How to Prepare for a Purposeful Career Early

“I don’t know what I want to do with my career…” Let’s just go ahead and normalize this. Because more people are here than you think. And not just once, sometimes multiple times throughout their lives. (I know I’ve been here. More than once.) But the part we don’t talk about enough? The HOW. → How do you figure out what you actually want? → What fits? → What makes sense for your life now? So here’s what I’ve learned from being that person and helping other people work through this same exact thing: 1. Stop trying to force yourself to pick a job title. - Scrolling job boards hoping something clicks? - That usually leads to frustration. - Truth is, most of us don’t even know how to name what we’re looking for. Start by asking: → What kinds of problems do I enjoy solving? → What work has felt most like me, even if the title didn’t reflect it? → What do people always ask me for help with? 2. Look at the why behind your past roles (and other parts of your life). → What were you brought in to do? → What made you feel useful or alive? → What did you outgrow, and what did that teach you? Your career has patterns. You just haven’t been taught how to read them yet. 3. Use this filter: Pay. Power. Peace. → Can you live off it? → Do your strengths actually matter here? → Can you breathe? If it doesn’t hit at least 2 of the 3, it’s probably not it. 4. Don’t just run to quit your job, run small experiments. You don’t need to burn it all down. You need data. → Try a course. → Join a project outside your usual lane. → Ask someone, “What do you actually do in your role?” Clarity is built in motion—not in your head. 5. Keep a “Could-Be-Me” list. Every time something lights you up, write it down. Then ask: → Why does this resonate? → What strengths do I already have? → What would I need to build? No pressure. Just explore. 6. Create a Career Criteria list. Think beyond the job. Ask: → What kind of life do I want? → Flexibility or structure? → Am I best front-and-center or behind the scenes? → What are my absolute no’s? You’re not trying to fit into a job, you’re building a career that fits you. Let me say this: If you’re in the “I have no clue what I want to do” season… -You’re not broken. -You’re not late. -You’re just being honest with yourself. And that’s where real clarity begins. If you want support figuring it out with guidance, strategy, and real community, I got you. Drop “PATH” in the comments or DM me and I’ll send you the info to join the P.A.T.H. Forward™ Community. You’re not behind. You’re in the middle of realignment. And that’s brave as hell. 💥 _______________ Join the P.A.T.H. Forward Community: https://lnkd.in/gDMj8V5r Hi, I’m Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW. 👋 Voice-finder. Story-shaper. Career strategist. I help you untangle the career story you were handed — and rewrite it in a way that aligns with your values, your vision, and your next chapter.

Four years ago, I was navigating post-grad life, managing my finances and budgeting for my lifestyle, thinking about professional development, and charting my next steps (I'm always thinking about what's coming next 😅 ) If I could go back and tell Ang of 2021 a few things, here's what I'd tell her ⬇️ ✅ At the end of the day, you are in charge People will always have opinions about the job you have, the decisions you make, and whether or not you're making the right decisions for your future. Trust your instinct, lean into your values and boundaries, and remember that career advice is just that: advice. Use what serves you, and leave what doesn't. ✅ Your unique qualities are your competitive advantage Fitting into boxes that weren't made for you is going to get exhausting. The quirks, perspectives, and approaches that make you, you, are exactly what will set you apart in your career. Embrace them from the start, and activate your network as you work to make them stand out. ✅ Networking isn't about collecting names, LinkedIn connections, or business cards Networking is about building genuine relationships with people whose work you admire. Send that genuine LinkedIn message. Comment thoughtfully on posts. Attend events that pique your interest and your desire to nurture your network. Show up authentically, and opportunities will follow. ✅ Document your wins as they happen Keep a running list of your accomplishments, feedback, and impact. Future you (especially during performance reviews and job searches) will thank you for this. Your resume is important, but a running log of your achievements will pay dividends as you ask for a promotion, find your next role, or strive to stand out. I bet many of us would tell our early career selves something different if we had a do-over. What would you tell your past self about navigating early career life? 🤔 #EarlyCareer #CareerAdvice

Back in 2020-2021, the phrase “flatten the curve” dominated conversations about COVID-19. Fast forward to 2025, and I’m still talking about curves—but this time, it’s about career engagement over four years of higher education. For decades, career “consciousness” among college students has resembled a sharp parabola: 📈 It spikes around junior year when internship rejections start rolling in. 📉 Then it drops again, replaced by Friday night plans, semester routines, and the distractions of a 20-21-year-old’s life. But modern career development shouldn’t look like this steep curve. Instead, it should resemble a steadily rising line—a gradual and consistent increase in career awareness and readiness starting from (or before) a student’s first year. Here’s what that could look like: ✅ Introduce career consciousness early—through first-year experiences like mentorship programs, job shadowing, or exploratory workshops. ✅ Build engagement steadily with hands-on opportunities like internships, co-ops, or real-world projects throughout ALL four years. ✅ Treat career readiness as an ongoing process—not a one-time event—with skills that evolve alongside the student’s growth. Career readiness isn’t a “flash in the pan” or something with an expiration date. It’s a lifelong journey that starts with small steps and builds momentum over time. Let’s rethink how we prepare students for their futures—one steady step at a time. #CareerDevelopment #HigherEducation #StudentSuccess #CareerReadiness #ProfessionalGrowth