Why You Will Pick the Wrong Career

Summary

In this video, Lily, a computer science graduate, faces a dilemma between two job offers: software engineer and data scientist. Despite extensive research and networking, she finds it challenging to envision her future in either role. The narrator reassures her that it's normal to feel indecisive, as most people likely choose the 'wrong' career path initially. They emphasize the importance of a growth mindset, suggesting that adaptability and continuous learning are key to crafting a fulfilling career, rather than making a perfect choice upfront. The video also touches on the value of pursuing opportunities and the importance of personal interests alongside career choices.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Lily, a computer science graduate, has two job offers: one as a software engineer and one as a data scientist.
• 🤔 She is indecisive, having changed her major multiple times in college, and fears choosing the wrong career path.
• 🔍 Lily has researched both fields and sought advice but finds it hard to envision herself in either role.
• 👩‍💻 The speaker reassures Lily that it's common to feel uncertain and that most people likely choose the 'wrong' career at first.
• 🧠 Only 27% of college graduates have a job in their field of study, indicating that career paths often change post-graduation.
• 🚀 Successful people often pivot in their careers, as exemplified by Elon Musk's transition from economics and physics to entrepreneurship.
• 💡 The key to a successful career is a growth mindset, which allows for adaptability and continuous learning.
• 🌟 The speaker suggests choosing the career that offers the most learning opportunities and embracing the chance to grow.
• 💼 The importance of aligning career choices with personal values, including financial stability and quality of life, is highlighted.
• 📚 Brilliant.org is recommended as a resource for developing a growth mindset and learning new skills in STEM fields.

Q & A

What are the two job offers Lily received after graduating from college?

Lily received two job offers: one as a software engineer and one as a data scientist.

Why is Lily having a hard time deciding between the two job offers?

Lily is having a hard time deciding because software engineering is more familiar and has more job openings, while she has a genuine interest in data and enjoyed machine learning courses.

What is the speaker's perspective on choosing the right career?

The speaker believes that it's almost inevitable to choose the wrong career at first, as it's hard to know if you'll like something without experiencing it, and many jobs didn't even exist a few years ago.

What is the percentage of college graduates that have a job in their major according to the video?

Only 27% of college graduates have a job in their major.

What is the key mindset that the speaker suggests for a successful career?

The speaker suggests that a growth mindset, which believes intelligence, talents, and abilities are learnable and improvable, is the key to a successful career.

How does the speaker relate personal career changes to the concept of a growth mindset?

The speaker relates personal career changes to a growth mindset by stating that successful people often start in one career and pivot when opportunities present themselves, demonstrating adaptability and continuous learning.

What advice does the speaker give to Lily regarding her career choice?

The speaker advises Lily to choose the option that allows her to learn the most and to be open to new opportunities for learning and growth.

Why does the speaker mention Elon Musk in the video?

The speaker mentions Elon Musk as an example of someone who started in one field and pivoted to another, demonstrating the ability to adapt and seize opportunities, which is a trait of having a growth mindset.

What is the role of the sponsor 'brilliant.org' in the context of the video?

Brilliant.org is mentioned as a resource for developing a growth mindset through self-study and learning new things, particularly in STEM subjects, which aligns with the video's theme of continuous learning and improvement.

What is the speaker's personal approach to career and passion, as mentioned in the video?

The speaker is conservative by nature and values financial stability and status, suggesting that while they may prioritize a high-paying job, they also self-learn and explore passions like filmmaking to potentially combine them in the future.