10 answers
Srishti
Student
1
Question
Updated
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What if I still don't know what I'm going to do in the future? Am I behind?
Hi,
I'm a sophomore in high school. Seeing many friends who already have plans for their future makes me feel like I'm behind. I thought about going into medicine (like surgery) since it's respected and high-paying, but I'm not sure I'm a good fit. I also love technology and artificial intelligence because of the opportunities they offer. Still, I worry about just coding all day and what happens when a project ends—like, could my company let me go? I'm struggling to find a path where I'm both happy and financially stable. What should I focus on? What is important? I am stressed and scared. #Fall25
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9 answers
Morgan Adams
Healthcare Administration
27
Answers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
If you are still unsure what you want to do, start taking your general ed classes at your local community college. If you are looking into the healthcare field, I would highly recommend working as a CNA. This is an eye opener and I highly recommend it to anyone. I worked as a CNA, and it helped by determine if the healthcare field was right for me. While you are taking your general ed classes, I would look around at volunteer work in other fields. Your advisor will be able to help you and direct you on what is best. Spend your first couple of years out of high school knocking out your basic courses and volunteering or shadowing at different organizations.
Thank you so much, Morgan!
Srishti
Chris Blocher
Content Designer
14
Answers
Lima, NY
Updated
Chris’s Answer
You're in a wonderful position as you head into exploration. Consider college if you enjoy learning. Consider trade school if you enjoy working with your hands. I had no direction entering college. I switched majors 4 times in under grad and eventually found what I enjoyed. But for me, it took me a while to switch my mindset. Rather than looking at it as Future = Stress, I decided to look at as Future = Excitement! It was like waking up. I also learned that "difficult" is good because it strengthened me. What others saw as success or failure didn't matter as much anymore--"did I learn anything I can use next time" became my measurement of success. Tomorrow is an unknown for everyone. The only thing you can control is your preparation for and reaction to it. Follow positivity and what excites you. There's a lot to be said for "Love what you do, and you'll never work a day in your life." As mentioned before here, you're right where you should be...give yourself permission to enjoy the journey!
Thank you!
Srishti
Mike McClelland
Senior Director of Business and AI Innovation Value
3
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Great question Srishti. 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.
kataka page
1
Answer
Updated
kataka’s Answer
You have 2 more years of high school, so enjoy that time and make some memories. Most people’s goals change so don’t worry about what your friends are interested in. Next year, think about if you want to go to college or a trade school and focus on that. You’re still young and have time, so enjoy it!
Thank you for the advice.
Srishti
Kathleen Rezek
Laboratory and compliance
109
Answers
Stanwood, Michigan
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Oh my goodness, don't stress or feel scared. I know that is easier said than done, but you have plenty of time. Many students who " have it all figured out already " will change their plan before they enter college, or while they're in college, often requiring summer courses or extra semesters. So...try to relax. What do you like to do? What are your talents and abilities? Maybe start with where you want to go to school: Close to home or far away? You mentioned medicine and technology. Do you like working with your hands? Solving puzzles or mysteries? Laboratory medicine is a great career. Most all diagnosis and treatment decisions are determined through lab results, so while it's not the most glamorous or noticeable position, it is one of the most crucial. With a Bachelor of Science degree in a scientific discipline and a clinical internship, jobs are available most anywhere you live. The hours are reasonable and the salaries are good allowing one to be self- supporting with a good life balance. Perhaps you can find a career counselor or aptitude test to help direct your path. But relax! You have time to determine a starting point and you will do it!
Thank you for the advice.
Srishti
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Srishti 👋🏻
It’s normal not to know exactly what you want to do... you’re not behind. Focus on exploring your interests and building skills that work in many fields, like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. Try small projects, clubs, or online courses in areas like medicine or AI to see what excites you.
Talk to professionals, shadow people in different jobs, and reflect on what kind of work makes you happy and fits your values. The goal now isn’t to have all the answers, it’s to learn about yourself and your options, which will make choosing a path easier later.
It’s normal not to know exactly what you want to do... you’re not behind. Focus on exploring your interests and building skills that work in many fields, like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. Try small projects, clubs, or online courses in areas like medicine or AI to see what excites you.
Talk to professionals, shadow people in different jobs, and reflect on what kind of work makes you happy and fits your values. The goal now isn’t to have all the answers, it’s to learn about yourself and your options, which will make choosing a path easier later.
Thanks for the advice.
Srishti
Kamran Ali
Senior Engineering Manager
4
Answers
Mokila, Telangana
Updated
Kamran’s Answer
Do the following
- Identify the tasks that people reach out to you naturally
- Pick from them what doesn't drain you
- Pick from them what pays you
- Start with doing that
- Identify the tasks that people reach out to you naturally
- Pick from them what doesn't drain you
- Pick from them what pays you
- Start with doing that
Thank you so much for the advice.
Srishti
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
50
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Srishti,
It is completely normal and absolutely okay to be unsure about your future as a sophomore in high school.
The feeling that you are behind is an illusion created by social media. In reality, you are precisely where you should be: exploring and eliminating options. Please know that almost every successful adult you see changed their mind multiple times between age 15 and 25. The most important thing you need to focus on right now is depth of exploration, not commitment and enjoy.
Hope this helps!
It is completely normal and absolutely okay to be unsure about your future as a sophomore in high school.
The feeling that you are behind is an illusion created by social media. In reality, you are precisely where you should be: exploring and eliminating options. Please know that almost every successful adult you see changed their mind multiple times between age 15 and 25. The most important thing you need to focus on right now is depth of exploration, not commitment and enjoy.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Srishti
Jon'a J.
Sustainability Director
3
Answers
Michigan, Michigan
Updated
Jon'a’s Answer
Hi Srishti, you're in a great place right now, exploring and discovering new things. It's easy to feel down when comparing yourself to others, but remember, many adults are still figuring out their careers too. Focus on trying new things to see what you enjoy. If you're interested in medicine or surgery, consider shadowing at a local hospital or taking anatomy or biology classes at your school or community college. Look for summer programs or internships at medical colleges or universities.
If AI excites you more, try a robotics or IT course. Check your community college or look for online options. Since you're in high school, summer programs can be a great way to explore your interests. Once you get a better feel for these areas, you'll be able to make more informed choices about your future.
Remember, choosing a path now doesn't mean you're stuck with it forever. Successful people learn to adapt and develop skills that can be used in many areas. Stay curious, be reliable, follow through with your commitments, ask questions, and seek advice. These qualities will help you succeed in any career you choose!
If AI excites you more, try a robotics or IT course. Check your community college or look for online options. Since you're in high school, summer programs can be a great way to explore your interests. Once you get a better feel for these areas, you'll be able to make more informed choices about your future.
Remember, choosing a path now doesn't mean you're stuck with it forever. Successful people learn to adapt and develop skills that can be used in many areas. Stay curious, be reliable, follow through with your commitments, ask questions, and seek advice. These qualities will help you succeed in any career you choose!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Srishti