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How can I try and figure out what I want to do as an adult?

I still don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life after high school.

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Rumana’s Answer

Hey Natalie,

A few lessons about "adult life" I have learned stumbling and falling and finding my place in this world and what I would definitely tell my younger self:

1. Enjoy this present time, this time of school and college is so precious and will never come back
2. Whatever plans you make, always strive to work from your heart, and always know life has it's own plans for you
3. Be a person who your future self can look back to and say, wow I really loved that young person I was!!
4. Travel, make friends, explore, listen to different kinds of music and try different cuisine, expand your horizon and evolve with the flow
5. Know that your ambition should be intrinsic, what gives me energy? what excites me? what makes me happy? what profession would serve as a good balanced life for me?
6. Be agile, have a strategy for your career, but change this strategy as you keep moving forward in life

And most importantly, please know even with life altering events and unprecedented events like the COVID, life will go on and life will provide you with many opportunities. Learn to ease and go with the flow. And be open to accept the opportunities and the challenges life brings to you.

Think of your future self 20 years from now and vision the most happiest version of your self, and see what you can identify in her surrounding, have a conversation with that future self and grow into that person.

I wish you so much good energy and so many amazing experiences growing up 🧡
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Alan’s Answer

Natalie, I'm not sure anyone knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives, let alone someone as presumably young as you. Don't worry about it. Answers will come. I would suggest starting with a list of your interests, hobbies, skills, values and experiences, and see if a possible career seems to emerge. There are online quizzes that can help with this. But you have plenty of time. Many students already in college are still grappling with this important decision. Talk to a counselor at your school. If you're in high school, take a class that seems like it might have the potential to lead to a career. When college representatives come to visit, talk with them and visit their websites to see what kinds of programs and classes they offer. With more experiences things will start to become clearer. And the first path you choose might not be the final one anyway.
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Ezra’s Answer

Hi there,
No need to stress about choosing a career right away, there's plenty of time. Pick something that sparks your interest and makes you excited to start each day.
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Terry’s Answer

Here's a way to think about the rest of your life:
a. what makes you happy every day
b. what do you like to do to help other people every day
c. of all the vocations you can think of, which one is the top most exciting thing you'd like to do.
d. example: if you like to cook, go study chemistry. If you like to read, study publishing. If you like to fish, study Oceanography.
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Deborah’s Answer

Natalie, you've asked an excellent question, and I want to commend those who've responded so far—they've done a great job. I'd like to emphasize the importance of exploring various interests through internships, volunteering, and hobbies. Take time to reflect on what brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose as you navigate your career path. Good luck!
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Wajiha’s Answer

Hi Natalie, Hope you are doing well. So as an advisor I would suggest that Engage in diverse experiences that ignite your curiosity. Volunteer in areas that spark passion, attend events, and network with professionals. Embrace challenges, learn from failures, and continuously reflect on what excites you. Seek guidance from mentors, explore unconventional paths, and never underestimate the power of trial and error. Enjoy the adventure of self-discovery and trust that your unique journey will lead you to a fulfilling adult path.
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Dennis’s Answer

There's absolutely nothing wrong with feeling uncertain about your path after finishing high school. In my own experience, I lacked both the financial means to pursue a college education and a clear sense of what I wanted to study. Consequently, I decided to enlist in the military. This choice provided me with the chance to observe a variety of professions firsthand and allowed me ample time to contemplate my own future. Additionally, it offered me the honor of serving my country, which turned out to be the best decision I've ever made.

During my time in the military, I was exposed to numerous potential career paths, and eventually, I found my calling in telecommunications. I've now spent nearly half a century in this field, and if given the opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate to make the same choices again.

If you're feeling unsure about your next steps after high school, I would highly recommend considering the military. It could provide you with the clarity and direction you're seeking. Best of luck in your journey!
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Ciara-Beth’s Answer

First of all: Remember that you have time. I don't think any of my classmates knew what we wanted to do even when we were leaving college! It's very normal to not know what you want to do when you finish school, and it's ok to change your mind multiple times even when you do make a decision.

In terms of more practical/hands-on advice: I ended up shadowing/interning/volunteering in different industries to try and get a sense of what I wanted to do. I tried academic research facilities, volunteering with after-school programmes for younger kids, and working with not-for-profits on technology education. In university, I worked on different projects in different industries. I looked at different job listings on LinkedIn, and kept note of jobs and industries that sounded interesting to me.

At the end of the day, a career isn't a life sentence; there's nothing wrong with working in a few different jobs/industries and taking your time figuring out what you want to do, and there's nothing wrong with changing your career later on. I hope this helps!
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Michael’s Answer

Hi Natalie,

Figuring out what you want to do as an adult can be a daunting task, but here are some steps to help you navigate the process:

Self-reflection: Take some time to reflect on your interests, strengths, values, and passions. What activities make you lose track of time? What subjects do you enjoy learning about? What are you naturally good at? Understanding yourself better can help you identify potential career paths that align with who you are.

Explore different options: Don't feel pressured to have everything figured out right away. Take the time to explore different fields, industries, and career paths. This could involve researching online, talking to professionals in various fields, job shadowing, or even volunteering in different organizations.

Set goals: Once you have a better understanding of your interests and options, set some short-term and long-term goals for yourself. These goals can help give you direction and motivation as you work towards finding a career that's right for you.

Gain experience: Try to gain relevant experience in your areas of interest through internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities. Not only will this help you build valuable skills, but it will also give you a better idea of what you enjoy and what you don't in a work environment.

Seek guidance: Don't be afraid to seek guidance from mentors, career counselors, teachers, or trusted adults. They can offer valuable advice, support, and resources to help you explore your options and make informed decisions about your future.

Stay open-minded: Keep an open mind and be willing to explore new opportunities and possibilities. Your interests and goals may evolve, so be flexible and adaptable as you navigate your career journey.

Take action: Ultimately, finding your path as an adult requires taking action and making decisions. Trust yourself, take calculated risks, and don't be afraid to pursue your passions, even if they may seem unconventional or challenging.

Remember that finding your passion and purpose in life is a journey, and it's okay to take your time to figure things out. Be patient with yourself, stay curious, and stay committed to discovering what truly makes you happy and fulfilled.
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Jeremy’s Answer

The best thing you can and need to do for yourself, is take whatever time it takes, and do some deep soul searching. Think about where you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, and don’t allow yourself to get hung up on the small things. Think big, picture the big screen. Do you want to be someone that watches life goes by and says wow what just happened? Or do you want to be the one to make it happen. You are in a very important point in your life that will only happen once. You can be and do whatever you set your mind to, and don’t forget who you are. If you fail to choose, there will be others that will end up choosing for you. You don’t want that. Take control of your life and go where you feel is the right path, but do it deliberately, proactively, and wisely! Do it now and make it happen!
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Brittany’s Answer

The only constant in life is change! Very few people pick what they want to do with their life at a young age and do the same thing for their whole lives. For the rest of us, the ride can be so fun!

I encourage you to explore things you are interested in, and stay opened minded toward any opportunities your way. Here's an example: Maybe you are kind of into cooking. You can look up a local meetup group of cooking enthusiasts, and attend a few sessions. While attending, you get to know a super cool lady who's been a professional chef for decades. You get to learn a bunch from her about what that career choice is like. Maybe you decide to pursue it further and her connections help nudge you into the industry or toward cooking school. Or maybe you decide being a chef isn't for you. You still have a rich life experience now and a new friend!

Being open to new things and people has been the #1 best choice in my life. It's led to three career paths, all of which I've enjoyed and learned so much from. I'm so excited that you still have so many rich experiences and exciting things to do with your life ahead of you!
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Chloe’s Answer

Hi Natalie! This is a great question, and it's one a lot of us are still figuring out, even as adults! The good news is there is no deadline for when you need to have it "figured out" - as you can spend your whole life pursuing your passions, both personal and professional.

A professor I had in college Father Michael Himes encouraged us to ask three main questions when trying to decide what's next, which really helped me:
1. What brings you joy?
2. What are you good at?
3. What does the world need you to do?

Once you've narrowed it down, don't be afraid to try more than one thing! Figuring out what you don't want to do can be just as valuable as figuring out what you do want. And each new experience will help round out your skillset in some capacity. Just know you have your whole life to figure it out, so there is no pressure to rush :) You got this!!
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Michael’s Answer

It's perfectly normal, many adults still don't. The key is to find something you are passionate about and find a way to make money from it. That's ultimately the dumbed-down formula, but it doesn't make it easy. For example, I love helping people and listening to their stories, so I became a therapist after college. If you love travelling, find a way to travel while making money like joining the military or working in a job that lets you travel to different places. If you like sports, find a job that's in the sports industry. If you truly don't have any idea what you like, then you haven't done enough yet to figure out what you don't like. Eventually, finding out what you don't like is equivalent to finding out what you do like as they both lead you to the same path.
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Cindy’s Answer

Hello Natalie, your question is indeed a thoughtful one. I think the first step towards answering it is to understand yourself better. You can do this by reflecting on what activities you enjoy the most in your free time, identifying your favourite hobbies, or even considering if there's someone you admire on TV or social media who you aspire to be like.

In my case, I've always had a passion for design, sketching, and colouring since my childhood. This helped me realize that it's what I want to dedicate my life to. Similarly, identifying what you've always enjoyed doing since you were young could be a straightforward beginning. Once you've figured out your future aspirations, I recommend discussing it with a trusted adult in your life. Together, you can strategize on how to enhance your skills, plan your career trajectory, and decide how you'd like to make a positive impact on society or your local community in the future.

I hope this advice proves helpful to you. Best of luck!
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Duran’s Answer

Hello Natalie,

Wishing you all the best! Remember, it's quite rare for someone in high school to have their entire life mapped out. It's perfectly okay to take your time, as your passions and interests are bound to evolve as you do.

A great idea could be to spend your summer volunteering in a variety of fields. This could be an exciting way to discover what truly ignites your passion and interest. Hope you find this advice useful.
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Rosalyn’s Answer

I highly recommend trying your hand at a sales job early in your career journey. This experience will equip you with valuable personal and interpersonal skills, teaching you how to effectively interact with people and guide them towards making a purchase. Remember, in life, you'll always be selling something - it could be a product, an idea, or even yourself when you're vying for the top spot in a job selection process. So, why not start honing these skills now? I urge you to seek out internships in areas that pique your interest and immerse yourself in industry-related knowledge. This will not only give you a solid foundation but also a competitive edge in your desired field.
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