3 answers
Makenna
Student
Kalamazoo, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
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What is the best way to decide what to do as a career?
I am a senior in high school, and I have liked biology throughout my education and plan on majoring in it in college, but I don't know if it is the right fit for me or my career aspirations. I do know that I want to have some involvement in the scientific field in my future. I am currently interested in a variety of fields, from patent law to the medical field in radiology, to research involvement of some type, and am just unsure what exactly I am passionate about. I am just looking for some advice as to how to figure out if my major is what is right, and what I can do to find the right field for me, and what options I should be looking at. #Spring25
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3 answers
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
89
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Makenna,
You are truly at crossroads and it's normal. You are not alone in this.
1) Interest is important in the decision to persue a given career. It has to be something you love doing so you can give it your all.
2) It is also important to choose something you are really good at. Destiny bestows talent in us for good reasons. It is best that we take full advantage of this.
3) More importantly, the work we do often touches others in profound ways. A career that focuses on meeting the needs of society is usually a rewarding one. This is an essential consideration in choosing a career.
4) Do as many internships as you can. They give you an opportunity to get to feel & understand the real work environment. This way it becomes easier for you to make good choices about your career. You also get to pick critical life skills that are required virtually in all occupations: problem solving, analytical, communication, planning, leadership skills and ability to work in teams.
In addition to getting exposure to operational standards, working alongside professionals is an opportunity for mentorship and guidance.
5) Membership in professional associations is equally important as these associations are responsible for developing and maintaining professional standards. They also publish journals on the latest innovations & developments in their respective fields. This keeps you abreast of new developments.
6) Crucial personality traits for success include: determination, perseverance, commitment, diligence, passion etc.
You are truly at crossroads and it's normal. You are not alone in this.
1) Interest is important in the decision to persue a given career. It has to be something you love doing so you can give it your all.
2) It is also important to choose something you are really good at. Destiny bestows talent in us for good reasons. It is best that we take full advantage of this.
3) More importantly, the work we do often touches others in profound ways. A career that focuses on meeting the needs of society is usually a rewarding one. This is an essential consideration in choosing a career.
4) Do as many internships as you can. They give you an opportunity to get to feel & understand the real work environment. This way it becomes easier for you to make good choices about your career. You also get to pick critical life skills that are required virtually in all occupations: problem solving, analytical, communication, planning, leadership skills and ability to work in teams.
In addition to getting exposure to operational standards, working alongside professionals is an opportunity for mentorship and guidance.
5) Membership in professional associations is equally important as these associations are responsible for developing and maintaining professional standards. They also publish journals on the latest innovations & developments in their respective fields. This keeps you abreast of new developments.
6) Crucial personality traits for success include: determination, perseverance, commitment, diligence, passion etc.
Brandyn Knight
Operations Supervisor, Owner - Life & Career Coach
18
Answers
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Brandyn’s Answer
Great question—and you're definitely not alone! A lot of students feel unsure about their major or career path, especially when they have broad interests like you do. The good news is that being curious and open-minded is actually one of your biggest strengths right now. Here’s how you can start narrowing things down and making confident decisions:
1. Focus on Exploring, Not “Figuring It All Out”
It’s totally normal not to have it all mapped out. Your college major doesn’t lock you into one career path. Biology is a strong, flexible foundation that connects to many fields—from medicine to law to research to environmental science.
2. Start with Self-Discovery
Ask yourself:
What types of tasks energize me? (Working with people? Solving problems? Analyzing data?)
What environments do I enjoy? (Labs, hospitals, outdoors, offices?)
What values matter most to me in a career? (Helping others? Innovation? Earning potential? Job security?)
Tools like the 16Personalities test, O*NET Interest Profiler, or MyNextMove.org can help clarify what careers align with your personality and interests.
3. Get Hands-On Experience Early
Use your time in college to experiment through:
Job shadowing professionals in different scientific fields
Joining campus research projects
Volunteering in labs or medical settings
Internships (even short ones) to get a real-world feel
You’ll learn so much more from doing than just reading or guessing.
4. Learn from People in the Field
Reach out to alumni, professors, or professionals on LinkedIn or through informational interviews. Ask them:
What do they do day-to-day?
What did they major in?
What do they wish they knew in college?
Their stories can open your mind to options you’ve never considered.
5. Stay Open to Change
Many people end up working in areas they didn’t expect—but they used their degree as a stepping stone. For example, you could major in biology, then go on to work in health policy, biotech startups, patent law (with additional schooling), or clinical research.
Take a career assessment like the O*NET Interest Profiler or MyMajors.com to explore paths related to biology and science.
Reach out to a college advisor or biology professor to ask what alumni from your major have gone on to do.
Set up at least one job shadow or informational interview before starting college.
Join a science-related student organization or club in your first semester.
Keep a simple journal of what classes, experiences, or topics light you up as you move through college.
1. Focus on Exploring, Not “Figuring It All Out”
It’s totally normal not to have it all mapped out. Your college major doesn’t lock you into one career path. Biology is a strong, flexible foundation that connects to many fields—from medicine to law to research to environmental science.
2. Start with Self-Discovery
Ask yourself:
What types of tasks energize me? (Working with people? Solving problems? Analyzing data?)
What environments do I enjoy? (Labs, hospitals, outdoors, offices?)
What values matter most to me in a career? (Helping others? Innovation? Earning potential? Job security?)
Tools like the 16Personalities test, O*NET Interest Profiler, or MyNextMove.org can help clarify what careers align with your personality and interests.
3. Get Hands-On Experience Early
Use your time in college to experiment through:
Job shadowing professionals in different scientific fields
Joining campus research projects
Volunteering in labs or medical settings
Internships (even short ones) to get a real-world feel
You’ll learn so much more from doing than just reading or guessing.
4. Learn from People in the Field
Reach out to alumni, professors, or professionals on LinkedIn or through informational interviews. Ask them:
What do they do day-to-day?
What did they major in?
What do they wish they knew in college?
Their stories can open your mind to options you’ve never considered.
5. Stay Open to Change
Many people end up working in areas they didn’t expect—but they used their degree as a stepping stone. For example, you could major in biology, then go on to work in health policy, biotech startups, patent law (with additional schooling), or clinical research.
Brandyn recommends the following next steps:
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
977
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hey Makenna,
Feeling uncertain at the moment is quite normal; in fact, you're in a very common (and very acceptable) situation. You're already on the right path because you're self-aware, you know you love science, and you're willing to try new things. You're being proactive about your future, which is lovely, given that you're drawn to biology but aren't sure if it's the correct degree or job path.
The first thing is that you are not restricted to a single career by your major. Biology majors can pursue a wide range of careers, including those in biotechnology, health, research, education, and even law, as you indicated with regard to patent law. It's a solid introductory degree, particularly for those who wish to maintain a connection to science but haven't decided on a course yet.
Since you're interested in a variety of topics, including radiology, patent law, and research, I would advise you to look for opportunities to sample those areas while you're still in college. For instance, if you're interested in radiology, try shadowing someone in a hospital or imaging clinic; if patent law interests you, see if there's a pre-law club or speak with professors who are knowledgeable about science-related legal careers; and if research interests you, ask faculty members in your biology department about undergraduate research opportunities.
Additionally, you should not be scared to enroll in some topics that are not related to biology, such as an introductory course on ethics, medical terminology, or even a legal studies elective. You can rule things out or find new interests with the help of these classes.
Keep in mind that finding the correct fit is only one aspect of education; another is figuring out what isn't. Many students alter their majors or emphasis, especially in their first couple of years, so it's acceptable if you start biology and then feel drawn in a different direction.
Therefore, do not put pressure on yourself to have everything worked out at this time. Give oneself space to explore, remain curious, and concentrate on gaining exposure. You already possess the motivation and the attitude; the only thing left to do is to accumulate experiences to help guide your future actions.
Best wishes!
Feeling uncertain at the moment is quite normal; in fact, you're in a very common (and very acceptable) situation. You're already on the right path because you're self-aware, you know you love science, and you're willing to try new things. You're being proactive about your future, which is lovely, given that you're drawn to biology but aren't sure if it's the correct degree or job path.
The first thing is that you are not restricted to a single career by your major. Biology majors can pursue a wide range of careers, including those in biotechnology, health, research, education, and even law, as you indicated with regard to patent law. It's a solid introductory degree, particularly for those who wish to maintain a connection to science but haven't decided on a course yet.
Since you're interested in a variety of topics, including radiology, patent law, and research, I would advise you to look for opportunities to sample those areas while you're still in college. For instance, if you're interested in radiology, try shadowing someone in a hospital or imaging clinic; if patent law interests you, see if there's a pre-law club or speak with professors who are knowledgeable about science-related legal careers; and if research interests you, ask faculty members in your biology department about undergraduate research opportunities.
Additionally, you should not be scared to enroll in some topics that are not related to biology, such as an introductory course on ethics, medical terminology, or even a legal studies elective. You can rule things out or find new interests with the help of these classes.
Keep in mind that finding the correct fit is only one aspect of education; another is figuring out what isn't. Many students alter their majors or emphasis, especially in their first couple of years, so it's acceptable if you start biology and then feel drawn in a different direction.
Therefore, do not put pressure on yourself to have everything worked out at this time. Give oneself space to explore, remain curious, and concentrate on gaining exposure. You already possess the motivation and the attitude; the only thing left to do is to accumulate experiences to help guide your future actions.
Best wishes!