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How can I know what I wanna be?
Am student and i don't know what I want to be
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Doc’s Answer
To effectively choose a career path Fatuma, it's crucial to understand your interests, skills, and values, then explore different career options that align with those factors. Consider your personality, long-term goals, and the job market's outlook. Seek advice and gain experience to refine your choices.
1️⃣ IDENTIFY YOUR INTERESTS
What subjects do you enjoy learning about? What activities do you find fulfilling, both professionally and in your free time?
2️⃣ ASSESS YOUR SKILLS & STRENGTHS
What are you naturally good at? What skills have you developed through education, work, or hobbies?
3️⃣ EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS
Research different industries, job roles, and sectors that align with your interests and skills. Look into job descriptions, required skills, salary ranges, and growth potential.
4️⃣ CONSIDER YOUR VALUES & PERSONALITY
What's important to you in a career? Do you value work-life balance, financial stability, creative freedom, or helping others? Think about your personality traits and how they might influence your career satisfaction.
5️⃣ GAIN EXPERIENCE
Seek out internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs to get hands-on experience in fields that interest you. Network with people in those fields to learn more about their experiences and gain valuable insights.
CONCUSSION
Use this knowledge to apply for short-term positions or volunteer opportunities to explore new career options. This firsthand experience allows you to test your suitability for a career. If you're currently in school or have a job, consider taking a course or certification program that's helpful for a field that interests you. This experience can help you determine if the career's skills and content are something you enjoy.
Hope this was helpful Fatuma
1️⃣ IDENTIFY YOUR INTERESTS
What subjects do you enjoy learning about? What activities do you find fulfilling, both professionally and in your free time?
2️⃣ ASSESS YOUR SKILLS & STRENGTHS
What are you naturally good at? What skills have you developed through education, work, or hobbies?
3️⃣ EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS
Research different industries, job roles, and sectors that align with your interests and skills. Look into job descriptions, required skills, salary ranges, and growth potential.
4️⃣ CONSIDER YOUR VALUES & PERSONALITY
What's important to you in a career? Do you value work-life balance, financial stability, creative freedom, or helping others? Think about your personality traits and how they might influence your career satisfaction.
5️⃣ GAIN EXPERIENCE
Seek out internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs to get hands-on experience in fields that interest you. Network with people in those fields to learn more about their experiences and gain valuable insights.
CONCUSSION
Use this knowledge to apply for short-term positions or volunteer opportunities to explore new career options. This firsthand experience allows you to test your suitability for a career. If you're currently in school or have a job, consider taking a course or certification program that's helpful for a field that interests you. This experience can help you determine if the career's skills and content are something you enjoy.
Hope this was helpful Fatuma
Thank You Michelle. Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.
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Okolo’s Answer
Hi Fatuma,
It's perfectly fine not to know what you want to be yet. Most students feel the same way! Start by thinking about what you enjoy, like your hobbies or favorite school subjects, and what you’re good at. Consider what’s important to you, whether it’s helping others, being creative, or trying out new ideas. Explore new activities like joining clubs, volunteering, or taking on part-time jobs to see what you like. Chat with people who work in fields you're interested in to learn more about their jobs. You don’t have to decide everything right now; just take small steps, stay curious, and give yourself time. You'll figure it out!
It's perfectly fine not to know what you want to be yet. Most students feel the same way! Start by thinking about what you enjoy, like your hobbies or favorite school subjects, and what you’re good at. Consider what’s important to you, whether it’s helping others, being creative, or trying out new ideas. Explore new activities like joining clubs, volunteering, or taking on part-time jobs to see what you like. Chat with people who work in fields you're interested in to learn more about their jobs. You don’t have to decide everything right now; just take small steps, stay curious, and give yourself time. You'll figure it out!
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Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar questions.
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
5. Explore 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
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Guille’s Answer
Take a career test and answer honestly. This will help guide you to areas where you can do well.
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Jerome’s Answer
Honestly, some adults still don’t know what they want to be. The best advice I can give is to find a few things you enjoy and lean into them through joining clubs and taking classes. Attend job fairs and talk with adults around you about their work.
If you have an opportunity to volunteer with local non-profits, you can try jobs and gain valuable experience.
If you have an opportunity to volunteer with local non-profits, you can try jobs and gain valuable experience.
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Nancy’s Answer
Think about what you enjoy doing, like medicine or education. What activities make you happy? I'm a registered nurse, and I started by volunteering at a hospital to see if I liked it and could handle seeing medical conditions like blood or burns. If you enjoy teaching, consider becoming a teacher. If you like working with computers, explore that field. Going to college can help you become a professional and earn more money. I hope this helps you think about your options.
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Jerry’s Answer
Fatuma,
First, there are many fine answers here for you to review and I hope to not offer repetitive advice.
Truly, you are experiencing what I, the other folks who answered you, and about 50 million others on planet Earth also have gone through at your age in their lives. And your "search" may last decades, if I offer my own path as an example.
I'm currently 75. When I was 43, an employer looked at my resume and said my career progression didn't make sense to him because it appeared I had worked across multiple, and seemingly unrelated, jobs. In truth, he was right. I'd moved from Ohio to Los Angeles to the SF Bay area, which meant new employers at each stop. My interests and skills/abilities changed; not only my geographic location. Truly, only I could link together why the shifts in employment had been made. Bottom line, while he kindly took a gamble when he hired me in 2003; I worked for him as an employee and then a contractor for 15 years. My point is that life and career decision-making is not cookie-cutter and uncertainty and life situations tend to be fluid.
That all said, factor this into your decision-making. We're living in rapidly changing times. Our weather, technology and our ability to work globally are in flux and evolving. E.g., who knows where artificial intelligence is headed and how will it affect your future work opportunities? One thing will remain consistent and valuable. Your ability to communicate effectively. And what can assist you in communicating more easily and therefore become even more employable? Language. Make an effort to learn to speak, write and read a second language. Or two. Your worth will increase dramatically. Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?
Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years
Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be...hence, my advice about learning multiple languages.
Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.
Good fortune to you moving forward.
First, there are many fine answers here for you to review and I hope to not offer repetitive advice.
Truly, you are experiencing what I, the other folks who answered you, and about 50 million others on planet Earth also have gone through at your age in their lives. And your "search" may last decades, if I offer my own path as an example.
I'm currently 75. When I was 43, an employer looked at my resume and said my career progression didn't make sense to him because it appeared I had worked across multiple, and seemingly unrelated, jobs. In truth, he was right. I'd moved from Ohio to Los Angeles to the SF Bay area, which meant new employers at each stop. My interests and skills/abilities changed; not only my geographic location. Truly, only I could link together why the shifts in employment had been made. Bottom line, while he kindly took a gamble when he hired me in 2003; I worked for him as an employee and then a contractor for 15 years. My point is that life and career decision-making is not cookie-cutter and uncertainty and life situations tend to be fluid.
That all said, factor this into your decision-making. We're living in rapidly changing times. Our weather, technology and our ability to work globally are in flux and evolving. E.g., who knows where artificial intelligence is headed and how will it affect your future work opportunities? One thing will remain consistent and valuable. Your ability to communicate effectively. And what can assist you in communicating more easily and therefore become even more employable? Language. Make an effort to learn to speak, write and read a second language. Or two. Your worth will increase dramatically. Get a college degree or higher in courses to which your interests gravitate. Determine how well you perform activities about which you are passionate. Because if you are not good to great at something, why should someone hire you to perform that function?
Conduct this Google search: what professions will be in demand in ten years
Then substitute another/related job title or profession to see if that provides a different or expanded list. The results, because of our changing world, may or may not be entirely on target but you'll get an idea. AND you may find out that a certain country may be where that opportunity is most likely to be...hence, my advice about learning multiple languages.
Be sure to go to LinkedIn and search by job title for individuals who now or previously held the job title in which you’re interested. Their profiles should contain valuable information about their duties, work history, career progression, associations/organizations of value to research and more.
Good fortune to you moving forward.
Updated
Gail’s Answer
Hello Fatuma!
Great question. There is a saying that I believe might help you make your career choice. "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." What that means to me is find not just a job, a placeholder, but a career you can see yourself being a part of for the rest of your life. And not just a career but a passion that gets you excited each and every day. A calling that drives you to do more, work harder, do and be better every day of your life. A field that each and every challenge gets you more and more excited to dig deeper, go harder, do more. A field that you know in your gut, in your soul that your contributions matter. All of this is not field dependent. It applies to being a teacher - molding the minds and hearts of the youngest of us. It applies to being in the research field - discovering and uncovering new medicines, procedures, techniques, avenues to better the world around you. Most careers have more than just a basic, basement level. More often than not, careers have paths to greater success, higher levels than where you first started. Most importantly - stay true to yourself, to who you are at your core. The best of luck!
Great question. There is a saying that I believe might help you make your career choice. "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." What that means to me is find not just a job, a placeholder, but a career you can see yourself being a part of for the rest of your life. And not just a career but a passion that gets you excited each and every day. A calling that drives you to do more, work harder, do and be better every day of your life. A field that each and every challenge gets you more and more excited to dig deeper, go harder, do more. A field that you know in your gut, in your soul that your contributions matter. All of this is not field dependent. It applies to being a teacher - molding the minds and hearts of the youngest of us. It applies to being in the research field - discovering and uncovering new medicines, procedures, techniques, avenues to better the world around you. Most careers have more than just a basic, basement level. More often than not, careers have paths to greater success, higher levels than where you first started. Most importantly - stay true to yourself, to who you are at your core. The best of luck!
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Joanna’s Answer
Hi Fatuma!
That is completely normal! Actually, it's a big step in the general process. Not knowing exactly who you want to be can be reframed to be seen as an opportunity to explore! Essentially, you can become anything you want to be.
My biggest advice is truly to explore. It's okay if that means exploring 10 different career paths. You can join clubs in your school related to the topics you are interested in, or even read about them online. One thing that really helped me was watching "a day in the life of a <insert career choice>" videos on Youtube. I tried to see which ones excited me and that helped narrow things down.
Another thing that helped me was reflecting on my strengths. I made a list of qualities I possess and talents I have. Based on this, combined with reflecting on my interests, I tried to see what career would match. I tried asking myself "if someone with my qualities and interests approached me and asked me for career advice, which one would I point them to?". Sometimes taking yourself out of the question helps you to see things a little clearer.
You are on your own beautifully unique journey. It may not be linear, and it may require recalculations, but that's why it's a journey. You're gonna do amazing!
That is completely normal! Actually, it's a big step in the general process. Not knowing exactly who you want to be can be reframed to be seen as an opportunity to explore! Essentially, you can become anything you want to be.
My biggest advice is truly to explore. It's okay if that means exploring 10 different career paths. You can join clubs in your school related to the topics you are interested in, or even read about them online. One thing that really helped me was watching "a day in the life of a <insert career choice>" videos on Youtube. I tried to see which ones excited me and that helped narrow things down.
Another thing that helped me was reflecting on my strengths. I made a list of qualities I possess and talents I have. Based on this, combined with reflecting on my interests, I tried to see what career would match. I tried asking myself "if someone with my qualities and interests approached me and asked me for career advice, which one would I point them to?". Sometimes taking yourself out of the question helps you to see things a little clearer.
You are on your own beautifully unique journey. It may not be linear, and it may require recalculations, but that's why it's a journey. You're gonna do amazing!
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
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Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Fatuma!
The first thing we look at is your genealogy, the DNA [deoxyribonucleic acids] that you have inherited from your ancestors. There are three billion base pairs that determine your characteristics. This will make you suitable for certain types of work. For instance, if your ancestor 10 generations removed was mayor of London, then you will inherit some administrative skills. The next thing to do is ask the people that know you what sort of work they think would be most suitable for you. These could be parents, siblings - especially older ones, friends, professors, and teachers. There is a battery of psychological tests which you can undertake to discover your talents. One is the Myers-Briggs test which elucidates what sort of jobs may be suitable for you.
The first thing we look at is your genealogy, the DNA [deoxyribonucleic acids] that you have inherited from your ancestors. There are three billion base pairs that determine your characteristics. This will make you suitable for certain types of work. For instance, if your ancestor 10 generations removed was mayor of London, then you will inherit some administrative skills. The next thing to do is ask the people that know you what sort of work they think would be most suitable for you. These could be parents, siblings - especially older ones, friends, professors, and teachers. There is a battery of psychological tests which you can undertake to discover your talents. One is the Myers-Briggs test which elucidates what sort of jobs may be suitable for you.
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Cathleen’s Answer
Hi, Fatuma
First off, please do not worry about not knowing what to do or what your career objectives are at the current moment. So many people are in this same situation, and although it can seem overwhelming, there are many things you can do to help point yourself in the right direction. Taking the time to reflect and explore what really engages you is the first step. Take the time to volunteer, step into internships, or participate in informational interviews. All of these steps can help you discover what you are passionate about. As someone who is 20+ years into their career, having passion towards what you do is so important. You do not want to take a career just because the money sounds good or because others are doing it. Find out what inspires YOU, and then take the time to put the work in. Nothing comes easy, but I promise you, with hard work, you will see amazing results. Best of luck to you!
First off, please do not worry about not knowing what to do or what your career objectives are at the current moment. So many people are in this same situation, and although it can seem overwhelming, there are many things you can do to help point yourself in the right direction. Taking the time to reflect and explore what really engages you is the first step. Take the time to volunteer, step into internships, or participate in informational interviews. All of these steps can help you discover what you are passionate about. As someone who is 20+ years into their career, having passion towards what you do is so important. You do not want to take a career just because the money sounds good or because others are doing it. Find out what inspires YOU, and then take the time to put the work in. Nothing comes easy, but I promise you, with hard work, you will see amazing results. Best of luck to you!