Choices Quote by Samantha Power
“I tell young people: If you make a job choice on the basis of something other than your nose or your gut, it's unlikely to work out… It's perilous to look ahead and be like, "I'd like to be ambassador." I would never have gone to Bosnia or spent years writing about genocide. Do it on the basis of what you can learn… It's like falling in love. Your whole dating life, you're thinking, On the one hand, on the other hand. Then you meet the right guy, and you're not in list-making mode; you're just with the person you're supposed to be with. Jobs are like that too.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commencement address, 2015
She advises career choices based on personal aptitude and learning, not idealized titles.
In simple terms: Choose jobs by skill and growth, not fantasies.
Key Takeaway
Align work with what you can develop.
Themes
career guidance
self‑knowledge
decision making
Mood
inspirational
pragmatic
Type
career
motivational
When to use this quote
- job interviews
- career counseling
- educational planning
Key Concepts
human development
career theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What skills do you truly enjoy developing?
- How can you test a career path before committing?
A Different Perspective
Idealized goals can overlook practical realities.
