How Did You Get Into Your Career?

Some people go to school with a clear path in mind. Their education and training prepares them to become a doctor, teacher, plumber, software engineer, or construction worker. Others may start work in business and gradually work their way up into management and then executive management. Finally, there is a third group that stumble into their profession by chance. This might include salespeople, hobbyists, and roles you’ve never heard of, roles like my own.

I’ve mentioned before that I graduated into a post-recession market and struggled to find work. My useless psychology degree wasn’t much help. However, after three years of taking whatever job would pay the bills, a recruiter found my resume and called about a position for a quality assurance documentation analyst. I had no idea what that was, but it paid 40% more, so I took it.

Nobody dreams of going into quality assurance when they’re a kid. Writer, doctor, vet, maybe. But quality assurance? Nah.

Quality assurance is the systematic efforts taken to ensure that products delivered to the customer meet with the contractual, regulatory. and other agreed upon metrics for performance, design, reliability, and maintainability. My job entailed proactively reviewing and improving corporate process, auditing processes and products, assessing and addressing risks and issues, supporting corrective actions, tracking metrics, and identifying and facilitating opportunities for process improvement.

As a kid my favorite subject is school was “word problems” because I could never decide whether I liked English or math better. I liked all the subjects! My accidental career in quality assurance has allowed me to dabble in writing, mathematical trends, science, and the psychology of communication on a weekly basis. I never get bored because there are a variety of tasks on my plate to choose from.

Depending on your interests and background, you can support quality assurance in any number of industries: medical, aerospace, software development, and more! However, while I’ve never experienced it myself, I’ve heard that quality folks are often the enemy for being the bearers of bad news.


What do you do for work, and do you like it? Was your career path straightforward or more haphazard? If you don’t enjoy your work, what would you prefer to be doing?

15 thoughts on “How Did You Get Into Your Career?”

  1. I’m glad that you found your niche Erin. I’ve never been sold on the idea that we really know what we want to do, or what we are meant to do without some trial and error. Some folks feel they have a passion or calling to a specific career but I think there are just as many who need to take a roundabout path to find their place. I’ve always been in healthcare and actually have a post scheduled for April 1st that talks a bit about that. I’ll just make you wait until then for anymore 😉

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Deb. I’ve seen people who knew what they wanted to do switch careers and others go through some trial and error to find the right fit. I think the roundabout path is often even better because you’ve exposed to different things and can better identify qualities you like or dislike in a job. Ooh, I’m looking forward to your upcoming post!! 😊

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  2. I never thought much about having a career when I was in college. I was there for an education, a liberal arts one. After I graduated I had jobs here and there that paid the bills, but were in no way a career. My husband definitely had a career path in mind, but I just stumbled along in life, learning along the way, never really minding that I didn’t have a career.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I felt the same way in college, completely focused on the task at hand. I stumbled for several years and, while I hated it at the time, I’m kind of grateful that I got to see different industries and meet different types of people along the way.

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  3. You are one talented human, Erin…and I suspect your intellect, curiosity and integrity — combined with your excellent communication skills foretold the story — you were destined for success wherever life took you. I’ve found “QA” people in my world to be good friends – solid with the facts and details but good hearted enough to listen to the human aspects (often in very protective ways — thinking of a dear friend in the QA/compliance world for a pharmaceutical company). As for what career and how I found my way? I had great people on my path who pointed me toward helping professions, in several different incarnations. I am what I am! 😊❤😉

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Aww, why think you, Vicki! You are too kind!! You have the right personality and all the right skills for the helping professions, and I can only imagine how many people you’re touched and made better through your guidance and caring. ❤️❤️❤️

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  4. Hi Erin, I really do envy your abilities in both English and math! I struggled with math so much! And I really tried! LOL When I went to college, I was serious, if one can be at 18, about journalism. But that morphed into a double major of English and Psychology. I can’t say that I had much of a plan. I went on to do a Master’s in composition and rhetoric because at the time, I had a full-time job and and I wanted to study more. Still not an actual plan! I was food and beverage manager at a country club while doing my Master’s and then onto Starbucks a manager ….I enjoyed the training part of the job so I went through alternative certification for teaching and finally found my home as a teacher. I’m glad for the route I took; it prepared me well. And my Master’s has paid off since I have been an adjunct at times, and I now teach high school dual credit students. I love my work. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It so hard to be serious about some nebulous future career when one’s whole life has been in the classroom haha! I can relate to the wanting to study more… my plan had been to save up money from grad school and then go back, but it never happened. I bet you’re an amazing teacher!!! My high school AP dual enrollment English teacher was my favorite. And, I suspect it’s rewarding to work with a group of kids that, I imagine, are a a bit more interested in learning than the average student. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hi Erin! I think it’s difficult for kids today to try and decide their path when they are 14-15 -we have students earning an Associate’s degree along with their high school diploma so they start their degree plan at 14. And, with the ridiculous cost of higher Ed along with already having foundational courses under their belt, they really do have to make some big decisions early on. While the opportunities are wonderful, I really wish they could explore their interests more and have the time to do it. Like you, I did at one point want to go back to college to earn a PhD, but that was not in the cards for me. I’ve thought about going back to maybe do a degree in counseling (not in schools though), but time, money, and chronic illness don’t seem to be cooperating with me LOL I definitely try to be a good teacher; thank you! As I’m sure you were an amazing and very bright student! Smarter than your teachers, I bet! 🙂

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      2. Yes, you are so right! My sample size is limited, but I’ve noticed two opposite trends in young people, and I wish we could find a happy-medium between the two. First, there are the driven kids who are achieving college credits in high school and preparing to study for a high-paying career in medicine, law, or engineering. They almost seem to be growing up too fast, so focused on studying and being a top student that they sacrifice aspects of their childhood. Then, there are the kids that a coasting along, yet have absolutely unrealistic career expectations. I know a 19-year-old who, upon achieving his sports journalism degree, plans to buy and manage a sports team. I’m pretty sure that costs money; a 13yo who plans to be a YouTube influencer; and a 15yo who wants to be a veterinarian, but skip the anatomy courses because they’re too hard. These kids have no tether to reality, which I think is important in preparing for adulthood.

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  5. Life truly works in unique and unexpected ways, Erin – and it rings true from reading about your experience. I’m glad that you found a job that leverages your background and path leading up to that.

    I too am in a job that I didn’t expect. But I’m thankful to be in it as I get to do impactful things for the community. It’s a reminder to leave myself open to the surprises of life. 🙏😊

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Isn’t that the truth! Life always seems to work out just as it’s meant to. I love both that you’re in a job that allows you to help your community, but also that your open to life’s twists and turns. Thanks so much for sharing, Ab! 😊

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  6. I have been in the workforce since I was 16 years old and I didn’t get my bachelor’s degree until I was 31. I, too, majored in Psychology, realizing much too late in the degree program that I HATED the aspects of it that I would need for a career in UT.

    I ended up working in finance for the last 10 years. When I interviewed for my first promotion, the CEO of my bank asked me why I had a Psychology degree if I was going to work in finance. I told him that in nearly every career, one has to work with other people in some form or fashion. Psychology is the study of people and I can’t think of any more relevant degree that could apply across so many career fields.

    I finally got what I wanted last October when I landed a remote position after 20+ years of feeling like I was never home. More than that, I’ve learned that I don’t need to find a lot of meaning in my work as long as I semi-enjoy the processes and the people I work with. I have hobbies and other interests. Work, at this point in my life, has become about making money and growing my personal knowledge and skills. Sounds kind of uninspired but I really love no longer feeling like a failure for not having some “important” impactful career.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You make a great point about the study of Psychology being broadly applicable in just about every job, because understanding people and motivations is foundational to just about everything.

      I’m so pleased to hear you’re able to work remotely. I’ve fortunate to be working remotely since the start of covid, March 2020, and it’s been such a positive change to have extra time in the day. I feel similarly–I have meaning in others areas of life, so the the purpose of work is to make money without too much stress. I used to have the notion that I had to find work that I was passionate about, which I now believe is unrealistic, and perhaps even a bit toxic. I am am full agreement with you. Good for those folks who has an impactful career, but I also don’t need that to feel fulfilled. Thanks for your comment!

      Liked by 1 person

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