7 answers
Bryleigh
Student
Cabot, Arkansas
11
Questions
Asked
1274 views
How do I know that the job I want is what I truly want to do with my life?
I am going into 9th grade next year and I am wanting to be an FBI Special Agent and then go into being an Intelligence Analyst. I have considered many jobs like marine biologist, pharmacologist, epidemiologist, veterinary epidemiologist, marine mammal veterinarian, and now I have found this. How do I know that this is what I truly want to do? I would rather not know what I am going to do rather than make the wrong choice. I love math, science, and problem solving(especially things that require logic. Out of those my favorites are math and problem solving. I have to have variety; I can't have an office job or a job where I work in a lab all day. I just need more ideas to research to really narrow down what I want to do.
6 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
A way to see if a career fits you is to think about the day-to-day tasks it involves. You said you need variety and don't want a job stuck in an office or lab all day. That's important to keep in mind because some science careers, like being a lab scientist, might involve a lot of repetitive lab work.
It also helps to try out your interests in small ways before choosing a career. You could join math or science clubs, participate in problem-solving competitions, or explore online courses related to intelligence analysis. These experiences allow you to explore your skills and passions without making a permanent choice. You might discover that you love some aspects of a field and dislike others, which is incredibly valuable information.
Remember, most people don't stick with one career forever. You can change jobs as your interests grow. The most important things are knowing your strengths, what kind of work you enjoy, and what keeps you interested.
It also helps to try out your interests in small ways before choosing a career. You could join math or science clubs, participate in problem-solving competitions, or explore online courses related to intelligence analysis. These experiences allow you to explore your skills and passions without making a permanent choice. You might discover that you love some aspects of a field and dislike others, which is incredibly valuable information.
Remember, most people don't stick with one career forever. You can change jobs as your interests grow. The most important things are knowing your strengths, what kind of work you enjoy, and what keeps you interested.
Marie Thornton
Head of Marketing
3
Answers
England, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Marie’s Answer
Hi Bryleigh !
Great question. It's brilliant you're spending time trying to identify what interests you and plays to your strengths. The more you like something and feel you're adding value, the more likely you are to be successful in it and feel fulfilled in your career.
I'd recommend trying to explore and get more information about the areas you're interested in. Can you write to relevant organizations, explain that you think you'd like to have a career in their field and ask if either they can put you in touch with someone in the relevant department who could spend half an hour answering your questions? Or even if you could go and spend some time - evenings, weekends, holidays - shadowing someone in that field. You could offer your time for free in exchange for the experience and you could then make some valuable contacts who could be your mentor or referee in the future. Be willing to do some grunt work for the experience, maybe like making teas and coffees or filing, but know you're getting valuable insight.
Also, search relevant groups on LinkedIn and learn more about areas that interest you that way. You could also try connecting with people on those group who catch your eye due to the posts they do. Again, you could ask them to spare you half an hour to answer your questions.
This way you get real world insight into the people and the jobs and it'll either build your interest or let you know it's not for you.
Good luck and I wish you every success!
Identify and write to relevant organizations, explaining that you think you'd like to have a career in their field and ask if either they can put you in touch with someone in the relevant department who could spend half an hour answering your questions
Search relevant groups on LinkedIn and learn more about areas that interest you
Identify people on LinkedIn whose experience you admire and ask if they could to spare you half an hour to answer your questions about exploring a future career in their area of expertise
Great question. It's brilliant you're spending time trying to identify what interests you and plays to your strengths. The more you like something and feel you're adding value, the more likely you are to be successful in it and feel fulfilled in your career.
I'd recommend trying to explore and get more information about the areas you're interested in. Can you write to relevant organizations, explain that you think you'd like to have a career in their field and ask if either they can put you in touch with someone in the relevant department who could spend half an hour answering your questions? Or even if you could go and spend some time - evenings, weekends, holidays - shadowing someone in that field. You could offer your time for free in exchange for the experience and you could then make some valuable contacts who could be your mentor or referee in the future. Be willing to do some grunt work for the experience, maybe like making teas and coffees or filing, but know you're getting valuable insight.
Also, search relevant groups on LinkedIn and learn more about areas that interest you that way. You could also try connecting with people on those group who catch your eye due to the posts they do. Again, you could ask them to spare you half an hour to answer your questions.
This way you get real world insight into the people and the jobs and it'll either build your interest or let you know it's not for you.
Good luck and I wish you every success!
Marie recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Bryleigh
Stephanie Way
Program Management and Project Management
5
Answers
Larkspur, Colorado
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
I'm a fan of making lists so my suggestion is to start with a list of what you enjoy doing, and don't limit it to things that you think are career related. If you enjoy organizing (think alphabetizing books or sorting Legos) put that on the list. If you like hiking, swimming, walking, whatever, it goes on the list. Then feed the list to an AI and ask it to suggest career paths, then keep going!
Thanks! I have tried a lot of things, but I've never tried this!
Bryleigh
Denise Banuelos, LCSW
Behavioral Health Case Manager
4
Answers
West Covina, California
Updated
Denise’s Answer
It sounds like you’ve narrowed down some of your interests and what you’re passionate about. I would try to research those specific careers you’re interested in and looking up people in those fields on LinkedIn and maybe picking their brain so you can get to know more about those specific careers and they can provide you with some insight.
Mike McClelland
Senior Director of Business and AI Innovation Value
3
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Great question Bryleigh and one that many of your peers are likely thinking as well. A fulfilling career rarely follows a straight line. For most people especially early in their professional journey, clarity emerges through exploration rather than predetermined planning. Your interests, strengths, and ambitions will evolve as you gain new experiences, and that evolution is not only normal but incredibly valuable.
One helpful way to think about professional growth is to view your career in chapters, each with a distinct purpose and developmental focus:
Chapter 1: Your 20s – Exploration and Discovery
This is your decade to sample widely and learn deeply about what energizes you. Experiment with different industries, functions, and environments. Pay attention to what challenges you, what inspires you, and what brings a sense of meaning—emotionally, financially, or even spiritually.
This stage is less about choosing the “perfect path” and more about gathering insight into who you are at work and what you want from your professional life.
Chapter 2: Your 30s – Building Capability and Credibility
Once you’ve identified a direction that resonates, this is the time to hone your craft. Develop expertise, pursue advanced responsibilities, and build a reputation for reliability and impact. In these years, you begin proving your earning potential and setting the foundation for long-term success.
Chapter 3: Your 40s – Excellence and Expansion
With experience and mastery behind you, your 40s often become the decade where you excel in your chosen field. You understand the landscape, have built meaningful relationships, and can deliver value with confidence. This is also when many professionals experience substantial leaps in influence and compensation.
Chapter 4: Your 50s – Leadership and Innovation
By this point, you carry not only knowledge but wisdom. You have the opportunity to shape the field you’ve grown within—leading teams, mentoring others, championing new ideas, and leaving a meaningful legacy. Many find this chapter to be the most fulfilling because it blends purpose with experience.
Why this framework matters
Viewing your career through these chapters can release the pressure to get everything “right” at the beginning. Few people discover their ideal path immediately, and even fewer stay on a single track forever. This approach encourages curiosity, resilience, and growth. More importantly, it empowers you to define success on your own terms rather than feeling boxed into a single decision made too early.
Anecdotally, many accomplished leaders credit their success not to choosing the perfect starting point, but to staying flexible, learning quickly, and taking opportunities that aligned with who they were becoming—not just who they were at the beginning. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank and multiple global talent studies also shows that early-career mobility often correlates with higher job satisfaction and long-term earning potential because it helps individuals find the environments where they perform best.
One helpful way to think about professional growth is to view your career in chapters, each with a distinct purpose and developmental focus:
Chapter 1: Your 20s – Exploration and Discovery
This is your decade to sample widely and learn deeply about what energizes you. Experiment with different industries, functions, and environments. Pay attention to what challenges you, what inspires you, and what brings a sense of meaning—emotionally, financially, or even spiritually.
This stage is less about choosing the “perfect path” and more about gathering insight into who you are at work and what you want from your professional life.
Chapter 2: Your 30s – Building Capability and Credibility
Once you’ve identified a direction that resonates, this is the time to hone your craft. Develop expertise, pursue advanced responsibilities, and build a reputation for reliability and impact. In these years, you begin proving your earning potential and setting the foundation for long-term success.
Chapter 3: Your 40s – Excellence and Expansion
With experience and mastery behind you, your 40s often become the decade where you excel in your chosen field. You understand the landscape, have built meaningful relationships, and can deliver value with confidence. This is also when many professionals experience substantial leaps in influence and compensation.
Chapter 4: Your 50s – Leadership and Innovation
By this point, you carry not only knowledge but wisdom. You have the opportunity to shape the field you’ve grown within—leading teams, mentoring others, championing new ideas, and leaving a meaningful legacy. Many find this chapter to be the most fulfilling because it blends purpose with experience.
Why this framework matters
Viewing your career through these chapters can release the pressure to get everything “right” at the beginning. Few people discover their ideal path immediately, and even fewer stay on a single track forever. This approach encourages curiosity, resilience, and growth. More importantly, it empowers you to define success on your own terms rather than feeling boxed into a single decision made too early.
Anecdotally, many accomplished leaders credit their success not to choosing the perfect starting point, but to staying flexible, learning quickly, and taking opportunities that aligned with who they were becoming—not just who they were at the beginning. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank and multiple global talent studies also shows that early-career mobility often correlates with higher job satisfaction and long-term earning potential because it helps individuals find the environments where they perform best.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Bryleigh
John Kunney Jr.
Technical Writer
7
Answers
Reidsville, Georgia
Updated
John’s Answer
Start by discovering what truly excites you, something you'd happily do for free just because it brings you joy. For me, that passion was writing. I've loved words since I was a child, which led me to earn an English degree and work as a technical writer for 25 years. From what you've shared, it sounds like you enjoy research. Now, it's about choosing the right field for you. You have many options, so take the time to explore them. Learn about what people in those jobs do every day to see if it suits you. You can reach out to professionals on LinkedIn by searching for their job titles. Often, they'll provide contact details, and if you express interest in their field, they'll likely be happy to help you.
Thank you!
Bryleigh
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