5 answers
Macie
Student
Fernandina Beach, Florida
1
Question
Asked
499 views
What do I do; what should I be?
I am feeling very discouraged about what career path to follow. I am currently somewhere in between a sophomore and a junior in college at the University of Florida Online (due to dual enrollment; it is actually my freshman year), majoring in speech language pathology. I want to switch majors because I do not feel like my current path is going to work out. I was already unsure about this major, and I am very indecisive, so now I am struggling to find another major to switch to. I have all A's and a full bright futures scholarship. The classes I have taken so far are very general. On paper, I seem to have a lot of options. However, it feels like everything I want to do is being taken over by AI, everything I do not like but am good at (math-related) takes forever in school to complete and sounds profoundly boring, and everything else either does not interest me, does not make enough money, or I will not be able to find a job with that degree. I want to spend as little time in school as possible, so at most a master's degree if necessary. My worst nightmare is being chained to a desk for the rest of my life staring at numbers. I feel very stuck and I would really appreciate some advice!
5 answers
Carlos Mazariegos
Manager
6
Answers
Centreville, Virginia
Updated
Carlos’s Answer
I completely understand how frustrating and overwhelming this can feel. When I was in school, I struggled with the same uncertainty about choosing a path and worrying about making the “wrong” decision. One thing that helped me tremendously was seeking out mentors in fields I was curious about and having honest conversations with them. Talking to people who are actually doing the job can give you a realistic picture of what their day-to-day life looks like and help you decide whether it truly aligns with your interests and values.
I also want to emphasize that a traditional, linear career path isn’t the only option. Starting your own business or pursuing an entrepreneurial path can be a powerful alternative—especially if you value flexibility, creativity, and autonomy. Many people build successful careers by combining skills they already have, learning as they go, and creating opportunities for themselves rather than fitting into a predefined role. Entrepreneurship doesn’t require having everything figured out right away; it often starts with curiosity, problem-solving, and a willingness to experiment.
Finally, remember that your career doesn’t have to be a perfect, lifelong decision right now. Try to focus on what energizes you, what you enjoy learning, and how you want your life to look day to day. Many fulfilling paths—traditional or entrepreneurial—come from finding ways to help people, solve real problems, or add value to others’ lives. Trust yourself, stay curious, and give yourself permission to explore. You don’t have to have everything figured out yet.
I also want to emphasize that a traditional, linear career path isn’t the only option. Starting your own business or pursuing an entrepreneurial path can be a powerful alternative—especially if you value flexibility, creativity, and autonomy. Many people build successful careers by combining skills they already have, learning as they go, and creating opportunities for themselves rather than fitting into a predefined role. Entrepreneurship doesn’t require having everything figured out right away; it often starts with curiosity, problem-solving, and a willingness to experiment.
Finally, remember that your career doesn’t have to be a perfect, lifelong decision right now. Try to focus on what energizes you, what you enjoy learning, and how you want your life to look day to day. Many fulfilling paths—traditional or entrepreneurial—come from finding ways to help people, solve real problems, or add value to others’ lives. Trust yourself, stay curious, and give yourself permission to explore. You don’t have to have everything figured out yet.
Jerry Bires
career coach
75
Answers
Carbondale, Illinois
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
Macie,
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 career "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. Only I could link together why the shifts in employment and industry had been made. Bottom line, he kindly took a gamble and he hired me in 2003; I worked for him as an employee and then a contractor for the next 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 career "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. Only I could link together why the shifts in employment and industry had been made. Bottom line, he kindly took a gamble and he hired me in 2003; I worked for him as an employee and then a contractor for the next 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.
Aleaysia Jones
4
Answers
Updated
Aleaysia’s Answer
A helpful approach is to focus on majors that lead to flexible careers rather than one very specific job. Fields like communication sciences, public health, psychology, health administration, marketing, environmental studies, or information systems can open doors to many different roles after graduation. Many of these paths allow you to work with people, solve real-world problems, or be creative without requiring years of additional schooling. Also, AI is changing many industries, but it is not replacing careers that involve human judgment, communication, leadership, or problem-solving. People who can think critically and work with others will continue to be needed.
Right now, the best next step is not. Talk to an academic advisor at your university, take a career interest assessment, and try electives in different areas that sound interesting. Internships, part-time jobs, or shadowing professionals can also help you see what real jobs look like before committing to a path. You are doing the right thing by questioning your direction early, and the fact that you are a strong student with options means you have time to find a path that fits both your interests and your goals.
Right now, the best next step is not. Talk to an academic advisor at your university, take a career interest assessment, and try electives in different areas that sound interesting. Internships, part-time jobs, or shadowing professionals can also help you see what real jobs look like before committing to a path. You are doing the right thing by questioning your direction early, and the fact that you are a strong student with options means you have time to find a path that fits both your interests and your goals.
Swasti Agarwal
Consultant
6
Answers
Neuss, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Updated
Swasti’s Answer
I would suggest to try out options and not aim for a perfect solution in one go. Because that is actually the beauty of life. Often the things that we dislike in the first go tend to turn out completely positive and nourishing in the long go.
With certain parameters that you already are clear about, try taking your next steps keeping those in mind with an open mind. At the end of the day, it is more about experiences and skills learned along the way that pay off truly.
With certain parameters that you already are clear about, try taking your next steps keeping those in mind with an open mind. At the end of the day, it is more about experiences and skills learned along the way that pay off truly.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1385
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Macie,
First, I acknowledge how heavy this feels. Even when you've done everything "right" in school, you still feel stuck, which may be very annoying. It's not as uncommon as you may think, particularly for high-achieving students who have a lot of possibilities but no clear direction at the moment.
Your mind is trying to eliminate danger (AI, job stability, salary, time in school) all at once, but you're not truly out of options; rather, you're overloaded with alternatives. Every path may feel incorrect as a result.
Try asking yourself, "What kind of life and work style do I want?" rather than, "What should I be?" You've already provided some important hints:
- You don’t want to be stuck at a desk doing repetitive, numbers-heavy work
- You want a career that feels engaging, not boring
- You care about job stability and realistic earning potential
- You don’t want a very long education path
You wouldn't believe how much that already narrows things down.
For now, concentrate on testing directions rather than hurrying to choose the "perfect" major. This is actually the right time to look into things because your courses are still general. Look into fields that are:
- People-focused but practical (e.g., HR, marketing, communications, counseling-related paths, healthcare-adjacent roles)
- Applied and dynamic (e.g., project management, UX/UI design, media, training & development)
- Skill-based rather than purely theoretical
Furthermore, AI is changing professions rather than eliminating them. It is far more difficult to replace jobs involving human connection, creativity, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Therefore, instead of avoiding fields due to AI, concentrate on developing talents that complement it.
Here is a workable plan for the next step:
- Take 1–2 exploratory classes in areas you’re curious about next semester
- Talk to people or watch “day in the life” videos of different roles
- Try small projects or short online courses to test interest (low commitment, high insight)
- Reflect on what energizes you vs. drains you
Right now, you don't have to figure out your entire career. Not a flawless choice, but a better one is what you need to make next. Also, leaving a course that doesn't seem right is alignment rather than failure. You are free to change your course.
You're not falling behind. Right after confusion, you're at the precise moment when clarity begins to appear.
Best wishes!
First, I acknowledge how heavy this feels. Even when you've done everything "right" in school, you still feel stuck, which may be very annoying. It's not as uncommon as you may think, particularly for high-achieving students who have a lot of possibilities but no clear direction at the moment.
Your mind is trying to eliminate danger (AI, job stability, salary, time in school) all at once, but you're not truly out of options; rather, you're overloaded with alternatives. Every path may feel incorrect as a result.
Try asking yourself, "What kind of life and work style do I want?" rather than, "What should I be?" You've already provided some important hints:
- You don’t want to be stuck at a desk doing repetitive, numbers-heavy work
- You want a career that feels engaging, not boring
- You care about job stability and realistic earning potential
- You don’t want a very long education path
You wouldn't believe how much that already narrows things down.
For now, concentrate on testing directions rather than hurrying to choose the "perfect" major. This is actually the right time to look into things because your courses are still general. Look into fields that are:
- People-focused but practical (e.g., HR, marketing, communications, counseling-related paths, healthcare-adjacent roles)
- Applied and dynamic (e.g., project management, UX/UI design, media, training & development)
- Skill-based rather than purely theoretical
Furthermore, AI is changing professions rather than eliminating them. It is far more difficult to replace jobs involving human connection, creativity, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Therefore, instead of avoiding fields due to AI, concentrate on developing talents that complement it.
Here is a workable plan for the next step:
- Take 1–2 exploratory classes in areas you’re curious about next semester
- Talk to people or watch “day in the life” videos of different roles
- Try small projects or short online courses to test interest (low commitment, high insight)
- Reflect on what energizes you vs. drains you
Right now, you don't have to figure out your entire career. Not a flawless choice, but a better one is what you need to make next. Also, leaving a course that doesn't seem right is alignment rather than failure. You are free to change your course.
You're not falling behind. Right after confusion, you're at the precise moment when clarity begins to appear.
Best wishes!
Delete Comment
Flag Comment