, they’ve been to a doctor at least once in their life, right? For many careers, you start out being attracted at a basic level “I think I’d like to be a doctor” and then later (maybe in med school, maybe after years on the job) you say “you know, surgery is really interesting.”
If you’re in that position you’re going to be stuck with a job that pays shit anyway. Might as well enjoy it for the same crappy pay.
I mean they are not wrong, you really have to try out different things to figure out what works for you. Your situation will vary of course and you will have to make some sacrifices. Itβs like dating, you could luck out and land it on your first try but most people are going to have to date around a few time to find the one for them and they will learn a little bit more of what they want with each person.
I did this at 34. I already had nothing to lose cuz I was broke. Made the pivot from marketing into sales. But during that pivot I worked in a few industries part time to see what type of sales roles I liked. I lived on my own but my expenses were low so as long as I cleared like $2k a month, I wasnβt gonna have to pack it up and go sleep on my momβs couch.
During that pivot year I worked 5 different jobs, figured out the sales role I most wanted to pursue and revamped my resume to get an entry level position at a tech company. That experience helped me go from making $35-40k a year to $120k/yr before commission. It took me 3 years total to get there.
It can be done but you have to be strategic.
Yeah this is an entitled ass attitude from someone who grew up in a well-off family.
My dad drug me to construction sites and made me buck lumber for 5 bucks an hour as a kid.
Taught me what I DIDNβT want to do with my life, that is for sure!
Okay then just keep doing the same thing youβre posting that youβre miserable about π
Yeah, it is not realistic to just “try out” jobs.
Idk, I think youβre making a bit of a strawman out of the most common advice I think youβre referring to on this sub. Oftentimes people will say that finding your long term career will probably involve bouncing around different roles/industries and thatβs fine and normal. I also see people exhort others not to expect to have some career just fall into place for them β not everyone wants to be a lawyer or doctor from the age of 5 or whatever. Some get analysis paralysis rather than just getting out there and applying themselves.
What I rarely (maybe never) see is someone blithely recommending a person quit a job after stating only a few months with no backup or savings and then try to enter a completely new industry with no preparation when they already had a good career. This seems to be the scenario youβre referring to and I seriously wonder if you can point to even a handful of examples of it because Iβm skeptical that that is really commonly given advice which doesnβt get downvoted to oblivion. (I mean, you are always going to get some shit advice on the internet and Iβm sure you can find examples of it β but is it really common and widely endorsed is my point.)
This advice is for people who are already in entry level or lower paying jobs, or young or unemployed. So there’s no downgrading to try a different entry level job.
Of course if you have a family to support and that requires the salary of your sole income established career, you cannot realistically try random minimum wage jobs. Lots of posters don’t give that much info though, so they get generic advice like just try any job.
If you donβt βtry outβ what do you do then? Sit at home all day? I doubt that will pay the bills.
I tried retail, construction, warehouse work, fast food, window cleaning, customer service, then decided to split my time between work and school to go into IT. I was aware entry level was the only real possibility and the obvious pay difference, letβs not ignore the obvious fact that if anyone can apply then you canβt just expect to be paid well right away.
I like to think people first apply and get hired for the next job then quit their current job that way I was able to move between them with minimal interruption.
Hopefully at some point it clicks and you realize what you are doing isnβt working out. Weβll have to start somewhere but you still have to take the first step. Might sound like boomer advice but thatβs life and will remain then same for the rest of eternity.
Btw: The only one with real earning potential was construction but you need to find the right trade.
not taking job opportunities because you doubt you will like it won’t help either
I think there are a lot of older folks who look back and see those days with rose-colored glasses. They also just didn’t have to have the credentials you need nowadays for a job.
I think the truth is that this used to be a lot easier then in present times, there is less space for horizontal exploration these days in my opinion, you could do it, but itβs going to be a tougher journey – which sucks
99% of entry level jobs suck, have annoying people to deal with, and don’t pay as much as they should. Fuck every self righteous moron here gaslighting you.
Well it is not easy but it is also not impossible.
It sure helps if you try different jobs while in high school or still living with your parents.
So I grew up on a small farm and my parents were farm workers. So from this I learned what I could about farming and then my dad took a correspondence gas/diesel mechanics coarse and because of this I learned about mechanics.
In high school took a industrial arts class and learned wood working, plumbing, basic electrical, and welding.
So it used to be what ever profession your parents worked this is what you learned, today this happens alot less.
After high school worked at a farm equipment dealer in the parts department and then worked in the service department as a mechanic.
So I wanted more out of life and one day quit and went off to college. Yea, you pretty much do have to put your life on hold till you graduate or you work and go to night school.
I was 23 when I went off to college and this was my 2nd attempt after already flanking out at 20. There were others who had just gotten out of the military and starting college just like I was.
After high school also joined a volunteer fire department for about 1.5 yrs. Then one of my jobs after college the plant had a fire department and did this for the 12.5 yrs working there.
With all these TV shows like Dirty Jobs and YouTube videos, you can get a pretty good idea of what different jobs are like.
Just do it, find a way.
and thatβs if you even get hired at these jobs π₯²