You may not receive a map.
Some career outcomes come down to pure luck. Most career journeys, however, do not follow a straight line.
Social scientists have investigated how opportunities and outcomes are shaped by family socioeconomic circumstances, gender, race, measured intelligence, appearance, social skills, education, perseverance, and many other factors.
Some of these factors can change. Some cannot. Some are only partly within anyone’s control.
I welcome everyone to recognise that these parameters matter. At the same time, I suggest beginning with the things that can be influenced from where you are now.
As you take more actions, you may discover that some things that look extremely important on paper matter much less in your own life.
My current philosophy
I sometimes think of myself as a player in a game without a map. If I want to play the game in an interesting way, I need to act. Each action helps me find part of the map, extend it, or draw a map of my own.
Get closer before you decide
Try not to romanticise any profession. Try not to place any industry above you.
If you want to enter a field, find a way to get close to it. Speak with people doing the work. Try a real task. Join a project. Spend time in the environment.
Begin now if you can. Earlier contact gives you more time to learn. Deeper contact gives you a more accurate map.