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How does one choose a singular career to go into when they have many important aspects very different from one another?

I am a Junior in High school who participated in many activities. I do Cross Country, Track, and soon start Wrestling. Other extracurricular activities for me include Robotics, FFA, and involvement in the church as well as hobbies being around pets on our farm and playing musical instruments.

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Verizon’s Answer

Find your interest that doesn't just interest you, but challenges you as well. An interest where you find yourself craving to understand more, not one that you understand already. In your high school and possibly college career, try to take classes outside of your comfort zone. If there's an interest that consistently sparks your curiosity, that's a good sign for a career!
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Verizon’s Answer

Try things out! Look for roles that give you exposure to a wide variety on skills and tools. For example, if you are a Project Manager, you could work with developers, designers, marketers, testers, etc. You may find that one of these roles calls to you - or maybe you even love the project management aspect most of all. Figure out what role gives you the most satisfaction - are you someone who invents the machine, makes the materials, welds them together, makes sure it doesn't explode, or reports on all of it to the stakeholders?
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Lindsay’s Answer

This is a great question, and ultimately, the best think you can do right now is to lead with curiosity. What is out there? What feels the most authentic to me? What is most important to me? ALSO your career is just one piece of who you are. You can have a job, have hobbies outside of work, care about family and friends, and volunteer. Don't fall into the trap that your career is the only thing that defines you.

Here are some steps I would consider:

1. Self-Reflection
- Identify Your Interests: List out all the aspects you're passionate about. What activities make you lose track of time?
- Assess Your Skills: Consider what skills you possess or want to develop. Which of these align with your interests?
2. Research Options
- Explore Careers: Look into careers that incorporate multiple interests. For example, if you love art and technology, fields like graphic design or game development might be a fit.
- Informational Interviews: Talk to professionals in fields of interest. This can provide insight into daily responsibilities and career paths.
3. Consider Your Values
- Work Environment: Think about the type of work culture you thrive in. Do you prefer collaborative settings or independent work? Do you want to work remotely?
- Impact: Reflect on the kind of impact you want to have. Do you want to help people, innovate, or create?
4. Experiment
- Internships or Volunteering: Try out different roles through internships or volunteer opportunities. This hands-on experience can clarify what you enjoy.
- Side Projects: Engage in side projects that allow you to explore various interests without committing fully.
6. Be Open to Change
- Flexibility: Remember that career paths are rarely linear. It’s okay to pivot as you learn more about yourself and the job market.
7. Seek Guidance
- Mentorship: Consider finding a mentor who can provide advice and support as you navigate your career choices.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it. Jocelyn
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Verizon’s Answer

When I first started working, I thought of a career as an end goal - you pick something and then you work towards it and when you arrive, you're done! But over the years, I've discovered that a career is more like a journey (with lots of winding paths and split roads). You may get somewhere that you initially thought you wanted to go, just to realize that you might want to explore another side path - and that's ok! I would say be brave and explore widely early on. Do lots of internships and figure out what you like and don't like. And always keep in mind that it's never too late to change your mind and do something else! Everything that you do will give you skills that can be applied to something else. Your career is an evolution, not a destination!
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Verizon’s Answer

Great question - there is nothing wrong with trying multiple things. You can pursue one idea, and keep an open mind to learning about others. You can always pivot. Spend time outside of work perusing your passions.
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Verizon’s Answer

You don't need to pick one and stay with it. Gone are the days when your first company is typically your last company. In the beginning, follow your interests and jobs that offer the most learning opportunities. Later, you can specialize more when you've been around a few blocks.
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