I have a question for all you professionals out there. I’m 23 years old and I’ll be done my B.A. in History next August. However, I have no clue what to do after that. I would actually be quite happy (for now) continuing in the profession that I am currently in, working as a Legal Assistant at a law firm. I have no desire to become a lawyer after seeing how they work, yet I don’t want to remain a Legal Assistant till I die!
I guess my question is, how do you decide what you want to do? What is the deciding factor? I guess the logical thing would be to do something that I enjoy. But I’m sure you all know what the typical Paki mentality is…that if you aren’t in Business, Medicine, or some sort of ‘professional’, then you are a failure in life. Eventhough I make relatively good money now as a Legal Assistant, it’s viewed as an unacceptable or inadequate profession by the majority of Pakistanis I have encountered. My parents are happy with what I’m doing right now, but I’m tired of hearing stupid remarks from narrow-minded asians who seem to think I twidle my thumbs all day long because I’m not seen as a ‘professional’.
I was planning on going into teaching, but the education system in Ontario is completely messed up at the moment. It’s just very confusing cause education costs a lot of money and I don’t want to make any wrong choices and waste valuable time.
So what helped you all decide what to do with your careers?
With an approaching graduation, the question of what you want to do may be a little late, however nothing that can not be undone or adapted to your goals.
The biggest factor is figuring out what you like to do, and base it around that. There are tons of tools available to students ranging from personality assessments to career assessments that are done in career centers at most universities. Take advantage of that.
dont worry about what ppl say, when I changed my degree program from engineering to business, the rumor floating around in the Pakistani side of the khandaan was that I "flunked" out of engineering university and have to do "commerce" :)
...I "flunked" out of engineering university and have to do "commerce"...
Fraudz didn't u flunk? wow! thats a news :p
Mehnaz, I think u have done a good job narrowing down ur career choices by answering all the important questions. You want something that you enjoy, you wanna do it for yourself and something that is a growing field. I wonder why those 'pakistani' comments are bothering you..
Anyway, I have got two questions for you....why did u take history? and u don't twidle ur thumbs at work...is that true..really, Really?
It’s quite remarkable and inspiring to see people like you who’ve broken the mold to do something they wanna do – I mean, you don’t get to see a History major in our Paki society all that much.
From the way I see it, you’ve got plenny of options but it looks like you’ve narrowed them down pretty staunchly too which is good – so I’m assuming Business & Law school is outa the question now – or is it?
NEWayz, if you wanted to go into teaching, I’d still suggest looking into teacher’s college… true that the Ontario teachers system is pretty much off-the-wall n screwed up these days but just spending that one year at OISE is gonna open a lota other doors for you – inshaAllah :--)
I kinda faced a similar dilemma myself last year – and you reminded me of the same thing… I’m actually doing my 2nd year MBA/PhD at McMaster, and having graduated from U of T with a Software Eng. degree and a couple of academic offers from the Ivys and job offers from the industry, I had a hard time convincing my folks n family that it wasn’t what I wanted to do… needless to say, they’re happy now to see me do what I like doing and excel more than I would have if I’d have been in a compulsion to go to the Ivys or join the workforce right away.
There’re quite a few members here on GS whose experiences I’ve learnt from and who provide good advice...
I mean I’m the same age as you, and my comments may not come as clued-up and erudite as some of the other members :)
BEST OF LUCK though in whatever decision you make.
apply with the federal government, they are always looking for qualified people, and having any degree is qualified. apply in the post secondary recruitment campaign, lots of jobs available. and being a minority and a woman helps as well, with the liberals being big on employment equity. i got in a few years ago, and its not to bad.