7 answers
Jack
Student
Auburn, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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What do I do when I don't know what to do?
What do I do if I've never truly known what I want from life and I don't know what I want to do during my life. I've never really had a true passion for anything before. I have time until I have to choose but life keeps rolling and I don't want to be left behind.
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7 answers
Jay Gutierrez
Success Coach
1
Answer
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Hello Jack!
Great question! Jack, millions of young people ask themselves this same question every day, so you are not alone. And not knowing the answer to this question can be frustrating at times, and I know I was pretty anxious about this topic when I was in high school. But kudos to you for having the courage to come here to CareerVillage to post such a profound question. I believe I have some information that can help you. I encourage you to grab a pen and a pad and write out the three suggestions I have for you. Maybe even start a journal about your career journey? Let's dig in!
First, ask yourself: What are the things I enjoy so much that I could do it all day for free? This may help you to start figuring out some of your current passions and interests. Then, on another piece of paper, draw three big circles and label them: Talents, Passions, and Purpose. In the Talents section, do your best to write all of the talents and skills that you have. And if you have trouble coming up with a list, ask a trusted friend or family member to give you their input on what they think are all of your talents and skills. In the Passions circle, write all of the things that you are passionate about it. I once read that passion can be described as a combination of love and anger. What gets you excited? What makes you shed a tear? What makes you angry? What do you enjoy doing so much that you can get lost in time? And it may not be something you have tried doing yourself, but it could be something you watch or hear. And in the last circle, Purpose, write all the things that you would like to change for the better in the world. Do you want to protect animals? Do you want to make neighborhoods safer? Feed people? Or make them laugh?
Second thing, you want to awaken the sleeping giant within you. For example, I was working in the culinary and hospitality business (fancy way of me saying I was a cook, lol). Then one day I was at a camp and someone asked me if I wanted to participate in a free class on how to educate people of my community about health issues. Well, at the time I was a very quite guy and not interested in speaking in front of people. But, I did it anyway -- and it jumpstarted the amazing career I have now as a Success Coach! So, Jack, what I am saying is to try a little bit of everything. Take advantage of whatever extracurricular activities and workshops your school, local libraries or recreational centers may have to offer. Never forget: you learn by doing. And no activity or workshop you participate in will ever be a waste of time. Remember, it is part of the journey, and you will learn new ways on how to think, solve problems, and gain new skills that you will be able to use for whatever career you choose.
And for my last suggestion, I would write a list of all the careers that you have already considered. Then read, watch, or listen (or all of the above) to people who are successfully living those careers. For example, say you are interested in engineering? You can go see a video by Mark Rober on YouTube. You can see (and feel) his passion, talent, and purpose happening right before your eyes. There are tons of professionals sharing their careers in so many different places today. Jack, continue to read about, watch, or listen to people who are living their best careers because I am certain you will find something that will give you a spark...that will turn into a fire...that will brighten your world.
Jack, it has been pleasure and an honor to serve you. And remember you are not alone! So keep the questions coming here on CareerVillage. I wish you all the best on your journey -- you got this!
Great question! Jack, millions of young people ask themselves this same question every day, so you are not alone. And not knowing the answer to this question can be frustrating at times, and I know I was pretty anxious about this topic when I was in high school. But kudos to you for having the courage to come here to CareerVillage to post such a profound question. I believe I have some information that can help you. I encourage you to grab a pen and a pad and write out the three suggestions I have for you. Maybe even start a journal about your career journey? Let's dig in!
First, ask yourself: What are the things I enjoy so much that I could do it all day for free? This may help you to start figuring out some of your current passions and interests. Then, on another piece of paper, draw three big circles and label them: Talents, Passions, and Purpose. In the Talents section, do your best to write all of the talents and skills that you have. And if you have trouble coming up with a list, ask a trusted friend or family member to give you their input on what they think are all of your talents and skills. In the Passions circle, write all of the things that you are passionate about it. I once read that passion can be described as a combination of love and anger. What gets you excited? What makes you shed a tear? What makes you angry? What do you enjoy doing so much that you can get lost in time? And it may not be something you have tried doing yourself, but it could be something you watch or hear. And in the last circle, Purpose, write all the things that you would like to change for the better in the world. Do you want to protect animals? Do you want to make neighborhoods safer? Feed people? Or make them laugh?
Second thing, you want to awaken the sleeping giant within you. For example, I was working in the culinary and hospitality business (fancy way of me saying I was a cook, lol). Then one day I was at a camp and someone asked me if I wanted to participate in a free class on how to educate people of my community about health issues. Well, at the time I was a very quite guy and not interested in speaking in front of people. But, I did it anyway -- and it jumpstarted the amazing career I have now as a Success Coach! So, Jack, what I am saying is to try a little bit of everything. Take advantage of whatever extracurricular activities and workshops your school, local libraries or recreational centers may have to offer. Never forget: you learn by doing. And no activity or workshop you participate in will ever be a waste of time. Remember, it is part of the journey, and you will learn new ways on how to think, solve problems, and gain new skills that you will be able to use for whatever career you choose.
And for my last suggestion, I would write a list of all the careers that you have already considered. Then read, watch, or listen (or all of the above) to people who are successfully living those careers. For example, say you are interested in engineering? You can go see a video by Mark Rober on YouTube. You can see (and feel) his passion, talent, and purpose happening right before your eyes. There are tons of professionals sharing their careers in so many different places today. Jack, continue to read about, watch, or listen to people who are living their best careers because I am certain you will find something that will give you a spark...that will turn into a fire...that will brighten your world.
Jack, it has been pleasure and an honor to serve you. And remember you are not alone! So keep the questions coming here on CareerVillage. I wish you all the best on your journey -- you got this!
Keyston Rice
Supervisor
180
Answers
Lawrence, IN
Updated
Keyston’s Answer
Feeling unsure about the future is more common than you might think. Instead of stressing over not having a grand passion, try exploring many small curiosities. Life's like a buffet – sample various things, see what resonates. Embrace the unknown, and remember, there's beauty in the journey. What matters is the effort you put into growing, not just the destination you choose.
Teena Marty
Sales; Consulting
7
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Teena’s Answer
This is a great question and one that will be with you throughout life. Just about anyone will tell you that they came by their career by accident, or someone took them "under-their-wing" at an early age and helped guided them in a career. It can be scary to not know what you want to do, or to feel like you have limited time to figure out a career path. There are so many choices in this big world and you can start in your backyard, so to speak. Focus on things you like to do , talk to people around you and your friends and leaders in your community that you think have interesting jobs. Use your own curiosity about life and passions and see where that may lead you. Be open to possibilities and conversations. Be open to change -- starting a career you think you want to do, may quickly change once you start doing it. So be open to that change and try something new. Life does not limit you to one thing. And when it feels right, it will be the right path for you.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
500
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Ask your friends and family what they think you are good at? Sometimes those around us can provide insight.
Another step could be to look around at those you admire. Not movie stars or athletes, but actual approachable people in your life who you admire.
What do they do and why do you admire. Can you tap into something they do?
Also, tapping into something you enjoy is easier than ever. Producing a podcast on any subject is possible within minutes.
Another step could be to look around at those you admire. Not movie stars or athletes, but actual approachable people in your life who you admire.
What do they do and why do you admire. Can you tap into something they do?
Also, tapping into something you enjoy is easier than ever. Producing a podcast on any subject is possible within minutes.
Enise Agel
141
Answers
Updated
Enise’s Answer
Hello Jack,
It is a crucial part you can take in your whole time. I did not know how to find new route and/or pathway I can move on until now. I would suggest that you need to figure out what you have done so far, and you can look back what you gained in your life.
Intermission/Gap Year/Taking a break can be an option to know yourself how you can have a plan about your further steps and your future career. You can do your hobbies and interests once you have a free time to do something you passionate about. If you find your major, I must say you should begin with that route.
After a long break, you may continue on academic year or you may look at the job announcements and requirements, which you can match with your interest & passion & talent.
If you are still not decided how to begin your pathway, I would say you can have a conversation with your friends or someone you trust the most about the future career. During discussions, you may discuss what you have done so far, and what you would like to do something that you passionate about, and how to begin with your future career, and you may express yourself how to do with it. Most conversations may be challenging to find the best route; yet you can find the best match & common ideas they came up with. After a whole time to figure out how you discover the route, you can have a list of your an easy step route plan. That is not simple to complete all requirements; but I assure you that it takes time to solve your problem.
I hope this helps.
It is a crucial part you can take in your whole time. I did not know how to find new route and/or pathway I can move on until now. I would suggest that you need to figure out what you have done so far, and you can look back what you gained in your life.
Intermission/Gap Year/Taking a break can be an option to know yourself how you can have a plan about your further steps and your future career. You can do your hobbies and interests once you have a free time to do something you passionate about. If you find your major, I must say you should begin with that route.
After a long break, you may continue on academic year or you may look at the job announcements and requirements, which you can match with your interest & passion & talent.
If you are still not decided how to begin your pathway, I would say you can have a conversation with your friends or someone you trust the most about the future career. During discussions, you may discuss what you have done so far, and what you would like to do something that you passionate about, and how to begin with your future career, and you may express yourself how to do with it. Most conversations may be challenging to find the best route; yet you can find the best match & common ideas they came up with. After a whole time to figure out how you discover the route, you can have a list of your an easy step route plan. That is not simple to complete all requirements; but I assure you that it takes time to solve your problem.
I hope this helps.
Harvey S
Renewals/Account Manager
11
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Harvey’s Answer
Almost everyone will tell you to follow what you are interested in, which is natural. But people almost never mention that you should also ask yourself what kind of lifestyle you want to live.
Remember that while your job is a large part of your life, beyond your 9-5 is a majority of your time, so what do you want to do with it? What kind of house do you want to live in? What do you need if you want to travel often or if your hobbies are expensive? Would you value working from home or being in the office, or being outside?
You may have a burning desire to do a particular job, but perhaps if you are not as set on a particular line of work, think about what type of job will facilitate the lifestyle that you want, and you will be surprised at what you find!
Remember that while your job is a large part of your life, beyond your 9-5 is a majority of your time, so what do you want to do with it? What kind of house do you want to live in? What do you need if you want to travel often or if your hobbies are expensive? Would you value working from home or being in the office, or being outside?
You may have a burning desire to do a particular job, but perhaps if you are not as set on a particular line of work, think about what type of job will facilitate the lifestyle that you want, and you will be surprised at what you find!
Tiffanie Rand (Lampasona), CDR, CIR
Recruiter
37
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Tiffanie’s Answer
Hi Jack,
It is very normal to not know what you want do with your life, I am almost 40 and I still don't know what I want to do. During our life our passions and plans change and being flexible and rolling with things is not a bad thing. I went to school thinking I'd be a lawyer and I got a job out of school as an administrative assistant and eventually it led me to recruiting, which I really enjoy. Sometimes you have to try things to find out what you want to be when you grow up. I recommend doing some volunteering int places you might like to work, ie a hospital or engineers office. Make some connections and do some internships at places that sound interesting. Take classes at school in lots of different things and find what really interests you. Maybe you can talk to some people in different professions and find out what they do and see if you like those fields. Don't get discouraged, the world is big and you can always change your career path. If you start taking classes to be a teacher you may decide half way thru that you really want to be an engineer or a social worker.
Maybe you can take a look at open entry level jobs in your area and read the job description, maybe something will jump out at you.
It is very normal to not know what you want do with your life, I am almost 40 and I still don't know what I want to do. During our life our passions and plans change and being flexible and rolling with things is not a bad thing. I went to school thinking I'd be a lawyer and I got a job out of school as an administrative assistant and eventually it led me to recruiting, which I really enjoy. Sometimes you have to try things to find out what you want to be when you grow up. I recommend doing some volunteering int places you might like to work, ie a hospital or engineers office. Make some connections and do some internships at places that sound interesting. Take classes at school in lots of different things and find what really interests you. Maybe you can talk to some people in different professions and find out what they do and see if you like those fields. Don't get discouraged, the world is big and you can always change your career path. If you start taking classes to be a teacher you may decide half way thru that you really want to be an engineer or a social worker.
Maybe you can take a look at open entry level jobs in your area and read the job description, maybe something will jump out at you.