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I don't really have one
Just trying to figure out life #life
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Desiree’s Answer
That's fine, Ashley! (And if you do figure out Life, can you share the answers here, because I still haven't yet!!)
Career paths and life plans are rarely linear - they often branch, fork, loop around. I imagine some of the people you know now, who think they have it "all figured out," will be in vastly different places than they expect in 15 years!
I'll use myself as an example. I was generally interested in the outdoors and environmental matters, and I had an aptitude for math and science. Sometime in high school I decided to pursue Marine Biology. At university, a professor predicted that many prospective Marine Bio majors would change their plan once they realized how much work the science curriculum took. And he was right! I stuck it out, but fully 2/3 of the Marine Bio majors in freshman year class changed their major! That's a lot of people who thought they had it figured out, but took a different path.
When I graduated, I was reconsidering grad school (it seemed overwhelming to go continue with school right away), so I took a job with an engineering firm working within my skill set (wetlands delineations, etc.). At some point I decided that I'd rather be practicing environmental law. So I went to law school. Serious fork in my road! If you'd have asked my 16 year old self if I'd ever be a lawyer, I'd have laughed! But having a strong science background and real world experience really made me a better law student, and a better lawyer.
And now I've been practicing law for... well, a really long time! While I did start my legal career in environmental law, I also learned to practice other types of compliance law. I even ended up living in Asia for a while working on anti-bribery matters (really, I don't think I could have been any further from Marine Bio!). Which goes to show that you never really know where you'll end up (in my case, literally where on Earth!) or what you'll be doing!
For now I suggest you cut yourself some slack. Think about the things that interest you and the areas/skills where you have a knack. That alone may open a "field" to you. And you can explore whether that might be an area you could enjoy as a career. You can research those careers, understand the education requirements or credentials for people in that field and, if it still makes sense, head towards it. But know that other opportunities, lessons, teachers, peers, mentors, etc may open your eyes to different fields, or different careers within that field. And it's okay explore those, too! You don't have to make a plan in your teens that will dictate your life until you retire - you can pivot and deviate along the way.
Relax, few people have it all figured out!
Consider what you enjoy and what skills/apptitudes you have - is there an obvious field of careers there? Think big categories (construction trades, medicine, techonolgy) before you narrow it down to actual jobs that MIGHT be a good fit.
Reserach the credentials/education requirements for those jobs, consider making a plan to achieve those requirements.
Be open to other opportunities and interests as you learn and experience more.
Career paths and life plans are rarely linear - they often branch, fork, loop around. I imagine some of the people you know now, who think they have it "all figured out," will be in vastly different places than they expect in 15 years!
I'll use myself as an example. I was generally interested in the outdoors and environmental matters, and I had an aptitude for math and science. Sometime in high school I decided to pursue Marine Biology. At university, a professor predicted that many prospective Marine Bio majors would change their plan once they realized how much work the science curriculum took. And he was right! I stuck it out, but fully 2/3 of the Marine Bio majors in freshman year class changed their major! That's a lot of people who thought they had it figured out, but took a different path.
When I graduated, I was reconsidering grad school (it seemed overwhelming to go continue with school right away), so I took a job with an engineering firm working within my skill set (wetlands delineations, etc.). At some point I decided that I'd rather be practicing environmental law. So I went to law school. Serious fork in my road! If you'd have asked my 16 year old self if I'd ever be a lawyer, I'd have laughed! But having a strong science background and real world experience really made me a better law student, and a better lawyer.
And now I've been practicing law for... well, a really long time! While I did start my legal career in environmental law, I also learned to practice other types of compliance law. I even ended up living in Asia for a while working on anti-bribery matters (really, I don't think I could have been any further from Marine Bio!). Which goes to show that you never really know where you'll end up (in my case, literally where on Earth!) or what you'll be doing!
For now I suggest you cut yourself some slack. Think about the things that interest you and the areas/skills where you have a knack. That alone may open a "field" to you. And you can explore whether that might be an area you could enjoy as a career. You can research those careers, understand the education requirements or credentials for people in that field and, if it still makes sense, head towards it. But know that other opportunities, lessons, teachers, peers, mentors, etc may open your eyes to different fields, or different careers within that field. And it's okay explore those, too! You don't have to make a plan in your teens that will dictate your life until you retire - you can pivot and deviate along the way.
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Sankaragomathy’s Answer
Hi Ashley, please don't think too much about it. Life is a challenging mission. You can design your life the way you want to live. please just don't get discouraged and continue to go on with the flow. When you feel low, think of something lovable that has happened in your past or plan for something exciting to do in your near future. Keep up your spirit and enjoy the moment now. If not now, when can we have fun? Keep your mind filled with positive thoughts and I am sure you will appreciate each and every day of your life!
Updated
Pro’s Answer
Think about what it is you love and enjoy most in your life... animals? Helping other people? And make a career out of it. Think about HOW you'd most like to help them. Conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, habitat management, teaching, counseling, etc.?
L recommends the following next steps:
Decide what your passion/calling in life is
Figure out what kinds of work you can do in that area
Do some Internet research and find out what kinds of job duties, education, and experience it would require
Volunteer or intern in that area while getting an education
Be happy with the rest of your life doing what you love!
L recommends the following next steps:
Decide what your passion/calling in life is
Figure out what kinds of work you can do in that area
Do some Internet research and find out what kinds of job duties, education, and experience it would require
Volunteer or intern in that area while getting an education
Be happy with the rest of your life doing what you love!
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
I think it's more than okay that you don't have all the answers figured out right now. When I was your age I felt the pressure of going to college, choosing my degree, investing thousands of dollars and having no real life experience outside of high school. I spent a few years switching my major a few times while also trying to have small jobs. I changed my major 5 times and chose things like Education, English Literature, Fashion Design and Marketing, Accounting, and then landed in Culinary. 10 years later now and I work in TECH! I never really understood why we pressured young adults like yourself to choose a career path so early.
I have some recommendations and if I could do it all over again I maybe would. There are so many things to having a career vs a job. Like does it give you the flexibility to do other things you like, does that company align to your moral values, do you have work/life balance etc.
Here's what you should do:
Try a job you think you'd like. Then assess the pros and cons. What did you like? What did you not like?
Try a job you don't think you'd normally go for and do the same.
Try a job that's rewarding like giving back to the community, working with the elderly, helping pets etc.
I have some recommendations and if I could do it all over again I maybe would. There are so many things to having a career vs a job. Like does it give you the flexibility to do other things you like, does that company align to your moral values, do you have work/life balance etc.
Here's what you should do:
Sarah recommends the following next steps: