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How do I choose a career path when I have multiple interests ?
I'm a college psychology major, but I'm also interested in education, counseling, and possibly working abroad. I enjoy mentoring and helping people grow. How can I explore these options without feeling overwhelmed? Thanks!
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Prachee’s Answer
hi Kyla!
Yes, you are absolutely right in feeling overwhelmed faced with so many areas of interests. It is only natural to feel like pursuing all these to check which one works for you.
However, your interests are an important part of your career choice, but they are not the only part of career decision making.
For each choice you make, it may be equally necessary to look at
1. What is your larger goal? -connect with your deeper purpose- ask yourself -How do I want to make a difference to the world with my work? What is it that I aim to achieve through my work for others? for myself? Is it helping others learn a language, is it creating something new in the area of education? Is it helping others overcome an obstacle? What really drives me? What makes me come alive?
2. Learn about your strengths-What are some of the skills that you are already good at? It may be a good idea to look at broad skills like teaching, mentoring, problem-solving that can be transferred easily to different kind of jobs. What do people naturally turn to you for? Where do you find yourself feeling like 'Hey I didn't even realize how the time went by!' Make a list of those. Now see which jobs utilize these skills/strengths the most.
3. What kinds of work environments would you prefer? e.g. ask yourself: Do I prefer a place where there is social interaction almost throughout the day /no social interaction at all? A 9am -5 pm desk work or no fixed hours work? Look at multiple such environments and conditions based on your past experience and those who you have observed closely around you.
4. What are your financial goals? - ask yourself: How much money would I like to make?
After you have answered these questions about yourself, you are now ready to look at what is there outside:
You need not really take up internships/ part -time work in every area of interest. Take smaller steps like:
Closely follow what people do in their work in the areas that you like. This is called job shadowing -do see if you get an opportunity like that.
Interview people who are doing the work you would like to do will help you understand the nature of their work, their everyday challenges, their exciting and fulfilling moments and so on. e.g. interviewing a counsellor /educator/someone who has taught abroad in the subject area you want to teach will help.
All these modes will help you narrow down your choice eventually.
Listening to some podcasts in your area of interest that are freely available on the internet will give you a realistic and detailed picture of the nature of that job/occupation as well as where the job market is headed.
All the very best Kyla! I am sure with a bit of thoughtful planning and taking it step-by-step you will avoid the overwhelm that comes with trying out everything at once. The good news is that you will enjoy this process and have yourself to thank for in a few years if you think through this now!
Yes, you are absolutely right in feeling overwhelmed faced with so many areas of interests. It is only natural to feel like pursuing all these to check which one works for you.
However, your interests are an important part of your career choice, but they are not the only part of career decision making.
For each choice you make, it may be equally necessary to look at
1. What is your larger goal? -connect with your deeper purpose- ask yourself -How do I want to make a difference to the world with my work? What is it that I aim to achieve through my work for others? for myself? Is it helping others learn a language, is it creating something new in the area of education? Is it helping others overcome an obstacle? What really drives me? What makes me come alive?
2. Learn about your strengths-What are some of the skills that you are already good at? It may be a good idea to look at broad skills like teaching, mentoring, problem-solving that can be transferred easily to different kind of jobs. What do people naturally turn to you for? Where do you find yourself feeling like 'Hey I didn't even realize how the time went by!' Make a list of those. Now see which jobs utilize these skills/strengths the most.
3. What kinds of work environments would you prefer? e.g. ask yourself: Do I prefer a place where there is social interaction almost throughout the day /no social interaction at all? A 9am -5 pm desk work or no fixed hours work? Look at multiple such environments and conditions based on your past experience and those who you have observed closely around you.
4. What are your financial goals? - ask yourself: How much money would I like to make?
After you have answered these questions about yourself, you are now ready to look at what is there outside:
You need not really take up internships/ part -time work in every area of interest. Take smaller steps like:
Closely follow what people do in their work in the areas that you like. This is called job shadowing -do see if you get an opportunity like that.
Interview people who are doing the work you would like to do will help you understand the nature of their work, their everyday challenges, their exciting and fulfilling moments and so on. e.g. interviewing a counsellor /educator/someone who has taught abroad in the subject area you want to teach will help.
All these modes will help you narrow down your choice eventually.
Listening to some podcasts in your area of interest that are freely available on the internet will give you a realistic and detailed picture of the nature of that job/occupation as well as where the job market is headed.
All the very best Kyla! I am sure with a bit of thoughtful planning and taking it step-by-step you will avoid the overwhelm that comes with trying out everything at once. The good news is that you will enjoy this process and have yourself to thank for in a few years if you think through this now!
Updated
Marlene’s Answer
Take a career inventory assessment and also review the SCANS Report. SCANS, this can be downloaded from the government, and it is a report that identifies skills and tasks for various careers
Updated
Xin’s Answer
Hi Kyla,
Good Day!
It’s great that you have diverse interests in psychology, education, counseling, and working abroad!
My Suggestions:
Test the Waters Before Committing. If unsure about grad school, try a gap year working in education or counseling (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or teaching abroad). Shadow professionals in different roles to see what fits best.
Start with Self-Reflection & Research. Do you prefer one-on-one work (counseling) or group settings (education)? Are you more drawn to teaching, therapy, or mentorship?
Wishing you enjoy your interests and make them happen!
Good Day!
It’s great that you have diverse interests in psychology, education, counseling, and working abroad!
My Suggestions:
Test the Waters Before Committing. If unsure about grad school, try a gap year working in education or counseling (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or teaching abroad). Shadow professionals in different roles to see what fits best.
Start with Self-Reflection & Research. Do you prefer one-on-one work (counseling) or group settings (education)? Are you more drawn to teaching, therapy, or mentorship?
Wishing you enjoy your interests and make them happen!
Updated
Helen’s Answer
Hi Kyla,
You are not alone! Many people struggle to narrow down their choices, and plenty of interests gives you flexibility. It doesn't mean you have to do them all.
When considering a career, you need to consider what is important to you. What do you want to accomplish? What is your 'Why'? Why are you drawn to a certain aspect, eg, counselling vs education? Is it the 1-1 relationship rather than group relationship or is it something else? If you can identify what you enjoy most, what fulfils you, then that will help you make your decisions.
You can always test your theories by interning or doing a non profit or job shadow in certain areas, and then see if you still feel the same.
We want to be happy at our work, otherwise what is the point of doing it?
Wishing you all the best on your journey.
You are not alone! Many people struggle to narrow down their choices, and plenty of interests gives you flexibility. It doesn't mean you have to do them all.
When considering a career, you need to consider what is important to you. What do you want to accomplish? What is your 'Why'? Why are you drawn to a certain aspect, eg, counselling vs education? Is it the 1-1 relationship rather than group relationship or is it something else? If you can identify what you enjoy most, what fulfils you, then that will help you make your decisions.
You can always test your theories by interning or doing a non profit or job shadow in certain areas, and then see if you still feel the same.
We want to be happy at our work, otherwise what is the point of doing it?
Wishing you all the best on your journey.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for you question. I am glad to know that you have a wide range of interest. There may careers that covering your interest.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Would you be interested to be school counsellor, life coaching, child psychologist, child therapist, etc. You can find out more relevant careers online.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interets
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents. etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subject in colleges
6. In the future, you can also explore any opportunities working overseas
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Would you be interested to be school counsellor, life coaching, child psychologist, child therapist, etc. You can find out more relevant careers online.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interets
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents. etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subject in colleges
6. In the future, you can also explore any opportunities working overseas
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi! Social worker/therapist here! I struggled for a long time trying to figure out what I really wanted to do. I first majored in biochemistry, then worked in an environmental lab. I went back to school for a Bachelor of Psychology but while I was in school, I got a part time job at a bank. I did finish that degree, but stayed in banking for years, even acquiring an MAM during that time. Then, I had a major life event that lead me to the mental health field and I chose a Social Work Masters program due to the flexibility in career options, but focused on clinical therapy. At the time, I wanted to work with geriatrics or survivors of sexual and domestic violence. I graduated, got licensed, and tried working with both of those populations and found I was not happy. I over identified with trauma survivors and I felt kind of helpless with geriatrics. I ended up working in a behavioral hospital with inpatient mental health crisis situations and loved the pace and the rapid improvement felt rewarding. I still had the occasional survivor and had a hard time with that. THEN my sister sent me a job listing for a therapist to work with sexual offenders when I was moving to be closer to my parents. I applied, and was hired. I honestly thought it would be a temporary and miserable situation, but I absolutely love it. All this to say- try not to pressure yourself to know exactly what you want. Human beings, especially driven and compassionate people, endeavor to change and grow through the duration of their lives. This means that our interests and needs will also change. It is awesome to have varying interests because it keeps us motivated to learn and try new things. Many people have this idea that we should know what we want to do for the next 40-50 years by the time we finish high school and that is kind of unhinged. The prefrontal cortex isn’t even developed fully at that age, and that’s really the decision making part of our system. Just research and try things and do what is fulfilling to you until it isn’t. There is no reason to chain yourself to an idea or understanding that was part of an old version of yourself. Have fun, protect your mental health, learn as much as you can, and work where you do the most good for yourself and others.