4 answers
zak
Student
Fremont, California
2
Questions
Asked
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What is the best way to find the job that you like even if you are unsure What are some jobs you took and like and how did it impact you? Why did you choose it and how did you discover your interest??
I am a 16 year in high school in my junior year unsure if my major and what I want to do when I grow up
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4 answers
Annie :)
Marketing
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Annie’s Answer
The fact that you’re already thinking about this is a great start! You don’t need to know exactly what career you want to pursue yet. What matters right now is staying curious and giving yourself opportunities to explore.
If a subject interests you, follow that curiosity. Learn more about it, talk to your teachers, and ask people who have experience in that field what their work is really like. Your teachers and counselors may also be able to recommend classes, relevant college majors, or careers to explore, or even connect you with someone who can offer another perspective.
Look for opportunities like job shadowing, clubs, volunteering, or other hands-on experiences. Sometimes the best way to figure out what you like is simply to try something.
And remember: discovering what you don’t like is valuable too. Your interests may change, and that’s completely okay. You can always pivot. This is your journey, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Keep experimenting, asking questions, and following your curiosity. You might be surprised by where it takes you!
If a subject interests you, follow that curiosity. Learn more about it, talk to your teachers, and ask people who have experience in that field what their work is really like. Your teachers and counselors may also be able to recommend classes, relevant college majors, or careers to explore, or even connect you with someone who can offer another perspective.
Look for opportunities like job shadowing, clubs, volunteering, or other hands-on experiences. Sometimes the best way to figure out what you like is simply to try something.
And remember: discovering what you don’t like is valuable too. Your interests may change, and that’s completely okay. You can always pivot. This is your journey, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Keep experimenting, asking questions, and following your curiosity. You might be surprised by where it takes you!
Aml Omar
Marketing & Business Development Consultant
26
Answers
Egypt
Updated
Aml’s Answer
If you’re 16 and still unsure about your major or career, you’re actually in a good position..
you don’t need to have your whole career figured out yet.
My advice is: don’t try to “find the perfect job.” Try to discover what kind of work fits you.
Start by exploring different areas through small, real experiences. Take a short course, build a small project, volunteer, join a school club, or talk to someone working in that field. For example, if you’re curious about AI, don’t just read about AI careers — try a beginner project and see how you feel while doing it.
After each experience, ask yourself:
Did I enjoy the process, not just the result?
Was I curious enough to keep learning?
Did I enjoy solving the problems involved?
What parts gave me energy, and what parts drained me?
Could I see myself getting better at this over time?
Also, talk to professionals. Ask them what their actual day looks like, what they enjoy, what they dislike, how they entered the field, and what they wish they had known when they were your age. Real conversations can give you insights that career websites cannot.
And don’t choose a major simply because you’re good at something. Look for the intersection of interest + strengths + values + lifestyle + career opportunities.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to change your mind. Your first choice does not have to be your forever choice.
At 16, your goal isn’t to decide “What will I do for the rest of my life?”
Your goal is to answer:
“What do I want to explore seriously next?”
Follow that question, keep experimenting, and let your direction become clearer through experience rather than pressure.
you don’t need to have your whole career figured out yet.
My advice is: don’t try to “find the perfect job.” Try to discover what kind of work fits you.
Start by exploring different areas through small, real experiences. Take a short course, build a small project, volunteer, join a school club, or talk to someone working in that field. For example, if you’re curious about AI, don’t just read about AI careers — try a beginner project and see how you feel while doing it.
After each experience, ask yourself:
Did I enjoy the process, not just the result?
Was I curious enough to keep learning?
Did I enjoy solving the problems involved?
What parts gave me energy, and what parts drained me?
Could I see myself getting better at this over time?
Also, talk to professionals. Ask them what their actual day looks like, what they enjoy, what they dislike, how they entered the field, and what they wish they had known when they were your age. Real conversations can give you insights that career websites cannot.
And don’t choose a major simply because you’re good at something. Look for the intersection of interest + strengths + values + lifestyle + career opportunities.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to change your mind. Your first choice does not have to be your forever choice.
At 16, your goal isn’t to decide “What will I do for the rest of my life?”
Your goal is to answer:
“What do I want to explore seriously next?”
Follow that question, keep experimenting, and let your direction become clearer through experience rather than pressure.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2733
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you dor your question. Manu students have similar question.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc and identify related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, musician artist, singer, music composer music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, 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 careers counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore tge entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps ! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc and identify related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, musician artist, singer, music composer music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, 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 careers counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore tge entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps ! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Wong Loke Yuen
Dean; Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
788
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
The best way to find a job you like is to try different things and learn more about yourself. You can think about what you enjoy doing in your free time and what subjects you like in school. You can also talk to teachers, counselors, family members, and people who work in careers that interest you. Learning about their experiences can help you understand what different jobs are really like.
If you have the opportunity, try part-time jobs, volunteering, or internships. For example, if you are interested in working with animals, you could volunteer at an animal shelter or look for a job at a pet store, grooming business, or veterinary clinic. These experiences can help you discover whether you actually enjoy working with animals.
My advice is: choose a job based on what you enjoy, what you are good at, and what kind of life you want in the future. Do not choose a career only because it pays well or because other people think it is a good choice. Try to find something that makes you feel interested and motivated to learn.
If you have the opportunity, try part-time jobs, volunteering, or internships. For example, if you are interested in working with animals, you could volunteer at an animal shelter or look for a job at a pet store, grooming business, or veterinary clinic. These experiences can help you discover whether you actually enjoy working with animals.
My advice is: choose a job based on what you enjoy, what you are good at, and what kind of life you want in the future. Do not choose a career only because it pays well or because other people think it is a good choice. Try to find something that makes you feel interested and motivated to learn.