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What steps should I take to decide my future path?
All my friends have found their calling whether it's becoming a doctor or engineer. They have also found college majors that they want to pursue. I'm a bit different since I haven't found my calling or even a major. I have tried volunteering and researching career fields but nothing really interests me. My teachers say that I'm innovative and would be good in writing or music but I don't like writing or music, I just do it to get good grades. I have begun questioning if college or even having a job is for me. It feels more like something I HAVE to do in order to become successful and survive. #career-choice #college-major
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6 answers
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Mickael’s Answer
Hi Crystal,
I am sorry to feel like you sound depressed and at lost.
In order to find what you future may look like, first step back. Like Rebecca's say, you need to find topics you have interest in because a job does require some time from you.
I agree with you that testing friend is not a hobby, at all. But if testing is what you like, if writing to people is something you may appreciate, web sites often search for moderators, online customers support answer by e-mails or post.
If texting your friend is about socializing you may want to search in this area: teacher, child care, care in general, psychology ?
Are you missing a motivation? Are you afraid to make a choice? I feel like this is the main issue you are facing from this:
{quote}
I do find tutoring younger children fun but I don't know if I want to get a degree for that. As much as I like it, I don't love it enough to go back to school to get a degree after high school.
{quote}
So it seems to me you are simply not academical, you do not like studying. Well, you have two choices (for me) here:
- either you force yourself for couple more years to get some graduation in a field that you like.
- or you get a job right after high-school that would train you there. This option is usually harder because companies tend to like people with a minimum of background. But this is not impossible.
I am sorry to feel like you sound depressed and at lost.
In order to find what you future may look like, first step back. Like Rebecca's say, you need to find topics you have interest in because a job does require some time from you.
I agree with you that testing friend is not a hobby, at all. But if testing is what you like, if writing to people is something you may appreciate, web sites often search for moderators, online customers support answer by e-mails or post.
If texting your friend is about socializing you may want to search in this area: teacher, child care, care in general, psychology ?
Are you missing a motivation? Are you afraid to make a choice? I feel like this is the main issue you are facing from this:
{quote}
I do find tutoring younger children fun but I don't know if I want to get a degree for that. As much as I like it, I don't love it enough to go back to school to get a degree after high school.
{quote}
So it seems to me you are simply not academical, you do not like studying. Well, you have two choices (for me) here:
- either you force yourself for couple more years to get some graduation in a field that you like.
- or you get a job right after high-school that would train you there. This option is usually harder because companies tend to like people with a minimum of background. But this is not impossible.
Thank you! When you put in the terms that I might be missing motivation, I think that's exactly it. You are right about me not being academical but it might be best to just force myself for a couple more years to get a degree. This was really helpful especially with the options listed out. Thank you again!
Crystal
I am really glad I helped you. Finding your path in life is tough and I am genuinely happy that I contribute helping you walking the path that fits you best.
Just tell you that: you force yourself couple more years into getting the right degree, and then you enjoy 40+ years in your career. The couple years may not look that bad after all :)
Mickael Rosenberg
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Hi Crystal,
Not knowing what you want to do is completely okay! Some people grow up not knowing what they want to do, but my biggest advice would be to find what you enjoy doing and then try to find a job based on that.
If you like taking picture or videos, you could become a photographer.
If you like being outside or going for a hike, you could become a forest ranger or tour guide.
There is something out there for everyone and college may not be the right path for you, but there are many ways to be successful without going to college. For example, if electricity was to interest you, you could go to trade school and be extremely successful.
If none of this interests you, I would recommend try new things or research new things and see what makes you happy and try to go off of that! Ultimately, nothing you choose is going to be wrong.
Good luck!
Not knowing what you want to do is completely okay! Some people grow up not knowing what they want to do, but my biggest advice would be to find what you enjoy doing and then try to find a job based on that.
If you like taking picture or videos, you could become a photographer.
If you like being outside or going for a hike, you could become a forest ranger or tour guide.
There is something out there for everyone and college may not be the right path for you, but there are many ways to be successful without going to college. For example, if electricity was to interest you, you could go to trade school and be extremely successful.
If none of this interests you, I would recommend try new things or research new things and see what makes you happy and try to go off of that! Ultimately, nothing you choose is going to be wrong.
Good luck!
Updated
Sandy’s Answer
Hi Crystal-In my opinion I think it's more common to not know what path you want to take. But with that said, it sounds like you are very creative and innovative. Innovation is applicable to really any industry. It's important to work for an organization that is forward thinking and open to new ideas. If you are given the freedom to think outside the box in your career and work with like-minded people, you will really love what you do. Best of luck!
Sandy
Sandy
Updated
Cyndi’s Answer
Hi Crystal,
Everyone has a very different definition of being successful. Eventually, a career is something that you will have to do for a huge part of your life, and you should do something that you are interested in and enjoy doing it.
Try talking to different people and find out what you enjoy doing and what your passion is in life.
For example, are you a dog-loving person? If you are, try exploring options in animal care/animal behavioral science etc.
Keep exploring your options, you'll never know one day you might come across something that you've never thought about before just by talking to different people.
Good luck!
Talk to people and explore your options
Find out what you enjoy doing and what you are passionate about in life
Everyone has a very different definition of being successful. Eventually, a career is something that you will have to do for a huge part of your life, and you should do something that you are interested in and enjoy doing it.
Try talking to different people and find out what you enjoy doing and what your passion is in life.
For example, are you a dog-loving person? If you are, try exploring options in animal care/animal behavioral science etc.
Keep exploring your options, you'll never know one day you might come across something that you've never thought about before just by talking to different people.
Good luck!
Cyndi recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi Crystal, do you have any interest or hobbies? What you would like to do in your leisure time? I believe you must have something you are interested on, e.g. reading, sports, playing electronic games, traveling, etc. You can start from there.
You teacher said that you are innovative. You can consider to do some career that needs creativity. Have you thought about any design, technology, entertainment, etc.? Innovation is an very important element in these industries.
If you choose career that you have no interest, it's really a pain to do it for 8 hours a day.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
You teacher said that you are innovative. You can consider to do some career that needs creativity. Have you thought about any design, technology, entertainment, etc.? Innovation is an very important element in these industries.
If you choose career that you have no interest, it's really a pain to do it for 8 hours a day.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Thank you for the response! I have been trying to find hobbies/interest such as reading, drawing, singing, dancing, cooking, gaming, etc. Turns out, I don't like any of these hobbies.
I just do stuff because I have to, not because I want to. For example, I read because I have to by school requirement. I write because I have to submit my essay before the due date. I take on leadership roles during group work because we need to get the work in on time and no one else is volunteering. On my own free time and breaks, I text my friends but I'm not sure if that's a hobby.
I do find tutoring younger children fun but I don't know if I want to get a degree for that. As much as I like it, I don't love it enough to go back to school to get a degree after high school.
Crystal
Strong points Rebecca, starting with something you love and leaning into it will bring not just job satisfaction but an enjoyable career. Look for people who are living meaningful lives or doing things you enjoy and ask them how they got there. You may follow the same path or learn a facet of what they do you love and dive deeper into that. Don't be afraid of being curious and asking all the questions, it may feel like it, but you don't have to have all the answers right now.
Tracy Griggsby Leonard
Hi Crystal, if you have fund to tutor younger children, you can try to find part job to work in kindergarten or education centre. This can give a chance to see whether you are really interested in toddler education. At the same time, keep exploring any other careers what you are interested in.
Rebecca Tang
Updated
Bahareh’s Answer
Hi Crystal,
I think you can talk to different people about their jobs and see if you like to do it in future or not. Another thing that you can try is a career test which suggest which jobs match your personality type. Sometimes, you just need to choose even you are not sure about it and after a while you will know it was a right one or you need to make a change.
I think you can talk to different people about their jobs and see if you like to do it in future or not. Another thing that you can try is a career test which suggest which jobs match your personality type. Sometimes, you just need to choose even you are not sure about it and after a while you will know it was a right one or you need to make a change.