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How do I decide what type of job or career or profession I want?

I don't really know what I want to be yet and it has always been a trick question since I was a kid and I am still not really sure with it now but I do know I want to get higher education like university or collage but I have nothing really pushing me.

career student high-school job-search undecided
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Nick’s Answer

This is one of those questions that there really isn't one answer to. If there were, it wouldn't be something that is asked so frequently by people of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds. If I could boil it down to a simple solution it would likely be based on this matrix of priorities:

- Compensation
-- Does this job pay me enough to afford the lifestyle that I want for myself?

- Impact
-- Does this job have a positive impact on my macro/micro environment?

- Satisfaction
--Does doing this job satisfy or positively challenge me?

The perfect job will give you all three of those things. Many jobs may give you two of the three. Some jobs will give you one or less. If you cannot find that perfect job right off the bat then you may need to ask yourself. Am I willing to make compromises on any of those three things, if so which? Will this potential job lead put me in a position to eventually have a job where I do not need to make any of those compromises? Try listing out some of the things that positively challenge you or satisfy you, the kind of impact you'd like to have, and for components of the lifestyle you'd like to have.

For many people - this lesson is learned the same way. By realizing what you don't want to do. Ending up in a job that is not quite the right fit for you. It is almost inevitable that this will happen at some point or another. While it is an uncomfortable experience it is one of the best learning opportunities you can have. You may not get it right the first time and that is completely okay! You will need to do your best to hold yourself accountable to not being complacent. If you know that job is not right for you - do something about it.
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Alyssa’s Answer

Hey Josef! Fantastic question, and I can tell you it's something many people ponder throughout their lives. My advice for you is to passionately pursue your interests, dive into activities that spark your curiosity, and continue exploring the things you enjoy and excel at. Remember, careers are exciting journeys that often take unexpected turns, so embrace that!

Use college and higher education as avenues for exploration, trying various paths without worrying about having all the answers right now. By staying open to various opportunities, I'm confident you'll land not only a great job but a meaningful purpose that motivates you for a lifetime.

As far as actionable steps go, here are a few ideas:

1) Get involved in clubs at school that pique your interest.
2) Take classes that both cater to your strengths and spark your curiosity in unfamiliar areas.
3) Keep a running list of your likes and dislikes, and update it as you discover more about yourself.
4) Research careers that align with your interests, tap into your skill sets, and shape the life you envision.
5) Gain hands-on experience through internships, jobs, or volunteer work in your desired fields.
6) Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take on challenges that will help you grow.

Embrace the journey, let your passion guide you, and success will follow. Good luck, Josef! You've got this!
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leiah’s Answer

Hey Josef! Wow, that's such an amazing question you've got there! I remember having the same thoughts when I was younger. My most sincere advice for you would be to take that exciting leap and enroll in a university where you can start working on those essential prerequisites. They open up so many doors for a wide range of career paths!

And hey, why not dive into some job fairs while you're at it? They're fantastic for exposing yourself to the huge variety of opportunities that await you in this vast world. By attending these events, you'll be able to explore what's out there, make connections, and discover potential passions that could lead you to a fulfilling and meaningful career.

Above all, always remember to follow your heart and strive to do something you truly love. Wishing you the absolute best on this incredible journey ahead!
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April’s Answer

Nobody knows what they want to do when they're in high school, and if they say they do, they're lying! My advice would be to try out as many things as possible. When going into your first years of University, try and take a wide variety of classes to discover where your interests lie. I think there is a lot of focus on students right now to finish school as quickly as possible - but there's no rush! You will have your entire life to work, so allow yourself the time to find this passion.
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Samantha’s Answer

Hi Josef,

The best advice I can give you is to try everything you can and use process of elimination, if you aren’t immediately drawn to a particular job. It’s totally normal to enter college without knowing what you want to major in. Most people spend freshman and even some of sophomore year taking lots of different classes in different departments before deciding what they are really passionate about. If you’re looking for a good place to start, I would also recommend taking some career personality tests online to help direct you towards some jobs you might like. You can use this to help you decide what classes to try first during college. Ultimately, finding the best career path for you can be an experience involving lots of trial and error. Try to get experience through internships or volunteering or even by shadowing people in careers you might want to try to get a better sense of what you may or may not enjoy. Best of luck! I’m sure you’ll find a career that’s the right fit for you.
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lillie’s Answer

Hi Josef! The best way to figure out what you want to do with your life is to take classes you are interested in and the path will open when you're ready. What I did was go to a 2-year community college and take any classes that interested me. It took me until my 3rd year 2nd semester to realize what field that I was leaning towards, which is justice and inequality. And to be honest, no one knows what they want to do with their lives or majors, even I don't know. But, don't stress yourself out too much, and just take classes that you enjoy.
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ANDI’s Answer

I'd start with a Career Aptitude Test... a test that helps you hone in on your areas of skill and/or interest. A test like this can show you which fields may best suit you and may begin to steer you in the right direction.
A second step would be to take the "year off" after graduation to explore a few entry level jobs before deciding which field to jump into college or trade school for, or before going straight into the "real" work force or military.
If you are truly lost, a third option may to be to speak with a military recruiter and/or to take the ASVAB which is just a Career Aptitude Test for the military that helps them decide which jobs you qualify for before enlistment. The military has a plethora of options ranging from aircraft and vehicle maintenance, to dental hygenists, to cooks, to cryptologists, to xray techs. A simple 4-yr contract may give you the aid you need to attend college afterwards or drive you towards a career field you choose.
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Daniel’s Answer

Great Question Josef!

First things first - that's ok! Most people do not know what they want to do the rest of their lives and it can be stressful to think about. I felt the same way a couple of years ago right before I graduated high school. My suggestion is to go to a community college to obtain your basics. This will help you have time to try some different jobs in completely different fields. Also, by going to a community college you will be saving money and giving yourself more time to decide on a career/job while making progress on your degree. Don't let people put pressure on you that you have to decide now on the rest of your work life. I had a teacher in high school tell me that I would be a failure if I did not know what degree/career I wanted by the time I graduated high school. Well, I did not by graduation but decided a year later on what I wanted to do and absolutely love it (operations)

I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:

1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources

I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.

Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.

Lastly, I know its hard but do your best not to stress out. Life is to short to waste time stressing out. I suggest reading the book below. Good luck on the journey!

Daniel recommends the following next steps:

Read Dream Big by Bob Goff
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Emina’s Answer

It is okay if you do not know what you would like to be or do. It comes with time. For example, I went to college thinking I wanted to study Psychology and once I took my first class, I decided this was not for me. I continued taking general education courses at my college until I found a class and professor that aligned with my interests. It was like a light bulb went off and I thought "this is it!" and I went that path. This "light bulb" moment is different for everyone of when it happens and how it happens. Be patient with yourself. Try thinking about or writing down what you enjoy doing. What energizes you? Do you like helping people? In what contest do you like helping people? Do you like to cook and want to learn more about it?

Then think about how can I pursue my interst and learn more? Maybe a job shadowing, an internship, attending a college, getting a job, asking friends or family who are in that field what their experience has been and how they entered the field.

If there is no one pushing you on this path, that is okay. Do it for yourself, for your future. If you have a friend or family member who you trust and can share with to encourage you, then great! Share your thoughts and ideas with them.

It all requires taking one single step at a time. You don't have to have it all figured out now. Each step will lead you to a new step.

Wishing you all the best on this life adventure!
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Zachary’s Answer

Hey there! Figuring out what careers you're interested in can be quite the adventure, and the best way to discover your passions is to embrace new experiences and connect with people. Try taking some classes that catch your eye, join clubs on campus, and maybe even snag a summer internship that piques your curiosity. Don't worry if you're unsure about the internship - just apply to a variety and see what happens! Regardless of whether you love it or not, you'll learn a lot and figure out what you'd like to explore further.

Your campus career center can also offer valuable guidance – just ask them to connect you with alumni in various careers so you can learn about their experiences. Don't forget about good old LinkedIn too! Chat with friends about their career goals or even ask about their parents' jobs. Professors that you vibe well with can also offer some fantastic insights. Wishing you tons of luck on your exciting journey! 😊
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