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What to do if I'm interested in a lot of things but don't know where to start.
What to do if I'm interested in a lot of things but don't know where to start.
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5 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
If you are looking at college I might consider looking at the Bachelors in General Studies.
The author, David Epstein once wrote that "Generalists rule the world." They are the ones who do a lot of things well. Sort of like a Decathlete.
The General Studies degree will focus a degree plan in many different areas and subjects. This might be a way for you to determine which subject area might be a future occupation.
The author, David Epstein once wrote that "Generalists rule the world." They are the ones who do a lot of things well. Sort of like a Decathlete.
The General Studies degree will focus a degree plan in many different areas and subjects. This might be a way for you to determine which subject area might be a future occupation.
Updated
Desiree’s Answer
Hello, Brandon!
It's fantastic that you have a wide range of interests, and it's completely normal to feel unsure about where to begin. I've been in your shoes, and I can assure you, many others have too.
Here are three straightforward steps to help you kick-start your journey:
1. Start by understanding yourself and your interests more deeply.
Consider jotting down your skills, favorite hobbies or activities, and even things you're not so sure about or tasks you tend not to enjoy. This simple step is often overlooked, but it's crucial.
Think of it like solving a math problem in school - the first and most vital step is to identify what we're working with.
2. Conduct some research to discover where your interests can be pursued.
Look for resources and locations that provide opportunities to utilize your skills in your areas of interest.
This could mean joining clubs at school, or targeting specific companies for future employment. Having a clear vision of your destination can help streamline your choices. Many people struggle to find job satisfaction due to a lack of clear objectives.
And most importantly...
3. Dive in and give it a shot.
Experience what each sector has to offer firsthand. By understanding your capabilities and what you enjoy (or don't enjoy), you'll be better equipped to determine if a field is a good fit for you. Test the waters and see for yourself. As the saying goes, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." Sounds fantastic, doesn't it? :)
Below, you'll find a list of optional next steps to consider.
Thank you for taking the time to read this advice, and I wish you nothing but success!
Check with your schools guidance counselor, if you could get assessment tests to help you get to know yourself and your interests better.
You can also find reputable online personality tests and quizzes to get to know that side of you which you might not know yet.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with people close to you, family, friends, teachers, and ask what they think you excel at. You might be surprised hpw much we don't know about where we are good at.
You may look for volunteer communities to expand your connections so it's easier to know where you can pursue your interests. It could even be a local or an online community that aligns with interests you wanna explore.
If you're in an age group where you could already apply for part time jobs, you can get a better glimpse at what an industry look like, by being an intern, to gain a first hand experience.
It's fantastic that you have a wide range of interests, and it's completely normal to feel unsure about where to begin. I've been in your shoes, and I can assure you, many others have too.
Here are three straightforward steps to help you kick-start your journey:
1. Start by understanding yourself and your interests more deeply.
Consider jotting down your skills, favorite hobbies or activities, and even things you're not so sure about or tasks you tend not to enjoy. This simple step is often overlooked, but it's crucial.
Think of it like solving a math problem in school - the first and most vital step is to identify what we're working with.
2. Conduct some research to discover where your interests can be pursued.
Look for resources and locations that provide opportunities to utilize your skills in your areas of interest.
This could mean joining clubs at school, or targeting specific companies for future employment. Having a clear vision of your destination can help streamline your choices. Many people struggle to find job satisfaction due to a lack of clear objectives.
And most importantly...
3. Dive in and give it a shot.
Experience what each sector has to offer firsthand. By understanding your capabilities and what you enjoy (or don't enjoy), you'll be better equipped to determine if a field is a good fit for you. Test the waters and see for yourself. As the saying goes, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." Sounds fantastic, doesn't it? :)
Below, you'll find a list of optional next steps to consider.
Thank you for taking the time to read this advice, and I wish you nothing but success!
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Brittney’s Answer
Hi Brandon,
This is an excellent question! It can be challenging deciding on which career path to take, and it is especially hard when you can see yourself doing well in a variety of career paths. Thankfully, there are several ways you can go about evaluating which career path would be best for you.
One way to see if a career path is right for you is to talk to someone who is already in the field, or gain experience in the field if possible. All professionals were students once, and most are more than happy to talk to you about their day-to-day and any other questions you may have about their career field! You can connect with professionals using LinkedIn. You can also see if there are any volunteer or internship programs for that industry in your local community. For example, I was able to participate in a program in my local community called "teen court" when I was in High School. It helped me gain a bit more familiarity with the work of attorneys.
I would also recommend researching the annual income of each career path you are interested in, as this could help you prioritize some options over others. It is important to know if the career path you choose will be able to support the life style you are trying to achieve after college. Everyone has their own preferences, so there is no right or wrong answer! The goal is find a career that you can be happy with and also comfortable in.
I wish you all the best!
This is an excellent question! It can be challenging deciding on which career path to take, and it is especially hard when you can see yourself doing well in a variety of career paths. Thankfully, there are several ways you can go about evaluating which career path would be best for you.
One way to see if a career path is right for you is to talk to someone who is already in the field, or gain experience in the field if possible. All professionals were students once, and most are more than happy to talk to you about their day-to-day and any other questions you may have about their career field! You can connect with professionals using LinkedIn. You can also see if there are any volunteer or internship programs for that industry in your local community. For example, I was able to participate in a program in my local community called "teen court" when I was in High School. It helped me gain a bit more familiarity with the work of attorneys.
I would also recommend researching the annual income of each career path you are interested in, as this could help you prioritize some options over others. It is important to know if the career path you choose will be able to support the life style you are trying to achieve after college. Everyone has their own preferences, so there is no right or wrong answer! The goal is find a career that you can be happy with and also comfortable in.
I wish you all the best!
Updated
Oleksandra’s Answer
I can relate to this situation. I was always passionate about so many things, and I had problems finding a solution on what niece to choose for my Bachelors degree and for my career.
Writing and translation were always a great interest of mine, so I decided that I can decide that and build a career over that hobby of mine. I turned that passion into my career.
So, think about what truly excites you, and consider how you can transform it into a fulfilling and sustainable livelihood. By aligning your interests with future trends, you can find the perfect starting point for your journey.
Start by thinking about the hobbies or interests that genuinely captivate you and could be sustained over the long term without losing your enthusiasm. Consider the ones that you could potentially turn into a source of income. For instance, I always had a passion for languages and communication, and I decided to delve into writing and translation as a career. It has been incredibly rewarding.
Next, dig into research on emerging trends and future job projections. Look for occupations that align with your interests and have promising financial prospects in the coming years. In my case, I delved into the world of digital content creation and translation, which showed promising growth prospects. Investigating the trends and prognosis for the next few years is a wise move.
This approach will help you identify a path that not only keeps you engaged, but also offers the potential to turn your passion into a sustainable career. It's all about combining what you love with what the future holds, creating a fulfilling and exciting journey ahead.
Make a list of things that make you truly excited
Explore future job trends in your interests
Network with people in that field
Try side projects related to your passion
Be open to new opportunities and don't be afraid to start all over
Writing and translation were always a great interest of mine, so I decided that I can decide that and build a career over that hobby of mine. I turned that passion into my career.
So, think about what truly excites you, and consider how you can transform it into a fulfilling and sustainable livelihood. By aligning your interests with future trends, you can find the perfect starting point for your journey.
Start by thinking about the hobbies or interests that genuinely captivate you and could be sustained over the long term without losing your enthusiasm. Consider the ones that you could potentially turn into a source of income. For instance, I always had a passion for languages and communication, and I decided to delve into writing and translation as a career. It has been incredibly rewarding.
Next, dig into research on emerging trends and future job projections. Look for occupations that align with your interests and have promising financial prospects in the coming years. In my case, I delved into the world of digital content creation and translation, which showed promising growth prospects. Investigating the trends and prognosis for the next few years is a wise move.
This approach will help you identify a path that not only keeps you engaged, but also offers the potential to turn your passion into a sustainable career. It's all about combining what you love with what the future holds, creating a fulfilling and exciting journey ahead.
Oleksandra recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Excellent inquiry, Brandon. I believe a good starting point is to engage with your teachers. Consider the subjects you find intriguing at school, and initiate discussions with the teachers of those subjects about possible career trajectories. Inquire if they have any recommendations or know of any former students who are now working in those areas that you could contact. This approach will enable you to gather opinions from informed experts. Additionally, if you're considering college, start investigating which universities offer programs in your areas of interest. Most educational institution websites will provide contact details for "department heads," who could potentially link you with valuable resources.