4 answers
Jay
Student
Killeen, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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How to figure out what to be?
How do you figure out what you want to do after Highschool if you don't know what you want to be?
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4 answers
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
347
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
Take as many dual credit and AP courses while in high school so you can save that time and money for when you do go to college. As for now, look around at people you may know who have careers you are interested in. Talk to them and ask them what they do and how they got those jobs. Attend job fairs and talk to recruiters at companies you are interested. Be curious and always be open to learning new things and you will be successful.
Cliff Schreier
80
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Cliff’s Answer
Jay,
Very good question. So, I think you need to do some serious soul searching, talk to family/friends/relatives, and then do some shadowing of people to make a good decision.
Soul searching: What do you like doing? Working with kids? Working with animals? Solving problems? Or something else? Think about the answer to these questions: Has there been anything you've done that the time just seems to fly by? What does your family/friends think you are good at? What peoples' careers are you intrigued by?
Talking to people about a role you might be interested in: Find people who are in or adjacent to roles you are interested in and discuss the role with them. Learn as much as possible
Shadowing: Once you find something that you think might be a good option, try to shadow someone to help solidify or reject a certain role. Quick story: My son wanted to be a doctor, but I didn't want him to do pre-med in case he quit after his bachelors, so he chose computer science. He got an internship and HATED it. I told him: "Great - you know that wasn't what you wanted to do." He switched his major to biology and is now a pediatrician. Reading about something online isn't nearly as impactful as experiencing it.
Finally, use the internet to do some virtually shadowing or learn more about it.
There's no magic bullet that tells you exactly what you want to do with your life. You have to work at it, and you might not get it right the first time.
Good luck!
Very good question. So, I think you need to do some serious soul searching, talk to family/friends/relatives, and then do some shadowing of people to make a good decision.
Soul searching: What do you like doing? Working with kids? Working with animals? Solving problems? Or something else? Think about the answer to these questions: Has there been anything you've done that the time just seems to fly by? What does your family/friends think you are good at? What peoples' careers are you intrigued by?
Talking to people about a role you might be interested in: Find people who are in or adjacent to roles you are interested in and discuss the role with them. Learn as much as possible
Shadowing: Once you find something that you think might be a good option, try to shadow someone to help solidify or reject a certain role. Quick story: My son wanted to be a doctor, but I didn't want him to do pre-med in case he quit after his bachelors, so he chose computer science. He got an internship and HATED it. I told him: "Great - you know that wasn't what you wanted to do." He switched his major to biology and is now a pediatrician. Reading about something online isn't nearly as impactful as experiencing it.
Finally, use the internet to do some virtually shadowing or learn more about it.
There's no magic bullet that tells you exactly what you want to do with your life. You have to work at it, and you might not get it right the first time.
Good luck!
Gloria Vazquez
Solution Consulting/Architect
1
Answer
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Start by figuring out what you enjoy and how you feel about it. Think about the kind of work you like, whether it's sitting at a desk, socializing, or both. Even within one field, there are many different things you can do.
When I chose to be a systems analyst, I knew I liked solving computer problems with programming languages like LOGO and Basic. Later, I found out I enjoyed analysis and information flow, even though I'm not very technical. I also discovered a love for teaching, which led me to teach at a university after graduating.
Talk to people about their careers—what they like and what challenges they face. Today, you can even ask AI for insights if you don't know anyone personally.
Check the courses required for the careers you're interested in. Make sure they appeal to you, or you might end up quitting.
Remember, your choice isn't permanent. You can learn one thing and then switch to something else. Life is always changing, and so can you. What was true for my career 30 years ago isn't true now. You can change, and you will!
Think about what subject in school you enjoy more, and when doing so, isolate them from the teachers you've had on them. Think about what you've learned, or if you have questions on those subjects that you'd love to explore or know more of.
Explore different kind of jobs with a base on that subject.
Find people with those jobs and interact with them.
Ask AI about the type of work people with those jobs do every day. "Details of a day in the life of".. Ask as much detail as you'd like.
Find training online (hopefully free) that introduces you in those subjects to get a deeper understanding of them.
When I chose to be a systems analyst, I knew I liked solving computer problems with programming languages like LOGO and Basic. Later, I found out I enjoyed analysis and information flow, even though I'm not very technical. I also discovered a love for teaching, which led me to teach at a university after graduating.
Talk to people about their careers—what they like and what challenges they face. Today, you can even ask AI for insights if you don't know anyone personally.
Check the courses required for the careers you're interested in. Make sure they appeal to you, or you might end up quitting.
Remember, your choice isn't permanent. You can learn one thing and then switch to something else. Life is always changing, and so can you. What was true for my career 30 years ago isn't true now. You can change, and you will!
Gloria recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2764
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students havr similar question.
Below ars my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, your hobboes, favorite subjects, etc. and identify related careers.
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 careers counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers yiu would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck !
May Almighty God bless you!
Below ars my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, your hobboes, favorite subjects, etc. and identify related careers.
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 careers counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers yiu would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck !
May Almighty God bless you!