5 answers
Elliana
Student
Eustis, Florida
1
Question
Updated
819 views
How do you decide on what to pursue when you have a lot of interests but not a lot of knowledge?
I'm a senior in high school and everyone wants to know my future plans. The thing is, I was homeschooled until recently, and feel like all of my peers got more opportunities to find out what they're passionate about. There are so many topics - writing, education, computers, videomaking, evolution, statistics, helping people - that interest me, but it isn't until recently that I've had the motivation and/or the resources to pursue them. My question is, how do I decide what I want to do with my life, and more importantly money, beyond the "declare your major 1-2 years into college" spiel. #Fall25
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5 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
650
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Elliana. When you have lots of interests, the best first step is to look for patterns. Ask yourself: What kinds of things do I enjoy doing? Do I like creating, solving problems, helping people, thinking deeply, or using technology? Make a list of the subjects and hobbies that catch your attention, like writing, computers, education, statistics, or video making. Then look for any connections between them. Some careers actually combine these interests, for example, teaching technology, writing educational materials, or making science videos. Seeing these connections can help you understand what kinds of fields might fit you.
The next step is to try small, simple experiences. You don't need to commit to a major or career right now to explore it. You can try free online courses, short YouTube tutorials, school clubs, or summer programs. Even spending one afternoon learning about a subject can help you see if you actually like doing it. Sometimes something sounds exciting in theory but is not as fun in practice, and that's useful to know. Other times, you might discover something you love that you didn't expect.
Talking to people is also a great way to learn. You can ask teachers, counselors, family members, or professionals about their jobs. What do they do every day? What skills do they use? What do they enjoy about their work? Most people are happy to share their experiences, and hearing their stories can help you picture your own future more clearly. All the best to you.
The next step is to try small, simple experiences. You don't need to commit to a major or career right now to explore it. You can try free online courses, short YouTube tutorials, school clubs, or summer programs. Even spending one afternoon learning about a subject can help you see if you actually like doing it. Sometimes something sounds exciting in theory but is not as fun in practice, and that's useful to know. Other times, you might discover something you love that you didn't expect.
Talking to people is also a great way to learn. You can ask teachers, counselors, family members, or professionals about their jobs. What do they do every day? What skills do they use? What do they enjoy about their work? Most people are happy to share their experiences, and hearing their stories can help you picture your own future more clearly. All the best to you.
Silali Banerjee
Coaching
1
Answer
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Silali’s Answer
Try auditing some online courses on Coursera or Edx.
This will give you some idea about the subjects you are interested in without soending money.
This is for checking out if you like this subject.
For professional opportnities, earning potential in each field, do some research online.
You can also use Ai tools like ChatGPT for this research but know that these tools sometimes produce inaccurate results. So they are good assistants, save a lot of time but they are not always right.
This will give you some idea about the subjects you are interested in without soending money.
This is for checking out if you like this subject.
For professional opportnities, earning potential in each field, do some research online.
You can also use Ai tools like ChatGPT for this research but know that these tools sometimes produce inaccurate results. So they are good assistants, save a lot of time but they are not always right.
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
200
Answers
Kyle, Texas
Updated
Steward "Tony"’s Answer
List all Your Interests & Rate Them 1 to 10 (If You Have More Than Ten, You Are Not Focussed)
Research Each Position On Job Board Opinion Sites To Determine Who Liked or Disliked Said Responcibilities In Each Category
Rate Each Interest After You Have Read A Few Opinions On Each. ( Visualize A Lifetime Of Doing It)
Select The Top Five That Make You Happy ( Money Does Not Make One Happy, but thats another lesson)
Research Each Position On Job Board Opinion Sites To Determine Who Liked or Disliked Said Responcibilities In Each Category
Rate Each Interest After You Have Read A Few Opinions On Each. ( Visualize A Lifetime Of Doing It)
Select The Top Five That Make You Happy ( Money Does Not Make One Happy, but thats another lesson)
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
64
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hello Elliana,
Mr. Wong’s answer already gives a strong foundation. I want to add one practical lens that has helped many people (myself included) move from many interests → real direction.
A lot of people don’t start with clarity. Interests change as life experience grows. At the surface level, many things can look exciting. The trick is figuring out which ones actually stick. Here’s a simple way to do that: Think in terms of evidence, not ideas.
3 simple steps you can start today:
1. Track where your time actually goes (not what sounds interesting). For 2–3 weeks, keep a simple log of how you spend your free time: writing, learning tech, watching videos, helping others, experimenting, etc. Just notice the patterns.
2. Look for tangible outcomes. Ask, which activities produced something real? A finished video, an article, a small program, notes you enjoyed organizing, someone you helped and felt proud of. Results are clues to your strengths.
3. Find the sweet spot. Most fulfilling careers sit at the overlap of:
- What you’re good at
- What you enjoy doing over time
- What aligns with your values (helping others, creativity, impact, stability, etc.)
You don’t need to decide your whole life right now. You just need to pick the next direction that lets you learn more. College isn’t about locking in a future—it’s about gathering evidence so your choices get clearer with time.
Your current self awareness is a huge advantage.
Wish you the best!
Mr. Wong’s answer already gives a strong foundation. I want to add one practical lens that has helped many people (myself included) move from many interests → real direction.
A lot of people don’t start with clarity. Interests change as life experience grows. At the surface level, many things can look exciting. The trick is figuring out which ones actually stick. Here’s a simple way to do that: Think in terms of evidence, not ideas.
3 simple steps you can start today:
1. Track where your time actually goes (not what sounds interesting). For 2–3 weeks, keep a simple log of how you spend your free time: writing, learning tech, watching videos, helping others, experimenting, etc. Just notice the patterns.
2. Look for tangible outcomes. Ask, which activities produced something real? A finished video, an article, a small program, notes you enjoyed organizing, someone you helped and felt proud of. Results are clues to your strengths.
3. Find the sweet spot. Most fulfilling careers sit at the overlap of:
- What you’re good at
- What you enjoy doing over time
- What aligns with your values (helping others, creativity, impact, stability, etc.)
You don’t need to decide your whole life right now. You just need to pick the next direction that lets you learn more. College isn’t about locking in a future—it’s about gathering evidence so your choices get clearer with time.
Your current self awareness is a huge advantage.
Wish you the best!
Caitlin Canton
Human Resources Manager
31
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Caitlin’s Answer
Hi Elliana,
This is a great question. It's hard when you feel a lot of external pressure to "know what you want to do" - I don't know what I "want" to do, and I am 37! And my career has changed direction a few times in the 16 years I have been working post-college.
So I hope the first thing that you do is take a deep breath, and remember that choosing a major does not mean you have to tether yourself to something for 40+ years. Your career will hopefully be long, and who you are will change slightly with experience and time. What you are interested in now will likely be different in 5, 10, 15+ years. And that is okay!
Depending on where you go to school, it can be helpful to know what "college" within that school you might want to be part of. College of business, college of engineering, communications, etc. A lot of large universities have different "schools" that group similar majors together. It can be helpful to apply to one of those, if you think your major will likely be related to that. But you can still be undecided - when I went to Ohio University I applied to the School of Business, undecided. And as a sophomore, I decided on Accounting. And then as a junior, I added a major in Management Information Systems, because I would have enough credits and I enjoyed those classes.
And if you still feel really lost, consider taking community college classes while you take some time to figure things out. Your peers that were not homeschooled are going to face these same challenges and questions. Everyone feels lost, even if they portray the utmost confidence. Adolescence and early adulthood is prime for doubt and anxiety - there are so many difficult choices and there is a lot of pressure. Talk to those in your inner circle that you trust, and ask them what comes to mind when they picture a future career. Ask them what traits they like about you, what they think you are good at or seem to enjoy.
No matter what you decide, it will be temporary and does not set anything in stone! Best of luck!
This is a great question. It's hard when you feel a lot of external pressure to "know what you want to do" - I don't know what I "want" to do, and I am 37! And my career has changed direction a few times in the 16 years I have been working post-college.
So I hope the first thing that you do is take a deep breath, and remember that choosing a major does not mean you have to tether yourself to something for 40+ years. Your career will hopefully be long, and who you are will change slightly with experience and time. What you are interested in now will likely be different in 5, 10, 15+ years. And that is okay!
Depending on where you go to school, it can be helpful to know what "college" within that school you might want to be part of. College of business, college of engineering, communications, etc. A lot of large universities have different "schools" that group similar majors together. It can be helpful to apply to one of those, if you think your major will likely be related to that. But you can still be undecided - when I went to Ohio University I applied to the School of Business, undecided. And as a sophomore, I decided on Accounting. And then as a junior, I added a major in Management Information Systems, because I would have enough credits and I enjoyed those classes.
And if you still feel really lost, consider taking community college classes while you take some time to figure things out. Your peers that were not homeschooled are going to face these same challenges and questions. Everyone feels lost, even if they portray the utmost confidence. Adolescence and early adulthood is prime for doubt and anxiety - there are so many difficult choices and there is a lot of pressure. Talk to those in your inner circle that you trust, and ask them what comes to mind when they picture a future career. Ask them what traits they like about you, what they think you are good at or seem to enjoy.
No matter what you decide, it will be temporary and does not set anything in stone! Best of luck!