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Trial and Error in Career Searching

    From 2013 to now, I've held a lot of jobs, especially for someone my age. Not because I stay for 2 months and then quit or get fired, but because I almost always had two jobs, even while I was in school, and many of them were contracts/summer positions. At that point in time, my objective was to collect as much money as possible and build my resume. Fast forward 7 years, my objective became making sure that I was heading into the correct field to start my career.


    I've dipped my toes into personal training, engineering, and now healthcare; to a lot of people it seems like I've just been bouncing around, unfocused, and irresponsible however, there's a method to my madness. I was very well aware that personal training may not be a good fit for me but it was something I had always wanted to try, so I went for it. The same could be said for engineering, I did a semester, I did well, but I still knew deep down that the return on investment for me probably wouldn't be worth it.


    I was lucky enough to land a full time position in healthcare soon after finishing my degree and I will never take it for granted; I'm still extremely grateful. What's more, is that this field seems like one that I could thrive in (third time's the charm right?). 


    What I'm trying to say here, is if there's something you've always wanted to do, then make sure you try it. It will forever haunt you if you don't. People have frequently commented on my "bouncing around" but if I hadn't tried each of these fields then I could never be sure of what I really want out of my career. 


    Put your blinders up, do what you need to do to get to where you want (or think you want) to be. Most people don't know what they want to do at 17-18 years old, it's not fair that we're supposed to make that decision so young. Try everything, you'll learn a lot not only about different fields, but about yourself. That way, when you've gained some knowledge, you'll be able to make a realistic and well informed decision regarding what to do longer term. 

    • Karina E Karina E :

      Good article. We live in a fast era, where everything evolves so quick that we have to adapt even quicker. There is nothing wrong trying different careers and different job positions, it shows the flexibility and courage to have the balls and do something you probably never done before. The rule that you have to stay in one job for 10 years is nonsense and not possible with everything happening in the world. You can't affect recession, you can't affect the way the stock market goes, etc.etc. The only thing you can do is to learn, educate, move forward and show the skills and experiences you have. I'm almost 30, I've been in marketing and graphic design for over four years now but I studied Accountancy and Economics - and I hate numbers :D Find what you love, what you good at, if it doesn't work out, move on. We change, passion changes, now is the perfect time to try everything :) 

      3 years ago 
      • Talia Grace P Talia Grace P :

        Hi Karina! I couldn't agree more and it's always comforting to hear stories like yours. I never really considered the instability of everything as another factor in duration of jobs and different fields but that's such a good point! xx. 

        3 years ago 
    • Caroline B Caroline B :

      I definitely agree with this! I hear so many stories of people ending up at a place that's completely different than where they thought they would be at the beginning of their career- I don't think we should have to pick just one thing and stick with it forever. Life should be about experiencing new things!

      3 years ago 
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