4 answers
Hailey
Student
Elizabeth, Colorado
1
Question
Updated
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How do you know when going into your studies that you will actually enjoy and find a successful career on the other side? What can you do to help calm feelings of doubt?
Currently a Sophomore in college trying to make sure that I don’t end up not liking my field of study. I feel very nervous around the sense of “wasting” money trying to decide upon a major and maybe not liking it in the end.
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4 answers
Ce Ji
55
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Ce’s Answer
Hi Hailey, It's totally okay to feel unsure when you're just starting out! At first, the path ahead might seem unclear, but that's all part of the journey. You can ease your doubts by taking "small steps of checking things out": try short courses, internships, or chatting with people in the field to see if it sparks your interest or makes you feel good. It's okay if things don't always work out; each try helps you learn more about yourself. Also, focus on your progress right now—like "I learned something cool today" or "I fixed a small issue." These little wins will build up your confidence over time.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2064
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. That's the reason you have to find a career 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
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
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. The relevant subjects are the major and minor you can explore
5. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
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. The relevant subjects are the major and minor you can explore
5. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Destiny Hankerson
Athlete, Artist, and Writer
18
Answers
East Orange, New Jersey
Updated
Destiny’s Answer
Hi Hailey,
I understand exactly how you feel, especially the part about stressing and wondering if your college education will lead to a career you love. Sometimes there is a lot of outside pressure to choose a lucrative major, or there's criticism about choosing the "wrong" degree. I found that it helped to tune out all the outside opinions, and take some time to find what I really enjoyed. I enjoyed studying health science and healthcare, so I decided to switch majors to study it, and I've been very happy to make the change. It's totally normal to feel some doubts in the beginning, but it's also normal for students to change their majors, especially when they're at the start of college. Don't feel bad if you try a major and realize it's not right for you. At this stage, in the beginning, it's much easier to switch, so choose what you're most interested in that could also lead to a stable career.
At the end of the day, a lot of things change rapidly in work and careers, so try not to stress about choosing the perfect major. Instead, as Rebecca advised, it''s better to focus on what you'd actually like to do. What are your greatest interests? Once you find that, it's easier to know exactly what you want to do in your career. You could also grow to like your major more over time - sometimes people don't always know their interests right away until they try something out.
I hope you find the major and career that makes you happy!
I understand exactly how you feel, especially the part about stressing and wondering if your college education will lead to a career you love. Sometimes there is a lot of outside pressure to choose a lucrative major, or there's criticism about choosing the "wrong" degree. I found that it helped to tune out all the outside opinions, and take some time to find what I really enjoyed. I enjoyed studying health science and healthcare, so I decided to switch majors to study it, and I've been very happy to make the change. It's totally normal to feel some doubts in the beginning, but it's also normal for students to change their majors, especially when they're at the start of college. Don't feel bad if you try a major and realize it's not right for you. At this stage, in the beginning, it's much easier to switch, so choose what you're most interested in that could also lead to a stable career.
At the end of the day, a lot of things change rapidly in work and careers, so try not to stress about choosing the perfect major. Instead, as Rebecca advised, it''s better to focus on what you'd actually like to do. What are your greatest interests? Once you find that, it's easier to know exactly what you want to do in your career. You could also grow to like your major more over time - sometimes people don't always know their interests right away until they try something out.
I hope you find the major and career that makes you happy!
Yashasvi Raikwar
Project Manager Intern
16
Answers
Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Updated
Yashasvi’s Answer
Hey there Hailey 💛
I just want to say—it’s completely okay to feel uncertain. You’re not alone in this! Many students go through the “What if I made the wrong choice?” phase. You’re clearly taking your future seriously, and that kind of thoughtfulness is something to be proud of.
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Many people fall in love with their field once they get into it, while others change direction—and still do really well. It’s okay to take things as they come and evolve along the way.
If the doubts are creeping in, here are a few things to consider:
1️⃣ Try It Out – Explore internships, shadowing, or project-based experiences in your field. It’s a way to get a feel for the work without a long-term commitment.
2️⃣ Talk to People in the Field – Reach out to professors, alumni, or professionals on LinkedIn. Hearing about their experiences can give you a better understanding of what it’s really like.
3️⃣ Branch Out – Take a class or two outside your major that sparks your interest. Sometimes, you find your passion in unexpected places.
4️⃣ Be Kind to Yourself – Doubt doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you care about what’s ahead. And that’s something to appreciate.
Remember, no education is ever wasted. Whatever you choose, everything you learn along the way adds value to your journey.
You’re doing great—just take it one step at a time. You don’t need to see the whole staircase, just the next step. 🌱
You’ve got this!
I just want to say—it’s completely okay to feel uncertain. You’re not alone in this! Many students go through the “What if I made the wrong choice?” phase. You’re clearly taking your future seriously, and that kind of thoughtfulness is something to be proud of.
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Many people fall in love with their field once they get into it, while others change direction—and still do really well. It’s okay to take things as they come and evolve along the way.
If the doubts are creeping in, here are a few things to consider:
1️⃣ Try It Out – Explore internships, shadowing, or project-based experiences in your field. It’s a way to get a feel for the work without a long-term commitment.
2️⃣ Talk to People in the Field – Reach out to professors, alumni, or professionals on LinkedIn. Hearing about their experiences can give you a better understanding of what it’s really like.
3️⃣ Branch Out – Take a class or two outside your major that sparks your interest. Sometimes, you find your passion in unexpected places.
4️⃣ Be Kind to Yourself – Doubt doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you care about what’s ahead. And that’s something to appreciate.
Remember, no education is ever wasted. Whatever you choose, everything you learn along the way adds value to your journey.
You’re doing great—just take it one step at a time. You don’t need to see the whole staircase, just the next step. 🌱
You’ve got this!