The Scoop: How I Got Started on My Career Path

culled from:collegeboard.org

Joining clubs, working, volunteering — and even just talking to people — can help you figure out which careers interest you. And, you never know, these activities might lead to your dream job. It worked for these people.

How did you get started in your profession?

A Boston College assistant basketball coach was recruiting at my high school, where I was a player on the basketball team. ... At one of our games, I approached this coach to let him know that I would be attending Boston College in the fall and that I would love to help out the coaching staff. ... This coach encouraged me to get in touch with him once I arrived on campus, which I did.
—Tom DeVitt, college basketball coach
My dentist actually offered me a job working part-time in his pediatric practice during my senior year of high school. … As I began to learn more about the field and continued to work at my part-time job as a dental assistant, my knowledge and interest increased. I found out that there was much more to the profession than just polishing teeth.
—Lisa Handa, dental hygienist
I was living with my parents at home after college, and I literally picked up the yellow pages, looked up "public relations agencies" and sent my résumé to a bunch that were listed. Fortunately, ... a large global PR agency contacted me about interviewing for an entry-level position in its Boston office's technology division. I interviewed for the job, took a few tests and landed the job.
—Marcia Goff, public relations professional
During college, I became active in a couple of professional organizations for foresters, including the Society of American Foresters. I went to chapter meetings, networked with other members and just tried to get my name around. Eventually, I met [my current employers], and I have been working for them ever since I graduated.
—Eric Kranzush, forester
When I was a student at Temple University, I was a business major, and I worked in the business office at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. I’d spend time in the pressroom at the stadium getting to know the sports reporters. One of the reporters mentioned that his television station needed summer interns and suggested I apply. I did, landed the internship and learned about the world of reporting and television.
—Chris Collins, sports broadcaster
I went for an informational interview at Time, Inc., because a friend of mine from college was working for one of its magazines. They had me talk to someone who said, “We have a book division. Would that be interesting to you?” Working with books and authors would have been my dream since I was really young if I had thought to have a dream because I love to read books and write about them.
—Caryn Karmatz-Rudy, book editor
I started working for various commercial photographers as an apprentice, which is still commonly done today as a way to learn about the business. My first job was at ... a catalog house. Companies would hire us to take pictures for their catalogs, so I assisted photographers on these shoots.
—Geoff Stein, photographer
After I graduated, my mom suggested that I volunteer on a political campaign. ... Volunteering was really an opportunity to network and meet people in all kinds of businesses. I still didn’t know what type of business I wanted to work in, but I ended up getting interviews at several companies through the people I met. Eventually, I made it to someone who was in real estate development.
—Adam Golden, real estate developer