What career would suite my interests?

Hi Dayne, excellent question. I think a lot people are wondering the same thing!

Growing up, I was interested in the arts and media. I thought I'd eventually end up in a creative field so I tried out a summer internship at a media production company. While it was a great experience and I loved working there, I couldn't see myself in media for the rest of my career. By trying it out, I realized my interest in film and media was better left as a hobby rather than a career. While I was in school, I also worked part time at a small accounting office and really liked what I did and was able to see myself doing that kind of work in the long run. I now work in public accounting and am still enjoying what I do--it suits my personality and skill sets well, and I find myself being challenged in positive ways.

My advice to you is to speak to professionals in the fields you're interested in, and possibly even shadow them for a day, or work for a few weeks to assess if you'd actually enjoy that type of career. Doing research on different career paths or studying the paths to success of people you look up to will help you to make an informed decision.

I've also come to learn that your interests may change and develop over time. I certainly would have never thought I'd be passionate about audit and the insurance industry when I was in school, but here I am enjoying my line of work! My advice is to look for a career that will give you opportunities and the flexibility to grow and change. Think about the skills and experiences you will gain, rather than simply the day-to-day tasks.

Good luck!

Hi Dayne, you asked a very good question and I think can pose challenges to many throughout their lives. What do I do with so many interests? How can I focus? In particular, what can I do for money? Unfortunately, for many years I didn't truly have a good handle on pursuing a career path right for me so I'm trying to direct you away from my personal mistakes. I don't know with you being in South Africa if you've ever heard this saying but it goes like this: "<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The best-laid </span>plans of mice and men<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> often go awry." With mice and men this may be true. It is definitely true for men but for mice...I don't know. I followed the path of men for many years. Anyhow, I raise to your attention this phrase because I know of someone who can give better results. I will tell you who that someone is first. Then I will comment on some of the things that other people have responded to about your question. The one who can fill your heart with joy is the Lord and He brings true satisfaction. More than just a paycheck, your question eluded to, "How can I gain satisfaction?" There is a Bible verse that goes like this, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Do you listen to uplifting Christian music and sing songs to delight yourself in the Lord? Another Bible verse is: "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." With the Lord, you won't suffer "the best laid plans going awry". As to what the others who commented on your question responded with, I would give further considerations of what they said with great prayer. One person mentioned hobbies but did not encourage you to start out or maintain some of them as hobbies for now. You can easily cook as a hobby, improve your cooking techniques, dabble with new recipes, adjust your tastes, adapt certain recipes to see if you can improve them, try new spices, etc. Cook is something you have to do by choice as you said money is a concern of yours too and not just an interest. Who knows, by becoming a better cook, you may further define you tastes for certain foods, like Asian food, Mexican food, Italian food, etc. What other interests do you now have that might be better as hobbies for the short-run or long-run in the future? If you absolutely without question want all of them as a career, do consider the career fields mentioned by the other people who responded to your question, especially Donald Knapik. No matter what, it sounds like you will ultimately have to specialize in something to pursue all of your interests in one career. At your age, think of building blocks if you must in your career choices to ultimately try to get where you want to go. Become a planner if you aren't one already. What are your daily plans, weekly plans, monthly plans, yearly plans or further? Planning will allow you to keep a focus and potentially think in terms of building blocks required to become successful. We can't all do everything at once! As for pursuing further education. I would pursue a degree that allows you to do as many independent studies if you can and choose schooling you may need based upon it. You may have to name your own degree. I know cost is a factor but see what you can discover through looking at different schools first. You may be surprised at what you find. No matter what enjoy the Lord and the journey of your life that can be held to the near right hand of the Lord. Here is another verse for you and I leave you with it before giving you next steps: </span>Psalm 16:11 (English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible,

11 

You make known to me the path of life;

<span class="ql-font-monospace">    </span>in your presence there is fullness of joy;

<span class="ql-font-monospace">    </span>at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span>