We’ve all been there.
After years of education in the engineering field, you head into the world of employment. In the first few years of working, you bring your best foot forward and do your best in everything you do. Then after a few years of routine work, failed projects, and never-ending work load, the inevitable quarter-life crisis begins to set in and you begin to question if this is really what is made for you.
If you feel this way and identify as a “confused millennial” here are some pieces of career advice that can help you through your confused phase.
Source: Eagle News
Focus on what you want to do instead of who you want to be
It isn’t surprising that sometimes who we want to be and what we want to do don’t actually match.
For example, you were encouraged by your parents to become an engineer, when you actually want to become a businessman/woman. So you became an engineer instead of an entrepreneur. Even if being an engineer is a more stable job according to your parents, you may not get the same amount of satisfaction you would have gotten if you had become an entrepreneur instead.
Choose a career where the work can actually make you happy and fulfilled. Ask yourself, “What do I want to do?”
Be reminded that it’s okay to end up doing something unrelated to your course in college
Truth be told, not everyone has it all figured out when they take up a college course. So if you decide to do something entirely different from your course in college. That is completely okay. Even if you actually liked the course you took, there is still a chance that you might end up in a job that is completely unrelated and you might end up loving it. Remember education doesn’t end at school, you are still continuing to learn new things.
Or it could be that you find interest in a different engineering field and decide to pursue on that career instead. You can take up a civil engineering degree online, for example, and transition into that field with ease.
Decide on what kind of lifestyle you’d be comfortable with
This is important because when you start searching for a job, you need to find a salary that can carry the kind of lifestyle you are comfortable with. Not all people are comfortable the same way, so it’s important to know the lifestyle you are comfortable with, so you will have an easier time to choose from the many job offers you will be receiving.
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Almost all career advices tackle this topic, and how true! Always be self aware of your strengths and weaknesses, so you’ll know which careers you would be suited for.
Check your free time
Think about the things you want to do in life outside of work. These includes hobbies, recreation, and social life. Make sure you have time to do these in the career path you will choose. Work life balance is essential for a healthy career.
Weigh the Pros and Cons of all your job options
When choosing from a variety of jobs, it’s good to remember that there is no perfect job. So make sure that the pros outweigh the cons when you are commiting to a career.
