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What can I do if I'm confused about what career path to follow?
I am a 13 year old high school student that is undecisive when it comes to "What I wanna be when I grow up." I have various aspirations but I feel like I wouldn't be good enough for any career.
16 answers
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Hi Nohelia, you have plenty of time to explore your interests and decide on a career path.
Remember, there's no rush to decide on a career path at your age. Keep an open mind, explore your interests, and enjoy the process of discovering what you're passionate about.
Good luck!
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Talk to your school counselor or a trusted teacher about your interests and concerns. They may be able to provide guidance and suggest resources to help you.
Consider taking a career interest inventory test to identify potential career paths that align with your strengths and interests.
Research different careers online, read articles, watch videos, and even listen to podcasts to get a better understanding of what they entail.
Explore extracurricular activities or clubs at school that align with your interests, such as science club or journalism club.
Consider volunteering or interning in a field that interests you to gain real-world experience and determine if it's a good fit for you.
Remember, there's no rush to decide on a career path at your age. Keep an open mind, explore your interests, and enjoy the process of discovering what you're passionate about.
Good luck!
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Scott recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for your suggestions! I’ll definitely be trying some of these in my spare time😁
Nohelia
Updated
lillie’s Answer
You do not need to know what you want to be at 13 or at any time in your life. I know that it's stressful when people ask that question but most of the time they themselves do not know what they want to be. What you can say is a goal that you want in life, so for me, that would be to be happy and successful. Successful in what? I don't even know and I'll be a senior in college. You will find your path when it arises, just enjoy being 13 and have fun. You absolutely do not need to make any big decisions now.
Thank you! I really appreciate your advice🤗
Nohelia
Updated
Dino’s Answer
Hello Nohelia! Your name is truly unique and beautiful. It's absolutely fantastic that at just 13 years old, you're already eager to explore your future career. It's completely normal to feel a bit confused at this age, as your interests are still diverse and evolving. But don't worry! As you progress through high school, you'll gain more clarity, and everything will start to become crystal clear. Keep up the enthusiasm, and remember that this exciting journey of self-discovery will lead you to your passions and dreams. Stay positive and always believe in yourself!
To help you out start visiting your counselor in your school and start your career exploration.
Try to visit your library and look for occupational interests books or manuals.
Try to visit your community helpers or government offices I am sure that have programs for career explorations among high school students.
Try to list down all your career interests that comes to your mind and start researching about those careers and then Rank them from 1-10, then trim down to 3 career options. It will always boils down with your interests, inclination, parents influences, what you love doing etc.
For sure you will be a good career planner since you started early. Good luck Nohelia!
Dino recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice!! :)
Nohelia
You are very much welcome Nohelia!!! Good luck in your journey.
Dino Ubalde
Updated
H.’s Answer
Congratulations on your accomplishments and awareness and eagerness to grasp the golden rings of your future. Don't worry about having to make the decision exactly right now. Life and growing up is all about learning and adventure and the world overall is always open and welcoming with open arms to whatever decision you make, even if after some time you decide to change careers. There are many adults who in middle age, one day wake up and realize they want to change careers and do so successfully and without judgement from others. Everyone has a hero, someone they look up to, admire, are impressed by and who's job is interesting. First, think about any adult that your parent(s) know(s) and socialize with and make a list of their names. Then reduce that list of names to those who have a job you think can be interesting and fun. It's important that that adult is able to be trusted and is someone you have met already. Depending on that adult's job, perhaps your mom or dad can ask for permission for you to job-shadow them for a few days. If you want to be just like your mom or dad, you might be able to job-shadow them also. If you can't think of a list of familiar grown ups with jobs that are interesting or fun, think of businesses you go to or have been to with your parent(s) and make a list of those places. Does that list include a restaurant? a bank? a sports stadium? a doctor's office? a museum? These are just examples. Don't worry about which order you made the list in. The goals are 1) pay attention to the roles and actions of the staff the next time you visit any of those places, then, 2) have a parent arrange for you to job-shadow at any or all of those places on the list.
Thank you for taking the time to help <3
Nohelia
Updated
PwC’s Answer
The biggest thing that helped me was to reach out and talk about how you are feeling to anyone who is close to you, whether they are family, a teacher, coach or friend. There are always people who will want to help you find your calling.
Thank you! I’ll definitely try to find a trusted adult I can talk to about this !
Nohelia
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Research! It may not be the obvious path to go down, but if you find something that interests you, it makes figuring out a path a lot easier. Also, try to network with as many people in fields you’re interested in; they can be great resources for information.
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PwC’s Answer
I would first say find out what you are passionate about. Once you figure it out, search for careers that ties with that passion. It does no good to work somewhere you're not happy and excited to go to!
Updated
PwC’s Answer
You have time! Just take your time and explore the different interests you have - it is just as valuable to learn what you like as what you don't like. Even in college, you will continue to question your career goals & aspirations-and that is ok! Just stay curious& open-minded.
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PwC’s Answer
That's completely normal. My advice: Ask questions. Ask people what they like and dislike about their careers and ask yourself what you want.
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PwC’s Answer
Genuinely does not matter what school you go to, it’s what you make of the experience. Take classes to build skills and from there you will create a well-rounded experience and can go into studying whichever skills you enjoy. Don’t stress majors, study something that you know will set you up with good skills and in the end, you can switch into whatever career sounds fun. Even then, you can switch careers wherever and whenever. Don’t stress and keep learning!
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Everything will work out in the end. Some things to consider are:
1) Your values (kindness integrity honesty)
2) Your favorite activities in your free time
3) Your options
4) A step forward is a step in the right direction so as long as you’re exploring your choices you will discover your true passion along the way.
5) Having multiple passions and careers is fine too!
1) Your values (kindness integrity honesty)
2) Your favorite activities in your free time
3) Your options
4) A step forward is a step in the right direction so as long as you’re exploring your choices you will discover your true passion along the way.
5) Having multiple passions and careers is fine too!
Updated
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.
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.
Thank you! I'll try to take the Career Aptitude Test and see what I get.
Nohelia
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Don't be afraid to take on an unconventional path. I failed a lot of required classes for an engineering undergraduate program but I was able to map out a path unique to me. I'm now pursuing my undegrad in medical engineering at Georgia Tech. Be unique and map out your path.
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Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. May students have similar question. The most important is you can identify the career you have interest
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you are interested in maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interest in music, would you like to a musician, singer, music teacher, music composer, music producer, 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 career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you are interested in maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interest in music, would you like to a musician, singer, music teacher, music composer, music producer, 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 career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Thank you for sharing your expertise with me!
Nohelia
Updated
James’s Answer
How about we look at this from a different angle. It seems that you are an intellectual and eager to start life. So let’s start with a couple questions.
1) What inspires you? A dog, horses, camping, helping people with pain or whom are sic, or just mowing the grass? What ever it is you can develop that into a hobby for now. This happened to me at a younger age myself and believe me it will change a few times but one will stick. Why is this important? Simple, it will help with a healthy career in the future.
2) Let’s get deep and think about something to match your question and maturity. From the movie “Milk”. The plot of the movie is: “What do you want people to say at your Eulogy?” What do for that? We should do something every day towards that to be remembered for.
Now that we have a hobby out of the way let’s get to YOUR CAREER. There are classes that you can take at school that are transferable for credit to a college. Just make sure to speak with a counselor at school that their for an AA. You can go to a junior college fist and transfer to a university after that. This will give you two years after High School to figure it out and decide on the right career for you and your future.
Happy travels and don’t forget to enjoy first:
James
1) What inspires you? A dog, horses, camping, helping people with pain or whom are sic, or just mowing the grass? What ever it is you can develop that into a hobby for now. This happened to me at a younger age myself and believe me it will change a few times but one will stick. Why is this important? Simple, it will help with a healthy career in the future.
2) Let’s get deep and think about something to match your question and maturity. From the movie “Milk”. The plot of the movie is: “What do you want people to say at your Eulogy?” What do for that? We should do something every day towards that to be remembered for.
Now that we have a hobby out of the way let’s get to YOUR CAREER. There are classes that you can take at school that are transferable for credit to a college. Just make sure to speak with a counselor at school that their for an AA. You can go to a junior college fist and transfer to a university after that. This will give you two years after High School to figure it out and decide on the right career for you and your future.
Happy travels and don’t forget to enjoy first:
James
Thank you for sharing your perspective!
Nohelia
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Sometimes you have to find out what you don't like in order to find out what you do like!
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