How do you truly know what you want to be?

Hi Irish,
First and foremost DO and DELIVER.

If you find something that would interest you, than search for a way to try it out. Set a goal in that field and commit to it with your whole heart. Even if it is a small goal.
Don't quit. Even if you find out that the task is not right for you. There will always be unpleasant tasks in your life, the sooner you get used to doing them, the easier your life will get. After you delivered you might look out for the next task in the same field or in a different one, this is up to you.
This gives you confidence (you can do anything) and it builds your character. Through these experiences you will learn what you like to do, what you hate to do, which are your strengths and weaknesses. And by delivering you will build good rapport with people.

One of my biggest challenges was, when I was working for a student organization. I had to call companies and find internships for students from foreign countries. I had two goals: find a great experience for a random person, overcome my shyness. At that time it seemed as a hard job for me, but with every call it got easier. In time I learned to start and steer conversations and did help a few people to have the time of their lives who became my friends. I learned also that I'm not a sales person, but I need the skills to get where I want to go in life.
On top of that the knowledge, that I can overcome my fear to speak to strangers is one of the best motivation I have in my life.

I would like to disagree with you, that you are running out of time. I know people who started to look for what they like in their 30's and 40's. You are currently in the best time for this, but it is never to late to start.

And last but not least. Read, go to seminars, listen to podcasts and talk to people you look up to. Find your role models. There are a lot of people who went through similar situations and you can learn a lot from their experiences. The people and things you surround yourself with can make a huge difference on your behavior. So choose them consciously.

The next book on my wishlist is for example - So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport.
For financial advice look for the books by Robert Kiyosaki i.e "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" or "Cashflow Quadrant"
Don't think too much about your salary yet, you want to know what you want first. But it is a good though exercise to think about how you could make money from the things you do.

Have a great journey,
Peter

Hello Irish,

That is an excellent question and a question that most people ask themselves before they start college. The reality of it is, its really not that big of a deal at this stage in your life, yes, it is much easier for one to follow a course of life if they know what that course is earlier on. But that does not mean that you cannot alter your course as and when you find out. Take me for example, I never knew that I wanted to be a Proposal Manager (to be honest, I didnt even know that this profession existed in my college years!) I started college aiming for a major in Finance and Minor in International trade; I ended up finishing my degree with a major in Management and minor in Communication. How did this chenge happen? I simply realised, that while taking the preliminary courses in Finance and International trade, that they were not my thing, I hated the classes and I could never keep up, thats when I realised that I had got it all wrong. I went to see my college advisor (he was also one of my professors) and he helped me figure out what I was really good at. So as a recap, explore your options by trying different things and see how you get along in them. Once you figure out what you do like then a career will identify itself.

Hope this helps, good luck,
Samia.

"Let your vocation be your vacation" - Mark Twain. Let this be your guide to determining your path in life. You've opened up a philosophical quandary faced by every young person on the planet - what do I want to be when I grow up. Here's the answer - you don't stop growing up, till you stop growing older. You will always keep changing roles in life because as you grow older, your roles will change with you.
In my younger years to present - farmhand, landscaper, dishwasher, short order cook, assistant movie theater manager, United States Marine Corps Reservist (23 years ended up Chief Warrant Officer 4), waiter, bartender, College Student (10 years cause I had to pay my own way) Director of Christian Education - Youth and Family Ministry, Lead Man in Finish Mill - Antique Reproduction Furniture Company, Cellular Technician, Operations Manager, Husband, Father, Friend. What I found is that regardless of the road you take to get there, you are on your own schedule to get there, not someone elses - REMEMBER THIS. Society wants to pigeon hole you to follow their schedule to get you into the workforce as fast as possible, where you will go the same path of buying things on credit, so that you become a slave to your debts. You want to enjoy the work you do, and be paid fairly for it - so that you can thrive. With regards to money - learn to do without the fluff, and focus on essentials, and saving the extra for those especially desired items.
If you don't know what you want to do, that's OK. My step-father gave me the best advice - get your general education requirements out of the way - in other words - get your two year Associate of Arts General Ed degree - out of the way because that will always transfer to any college, because it is a degree. If you only transfer classes, not all colleges will honor those, but they have to honor the degree.
I didn't have anyone to pay my way through school - so I had to work various jobs to pay for it, while I was in the reserves. All these contributed to my path, but extended the time in college because, like you, I didn't know what truly made me happy.
After 49 years, I can say that serving others, and fixing broken things (processes, equipment, logistics, people) is my passion - but like you, I didn't know that when I was your age. Stop and examine yourself and ask the simple question - What am I doing when I'm happiest? What makes me feel important, like I'm making a difference? What core values, ethics, and morals do I believe in? This last question is probably the most important to examine, as your internal compass will do well to steer you away from job fields that don't resonate with you.
I have taken many paths, and know that I will take many more, because I'm not dead yet!!!

As with the previous answer - I recommend a few books/programs as these have shaped my life and given me a better perspective: The Bible. As a Man Thinketh - by Robert Allen, The Success Principles - by Jack Canfield. Tony Robbins - "Unlimited Power" and "Get the Edge" programs. The Law of Success & Think and Grow Rich - by Napoleon Hill

Remember - in life, there is no "program" except that which you define for yourself, and this springs from your own mind - let it be defined by what makes you happiest when you're doing it.

If you want to have further dialogue - just respond and I'd be happy to explain any of the above further.

With Gratitude,
Aaron

Awesome! I would recommend that you take a look at what is it you enjoy the most in academia. For example, if you enjoy reading and writing, go for an english or linguistic major or communications. If you enjoy math, go for a major in that field, etc... Once in College, you will have four years to decide what you want to become or achieve. I have about 3 college degrees and each one could have helped me get the job/career I have now. So it doesn't really matter what you major in college, most employers will not necessarily pay great importance. It becomes greater importance when you enter graduate school.

Be selfish
Regret nothing
Figure out what you need
Determine what really bothers you
Determine what makes you truly happy
Let people around you know what you’re trying to achieve
Stay positive & Strong

Very Important(Which I follow Personally)

Never Back Down!!!!