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How do other students figure out what they want to pursue career wise? #Spring26

Questions for other students that have it figured out or are also struggling

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Rafael’s Answer

Hi Garima, honestly most people don't have it all figured out and that's completely normal, so don't let anyone make you feel like you're behind! What worked for me was just trying different things and seeing what stuck, because I went from engineering to purchasing and supply chain, then into consulting, then explored operations at a big tech company, and eventually landed in digital supply chain work, and each step taught me something new about what I actually enjoyed. The secret is that your career doesn't have to be a straight line, it can zigzag, and every experience adds skills that connect later in ways you don't expect. My best advice is to start with what you're curious about, not what sounds impressive, and then take small steps like internships, side projects, or even just talking to people in different fields to test the waters. Also pay attention to what energizes you versus what drains you during school or work, because that's a better compass than any career quiz. Don't pressure yourself to pick one path forever, just pick the next interesting step and stay open to where it leads!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Hi Garima! I graduated a few years ago, but remember having this discussion many times with my friends. As we transitioned from high school to college, we picked degrees in subjects we were interested in, which we hoped would turn into a career that we liked. Most of my friends got degrees in very broad categories so they would have lots of career options, like International Business, or English. Even people with more specific degrees, like a personalized blend of Government and Communications, often only had big ideas about potential jobs, nothing specific.

Some of us did internships or volunteered while we were getting our degrees. Getting that hands-on career experience helped us see what we actually liked doing outside of a classroom. For example, my friend doing International Business interned for a financial institution. She didn't like it and when she graduated, she got a job doing client and project management for an international marketing agency instead.

You can also interview people in a career that you're curious about. For example, I interviewed a teacher when I was considering becoming a teacher so I could learn what it was like without making any big commitments.

Another option is to take some type of class or program related to a potential career. Some colleges, even big ones like Harvard, have free online classes in different subjects so you can see if you like dedicating your time to that subject. Community colleges and technical schools may also have affordable career-focused classes like an introduction to basic photography. There are free certificates from places like HubSpot that you can start, and stop, depending on your interests. If you're enrolled in college, use one of your electives to take a basic class in a subject related to a potential career, like introduction to creative writing.

Lastly, if you jump into a career that you think you'll love, but end up hating it, you can always change. Two of my friends who have degrees in music have changed to different careers because they discovered they wanted to do something else. One is an administrator for a college school of music and a color guard instructor, since she did color guard. The other went back to school for nursing and plans to become a physician's assistant. So don't worry about making a "mistake."
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Olivia’s Answer

Hi Garima,

A lot of students do not have it fully figured out, even if it looks like they do. Most people figure things out by trying different classes, jobs, or experiences and paying attention to what they enjoy and what they do not. It is usually a process of learning, not a one-time decision.

It can also help to talk to people, ask questions, and stay open to different paths. You do not have to have everything mapped out right now. Taking small steps and exploring over time is how most people find what works for them.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. The most important is to find out what careers you have interest.
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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