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I dont have a clue on what to do with my life

I don't know what i want to do. That scares me. I've taken so many "personal" job quizzes but none of them have what i'm looking for, and i don't even know what i'm looking for. Im just scared that one day when i'm 30 i'm gonna wake up and realize that i made the wrong decision. How will I know when i make the right one? #career #career-choice #help

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Frank’s Answer

Hey Sophia, it is anxiety-producing as a young person to figure out "So, where do I go now?" The others have given good suggestions, I want to offer a couple of others:
1) If you think you may be interested in college, or at least willing to give it a try, I recommend starting at a local community college (which is typically a two-year school). Why? Because everybody starts with General Ed, and as you take those courses, you're not only getting them completed, but you'll likely find some areas that you enjoy and will probably settle on! Furthermore, community colleges are more affordable, they often have smaller class sizes, and offer more flexibility.
2) Check out the Advice section on chegg.com - https://www.chegg.com/advice/career-center/ . It will help you to think around school and career areas that may perk your interest - areas that you may want to learn more about! That can really help with identifying "So, what's next?"
Finally, hang in there, do your "homework", and best wishes ahead!
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Caroline’s Answer

As someone jumped right into a corporate job after graduating from college, I would recommend giving yourself room to explore and build life experiences before putting pressure on yourself to pick "the right path".

A lot can be learned about yourself and what you're truly passionate about by taking a leap of faith and trying something. You can afford to take risks when you're young; you have to afford to live, but you don't have as many responsibilities and you don't have much to lose. An interesting book you might want to look for in the library is "The Defining Decade" by Meg Jay. While the book is really written for those already in their twenties, it drives home the idea that you don't need to have it all figured out as early as you might think. As long as you follow your interests you will likely find yourself in an interesting place.

To start, you might think about these questions:
1. Which subjects in school come more easily to you and which do you really enjoy? Your real strengths can be found where you're good at something and you really enjoy it (which is not to say you can't work to get better at something you enjoy doing, but are only a beginner at!)
2. What activities inside and outside of school make you lose track of time?

Learn more about things that interest you. Do more of the activities that make time pass quickly. Finally, keep talking to people! People love to talk about themselves and what they do, and you never know what might spark your interest!

Best of luck to you!

Caroline recommends the following next steps:

https://www.amazon.com/Defining-Decade-Your-Twenties-Matter/dp/0446561754/ref=asc_df_0446561754/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312425492373&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11790895416309044177&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032188&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-434210417213&psc=1
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your help, I still have some time to decide speaking on how I’m only a freshman in high school, but this makes it a little easier 😊 sophia
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Elizabeth’s Answer

You know what? You don't have to have an answer right now! Or at any point in particular. Now there will be decisions that have to be made at certain times, like what major/courses to enroll in, or what jobs to apply for or accept, but like some others have mentioned in their answers- nothing is set in stone. In my mid-30's I still don't know what I want to do when I 'grow up' but I have been working for the same company for 10 years in several different positions, still taking classes and using development opportunities here at work to expand my knowledge and qualifications, so at the point my 'dream job' comes up that I will be ready.
When you are looking at jobs and careers keep in mind what your passions are, how you can balance what's important in your life outside of work, and how you can make a difference for your employer and community.
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Glenda’s Answer

Hang in there Sylvia, very few of us did leaving school, do something that brings you joy :) good luck...exciting times ahead!
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Summer’s Answer

Life is not about your career choice. Everything you do in your life adds layers to who you are and will become in the future.
Making a decision to move forward in a progressive fashion, while being productive in any area will serve you well in whatever endeavor you find that you are interested in achieving.
There is no such thing as the wrong decision unless it is harmful to you or others, or lacks integrity, in my opinion.
It will all add up in the end to be the sum of something great.
This can only occur if you have been active, persistent and have perseverance and patience. ~.~
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Gabriela’s Answer

Hi Sophia,

This is normal, we all have asked ourselves this at one point or many points of our lives. I would say to first take a deep breathe and accept that we all don't know how our life will turn out. My best advice is to write down the things you enjoy and are passionate about. from the list choose your top 3 and then look for opportunities to get hands on experiences in them.
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Estelle’s Answer

There are many jobs in healthcare that are fulfilling and not all require 8+ years of training. Have you considered shadowing your pediatrician or nurse in clinic?
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Danielle’s Answer

I agree with the advice posted by others. Take some time to list out areas you are most passionate about. What makes you happy? Do you like helping people, do you like to be creative, work with your hands, are you tech savvy? You can begin drilling down your interests to specific fields. Look for roles that align with the list you've created. You can search sites like LinkedIn and other online job sites. Reach out to those currently in your fields of interest. Ask if they are open for an informational interview. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about these roles from the experts. It's also a chance to network with those in your potential future field.
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Katya’s Answer

Hi Sophia, having fear about your future is a good and normal. When I first entered college- I changed so many majors because I would get exited about one-try it, the switch to another One try it, ets. Until one day when I was in my junior year I just felt right being in one my seminar classes and I enjoyed the class and how it was all out together by the professor.

I think, it’s important is to know what would you like to do for the rest of your life based on your personality. So, do a little test at home- take a pen and a paper- make two columns and start writing what you are all about and what do you love doing most of the time. Then, take that and try browsing online the skill that you have and compare to the job functions. For example- I love writing and I could write all day long and if I could have my job 24/7 writing what would it be- I would be a writer, maybe a journalist, maybe a talk show host, ets.

Don’t be afraid to think of non traditional jobs- the world has changed and there are so many non traditional jobs people have and enjoy and work from home -it’s ok and most people are happy.

Also, I recommend you stop swearing and overwhelming yourself with the though process- every day just search for as many jobs that come your mind or type the mos top Pilar jobs in today’s market and read about their requirements and based of that also try to see if you find something that you would be interested in doing in the future. Take that-do another research around degrees, tuition, get some consultation with career advisor and you will see how your fear begins to fade because you now have a plan, a precessions , a goal and an interest.

good luck
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C’s Answer

Guess what most people don't have a clue what they what to do with their life! And are still trying to figure it out. But don't worry. You will be ok and it will come over time. So don't stress. Look at this as an opportunity. How exciting you get to try out different things to find out what it is you are passionate about.
Start asking yourself what do you enjoy doing?
What are you good at?
What are you best qualities?
It is only by trying out different roles and areas that we find out what we like and what we are good at.
Try out lots of different role, jobs, courses.
It is exciting to try out different jobs and learn a whole list of skills.
Good luck.
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Bryant’s Answer

1. Look at what motivates or inspires you since people will have different career paths
2. Look at meeting professionals by interviewing or job shadowing as it can give more insight as well as professional organizations
3. Look at LinkedIn to find roles as well as Youtube to gain more insights
4. Look at community colleges/ coursera and etc to gain more knowledge then later go to a University
5. Don't worry you will find something that you want to do
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Rebecca’s Answer

I can tell you that I'm still trying to answer that question! I'm not even working in the field that I studied in college!

I had a very similar experience to you when I was coming to the end of my school years not so long ago, and something I found out was that it's easier to find out what you don't like than what you like sometimes. Start out by thinking about what you're good at, and what you like, and go from there! Maybe you can try doing some courses, volunteering, a shadowing program, or even just reading up about careers you think you might enjoy.

I used to want to be a journalist when I was in school because I was good at writing, but then I did a short course for teens in the local college and realised there's so much more to journalism that I wouldn't enjoy! But at least I could cross that off of my list and keep looking.

And always remember; even if you go down a career path you don't enjoy, there's always time to go back to education and change direction!
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Vatsala’s Answer

• List out all things that makes you feel good and motivates you to take up
• Based on your list, list out top 5 things what really you can start to explore
• Invest time to find those areas and if any pre skill is needed to start off
• You could even take up a Psychometric test which will enable you to identify your interest area
• In few months, you will surely figure out and will do certainly well

All the very Best Sophia !
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Mark’s Answer

Hi Sophia,

Many people change their careers over their lifetime and love being able to do this. Don't feel like you have to be in a job for life or feel like you've wasted time. Every career is a learning curve and new chapter. If you don't like what you are in write down a list of what motivates you right now and adjust. Best of luck in the next chapter!
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Raj’s Answer

Let it come to you. The quizzes are good - but why not sit down and see what you like to do and how it aligns with what is out there and what the options are in the job market.

Do you have anything in mind - with more specificity, I can add more insights.

Thanks !
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Simeon’s Answer

In general, I would go to the department of labor's website (https://www.dol.gov/) and see which fields are growing quickly these days. If you're drawing a blank on what you'd like to do, see if any of the fast growing fields call out to you. This will give you a lot more structure than trying to get a vague sense of your passions and trying to brainstorm a way to turn it into money. Most people don't have a passion that they are aware of right away. Also, passions tend to change from season to season. Lastly, look at videos on YouTube of people in their careers talking about what they love and hate. See if any of their descriptions sound like a good fit for you. It's just as important to figure out if you can deal with the downsides of a job as it is to figure out what you'd love about a job.
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Sarah’s Answer

Hello,
I believe it's normal to not have your career mapped out before graduating high school. Everyone takes a different path at different speeds. I left college after one semester and instead worked different types of entry level jobs until I found what I enjoyed doing (administrative work, sales).

I recommend focusing on universal skills and building your personal brand until you find the career that's right for you. Some skills I found useful: Excel/Powerpoint/Word, be willing to learn, soft skills/customer service, overall keeping a positive attitude.
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Melissa’s Answer

This can be a really difficult decision. I'll first start with, if you choose one direction and then decide that it isn't for you and decide to go a different path... you would not be the first. So don't stress too much. One of the great things about college/techincal school/entering the workforce is that it is about learning and discovery. Sometimes we need a little time to experience something before we know if it is truly a right fit for us long term.
We have two sons, the oldest excelled at many subjects in highschool and had a really hard time deciding what course path to choose for college. Should he choose something he knew he could be successfull at, could make a good living at, but would not enjoy? Or should he follow his passion, something that he would enjoy doing, would be great at, and could make a decent liveing? Our advice to him was to choose something that he could see himself doing 20 years down the road, that he wouldn't dread. Money isn't everything, yes, you need to be able to support yourself and your family. But being miserable so that you can have a bit more money in the bank is not worth it.
Our yougest son too excells at many subjects in highschool. However, he has a fairly certain idea of the direction he would like to go in college and his career.
In both instances, our sons found ways, either through volunteering or part-time jobs to get experience in the area that they chose before going to college. This gave them some hands-on experience. Sometimes what we envision something being is not at all what it is, so if you can get some exposure, to a variety of things you are interested in, do that!
Now, for me, I started college when I graduated high-school. I chose a degree path that I was sure I wanted to do; more than half way through, I decided there was no way I wanted to do that for the rest of my life. I started a completely different degree path. In the meantime, I had started working for a company that paid well, had great benefits and my husband and I started a family. I took a break from school and focused on our family while building a career with this company (I've been here 25+ years now). When our oldest son was near graduating high-school, I made the decision to go back to college. I completed my degree, in a completely different degree program than the first two I had started. I did this through an online degree program.
So, whether you decide to enter straight into the workforce, go to college or a technical school, the first decision you make doesn't have to be your final decision.
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Max’s Answer

Life is a journey not a destination. Putting timelines and titles against what defines you is against the natural order we all follow. I am 30 now, and if you told me at 18 where I would be (Married, in a technical software role, living in the opposite hemisphere as where I grew up) I would laugh in your face.... I never thought I could achieve what I have & the reason for me was at 18 I thought it was all up to me to figure out.

Humans are networkers, social beings, yet we always seem to forget that when presented with a decision. You will always be supported and aided by many others along your journey, so if you are looking for all the answers internally, you will feel anxiety as the next step is usually not hiding in a dark corner of your subconscious.

Instead, when I am coming up with a lot of ??'s, I start by communicating! Ask questions of people like you have here, gain mentors, get internships that give you real world perspective and experience to base your thought process and framework for 'what you like' and 'what you don't like'. The second piece is to take action. Do not just sit and think as thought without action creates anxiety... even the smallest action will feel like progress and empower you to continue taking more actions... this is what makes the journey a reality, otherwise you can sit idly and for me being busy is better than being bored, or even worse restless in thought.

The fact you posted on here proves to me you have what it takes to get started on your journey towards discovering what you like now, and to evolve that as you yourself change over time! Good job!
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anahi’s Answer

Feeling uncertain about your career path is a common experience, and it's okay not to have all the answers right away. Many people go through periods of exploration and self-discovery before finding a fulfilling career. Here are some steps to help you navigate this uncertainty:

### **1. **Reflect on Your Interests:**
- Consider activities or subjects that genuinely interest and engage you. Think about what you enjoy doing in your free time or what topics you find yourself researching or reading about.

### **2. **Identify Your Skills:**
- Reflect on your skills and strengths. What are you good at? Consider both technical skills and soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and creativity.

### **3. **Explore Your Values:**
- Define your values and priorities. What aspects of work are essential to you? Factors such as work-life balance, social impact, or continuous learning can play a role in shaping your career choices.

### **4. **Try Different Experiences:**
- Gain hands-on experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer opportunities. Exposure to different fields and roles can help you discover what resonates with you.

### **5. **Networking:**
- Connect with professionals in various fields. Attend networking events, informational interviews, or join online forums to gain insights into different industries and careers.

### **6. **Mentorship:**
- Seek mentorship from individuals who have navigated different career paths. Their experiences can provide valuable guidance and perspectives.

### **7. **Embrace Uncertainty:**
- Understand that uncertainty is a natural part of the career exploration process. It's okay not to have your entire future mapped out. Be open to exploration and adaptation.

### **8. **Set Short-Term Goals:**
- Instead of focusing on a distant future, set short-term goals. What steps can you take in the next six months or a year to explore potential career paths?

### **9. **Continuous Learning:**
- Stay curious and open to continuous learning. Attend workshops, take online courses, or pursue further education to explore new interests and acquire new skills.

### **10. **Evaluate Work-Life Balance:**
- Consider the lifestyle you envision for yourself. What type of work-life balance are you seeking? Different careers may offer varying levels of flexibility and demands.

### **11. **Trust the Process:**
- Trust that the process of self-discovery takes time. Your interests and priorities may evolve over the years, and that's normal.

### **12. **Seek Professional Guidance:**
- Consider consulting with a career counselor or coach. They can provide personalized assessments and guidance based on your strengths, interests, and values.

### **13. **Trial and Error:**
- Be open to trying different things. Your first job or career choice doesn't have to be your final destination. Each experience contributes to your growth and understanding of what you want.

### **14. **Listen to Your Intuition:**
- Pay attention to your gut feelings about different opportunities. Your intuition can often guide you toward what aligns with your values and aspirations.

### **15. **Celebrate Small Wins:**
- Celebrate the small wins along the way. Every step you take towards self-discovery and personal growth is an achievement.

Remember that it's normal to feel uncertain, and your career journey may involve twists and turns. Focus on the present moment, stay open to new experiences, and trust that the choices you make contribute to your ongoing development. The "right" decision often reveals itself over time as you learn more about yourself and your preferences.
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Richard’s Answer

Sophia,

Such a great question. I think most people just starting out think that. Don't be afraid to try things. You might just find out at 30 that you realized what you have been doing is not what you want to do going forward. And, that is ok. You can change directions. I was not sure after I graduated with a business degree in Marketing. I thought I would be pretty good at Sales, so I started there. After a couple of years and two jobs, I realized I could do it, but I was not passionate about it.

1) Maintain your network of high school & college friends and former work colleagues.

Through a former college friend, I was able to get a foot in the door in Procurement. Started as a Purchasing Agent and was promoted to a Contract Administrator. It was a great organization and the jobs were interesting and I was learning. They even paid for graduate school. I still was not super excited about it though. It was a bit slower pace for me, but I thought I could learn about other things in my graduate program and meet new people. I graduated with an MBA, and after 5 years, I decided that at 29 years old. And so, the journey continued.

2) Always keep learning!

3) Be willing to sacrifice in some ways (ie less pay or location ) to get a new opportunity to learn something new.

Today, I am a a Technical Recruiter for a public cloud company. I love it! It was a journey to get here, and I can't really say that I planned it. But it combines all of the things I did in jobs that I did not think were the best fit at the time. As a Technical Recruiter, I draw on what I learned as a Sales Rep. I draw on what I learned in Procurement/Contracts (ie paying attention to detail). And even what I learned with my own golf business - how to be tenacious, disciplined and self-motivated.

4) Don't be afraid try something new, and even more than once. If you never give up and just keep putting in the effort and maintaining that growth mindset, you will find what you are looking for. It may even be more than one thing.

All the best!

Richard
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Theresa (Tisa)’s Answer

Hello Sophia
The first thing is to breathe. I know it can be overwhelming and stressful. I am going to share with you a little of what happened to me.
I started college as an Accounting major/Computer science minor. I worked in accounting while in school and going forward. I got married and had children, still working all along. I moved to a small town due to my husbands job and jobs for me were scarce. I ended up taking a job as an assistant at an optical shop in a medical building. The manager thought i had potential and so he started training me as an Optician.
The Ophthalmology doctors down the hall were losing their receptionist and hired me. Within 3 years i became their manager and learned a lot about medical insurance, billing, terminology and such. I then went to work for a hospital that managed multiple medical practices and because very well know for my skills.
A few years later i had to move to another state again due to my husbands job. I quickly got a job at another multi-practice business. However, due to the local economy, there pay was much less than i made before. I had to get an extra part time job. I then made a friend that knew the work i did in healthcare and recommended that i apply where he worked. It was a technology solution company working on military healthcare contracts.
I applied and was hired based on my knowledge of medical billing and coding. I started out training people on how to use software to enter medical procedure codes. Over the next 3 years, due to my aptitude, i was doing technical support on servers all over the world. And over the next 20 years i have had a variety of jobs in the technology field.

The bottom line is, dont think that you have to know right now what you want to do forever. Most people change career fields a couple times and rarely work in the field of their degree. Just start and be flexible as life comes at you. You will be great!!
Good Luck
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Kim’s Answer

Sophia,

I am sorry that the adults put so much pressure on youngsters to figure this out at a young age! Do you like escargot? If you've never tried it, you don't know! The same for jobs. You can get an idea of what you like or don't, but there will always be the chance it's not for you. That's okay! Because, you can use the skills you get in one job to transition to another. It is called "transferable job skills." I've seen people go from geologist to banker. It will be up to you to learn how to say things that help the employer see how your past experience is relevant. And, you will learn to do that!

You honestly don't have to go straight from college to the lifetime career option. Truly! See, it's like this. "Back in the day" people went to work for one company and worked their way up. They stayed there forever, and, when they retired, they got a "pension" from the company. Now, it is rare for companies to give pensions. Instead, you will have to save up for retirement, with contributions from your employer. IF YOU LEAVE that employer, your retirement (401k) GOES WITH YOU, That has totally changed the job market. For many occupations (but not all) it is COMMON to change jobs every 2-5 years. In fact, employees who stay longer than five years are sometimes perceived as "stagnant." companies want new blood and new ideas!

Two things I recommend: Become GREAT at customer service type jobs - fast food, call center, retail, banking, etc. Learn to handle conflict in a way that tactfully resolves the problem. You can use customer service skills in a variety of positions.

Second. Think about the difference between "occupation" and "industry." For example, "administrative assistant" is an occupation. Where do you want to do it? For a company that sells lumber? For a company that makes adaptive equipment for disabled people to be able to drive? Or, does it not matter to you? Let's look at Industry. Hospitality and Tourism is an industry. Do you want to work on a cruise-ship? Front desk at a hotel? Shipping and receiving (warehouse) at the hotel? Fine- dining? Like this, Healthcare also has a full range of occupations within it - everything from the business office to food to xray tech. Perhaps if you think about Industry rather than Occupation it might make things a little easier.

Sometimes it is easier to stay in the same industry, but change careers. Anyway, when you get your first "Starter" job, tell yourself you will evaluate where you are at two years---EVEN if you like it! Look at the job market, see what else is out there. Also, keep taking classes. Knowledge is evolving at lightening speed, you will want to stay on top of things.

Finally, there really is nothing wrong with saying, oops, I made a mistake, this job is not for me. It's not the end of the world. You will have a better idea of what you like and don't like after you start doing it!

hope this helps!
Kim
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