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how long does it take to know what you want to be
im very indecisive #college #medicine #college
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10 answers
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Sean’s Answer
It may take a long time before you know what you want to be. It could take months, years, even decades. Although that might be a long time, its completely ok and 100% normal. Everyone has different strengths that they are able to capitalize on. Your career journey will be a trial and error process of figuring out what you like, and what you don't like.
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Bhavica’s Answer
It varies from person to person! There are many ways you can actively try to figure it out though. College is a great way to take different classes and join different clubs to see what engages you more, but experiences like internships, shadowing and student assistant positions in those fields can help you get better overview of what that profession really looks like. With things like medicine, taking classes, shadowing doctors in that field and joining pre-med clubs really help in seeing whether you feel like it's something that you might be passionate about or not.
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Amy’s Answer
Would you believe that I hear this all the time after 20+ years in Human Resources, big Tech?
I hear all the time, that I'm 40, 50, 60 years old and still don't know who I want to be.
I've worked with folks who got their degree in Engineering and decided at 47 to try on Human Resources. Or Human Resources for 20 years and want to try Marketing.
The object is to have fun on the journey. It's not the destination.
Trust that every experience you are having it building towards something.
Acquire skills, emotional intelligence, learnings, experiences and trust the universe will reveal itself to you.
Pick and try things on in terms of career like you would shoes. Finding out what you energizes you and what doesn't along the way is data.
I hear all the time, that I'm 40, 50, 60 years old and still don't know who I want to be.
I've worked with folks who got their degree in Engineering and decided at 47 to try on Human Resources. Or Human Resources for 20 years and want to try Marketing.
The object is to have fun on the journey. It's not the destination.
Trust that every experience you are having it building towards something.
Acquire skills, emotional intelligence, learnings, experiences and trust the universe will reveal itself to you.
Pick and try things on in terms of career like you would shoes. Finding out what you energizes you and what doesn't along the way is data.
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
It could take awhile depending on you. If there is some options you cant decided on i would shadow someone in these fields and see if this is truly something you see yourself doing and then go from there
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Saurabh’s Answer
Hello Mary,
Well, there is not right or wrong answer to this question. Reason being, some people figure what they want to be when they are in school, some may figure that out when they are in college, some may find out by the time they are in middle age and some may never truly figure that out.
Having said that, the best situation and condition is when you truly know what you want to be and you know it as early possible. The biggest advantage then is that you can work towards that, spend time in that area, learn and may be become a master in that area as well.
Now, how long does it take to know what you want to be, depends on how aggressively and courageously you look at the options you have in hand and what your calling or passion is (A word of caution, you may also see your passion change at times with age and as you get more experienced).
It is better not to sit and wait, and best option could be to courageously and sensibly choose a line that appeals to you (or even if some thing does not appeal, you still need to take action to choose) and that allows you to possibly discover what you want to be.
Another option would be confide in some one who is your guide or coach and have this as one to one discussion with them.
Talk to your friends and understand what you strong areas are and what do they think you can become. With all such ideas and suggestions in your hand, you can start working and most importantly take action in some particular area. if you figure out this is not what you want to be (say after a few months or years), you will probably have a clearer idea on what you can be.
Well, there is not right or wrong answer to this question. Reason being, some people figure what they want to be when they are in school, some may figure that out when they are in college, some may find out by the time they are in middle age and some may never truly figure that out.
Having said that, the best situation and condition is when you truly know what you want to be and you know it as early possible. The biggest advantage then is that you can work towards that, spend time in that area, learn and may be become a master in that area as well.
Now, how long does it take to know what you want to be, depends on how aggressively and courageously you look at the options you have in hand and what your calling or passion is (A word of caution, you may also see your passion change at times with age and as you get more experienced).
It is better not to sit and wait, and best option could be to courageously and sensibly choose a line that appeals to you (or even if some thing does not appeal, you still need to take action to choose) and that allows you to possibly discover what you want to be.
Another option would be confide in some one who is your guide or coach and have this as one to one discussion with them.
Talk to your friends and understand what you strong areas are and what do they think you can become. With all such ideas and suggestions in your hand, you can start working and most importantly take action in some particular area. if you figure out this is not what you want to be (say after a few months or years), you will probably have a clearer idea on what you can be.
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Stefen’s Answer
Hey Mary, from my experience. Sometimes it takes people 5 years to figure out what they want and sometimes they know what to do right when they get out of high school. When I was in high school I did not really know what I was going to do with my life or my career so I went to 2 year community college and took so many different classes in different major. From psychology, criminal justice, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, to what I major in now which is electrical engineering. I think if you layout all of the options you have and dig deep into the research on each option, you will be able to figure out.
Also, keep in mind, throughout your way of finding what you want to be or what you want to do. Don't let anything discourage you or turn you down. There will come a time where you feel discouraged and you don't want to move on and keep going BUT don't quit. Once you know what you want with your life and career BE AGGRESSIVE about it. Throw yourself out there and have courage. Also, one of my experiences that I had was one of the school advisor looked at my transcript and said "I don't think you will be able to do engineering at all. I think you will be fit for a business major or something like that." That was shocking and depressing but I did not let it get in me and look at me now working on my senior project. So, all I'm saying is don't ever let anyone discourage you because YOU WILL FIND WHAT YOU WANT AND YOU WILL DO IT.
Couple of more things to mention. Always be curious about things. Always ask "WHY" I believe this will make you figure things out easily. Also, always ask for help (from the right people of course) don't be shy. If you don't know something, that is okay. Asking for help is not weakness. I wish you the best of luck out there.
Also, keep in mind, throughout your way of finding what you want to be or what you want to do. Don't let anything discourage you or turn you down. There will come a time where you feel discouraged and you don't want to move on and keep going BUT don't quit. Once you know what you want with your life and career BE AGGRESSIVE about it. Throw yourself out there and have courage. Also, one of my experiences that I had was one of the school advisor looked at my transcript and said "I don't think you will be able to do engineering at all. I think you will be fit for a business major or something like that." That was shocking and depressing but I did not let it get in me and look at me now working on my senior project. So, all I'm saying is don't ever let anyone discourage you because YOU WILL FIND WHAT YOU WANT AND YOU WILL DO IT.
Couple of more things to mention. Always be curious about things. Always ask "WHY" I believe this will make you figure things out easily. Also, always ask for help (from the right people of course) don't be shy. If you don't know something, that is okay. Asking for help is not weakness. I wish you the best of luck out there.
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Gloria’s Answer
Hi Mary Ann,
I think it varies a lot on the person and what you want to do. I always wanted to be a writer but I could not find my place in that large, general category for several years. You have listed a large field as well - medicine. For me, the challenge was exposure to what was possible. I initially went to college for journalism and found out quickly that I was not made for the competitive enough for journalism. That had me floundering. Looking back, I should have gone into another type of writing degree program, like English, but I actually changed my major to languages. I only learned through working that I could use my writing to train people. I think that I would advise you to explore your options in medicine. Start with what you are interested in while making sure to look into other options.
Gloria
I think it varies a lot on the person and what you want to do. I always wanted to be a writer but I could not find my place in that large, general category for several years. You have listed a large field as well - medicine. For me, the challenge was exposure to what was possible. I initially went to college for journalism and found out quickly that I was not made for the competitive enough for journalism. That had me floundering. Looking back, I should have gone into another type of writing degree program, like English, but I actually changed my major to languages. I only learned through working that I could use my writing to train people. I think that I would advise you to explore your options in medicine. Start with what you are interested in while making sure to look into other options.
Gloria
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Christopher’s Answer
Hi Mary Ann,
Experience is going to be your best friend when it comes to figuring out what you want to do. You must take action to learn about different fields and do independent research on topics that may interest you. If you have friends and family members who are in or are interested in different things, talk to them about it. See how they figured it out. For people who are particularly close with you, they may be able to give you some good insight on things that they see you doing well in and enjoying.
I would also encourage you to write about your experiences. This gives your mind the freedom to wander and express yourself as you do and learn about different things. If you get a job - write about it! What do you like about it? What don't you like? What do you think you are good at?
It can be a very long process to figure out what you want to be. For many people, it takes a long time. The important thing to remind yourself is that the journey is something to embrace fully. There should be no rush. Take your time and think carefully. Best of luck!
Experience is going to be your best friend when it comes to figuring out what you want to do. You must take action to learn about different fields and do independent research on topics that may interest you. If you have friends and family members who are in or are interested in different things, talk to them about it. See how they figured it out. For people who are particularly close with you, they may be able to give you some good insight on things that they see you doing well in and enjoying.
I would also encourage you to write about your experiences. This gives your mind the freedom to wander and express yourself as you do and learn about different things. If you get a job - write about it! What do you like about it? What don't you like? What do you think you are good at?
It can be a very long process to figure out what you want to be. For many people, it takes a long time. The important thing to remind yourself is that the journey is something to embrace fully. There should be no rush. Take your time and think carefully. Best of luck!
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Chantelle’s Answer
It took me about 20 years of my life and seven years worth of higher education to finally understand and settle on what I wish to be and do with my life, so I really don’t think there’s ever a timeframe!
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Anh’s Answer
Hi Mary,
It definitely varies from person to person to know what they want to do. From my experience, I had to try out many different things to get to the direction I want to go, and frankly, I'm still wondering what I want to do as a career. So, in my opinion, take one step at a time, consider all opportunities, and after experiencing what it'd be like, then it might give you an idea of a direction you want to take, or it might let you know what you want to do. Either one is fine! Take the time you need to consider, and you'll know what your preferences are.
It definitely varies from person to person to know what they want to do. From my experience, I had to try out many different things to get to the direction I want to go, and frankly, I'm still wondering what I want to do as a career. So, in my opinion, take one step at a time, consider all opportunities, and after experiencing what it'd be like, then it might give you an idea of a direction you want to take, or it might let you know what you want to do. Either one is fine! Take the time you need to consider, and you'll know what your preferences are.