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When in college should I know what exactly I want to do in my future ?

I am about to be an undergrad at a 4 year college and don't know what I want to do. I am scared about when I should figure everything out. #help #college

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Lillian’s Answer

The short answer is "literally never."


Sometimes, it will look like everyone else knows exactly what they are going to do. Here is the secret--they do not. It looks like they do, but inside, they have all the same worries and uncertainties you do, because no one can predict the future. They are only better at hiding it than you are.


Your future career is like the Plinko game--you're the ball, bouncing around from one thing to the next, and certain experiences (like classes or internships or inspirational people) will influence what direction you bounce in, but overall, it's a very unpredictable process and you never quite know exactly where you'll end up. It will feel scary, but know that what you're feeling is normal, and we've all gone through it. Go to your school's career counselor, and they will help you with next steps.
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Ken’s Answer

Having been involved in Human Relations and College Recruiting for many years, I have found that it is very important that a suitable focus be developed as soon as possible to provide for direction and motivation towards a goal in your education/career journey.


Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to go to your school's counseling office to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter a particular career field.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. You can locate them by asking your school academic advisor, favorite teachers, and the reference librarian at your local library. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Ashley’s Answer

This is such a valid concern! I felt the same way when I started college. There are many interesting ways to spend life career-wise! I declared a major the last semester of my sophomore year in college. This worked out well for me; in the meantime, I completed Gen Ed classes and did the following to narrow down my interests.

- I brainstormed my areas of interest then did research on each. Next, I found people in the same jobs and discussed a 'Day in the Life.' There was one person in physical therapy that I shadowed. I took a class in the remaining areas. The decision: Marketing and International Business.

- Your major is not necessarily what you will do forever. I have experienced sales, corporate training, management, quality assurance, and tech support. In my experience, I found a great company with opportunities to do many interesting jobs; I do not believe in being pigeonholed into one area. I believe in learning many skills which helps you be more marketable. What I learned in college was a great foundation for these experiences!
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Michelle’s Answer

How exciting to soon be on a journey that will be providing you with such important personal growth !

Worrying about tomorrow only takes away the joy from today. You are not alone. Many people entering college are not sure what they want to major in or actually do for their future career. The important thing is that you will be a student and that will greatly enrich your life for many reasons even if you haven't settled upon a major or field of work as of yet.


Sometimes, stepping into the academic environment causes one to explore various interests and eventually realize what their calling may be. I can assure you that this happens for so many people. I had a friend in college who just kept changing her major a lot and extended her enrollment and she finally got a degree in Communications Studies. She than obtained a great State job which she stayed with for thirty years.


No one can predict how your future will unfold. That's what's exciting about life. Making small, attainable goals and taking each thing one step at a time will lead you to your answers. That's also why it's not worth worrying about now , but definitely worth taking the steps to explore.


One thing you must remember is to trust yourself. You will figure it out. The important thing right now is to get your classes together, dedicate some time to relaxation (in between study time) and know that you've got this and you are not alone.


Best wishes in college . Keep us updated on your progress.
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