Career choice help, how old were you when you decided on your career? new here!

[bimmer91]

Hi all, i decide to post a question here i am wondering and also just wanted to say hi, registered today but have been lurking for awhile...

I don't have a ride yet but should be getting one in a couple weeks (1st car) probably just a civic!

So... my question, How old were you when you decided on your career choice?
I attend high school in Burnaby and my coarse selection forum is do in bout a week or so. I have been sitting on the internet for hours and hours last 5 days researching all this random stuff about career's. I'm in grade 11 now and need to choose my classes for grade 12. I'm interested in (animation, drafting and designing, media arts, photography, business - marketing etc...)

I've been frustrated because my school expects us to choose are classes as if we need to choose classes for what we want to do for post secondary education. I do have idea's but it's hard narrowing it down to just one main topic, maybe you guys can help?

I'm planning to attend college to do upgrading on my math (i suck at math) and possibly some others so i can go to university.

Hopefully you guys can answer some questions to release my stress level
Thought it would be a good idea to post here since it's the school part of this forum,
thankz!

[RacePace]

It's pretty obvious that you'd want a career in art, how about go into the film industry, or video games, both big in Vancouver. You have to pick a career you'd be interested in. Research Vancouver Art School, you'll probably find something there.. You don't have to go to UBC or SFU etc, just because that's what everybody else does.

[apharmdb]

I have some strong feelings about this since I went through a major career change early in my career. So keep that in mind. Sounds like you have at least narrowed down your interests. Don't be afraid to jump into classes that gets you exposure to these areas. Even if it makes you take more classes than you need to graduate. The key is to try, get exposure, and try to find what motivates you. Your educational career is usually very short compared to your professional career so use the time to explore and find what you like.

For myself I received my degree in Economics, was working for the City of San Rafael and later moved to the Pacific Stock Exchange in San Francisco where I was working towards my Series 7 license. I thought I was going to be a broker.

But something profound happened and I quit suddenly without securing another job. Got into a start up video game development company for fun and found a calling. I've been in VG industry ever since, and can't really see myself doing anything else. It's definitely a passion and a job at the same time.

So long story short - take the time to explore. It is much easier to change careers when you are younger and have fewer financial responsibilities. Talk to people who are already working in careers you think you would like to go into, find out what they hate and love about the career path and think about whether you would feel the same, then go for it. Take the classes, take the summer jobs to get early exposure, go to trade shows to meet people. Sounds like a lot of work? Sure but this will definitely help you make a better and more informed decision. Best of luck with your efforts!

[misteranswer]

You should aim for the subject that you're interested in that requires the most credentials, given that you don't have a specific goal yet.

If you want to upgrade, take night school. It was much easier from what I remember.

[+Kardboard+]

Great question.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think I've decided on a career quite yet. What I do know is that I want to build a good foundation with skills and credentials that I can transfer wherever I want. My interests aren't too far from yours, but I majored in accounting at UBC (incidentally, I suck at math and hate numbers ) as I found business was my calling and that I got the most out of that major. Paired it up with a minor in arts (economics, specifically), which I feel helps to round out my view of the business/economic world.

The best thing to do, and I echo those above, is to get exposure to the industries that you're interested in. Volunteering is a fantastic way to do this. Contact some companies and see if they do job shadowing or mentoring to help narrow your concrete job possibilities. Many post-sec places have programs available for students that provide that (free shout out to the Executive Mentoring Program at the Sauder School/UBC Commerce ).

Good luck!

[bimmer91]

Originally Posted by Illuminate

It's pretty obvious that you'd want a career in art, how about go into the film industry, or video games, both big in Vancouver. You have to pick a career you'd be interested in. Research Vancouver Art School, you'll probably find something there.. You don't have to go to UBC or SFU etc, just because that's what everybody else does.

Right now it's either (computer design related) (business related like marking)
And it all depends on the money i make from any of these careers and ah.... so many more questions in my mind, my brain is dieing... must find out my self

[bimmer91]

O ya.... have a good question and important.

What schools offer computer game design stuff like that and business classes at the same time?

thanks.

[apharmdb]

Personally wouldn't sweat the $ too much, provided you know you can at least make a living. The way I look at it is if you love something you will probably become good and it, and if you are good at it the money will come. Plus life is short, too short to be stuck in some suck-ass job for the rest of your life even if it does pay out.

[Chris_RB]

It took me 3 years of university to figure out what I wanted to do...I just finished another 4 years to get my degree in the field I chose (nursing). The moral of my story is don't sweat it. You have loads of time to find something you love. I was interested in Computers, and Engineering...and ended up in nursing! I don't know how useful a business degree is...A few friends went that route and can't find jobs. One went back to be a Lawyer, and the other went back to become an accountant. YOu really just have to pick something and go with it. It's never too late to start something new!

[Rhetorical]

I didn't really decide on my current career in freelance writing until I graduated with my BA. Along the way, I considered a bunch of other careers (architect, accountant, clinical psychologist, forensic psychologist, journalist, etc.), so don't feel bad about being undecided. We all go through that and, chances are, we're all going to change careers several times during our adult lives.

[pharmed]

I was 19 when I decided. Take a good look at your own passions, and what you're good at, then find an intermediate. IMO, it's not worth going into a well paid field that you'll dread getting up for every morning, nor is it worth it to go into something that suits your fancy but won't get you a reasonable paycheck.

My career isn't as well paid as medicine, engineering, or certain types of business, but I'm enjoying the hell out of life just because I have both stable income and flexibility. I love going to work and for the most part, I get to leave my work at work.

[Adsdeman]

The fact that u even know what u like is a good start, when i was in ur grade all i liked was smoking weed!

[sadboy]

The average person changes careers seven times in his lifetime

[Orion]

i just decided about 4 months ago and that's 6 months after i graduated...

based on the things you like you should try to get into a graphics/art organization and start working... eventually you'll see how dif departments operate and you'll understand where you want to pursue...

honestly you'll be done school at 22 - 23 max... you have another 10 years to work in dif jobs before finding whats right

after working for the past year i've noticed that most people keep switching jobs/positions and what-so-ever based on interest and compensation...

and btw i'm working in a position only half related to my education

[Ulic Qel-Droma]

if you wanna do the fine arts (animation etc. whatever you listed), fuck university, don't waste your time with that shit.

[JudeChow]

School of Interactive Arts & Technology at SFU seems to be something that you are looking for!
You can take some business classes while you are doing your degree, or top it off with a MBA after your undergrad.