I received the above question on the knowledge-sharing platform, Quora. It is also a nagging concern I often hear about from students and young clients — especially when we start talking about career paths and best personal next step.

As I encourage young people to explore challenges tied to definite causes they care about, they sometimes wonder: Does my job have to do it all?
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And the truth is — not always.

One client comes to mind — a recent graduate who landed a well-paying corporate role in tech. It wasn’t her “dream job,” but it gave her financial stability and space to breathe. At the same time, she launched a small initiative to provide mentorship for girls in STEM — something she deeply cared about but didn’t know how to pursue full time.
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The result? She felt energized, fulfilled, and proud — not because her job did everything, but because her life felt whole.

Sometimes, purpose is not about one perfect job. It's about building a life that includes what matters most to you — in and outside of work.

What do you think? Can meaning and money co-exist — even if they come from different places?

​Your career can be financially stable and still give you the time, energy, and freedom to pursue something meaningful on the side.
A passion project.
A community initiative.
An idea that just won’t leave you alone.

True fulfillment grows from reflection. What does reflection mean? It means pausing to understand who you are and what matters most to you. Understanding yourself is the first step to finding what truly lights you up. It is about inner probing and active inquiring with honesty and curiosity, allowing the rest to begin to fall into place. It really is how the path to the best personal next step becomes clearer.

Carry this with you as you decide on your next step: Fulfillment doesn’t always come from a single role — sometimes it’s the combination of what you do for work and what you choose to do beyond it.

When you take time to look inward, you begin to build a life and career that truly fit you.

Summer is here and it is time to relax and have fun! Right?!!

Reality is...NO. You have to look for work. You feel that you have no time to waste. You needed a job yesterday and there is no time for fun and relaxation.

Seriously…What are you doing this summer?
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How about you take the time this summer to reconnect with yourself and envision your next academic or career step?

​I'll let you in on a little secret. Summer IS the time to rejuvenate and focus on the moment. Yet as much fun as this sounds, summer can be the time to get to know YOU.

You have your beliefs, experiences, abilities, values, and interests. Use this summer to actively explore and define your exceptional you.

Checking in on your current self is important. It will help you find an academic path. You can also discover a specialized role that you will enjoy. It will also lay the foundation for your career success.

Take the time to regularly check in on your daily routine

• Breaks: How often and when do you take breaks? If you realize that you don't take breaks, then it's time to schedule them. 
• Screen Time: How much screen time do you spend per day? Our phones now have the ability to give us that number. Dissect the minutes spent within that number.
• Screen Value: What are you spending your on-screen time doing? Again, phones can be amazingly specific in answering this question. Scrutinize what you are watching or reading.
• Significance: Are you spending time onscreen and off-screen on what is important to you?

​Touching base with your reactions to your responses to the above questions helps clarify your next step. This method is a sure-fire way to gain clarity.

​Consider spending time utilizing a simple and reliable approach to Discover your BEAVI © (beliefs, experiences, abilities/skills, values, interests).

Start a BEAVI © list and define each of the next BEAVI © terms.

• Beliefs
• Experiences
• Abilities
• Values
• Interests

​How would you define each term? What would you include within each category? Your definition of each term is what matters. Regardless of what everyone else thinks, it is YOUR definition that matters.

Once you have defined each term, it is time to bring in your routine exploration results. Then, Discover your BEAVI © by categorizing each activity.

Let’s say, you enjoy spending time cooking your dinner. Cooking will be one activity in your daily routine. Would you put it as an interest or as an ability? It is up to you. What matters is that it is recognized on the Discover your BEAVI ©. It is thus an agreeable part of your daily routine.

Continue down your exploration results and list as many activities as you can. Whether it is waking up early or sleeping in, reading or writing, creating or copying...add it all to the list under the appropriate term.
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Once completed, examine your BEAVI © list looking for common threads. For example, your list included eating good food, eating in restaurants, cooking with friends. You can clearly see eating, food, spending time in cooking environments as common threads. These are activities that you obviously enjoy. Now you are starting to get to know YOU.

​The goal of exploring your daily routine is to help you get to know yourself. Uncovering your BEAVI © is also a part of this process. Use your common threads to create a bucket list of possible explorations and experiences. Next, seek out opportunities to check off items on your list. Once more, take the time to answer the check-in questions provided. Make sure to touch base with your reaction to each exploratory activity and experience.
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Take the time to get to know YOU this summer! Once you know who you are, it will be much easier to find the next academic step. It will also be easier to figure out the role you are looking for. You will also be more engaged in finding your right fit.

Have questions??

I am Hoda Kilani CCDP ®, CPCC, a certified Career and Academic coach as well as a Career Development Advisor. I am the founder of Right Career Fit (RCF). RCF is a coaching practice committed to providing top-notch career learning. Our services include career coaching for students, parents, teachers, and community partners. As a career and academic coach, I have coached and mentored over a thousand clients with career direction to effectively select next steps that match their career aspirations. As a Career Development Advisor, I help schools and organizations integrate career literacy. I create environments where all stakeholders are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge. I speak regularly at national and international events on the importance of career literacy. I also work tirelessly to spread global awareness of its value. I do this through individual coaching, community partnerships, and conference presentations. I also write academic articles and blogs. Additionally, I host career conversations on YouTube, podcasts, and radio shows in English and Arabic.

I can’t help but compare our situation today, to almost 100 years ago when the tramway started replacing carriages and stagecoaches.  

​Many employees lost their jobs, companies went bankrupt and so naturally, there was some resistance to the tram with people comparing it to a devil or goblin.

Are you worried about the new technology? Everyone seems to be using the acronym AI and trying to explain it. Too many articles, workshops and webinars are popping up. Everyone is sharing their experiences and expertise.
 
How are you feeling?
 
Who do you trust more? Cyber-physical systems or humans? Technology or people? Are you worried about hackers? Are you scared of the new technology in the same way that people in the 1900s were?

Ladies and gentlemen, the future is here and you need to embrace innovative knowledge and skills. Yes, jobs will be lost and companies will go bankrupt and you may find yourself looking for a new opportunity or even a fresh career.

Attending every AI webinar or reading every article on recent innovations available is not going to be enough for you to be ready.

You can, if this is of interest to you. However, your priority should be to explore, experiment and experience. It is the most significant way to alleviate your concerns.

Evolution is perfectly normal. Technological innovations indicate progress. And you are in the middle of this wonderful era.

You need to be a part of this advancement if you want to remain a part of the workforce.

​Remember the dinosaurs? Recent research shows that dinosaurs became extinct because they could not adapt to the new conditions on Earth

​I like to think we are smarter than the dinosaurs. And based on past innovations, you know better than the people who resisted the tram. You have access to innovative tools and you need to adapt to fit in a world that is constantly changing.
 
Have you already adapted your job mindset to deal with innovative technologies? How are you growing professionally? Which skills have you developed to keep your place as an expert in your field? Please share.

A few years ago, we were calling them the skills of the future and they had many names depending on who and what you asked. The most common name in North America was soft skills. I’ve also seen them called success skills, human skills, and non-cognitive skills. They were basically the work skills that you needed to learn to stay marketable including:

1. Creativity 
2. Persuasion
3. Collaboration 
4. Adaptability 
5. Emotional Intelligence

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Can you think of other skills?

While the above-mentioned skills are still beneficial, the new skill I suggest is an inherent mindset shift to be open to change and to increasing your opportunities to experiment and explore.

I evaluated colleagues’ advice and reviewed clients’ feedback. I reflected using questions such as:
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1.How do I persuade a twenty-year-old to make my services a priority?
2.What type of services would appeal to a 15-year-old who is not getting along with their parents?
3.Which unique career services make me stand out in my profession?
4.And last, but not least, in an age where AI powered chatbots are writing resumes and providing coaching support, what chances do I have against AI?

I reinvented my services to reignite innovation and passion for me and my clients.

In an age where everybody is talking about AI and how to handle new technology, and based on recommendation from my colleague, Dr Brian Hutchison, I re-humanized my services. Face to face interactions and human support are dwindling. I found a gap in the field and upped my game.

My goal was and continues to focus on helping clients transition from school/higher education to higher education/work by knowing who they are, how they grow and what’s next for them. I also still delve into clients’ specific needs going beyond goals.

However, I now provide regular check-ins, consistent nudging and a 24-hour support line.

My clients love this service!

I focus on accountability and handholding. I help clients stay accountable while offering steady support when setbacks occur.
 
Take the time reflect and ignite self-awareness to ensure your continued success. Don’t be like the dinosaurs or the people scared of trams.
 
How are you adapting and winning the future in your industry?
 
Share your story and let’s support each other during these exciting and innovative times.