5 answers
Payton
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
2
Questions
Updated
2097 views
I have a general idea of what I want to do, but what if my decision changes after I decide on a specific career choice?
I don't want to dedicate to something but then realize that I don't like it or my opinion on other occupations has changed. Is there any way I can know for certain and guarantee that I will do something that I enjoy?
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4 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Payton!
Oh, I absolutely love this question because it shows you're already thinking with so much wisdom and self-awareness — and that's half the battle when it comes to finding a fulfilling career.
Here's the secret: Nobody really knows 100% what they want to do forever — and that's perfectly okay. Life is one big adventure, full of plot twists and unexpected side quests. The best way to figure out what truly lights you up is to try things out, reflect, and give yourself permission to change your mind along the way.
Instead of thinking of your career as one big decision that locks you in for life, try thinking of it like building a playlist. You don't have to know every song in advance — you just add tracks as you discover what you like, skip the ones that don't vibe with you, and remix it whenever your tastes evolve.
So how you can explore without pressure:🤔hmm well,
Test the waters: Volunteer, job shadow, or take small gigs in fields you're curious about. You'll learn more from a week in the field than months of reading about it.
Mini-Experiments: Take short online courses or workshops in different subjects. You don't have to finish if it doesn't spark your curiosity — just use it as a little test drive.
Passion vs. Curiosity: Not everything you're curious about will become a lifelong passion — and that's okay. Follow what feels interesting right now and trust that the dots will connect later.
Growth Mindset: Every experience, whether you love it or hate it, will teach you something valuable about yourself. Even if you take a job and realize it's not your dream gig, the skills and lessons you gain will help shape your next step.
The best part is that, Careers aren't set in stone anymore. Most people will have multiple careers in their lifetime, and some of the happiest people I know started down one path, realized it wasn't for them, and then pivoted to something even better.
So instead of trying to guarantee happiness for future-you (who's probably gonna be cooler, wiser, and maybe into totally different things), focus on what excites present-you. As long as you're chasing curiosity and staying open to growth, you'll always find your way to something you'll enjoy — even if the destination changes along the journey.
You've got a whole life ahead to build your playlist — one awesome track at a time.
Cheering you on always! All the best! ✨
Oh, I absolutely love this question because it shows you're already thinking with so much wisdom and self-awareness — and that's half the battle when it comes to finding a fulfilling career.
Here's the secret: Nobody really knows 100% what they want to do forever — and that's perfectly okay. Life is one big adventure, full of plot twists and unexpected side quests. The best way to figure out what truly lights you up is to try things out, reflect, and give yourself permission to change your mind along the way.
Instead of thinking of your career as one big decision that locks you in for life, try thinking of it like building a playlist. You don't have to know every song in advance — you just add tracks as you discover what you like, skip the ones that don't vibe with you, and remix it whenever your tastes evolve.
So how you can explore without pressure:🤔hmm well,
Test the waters: Volunteer, job shadow, or take small gigs in fields you're curious about. You'll learn more from a week in the field than months of reading about it.
Mini-Experiments: Take short online courses or workshops in different subjects. You don't have to finish if it doesn't spark your curiosity — just use it as a little test drive.
Passion vs. Curiosity: Not everything you're curious about will become a lifelong passion — and that's okay. Follow what feels interesting right now and trust that the dots will connect later.
Growth Mindset: Every experience, whether you love it or hate it, will teach you something valuable about yourself. Even if you take a job and realize it's not your dream gig, the skills and lessons you gain will help shape your next step.
The best part is that, Careers aren't set in stone anymore. Most people will have multiple careers in their lifetime, and some of the happiest people I know started down one path, realized it wasn't for them, and then pivoted to something even better.
So instead of trying to guarantee happiness for future-you (who's probably gonna be cooler, wiser, and maybe into totally different things), focus on what excites present-you. As long as you're chasing curiosity and staying open to growth, you'll always find your way to something you'll enjoy — even if the destination changes along the journey.
You've got a whole life ahead to build your playlist — one awesome track at a time.
Cheering you on always! All the best! ✨
Flo L.
Professional Advisor
26
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Flo’s Answer
Hello Payton,
Your career decision, priorities, and the balance between enjoyment and that career choice are understandable concerns.
I have learned over the years, both in my professional and personal life, that the only certainty is "change."
Different circumstances in life can impact your choices and your opinions about past, present, and future occupations you may acquire and pursue. Priorities in life change, the relationships we build and grow from can change, and our likes and dislikes evolve over time.
You may agree that what you enjoyed as a toddler is not the same as when you transitioned to first grade, and it most likely won't be the same in high school, adulthood, or even in your 40s, 60s, and 80s. Well, some likes and dislikes may remain, most might change as you evolve.
My advice is that, as you grow and evolve through your studies, professional pursuits, and personal endeavors, you will "guarantee yourself" the ability to be flexible, adaptable, kind and compassionate toward yourself, and patient as you navigate the changes you encounter in life, even if you resist or fear them.
You can make it a priority to engage in recreational activities that bring you joy and you can control, dive into hobbies, and explore outlets that help you cultivate a sense of peace in any experience you encounter. Peace has the power to nurture happiness, particularly when you find yourself in a career that no longer aligns with your passions, signaling that a change is not only necessary but also empowering.
Humans are wired to resist change. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, but we can practice compassion toward ourselves and prepare our mindset for the uncertainty that change may brings.
You got this!
Your career decision, priorities, and the balance between enjoyment and that career choice are understandable concerns.
I have learned over the years, both in my professional and personal life, that the only certainty is "change."
Different circumstances in life can impact your choices and your opinions about past, present, and future occupations you may acquire and pursue. Priorities in life change, the relationships we build and grow from can change, and our likes and dislikes evolve over time.
You may agree that what you enjoyed as a toddler is not the same as when you transitioned to first grade, and it most likely won't be the same in high school, adulthood, or even in your 40s, 60s, and 80s. Well, some likes and dislikes may remain, most might change as you evolve.
My advice is that, as you grow and evolve through your studies, professional pursuits, and personal endeavors, you will "guarantee yourself" the ability to be flexible, adaptable, kind and compassionate toward yourself, and patient as you navigate the changes you encounter in life, even if you resist or fear them.
You can make it a priority to engage in recreational activities that bring you joy and you can control, dive into hobbies, and explore outlets that help you cultivate a sense of peace in any experience you encounter. Peace has the power to nurture happiness, particularly when you find yourself in a career that no longer aligns with your passions, signaling that a change is not only necessary but also empowering.
Humans are wired to resist change. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, but we can practice compassion toward ourselves and prepare our mindset for the uncertainty that change may brings.
You got this!
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi, Payton - this is a very good and reasonable question. Nobody can guarantee that you will love the first occupation you pick, and nothing will change for the rest of your life. That's unrealistic. But take comfort:
- By asking these thoughtful questions as a student, you are informing your decision-making more than others who don't
- Read about the career(s) you are considering and notice how you feel while doing so. Do you feel excited? Do you want to keep reading? Could you imagine yourself in that role? If so, you are probably on the right track. If not, maybe focus on another career.
- If you go to college, you will be able to take courses in different fields. The courses you like (and usually, do well in) will help inform your career choice.
- Similarly, seek internships to give you experience in a career, as well as opportunities to observe and become acquainted with other people in that field
- If, over time, you become unhappy in a career, realize that there may be inputs to your dissatisfaction that you could change. For example, you may still like the career, but not like your manager or employer overall. Or maybe you are in a different phase of life and your work demands need to change. Or maybe you want to do similar work but switch from for profit to non-profit or vice versa? Or maybe you are in a supervisory role and want to become more hands-on, or vice versa.
- In the worst case, meaning you really don't like the whole career, anymore, there are things you could do. For example, you could do something else in the same organization. Or you could look at your core skills and see how you could use those differently.
Good luck!
- By asking these thoughtful questions as a student, you are informing your decision-making more than others who don't
- Read about the career(s) you are considering and notice how you feel while doing so. Do you feel excited? Do you want to keep reading? Could you imagine yourself in that role? If so, you are probably on the right track. If not, maybe focus on another career.
- If you go to college, you will be able to take courses in different fields. The courses you like (and usually, do well in) will help inform your career choice.
- Similarly, seek internships to give you experience in a career, as well as opportunities to observe and become acquainted with other people in that field
- If, over time, you become unhappy in a career, realize that there may be inputs to your dissatisfaction that you could change. For example, you may still like the career, but not like your manager or employer overall. Or maybe you are in a different phase of life and your work demands need to change. Or maybe you want to do similar work but switch from for profit to non-profit or vice versa? Or maybe you are in a supervisory role and want to become more hands-on, or vice versa.
- In the worst case, meaning you really don't like the whole career, anymore, there are things you could do. For example, you could do something else in the same organization. Or you could look at your core skills and see how you could use those differently.
Good luck!
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1058
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Payton, from my experience, I am here to tell you that there is no absolute guarantee that you'll enjoy any career path forever, and that's completely normal. Career paths today are rarely linear, and most professionals change directions multiple times throughout their working lives. The average person now changes careers (not just jobs) 3-7 times during their lifetime, and many of today's most in-demand jobs didn't even exist a decade ago.
I believe that rather than seeking certainty, focus on building a foundation of transferable skills that will serve you well across different fields. Critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and technological literacy are valuable in virtually any profession. These skills provide flexibility to pivot when your interests evolve or new opportunities emerge.
Explore potential careers through low-commitment experiences before making major decisions. Internships, job shadowing, informational interviews, and volunteer work give you practical exposure without requiring years of specialized education first. These experiences provide realistic insights that research alone cannot offer.
You should consider pursuing a somewhat broader educational path initially. Many undergraduate programs allow exploration before declaring a specific major, and some degrees (like business, communications, or certain sciences) can lead to diverse career options. Specialized training can always be added later through graduate degrees, certifications, or on-the-job learning.
Remember that discovering what you don't enjoy is valuable information, not a failure. Each experience refines your understanding of your strengths, values, and preferences. Many successful professionals report that early "wrong turns" ultimately led them to more fulfilling careers they wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
The most reliable approach is to pursue directions aligned with your core values and natural strengths, while maintaining flexibility and continuing to learn throughout your life. This balanced approach acknowledges the reality of changing interests while still allowing you to make meaningful progress in your professional development.
I believe that rather than seeking certainty, focus on building a foundation of transferable skills that will serve you well across different fields. Critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and technological literacy are valuable in virtually any profession. These skills provide flexibility to pivot when your interests evolve or new opportunities emerge.
Explore potential careers through low-commitment experiences before making major decisions. Internships, job shadowing, informational interviews, and volunteer work give you practical exposure without requiring years of specialized education first. These experiences provide realistic insights that research alone cannot offer.
You should consider pursuing a somewhat broader educational path initially. Many undergraduate programs allow exploration before declaring a specific major, and some degrees (like business, communications, or certain sciences) can lead to diverse career options. Specialized training can always be added later through graduate degrees, certifications, or on-the-job learning.
Remember that discovering what you don't enjoy is valuable information, not a failure. Each experience refines your understanding of your strengths, values, and preferences. Many successful professionals report that early "wrong turns" ultimately led them to more fulfilling careers they wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
The most reliable approach is to pursue directions aligned with your core values and natural strengths, while maintaining flexibility and continuing to learn throughout your life. This balanced approach acknowledges the reality of changing interests while still allowing you to make meaningful progress in your professional development.