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What is the best approach to deciding my career path when I'm clueless about what I really want?

I'm just fresh out of highschool and I'm planning to join university this year and I really don't have an idea what I want to pursue

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Subject: Career question for you

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Doc’s Answer

College will help you expand your worldview and network. In college, you’ll meet people you’d never bump into in your hometown, take courses that you wouldn’t think you’d be interested in, and read books you’d never choose to read yourself. College is one of the few opportunities you will have in your life to live and learn with people who are very different from you, gain a breadth of knowledge in a variety of subjects, and be exposed to different perspectives and opinions. Depending on your major, you may also have the opportunity to travel abroad where you’ll explore another country, meet people who don’t speak the same language as you, and discover how big this world really is.

College is a time for personal and professional growth. It is not uncommon for students to pick up new academic interests in college that they would not have had otherwise. College is different from high school because you can choose many of the classes you want to take, and you aren’t required to take classes you’re not interested in. This flexibility allows you to discover your academic passions. Many students end up changing their majors in college as they realize that their interests have changed. In your future career, you are much more likely to succeed if you are working in a field you are passionate about. That makes this time for exploration very valuable. Going to college also impacts confidence and self-esteem. College graduates tend to have higher levels of self-esteem and feelings of achievement after completing college. These traits can have lasting effects on your life as they guide you at work and in life after college. Additionally, juggling various responsibilities in college such as studying, working, and participating in extracurricular activities can help you learn time management skills. You’ll also make life-long connections with your classmates that you’ll be thankful for later in life.
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Daniela’s Answer

Try to engage with a job that is near your vocation and from there new ideas and paths will guide you what you would like to do mostly.
I was doing so more than 30 years and I do not regret, as initialy I was convinced that I will do a literature related job, but after being involved in a computer job I felt that I would like to program the computer what to do itself to make employees work easier when doing accounting.
Hope that helps you, please give me good news about you in the future!
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Dr’s Answer

Hey, no worries—it's totally normal to feel a bit clueless right after high school! Here's a fun way to think about it (I thought of it delicious).

Imagine you're a chef, and life is a huge buffet of careers. Right now, you're standing in front of the buffet table, looking at all the different dishes. Some look delicious, others, not so much. But you're not sure if you want sushi, pizza, or maybe some weird fusion dish you've never even heard of.

First things first, grab a small plate. This means you don't have to commit to a huge dish right away. You can try a bit of everything! Explore different subjects, join clubs, and talk to people in different fields. Some of them might leave you hungry for more, and others might just be a bit too spicy for your taste.

By the end of the year, you'll have sampled enough to know what you like and what you don't. Who knows, maybe you'll discover a hidden talent for making the best pizza (or coding, or teaching, or whatever floats your boat)!

Don't stress—it’s all about finding your flavor. 🧑‍🍳😄
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Natalie’s Answer

The most fulfilling jobs I've had are jobs where my day to day responsibilities are things that came naturally to me , where I wasn't fighting against my instincts or didn't feel like I was a fish swimming upstream. For example, I was at a crossroads early in my career trying to decide if I wanted to go into a more service-oriented role (helping customers implement software) or into a more product-oriented role (helping businesses build the software). I worked with a career coach who based her coaching in personality styles, specifically the Enneagram.

Hear me out -- I'm highly logical, science-minded, and don't typically go for this mumbo-jumbo personality or astrology type stuff. But this really helped validate the choices I was contemplating. I took a long questionnaire that asked me about the way I think, the way I act, the way things make me feel, and so on. This helped pair me up with an "Enneagram Type", and it also suggested career paths that are best suited for my natural way of being.

For example, I am an Enneagram 6, which means I am a hyperfocused (and sometimes hyper sensitive, hyper worried, hyper catastrophizing) planner. I'm incredibly well suited for positions where I am involved in planning, identifying and mitigating future risks, and "helping people" by way of unblocking their work and helping them be more efficient. All that translated into jobs like --> Project Management! Software Program Management, Product Management, Implementation Services. You should be able to purchase a book or rent it through your library. This website is a great starting point: https://www.thecareerproject.org/personality-types-test/enneagram/
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Martha’s Answer

Congratulations, Rooney - you are about to enter an exciting period of growth! Here are some ideas about how to decide on your career path:
- Begin a document in which you write down possible career paths, including columns for what you like about them, what concerns you about them, and what questions you have. As you learn more, you could fill in the columns and hopefully see patterns.
- Ask people who know you well (e.g.. your parents, other relatives, favorite teachers, etc.) what they see as your strengths and what potential careers they see you in and why. Add the advice that makes sense to you to your document. Again, look for patterns.
- Contact the career center at your university early for advice and potentially tests to match your strengths with potential careers. Be careful about tests on the internet, especially those that make you pay.
- See if you do well and enjoy courses that prepare you for careers you are considering. If you don't do well or don't like them, that career may not be for you
- See if you could shadow people in a career of potential interest (either through your own network or through the university) or serve internships in them. Start trying in your first year; don't wait until you declare a major.
Good luck!
Thank you comment icon I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question. Rooney
Thank you comment icon You're welcome - thank you for your note. Martha Kramer
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Juli’s Answer

What an exciting time you are entering! That is totally okay you are unsure what you want to do, I am still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. I will tell you that college can help you expand your horizons. Take the time to talk to people at college, in your community, in line at the grocery store, the person sitting next to you in an airplane and ask what they do for a living. The more people you talk to and the more you can learn about what others do will help you learn about all the different opportunities out there! Take it all in and I am a big believer in if you out out the energy then something will eventually present itself to you!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. The most important is to find out what careers you have interest.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest,eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Rebecca! Rooney
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Aleena’s Answer

Congratulations on achieving this milestone! Your future is bright. I was in your shoes not too long ago, and want you to know your feelings are super common! It's okay to be unsure of what you want to pursue in your next chapter - I was too at that time in my life. I'd encourage you to keep an open mind as you start exploring. Many people change their majors in college, so don't feel like you'll be stuck with what you choose now. There are sooo many options out there that it can be overwhelming, but that also means you're sure to find something you like if you're looking for it. As you decide where to start, my suggestion is to reflect on your values and pick a focus area/major that aligns with those, whatever they are for you. Here are some things you can think about:

Aleena recommends the following next steps:

1. Was there something you participated in during high school that you really enjoyed? Or maybe that you really didn't enjoy? Both can be valuable to consider. Even if you don't pick a career that directly relates to what you like to do, maybe pick something that allows you to spend time on that thing outside of work.
2. Do you have any goals? I found it helpful to think about what I wanted to achieve, both short-term and long-term. And be honest with yourself - your goals don't have to fit others' expectations, and no goal is too big or too small. For me, I wanted to choose a career that would help me achieve financial stability, so I focused on a major that I felt might result in a higher-paying job.
3. Think about what kind of work you might like to do after college, and maybe even test your theory with an internship or two. Do you want to work at a desk? Travel? Do something with your hands? Thinking about your desired lifestyle can be a great place to start when narrowing down career options.
4. As you start taking courses, pay attention to what you like learning about. You may find that some topics are very interesting and make you feel curious, while others seem boring or less intuitive for you. When you embark on a career after college, you'll still have a lot to learn, so you might as well choose something that you enjoy investing your time and energy into studying.
5. My last piece of advice if you're unsure about any of the above is to consider getting involved in clubs or student groups on campus. You'll be surprised what you learn about yourself as you explore different interests and meet new people. You've got this, good luck!
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Sharon’s Answer

Hi Rooney,

Congratulations on graduating from high school! It can be super challenging figuring out which career path to pursue, fresh out of high school. Here are some tips you can take to explore and discover the right career for you.

1. Identify your interests: Reflect on the subjects you've studied so far and pinpoint the ones that truly captivated your attention. This will help you eliminate areas that don't pique your interest.

2. Explore your options: Once you've identified your preferred subject, delve into related majors and potential careers. While exploring potential roles, consider the prerequisites, the type of personality suited for the role, the salary, work-life balance, job satisfaction, and the skills you could acquire along the way.

3. Consult with professionals or your academic advisor: One of the best ways to determine if a career path suits you is to converse with individuals already in the field. This will provide you with a glimpse into their journey, daily tasks, and experiences. These discussions can also serve as opportunities to seek advice and direction on how to attain similar roles. With your academic advisor, you can discuss your aspirations and devise a plan to achieve them, such as choosing a major, selecting a college, or participating in extracurricular activities.

4. Draft a roadmap to your dream career: Consider which major to choose, what clubs to participate in during high school or college, potential summer internships, length of education, and the skills you need to develop.

5. Don't stress about having everything figured out! You'll know you're on the right career path if you find joy in your work, are satisfied with your personal and professional growth, and feel a sense of fulfillment.
Thank you comment icon Thank you very much Sharon, I'll try drafting that road map and we'll see but not stressing out about not having figured out my dream career at my age is gonna be hard. Thanks though, the roadmap opened my eyes a bit, wish me luck. Rooney
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Patrick’s Answer

Deciding on a career path when you're uncertain about what you want to pursue is a common experience, especially for those fresh out of high school. The first step is to give yourself permission to explore and take the time to reflect on your interests, strengths, and values. Rather than feeling pressured to have it all figured out immediately, focus on self-discovery. You might want to explore various subjects in your first year of university to see what resonates with you. Many universities offer general education courses that can provide insight into different fields, allowing you to engage in a variety of topics and better understand where your passions and talents align.

Another valuable approach is to seek out experiences that expose you to different career options. Internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, or even job shadowing can provide hands-on experience that offers a clearer sense of what different professions actually entail. Networking with professionals, joining clubs, and attending career fairs can also help you gain a better understanding of various industries and what excites you. Additionally, consider speaking with career counselors or mentors who can provide guidance and share their own experiences, helping you to navigate this time of uncertainty and broaden your perspective. Sometimes, hearing the stories of others can spark an idea or direction that you hadn't previously considered.

Lastly, it’s important to understand that your career path doesn't need to be set in stone. Many people go through several career changes in their lives, and it's normal for your interests and goals to evolve over time. The key is to remain open-minded and proactive in your search for meaning and fulfillment. Take the pressure off of finding the “perfect” career and focus on building skills that will be transferable across various fields, such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. With time, exploration, and an open heart, you'll discover the path that is right for you.
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