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How do you find clarity in your career path when you're interested in everything, but don't know what will actually fulfill you long-term?
I am a rising sophomore studying bioengineering at Penn and I am unsure what field I would like go into, right now I want to try everything!
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4 answers
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Lindsay’s Answer
Love the honesty in this question and the curiosity is a huge strength, especially this early in your journey. Here's a way to think about finding clarity without needing all the answers just yet:
You’re in the exploration zone, and that’s exactly where you should be as a rising sophomore. Instead of forcing a long-term decision right now, give yourself permission to explore intentionally. That means:
Take a range of classes not just in bioengineering, but in adjacent areas!
Join student orgs, labs, or projects where you can test out different roles (research, team leadership, problem-solving, design thinking).
Do internships, shadowing, or micro-experiences even a 1-week shadowing experience can help you eliminate a path.
Ask Yourself Guiding Questions
Instead of “What’s the one perfect path?” ask:
What kinds of problems excite me most?
Do I like hands-on work, or more conceptual thinking?
Do I enjoy collaborating, or working solo and deep-diving into a challenge?
Do I want my work to be fast-paced (like a startup) or structured (like academia or a big company)?
You’re in the exploration zone, and that’s exactly where you should be as a rising sophomore. Instead of forcing a long-term decision right now, give yourself permission to explore intentionally. That means:
Take a range of classes not just in bioengineering, but in adjacent areas!
Join student orgs, labs, or projects where you can test out different roles (research, team leadership, problem-solving, design thinking).
Do internships, shadowing, or micro-experiences even a 1-week shadowing experience can help you eliminate a path.
Ask Yourself Guiding Questions
Instead of “What’s the one perfect path?” ask:
What kinds of problems excite me most?
Do I like hands-on work, or more conceptual thinking?
Do I enjoy collaborating, or working solo and deep-diving into a challenge?
Do I want my work to be fast-paced (like a startup) or structured (like academia or a big company)?
Updated
Sreedhar’s Answer
Hi Sonia,
Since you are interested in many areas, this means Bio-engineering is still an interesting field for you. I recommend that you get a bachelor's degree in Bio-engineering as soon as possible. While doing that, see if you can pursue one of the other areas of interest as a minor or as a hobby.
Bio-engineering bachelor's degree won't be as restrictive as you seem to worry about. I know of many professionals who have gotten into fields that are quite different from their field of study in bachelor's degree.
Good luck!
Sreedhar
Since you are interested in many areas, this means Bio-engineering is still an interesting field for you. I recommend that you get a bachelor's degree in Bio-engineering as soon as possible. While doing that, see if you can pursue one of the other areas of interest as a minor or as a hobby.
Bio-engineering bachelor's degree won't be as restrictive as you seem to worry about. I know of many professionals who have gotten into fields that are quite different from their field of study in bachelor's degree.
Good luck!
Sreedhar
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Hi Sonia,
I love this question! When I was a sophomore at Penn, I also felt interested in everything -- and completely unsure as to what my career would look like.
I'm grateful that I did a few things:
*Learn in as many disciplines as possible.
If you're naturally curious about a lot of things, run with it! I'll be honest -- I haven't used any of the information I learned in college in my career. But the critical thinking skills I learned as a student have been invaluable. Each time you learn in a new topic area, you also learn a new way of asking and answering questions. Though I was in the School of Arts and Sciences, I made the goal to take a class in as many different schools as possible (including Wharton, Nursing, Education, and Engineering) -- and I'm really glad I did.
*Explore career-oriented student organizations.
I found my career calling the fall of my sophomore year when I joined a club that piqued my interest, and then became a big part of my Penn experience. I remember there being a fair number of groups on Penn that are professionally oriented, and finding out more about those could be an interesting way to experiment with some different types of career paths.
*Have an experimental mindset.
My parents have always given me the advice that you don't have to know where you're going -- just the next step. I still think about this in my own career, and I think it's especially important when you are just starting out. So much discovery is right around the corner -- classes, clubs, internships, conversations with peers and mentors. It's great to try on new ideas as they come, and totally fine to decide they aren't the right ones and move on to something else.
I hope this helps! Wishing you the very best.
I love this question! When I was a sophomore at Penn, I also felt interested in everything -- and completely unsure as to what my career would look like.
I'm grateful that I did a few things:
*Learn in as many disciplines as possible.
If you're naturally curious about a lot of things, run with it! I'll be honest -- I haven't used any of the information I learned in college in my career. But the critical thinking skills I learned as a student have been invaluable. Each time you learn in a new topic area, you also learn a new way of asking and answering questions. Though I was in the School of Arts and Sciences, I made the goal to take a class in as many different schools as possible (including Wharton, Nursing, Education, and Engineering) -- and I'm really glad I did.
*Explore career-oriented student organizations.
I found my career calling the fall of my sophomore year when I joined a club that piqued my interest, and then became a big part of my Penn experience. I remember there being a fair number of groups on Penn that are professionally oriented, and finding out more about those could be an interesting way to experiment with some different types of career paths.
*Have an experimental mindset.
My parents have always given me the advice that you don't have to know where you're going -- just the next step. I still think about this in my own career, and I think it's especially important when you are just starting out. So much discovery is right around the corner -- classes, clubs, internships, conversations with peers and mentors. It's great to try on new ideas as they come, and totally fine to decide they aren't the right ones and move on to something else.
I hope this helps! Wishing you the very best.
Updated
Karan’s Answer
Hi Sonia,
The position you're currently in is not too unfamiliar to most of the adults.
So first off, don't fret about it much.
This is exactly the time to try everything that you want to.
You will never get this type of cushion again for many years after.
I would suggest you to make a laundry list of everything that you want to do.
Prioritise. Look at them long enough and you might actually find some patterns on things that fit together and can be done cohesively.
You might find a answer while on this journey.
It's okay to not have it figured out. It might feel overwhelming to see other people around you having figured it out but I would really recommend not to worry still.
The measure of when you had it figured out does not necessarily mean you will eventually make it in Life.
Have your basics right. Don't Panic. Feel Free. Be Open. Be Curious. You'll make it!
The position you're currently in is not too unfamiliar to most of the adults.
So first off, don't fret about it much.
This is exactly the time to try everything that you want to.
You will never get this type of cushion again for many years after.
I would suggest you to make a laundry list of everything that you want to do.
Prioritise. Look at them long enough and you might actually find some patterns on things that fit together and can be done cohesively.
You might find a answer while on this journey.
It's okay to not have it figured out. It might feel overwhelming to see other people around you having figured it out but I would really recommend not to worry still.
The measure of when you had it figured out does not necessarily mean you will eventually make it in Life.
Have your basics right. Don't Panic. Feel Free. Be Open. Be Curious. You'll make it!