Two TED Talks To Help You Find Your Career Path

For the first twenty years of life or so, there is a clear path set out. Usually, it looks something like this: pre-school, school, and university. But what comes after you graduate? What have 12+ years of education been preparing you for? For many, the next milestone is a full-time job. Yes, a *real* adult job.

All of a sudden, there are a million different possibilities. Countless cities, industries and companies to explore! It’s a huge privilege to have so much choice when you enter the job market. But, to be honest, it can also be quite overwhelming.

Personally, after finishing college I experienced a bit of analysis paralysis. What are my goals in life? Where do I want to be 5 years from now? What job could I spend 8+ hours a day on until retirement?

While philosophising about the purpose of life and overthinking my job search, I came across two TED Talks which brought me back down to Earth. If you are feeling a bit lost, and not sure where your path is heading next, I recommend taking a look!

1. How to find work you love | Scott Dinsmore

“So many people around us are climbing their way up this ladder that someone tells them to climb, and it ends up being leaned up against the wrong wall, or no wall at all.” After quitting his job at a Fortune 500 company, Scott Dinsmore embarked on a quest to find a work that brings him joy and meaning. Along the way, he conducted interviews, case studies and read over 300 books on purpose and career. In this TED Talk, Scott shares his learnings, and some key questions to ask yourself when looking for a job with impact.

2. 5 Steps to designing the life you want | Bill Burnett

A common question we hear when seeking career advice is “What’s your passion”? Ahh, I shudder at this. Less than 20% of the people have any one single identifiable passion in their lives. Luckily, Stanford design professor Bill Burnett is not the type to ask this question. In my all-time favourite career TED Talk, Bill shares five ideas from design-thinking to help you craft your life. A little sneak peek: if you could live three lives, in three parallel universes, what would they look like?

Finding the right job can be a daunting experience. If you need to speak to someone about your choices, career questions and aspirations, feel free to sign up to GRADitude. We match students and recent grads with kind and open mentors who are happy to share their experiences and tips with you! Sign up here.

Do you know of any other TED Talks that could help students or recent grads to find their path? Share them with us in the comments below!