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How do I know what to do?

All of the people around me seem to know what they want to do and I don’t. How do I know what to do when I graduate high school in a few years? What can I do to prepare myself? How can I feel confident in myself when I make my own life?

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Subject: Career question for you
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Michelle’s Answer

Each person discovers what type of profession they want at a different time. There's no special age or time in which it is necessary or usual to know. Knowing what you'd like to do in the future takes time and experience, so rest assured, it's perfectly fine to not have it set in stone just yet.

To begin with, it's never beneficial to compare yourself to others who do know what career they want. Comparing can only prove to make you feel like you're behind, missing out on something and that is not the case at all. It just hasn't happened for you yet.

You will be pleased to know that when you graduate high school, you will hold the answer. What can help right now is to join some school clubs, do volunteer work, and observe people in different occupations. Something will inspire you. That is how you will know what you want to do. There also may be some people in your life that may offer information about their career and it may sound good to you. People find out what they want to do by being inspired and that is an individual, personal experience, different for all.

Confidence comes with an enthusiasm for life in general, being around beneficial, supportive, positive people and recognizing yourself as individual and appreciating your own unique qualities. Know that you have something special to say and do, and that you can touch people's lives in a meaningful way. Try various activities, any that may be in your reach, and see where your strengths are. Do not be afraid of failures or weaknesses - we all have them as part of the human experience - but look at them as lessons worth learning. Try not to worry about the timing of decisions because that will make you feel overwhelmed and under-motivated. Most of all, do not allow your worries to become barriers.

Best wishes to you in all you decide !
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Fred’s Answer

You may not know - and that is OK. If you are still in high school, try taking a few classes in areas you never have. Maybe you'll find something you enjoy. Or, think about what you do enjoy. Do you like math? Writing? Teaching? Try exploring those areas and see if you can get more experience there.

Talk to your high school guidance counsellor. This sort of question is WHY they are there.

Think about what is important to you. Is money the only thing that matters? Do you want time at home with a (potential) family? Do you want to travel for work?

There are no right or wrong answers. There is certainly no answer anybody else can give you as to what you should do.

Also, remember that many people have several careers in their life. I've been a retail store manager, worked for an airline, been a teacher, and finally settled into IT, where I've been for 20 years. Took me a while to find the right fit, and the same may happen to you.
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Tam’s Answer

Begin by asking yourself: 'What sets my heart racing with excitement when I contemplate or engage in it?' This is the passion you should consider chasing. This is the pursuit that deserves your wholehearted commitment, your precious time, and your undivided attention. It might not be a common interest or a path frequently taken by others. It could even be a road that many might deem irrational. But always bear in mind that you are a unique individual. You are not a carbon copy of your friend or sibling. You are an extraordinary and remarkable entity. The journey of self-discovery truly begins when you drown out the external clamor and distractions, and hone in on that one thing, that singular passion, that sparks a surge of joy within you when you indulge in it or even just ponder about it. Remember, nothing is beyond reach when your heart is set on it, your time is devoted to it, your persona is molded to embrace it, and you possess the determination to never throw in the towel. Here's to your success!
Thank you comment icon 100% excellent advise Donna Montgomery
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Joshua’s Answer

Discover what truly brings you joy, something you can passionately commit to for a long duration. Seek out a venture that not only provides you with a comfortable income for a fulfilling life, but also grants you the flexibility you require.
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Alan’s Answer

Forget what all of the people around you are doing or think they're doing or you believe they're doing. Who knows if they'll be right in the long run anyway. You're in a good and typical place. Just explore the things that interest and are important to you. Even when you get to college, you might not know what your major should be, and that's okay, too. There are surveys such as those on MyPlan.com that can help narrow down career paths based on interests, skills and values. Counselors will help. But don't rush yourself. Enjoy where you are now and the journey ahead.
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Jerome’s Answer

I didn't truly have an idea of what I wanted to do until I was halfway through college. Even then, what I ended up doing was never something I could have imagined growing up. Scary thing is, companies like Uber, Doordash and Lyft didn't even exist when I was growing up. It's possible your dream job hasn't been invented.

I'd offer that you can strive to learn as much as you can and prepare yourself for virtually anything that comes your way. Rather than feeling like you need to have it all figured out, use college as an opportunity to explore different fields and maybe- just maybe- you will find something that resonates with you. I promise, you have more time to work through it than you realize.
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Jose Raul’s Answer

Take your time. There is no need to rush into a decision about what you want to do with your life. Take a gap year to travel, work or volunteer. This will give you time to explore your interests and figure out what you want to do.
Talk to your counselors and teachers. They can give you information and guidance about your options. They can also help develop a plan for after high school.
Research different careers. There are many different careers available, so it's important to do your research to find one that interests you and is a good fit for your abilities. You can talk to people who work in different fields, read career books and articles, or visit career websites.
Get work experience. Work experience can help you learn about different careers and develop the skills you'll need to be successful on the job. You can get work experience through a part-time job, volunteering, or an internship program.
Don't be afraid to change your mind. It is normal to change your mind about what you want to do with your life. If you're not sure what you want to do, don't be afraid to change your mind later.
Here are some tips on how to improve your communication with other people: Listen actively. This means paying attention to what the other person is saying, both verbally and non-verbally. It also means asking questions to clarify what you don't understand.
Be expressive. This means being able to communicate your thoughts and feelings clearly and concisely. It also means being able to listen and respond to the thoughts and feelings of others.
Be respectful. This means treating others with kindness and consideration, regardless of their differences.
Be open to new ideas. This means being willing to listen to the opinions of others and consider different points of view.
Be patient. This means taking the time to build relationships and communicate effectively.
I hope these tips help you make a decision about what to do after high school and improve your communication with other people.
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Brandi’s Answer

First, know that your feelings are completely normal. Even people who have a career have the same doubts about 5 or even 10 years from now. I would suggest you make a list of anything you are interested in currently and also a list of the activities you know you do not like. Look for opportunities that relate to the things you think you are interested in. For example, if you think you want to be an elementary school teacher; look for age appropriate opportunities like babysitting, volunteering at a church or daycare. You may not be able to have direct interaction with the children but being a helper would allow you access to the experience. If you wanted to work with animals you may be able to volunteer at a vet's office or animal shelter. If any of these volunteer opportunities require additional skills (CPR certification for example) that just helps you build your resume. I would encourage you to pick one of the activities off of your "I don't like" list, you may find that you do, in fact, like it. You may also be able to eliminate something from your "things I love" list because it isn't what you expected. I want to encourage you in the fact that you are seeking advice about this. That show's that you are not clueless, but actually very resourceful. I promise you that most of your peers who have a solid plan for their entire life will end up changing their mind or entire plan over the next few years. I think the confidence will come as you gain experience and achieve new goals.
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Katie’s Answer

Hi MaKalya!
First off, I was in the exact same position as you during the summer of my junior year. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they wanted to pursue in college and yet, I had no idea whatsoever. Advice I would give to you to find your way is - be patient. Don't pick a passion just to have a passion. The major you decide to study in college and pursue as a career is something you should truly enjoy. Look into career paths of the hobbies you already have. If you like drawing, look into art schools and careers, if you like sports, look into sports management, if you like movies, look into the industry of filmmaking! I would also encourage if you could, to take summer courses of the passions you are interested in. I took a summer film class online and that truly secured film being my major for college, as I got a deeper view of what classes would truly be like. This path is different for everyone so be patient with yourself.
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Warren’s Answer

It may sound corny but you need to do a self assessment - Figure out what your interests are, where your passions are, what excites you, what drives you, what makes you tick.... What your aspirations are for making a living - Does this align with any of your passions in any way? If you can find something you are passionate about and have true interest in and figure out how to make money with it even as a hobby if its not your career then you will be getting somewhere - self satisfaction and accomplishment even in a hobby will help you build self confidence and this will spill over into your professional life even if they have nothing in common..
My daughter is passionate about Art/Photography/Sports/Acting & Singing and so on.. We worked long and hard in her high school years to find a way to build on this hobby and passion and she so much wanted a career in that area - Since its tough to be a successful actor or photographer - we explored what related to that where she can do these things and make a living.. We found that Marketing was a great match - She is several years in now on her career in Marketing - Taking Photographs, Designing Logos and physical displays like for American Express or a Beer Company or Sports Stadiums - She continues doing side jobs in Photography and making art and so her passion continues and her career grows..
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Elizabeth (Betsy)’s Answer

Hi MaKayla,

Fred provided a great response. I will just add that you should not put a lot of pressure on yourself to find all the answers right away. That can cause a lot of anxiety, and it can seem overwhelming.

Instead, step back and think about the things you like, and the things that you are interested in. This should be your starting point. If you had the opportunity to do something fun next week, what would you do? And why would you do it?

Another thing to remember is that it's okay to change your mind. People do it all their lives and end up having several careers. Sometimes they even return to college or other study programs later in their life to learn new skills. So, you have the option to change your mind later in life. Nothing has to be "forever".

Good luck
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Mark Anthony’s Answer

Absolutely, it's completely okay not to have all the answers right now about what you want to do or where you might see yourself in the future! Believe me, I've been there. I've held more than 20 different jobs in my lifetime, and only in the past 8 years have I settled with the same company, even though I've taken on 5 different roles within it. The important thing is to always stay open to new opportunities, especially when you're young. You never know where a job might take you or what doors it could open for you.

The most crucial thing, however, is to find passion in whatever you do. The moment that passion fades, it's a sign that it might be time to explore new horizons or seek different roles within your current company. Passion is the fuel that drives us to perform at our best. It's the spark that gets us out of bed every day, ready to chase excellence!
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Amarilis’s Answer

It is self discovery, a process that everyone should take some time and think and reflect on. It is important to know yourself. People go through different phases in life and have different interests. In my teens, I knew what I liked in school and what subjects I enjoyed the most. It was easy for me to go into technology.
There are some people that have natural abilities to teach, to share, to learn easily. It is up you to find within yourself and reflect and what makes you happy and enjoyable.
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Marisa’s Answer

Here's my perspective on why this might be happening and what you can do to build confidence about your own path, which should help make the future a little less scary :-)

A couple reasons why your friends may already know what they want to do:
1) Something caught their interest when they were young, for example, they were obsessed with playing Mario Kart and now they have a passion for video game design
2) They have family/mentors who inspired them to pursue a specific field, for example, their uncle Bob is a Physical Therapist and their frequent conversations about it got them interested in doing it too

Next steps:
1) Take some time to think about what you love to do. Does this exist already as a business or a company that you could join? If it doesn't exist, would you be interested in starting a small business around it (e.g. leveraging social media, AI tools, etc.)
2) Talk with family/mentors about what they do. Do you know what everyone in your family does for a living? Does uncle Bob have a nice car because Physical Therapy is a high paying career path? Would he recommend this career path for me?

The outcome:
Once you start doing these thought exercises, asking questions, doing your own research -- you will start to build a sense of peace around the scary topic of 'what am I going to do after high school?" because you will be actively taking control of your future. It will also enable you to have more to contribute in conversation with friends when they talk about their plans. You could say, for example, "I always enjoyed taking gymnastics as a kid. I'm going to call my local gym to schedule a meeting with the manager to talk to them about the type of roles that are needed in that industry. That may help me decide what I should major in when I go to college."
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Alexandra’s Answer

Absolutely, everything mentioned earlier! But here's a unique suggestion you might find interesting - consider having an astrologer prepare your birth chart! They can assist you in pinpointing your inherent talents and show you how to leverage them for career success or to find your true calling. Best of luck!
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Nicolas’s Answer

You don't have to know what you want to do. Don't put the pressure on yourself like that. You have until twenty-five to decide, at least, and that is when most people should start going to college. Remember you need to work before you start working and the best time to do that is now. I also thought that I didn't know what I wanted to do and if teaching was really worth it. I came up with the idea to teach at age 10 but didn't know if it was worth the low pay, long hours, and ups and downs. Know that you can do anything you want to do and believe that if you choose to prepare right now it will benefit you in the long run. Always ask people for their input and make sure to keep the people who show concern for you close. I thought that making a decision to keep pursuing teaching was a letdown after I figured my potential out in college, but let me tell you, it's been rewarding. I would suggest you block out all negative factors now and believe in yourself when you yourself make the right choices and decisions on your journey. With a little luck you can be great and touch the masses of people who never had this type of support. The real question is are you willing to be patient in order to let this happen? Are you willing to always be in a slower position in order to benefit in the long run? YOU can decide these things and take these things to heart.
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello
It is okay to not know what you want to do when you graduate from high school. But just because you don't know what you want to do Don't let that stop you from taking some general education classes or your basic courses. While you are taking some of those general classes you may find your passion there or develop interests As you grow older and see more options available to you. If there is anything that you like to do now or any hobbies that make you happy explore how you can make that into something profitable for you also.
Michelle
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Jacob’s Answer

Feeling uncertain about your future is entirely normal, and you are not alone in experiencing this. Finding your path after high school can be challenging, but here are some advice-oriented steps to help you discover your interests and prepare for your future:

1. Self-Reflection: Take time to explore your interests, passions, and values. Reflect on activities or subjects that excite you and make you feel fulfilled. Understanding yourself better will guide you towards potential career paths.

2. Research and Exploration: Look into various career options and educational paths. Talk to professionals in fields that interest you, attend career fairs, and participate in internships or job-shadowing experiences to gain practical insights.

3. Embrace Curiosity: Stay curious and open-minded about different opportunities. Don't be afraid to explore new subjects or hobbies, as they might lead you to unexpected passions and career paths.

4. Seek Guidance: Talk to counselors, mentors, teachers, or family members about your aspirations and concerns. Their insights and experiences can provide valuable guidance in making decisions.

5. Pursue Extracurricular Activities: Engage in extracurricular activities that align with your interests. Whether it's volunteering, joining clubs, or participating in sports, these experiences can enrich your life and help you discover new talents.

6. Set Goals: Define short-term and long-term goals for yourself. Having clear objectives will give you direction and purpose as you work towards your future.

7. Stay Flexible: Understand that plans may change over time, and it's okay to adjust your path accordingly. Embrace the idea that life is a journey with twists and turns.

8. Embrace Failure and Learning: Don't be afraid of making mistakes or facing setbacks. Embrace failures as opportunities to learn and grow stronger in your pursuit of a fulfilling life.

9. Take Small Steps: Break down your goals into manageable steps. Taking small, achievable actions towards your aspirations will build your confidence and keep you motivated.

10. Trust Yourself: Believe in your abilities and trust your instincts. You have the power to make informed decisions about your future.

Remember that finding your passion and purpose is a process that unfolds over time. Be patient with yourself and take one step at a time. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, and with persistence and determination, you will find a path that aligns with your values and brings you fulfillment. You have the ability to create a meaningful and confident life for yourself.
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Deandreia’s Answer

This one might elicit a variety of responses, but I truly relish seeing your enthusiasm and innate desire to venture into a world full of opportunities. Remember, you're still young, so it's completely normal to feel uncertain and even a bit scared about your future. Take time to relish life and pursue what brings you joy. Rest assured, there's plenty of room for mistakes and even a career switch if you find yourself unsatisfied.

I used to be hard on myself because my degree didn't align with my career. It seemed absurd when I heard others in the same situation, but life has a knack for falling into place. You'll find your aspirations evolving, and what you desired at 18 might not be what you want anymore. Believe me when I say, it's absolutely fine.

I always reassure others that it's perfectly okay not to have everything figured out or to be exactly where you want in life. Life is a journey, and it's all about learning and growing along the way.
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Molly’s Answer

Hello MaKayla!

This is a great question! Simply answered, I would recommend to step your foot into multiple areas. If you find that what you are currently in or studying does not satisfy and appeal to what you want to do in the future, then you can easily shift away from that one area and focus in another. In college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies in general business. However, that is all I knew. After focusing my studies in multiple areas of business, I found my way into Human Resources where I currently am working in today. I received my MBA focusing specifically in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, and currently have a position as an Human Resources Administrator for a Sam's Club distribution and fulfillment center. You will never know what you like until you dip your foot in the water and tread through several areas!
Dimply put, you do not have to settle on the first major that you decide. You never know what you'll find until you step your foot out there and test the waters!

Though I spoke about how to guide yourself towards your designated major, this can be related to your career as well.

I hope this helped, and good luck in your endeavors!

Thank You
Molly H.
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Doctorate Student’s Answer

Kudos to you for just trying! Immerse yourself in what ignites your passion, and everything else will naturally align. Embark on an illuminating journey with General Education courses at a Community College. These courses are frequently offered for free, presenting a fantastic chance to delve into subjects that truly captivate you. Remember, college or career advisors are always ready to provide support. Their expert guidance could be the key to unlocking your hidden potential. So, here's to a future that's radiant and prosperous! May your thrilling journey be filled with countless triumphs and happiness!
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