9 answers
Michael
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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How do I know what I really want to study for my life ?
I don't know what to study and im trying to know what I want to do but I just dont know
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9 answers
Julie Murphy
Corporate Communications
4
Answers
Lake Forest, California
Updated
Julie’s Answer
What are some of your passions? What are your strengths? What do can you absolutely not stand doing? Based off that you can start exploring potential careers. Talk to professionals in the field to get an understanding on what their day is like.
And keep in mind even if you have a degree in a certain field, the skills may be transferable to something similar!
And keep in mind even if you have a degree in a certain field, the skills may be transferable to something similar!
John Rooney
1
Answer
Updated
John’s Answer
If you talk to adults in your life I think they'll give a similar answer. Some people don't necessarily feel like they have a calling towards any specific job or field of study; this makes college a great place to explore your interests. Even after college, you can still make changes in your life. Plenty of people study something different in graduate school from what they studied for their primary degree.
West Imboden
Litigation Attorney
12
Answers
Georgetown, Kentucky
Updated
West’s Answer
Not many people are lucky enough to know what they want to do past high school. If I had to do it over again, I'd definitely talk to some type of career counselor. They may have some good starting points. I'd also recommend NOT going to college until you think you know what you want. You'd hate to have accrued debt/paid for college and spend years of your life on something that turns out to be useless to you. Not all career paths need a college education. I'd see a career counselor and start working. See what you like/don't like about specific jobs/industries.
My two cents.
My two cents.
Lisa Thomas EdD, MSEd
Education Administrator/ Leader
39
Answers
Richmond, California
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Hi Michael,
You’ve already received some great advice with tips on how to get started.
My advice: If you’re in high school, take the pressure off yourself and spend your energy exploring through career tests, taking classes, travel, YouTube or Google research, etc. You do not need to decide what you’re major is or will be now or for your application. They only need to know your interests.
If you are already in college, it’s about being strategic. Start with a few career exploration tools, meet with faculty and staff, and do your research using actual data from the US Dept of Labor, for example.
Pay particular attention to the classes that seem natural to you, and add a couple challenging minors or credentials/ certifications in areas you want to learn more about you or will help you be more job ready. For example, you may be a Math or Music major, but you could minor in education to get your teaching credentials. Or, you may be a Bus. Administration major, but you could get a minor in accounting or tax preparation or financial investment or Quickbooks. I hope this makes sense.
The goal: Don’t force it. Be mindful of your likes, dislikes, and the things you would enjoy doing even if no one paid you.
I hope this helps!
Lisa
You’ve already received some great advice with tips on how to get started.
My advice: If you’re in high school, take the pressure off yourself and spend your energy exploring through career tests, taking classes, travel, YouTube or Google research, etc. You do not need to decide what you’re major is or will be now or for your application. They only need to know your interests.
If you are already in college, it’s about being strategic. Start with a few career exploration tools, meet with faculty and staff, and do your research using actual data from the US Dept of Labor, for example.
Pay particular attention to the classes that seem natural to you, and add a couple challenging minors or credentials/ certifications in areas you want to learn more about you or will help you be more job ready. For example, you may be a Math or Music major, but you could minor in education to get your teaching credentials. Or, you may be a Bus. Administration major, but you could get a minor in accounting or tax preparation or financial investment or Quickbooks. I hope this makes sense.
The goal: Don’t force it. Be mindful of your likes, dislikes, and the things you would enjoy doing even if no one paid you.
I hope this helps!
Lisa
Keith Rodgers
Sales Director
108
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Keith’s Answer
Quite simply...
Find your passion.
Feed your passion.
Find a course of study that aligns with those passions.
Find a school that supports those passions.
Find a job that helps you put your passions to work.
Find your passion.
Feed your passion.
Find a course of study that aligns with those passions.
Find a school that supports those passions.
Find a job that helps you put your passions to work.
Loriel Johnson MHEd
Academic Advisor II
33
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Loriel’s Answer
This is the type of question that sort of takes a little bit of work on your part because nobody can pinpoint what you love to do outside of you.
you should think about the things that interest you most and then when you find out what that thing is ask yourself an honest question; can I see myself doing this long term? If the answer is yes, look decide whether or not it’s worth going to school to get a degree to help pursue that dream.
If you are going to school undecided that is OK believe me when I tell you from the experience of an academic advisor you are not alone you are not alone! There are not that many students who actively go into school knowing what they want to do.
If they do go into school knowing what they want to do there are a lot of students who quickly change course within the first two semesters and that is completely OK.
If you’re going to college undecided there should be a first year experience class that you may have to take as an incoming freshmen; that class may have a test that you’ll take to determine what your strengths are and what field may be the best fit for you. If you do have to take that test, take it seriously! Don’t rush through it, it’s pretty accurate with where you may want to be in terms of careers.
If you don’t have to take a first year experience class definitely go to your career center on campus and talk to a career advisor. They’ll be able to give you that same or similar test to help you determine what your strengths and weaknesses are and then you can go from there.
Well not as detailed as a career aptitude test you will take in college you can get started with something similar that’ll help you get in the right direction possibly
https://www.princetonreview.com/quiz/career-quiz
Another alternative for you may be to look at the career aptitude test through the college I work at. You don’t have to be a student you would just say that your perspective student use the follow the directions and be sure to use the correct code
https://www.kent.edu/career/explore-careers-majors-focus-2
you should think about the things that interest you most and then when you find out what that thing is ask yourself an honest question; can I see myself doing this long term? If the answer is yes, look decide whether or not it’s worth going to school to get a degree to help pursue that dream.
If you are going to school undecided that is OK believe me when I tell you from the experience of an academic advisor you are not alone you are not alone! There are not that many students who actively go into school knowing what they want to do.
If they do go into school knowing what they want to do there are a lot of students who quickly change course within the first two semesters and that is completely OK.
If you’re going to college undecided there should be a first year experience class that you may have to take as an incoming freshmen; that class may have a test that you’ll take to determine what your strengths are and what field may be the best fit for you. If you do have to take that test, take it seriously! Don’t rush through it, it’s pretty accurate with where you may want to be in terms of careers.
If you don’t have to take a first year experience class definitely go to your career center on campus and talk to a career advisor. They’ll be able to give you that same or similar test to help you determine what your strengths and weaknesses are and then you can go from there.
Well not as detailed as a career aptitude test you will take in college you can get started with something similar that’ll help you get in the right direction possibly
https://www.princetonreview.com/quiz/career-quiz
Another alternative for you may be to look at the career aptitude test through the college I work at. You don’t have to be a student you would just say that your perspective student use the follow the directions and be sure to use the correct code
https://www.kent.edu/career/explore-careers-majors-focus-2
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1817
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a common question for high school students. You may feel anxiety.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, your favourite subjects, etc.
Eg If you’re interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you’re interested in music, would you like to be a musician, singer, composer, music producer, music teacher, etc.
2. Explore more on these careers and find our which you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek advice from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers your would like to pursue
5. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, your favourite subjects, etc.
Eg If you’re interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you’re interested in music, would you like to be a musician, singer, composer, music producer, music teacher, etc.
2. Explore more on these careers and find our which you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek advice from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers your would like to pursue
5. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Baljit Gill
Lawyer paralegal
127
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Michael,
Its definitely is a daunting idea! You could start by taking career personality test. There are many online. This will give you an idea of where your interests lie. It will give you more than one career to look into and pursue. You could also volunteer in the community at local places while you study. Ask around and look online to see what's available. Summer jobs also come in handy to fill you time up with something constructive. You could also work part-time while you at school during the breaks or even after school. Try creating a pros and cons list about what you are interested in doing. A double major also can help you think of more than one career to work in.
Its definitely is a daunting idea! You could start by taking career personality test. There are many online. This will give you an idea of where your interests lie. It will give you more than one career to look into and pursue. You could also volunteer in the community at local places while you study. Ask around and look online to see what's available. Summer jobs also come in handy to fill you time up with something constructive. You could also work part-time while you at school during the breaks or even after school. Try creating a pros and cons list about what you are interested in doing. A double major also can help you think of more than one career to work in.
April Anderson, AA, CST, CSFA
Program Director/ CST/Surgical Technology Consulting
3
Answers
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Updated
April’s Answer
I always tell students or people in general to pay attention to what you are drawn to, those things that excite and motivate you. In that could lie your answer or at least the start in the direction of a career. I personally have not had great success with guidance counselors, however, this is my own personal experience and I would never deter someone from talking with them. My advice is a little different but several people have used it and entered into a field they love.