For a fairly pointless class. All I ask is that a few people fill this out (just copy/paste questions AND answer them). If you don't want to provide a name/age for whatever reason, leave it blank and I'll make one up. This is for a grade, so I'd really like it if whoever bothers to respond actually uses real answers as opposed to BSing the whole thing.

Here are the questions:


Name________________________________Age ____________

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?



2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?



3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?




4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?




Thanks
SB

 

Name_________Brandon________________Age _____22_______

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?

I currently work at Mystic Searport Museum as an audio/visual tech assistant.


2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?

I'm doing my best to plan out my career at the moment, picking work that is close to what I want my career to do and building experience in the meantime working on my portfolio.

3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?

Once, in college I started off planning to be a writer of some sort but then switched into the graphic arts. I changed majors and started taking different classes as well as starting to build a portfolio.

4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?

Work towards something you are good at and something you already enjoy doing. The hardest thing is trying to work at something you aren't already somewhat skilled at or interested in. Look at others you admire and if possible ask them how they started their career. College professors along the same area of work you are interested are also a great source of information and help, many have done the same thing you are doing before obtaining a teaching job, and some have another career on the side.


good luck with the class ^^

 

Name Dan Age 27

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?
Software Engineer


2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?
Chose/planned in College.


3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?
0.



4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?
Learn more about anything that interests you. When going to College try not to force yourself into a discipline/pick a major without sampling different courses. When I first went to College I was an accounting major and changed majors twice before I took a programming course and got into Comp Sci my junior year. Above all make sure you're happy and enjoy what you do!

~X

 

Name: Peter Henriksson Casselö Age: 26

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?

Psychiatric Nurse

2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?

Fell into it in high school as an extra job.

3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?

I was a musician originally, and then I became interested in psychiatric care. I don't play my instrument (bass) anymore at all, and I've sold all of my equipment. I still regret it from time to time, but I'm happy with the career I have today.


4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?

There's always time for change. Try a few different things, and stick with what you like.

 

Name: Ashley
Age: 19

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?

I'm a secretary for the United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Quarantine division.

2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?

Actually, after being stuck in retail for a couple years, it was by pure luck that my dad met someone who was looking for a secretary for her office.

3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?

All I've done has been the switch from retail to a government job - it has been a very positive change. I'm less stressed, and my pay has increased to a very comfortable amount for what work I do.

4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?

Always be open to changes in your plans. Although you may have everything set in stone, you never know what other opportunities may arise. Also, go to college to secure a nice salary (since in the government degrees are almost necessary to advance to a higher position on the pay scale.)

 

Name__________Kenny_________________Age _____27_______

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?

Civil Servant

2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?

Fell into it

3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?

None really yet


4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?

Find something you enjoy doing, learn how to do it as a profession and go for it - nothing worse than being stuck in a job that you don't enjoy for the rest of your life. Me? I'm going back to university this year Whoo HOO!

 

Name____O.A.__________Age __26___

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?
Current occupation(s): full time foster case manager, part time mental health counselor.
Past occupation(s): afterschool care staff, cook, dishwasher, stocker.


2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?
Planned and chose my career.


3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?
Major change was going from direct care to case managing. The results have been: having a little better pay but less satisfaction.



4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?

If your in it for the money, then go for a money job. If your in it to help people, then dont expect alot of money. Dont try to do both.

 

Name:Lance Halberd Age: 29

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?

Currently, office manager & aide-de-camp. Previously, system administrator.

2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?

Fell into, both times.

3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?

One major career change, the result was a totally different life path laid out before me.

4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?

Networking and connections are key. Don't go pounding pavement, beating down doors looking for a job; it doesn't work that way anymore. Your first job isn't going to be glamorous; you have to earn that corner office. Take every opportunity to advance yourself, especially with training and schooling. Everybody is looking to hire someone with experience, and you won't gain any by jumping from job to job to job. You are going to work with people you hate; this is unavoidable. Always wear sunscreen. Sometimes you need to work a thankless job, changing it to make it better, other times you need to cut your losses and go elsewhere; to quote a song, you need to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em.

 

Name: Aaron Age: 32

1. At what occupation do you work or have you worked in the past?

Technician


2. Did you choose and plan your career or did you just "fall" into that career?

I fell into it, I majored in microcomputers and have a degree in electronic engineering.


3. How many times have you made major career changes? What were the results?

None.


4. What advice would you give a young person about career decisions and plans?

Be prepared to work many long thankless hours, don't expect to get patted on the head all the time and told what a good little boy you are.

 

Thanks, guys (and Deceptikitty)!

I only needed three interviews total, but I'm submitting all of them. I found all the advice very insightful and much appreciated.  

Thanks again
SB