3 answers
1
Question
Updated
700 views
A struggling 16 yr old!(pre-med,MBA,Business, fashion)
Hi, I’m currently a 16 year old who recently got homeschooled and in my junior year of high school. I’m on a journey on rediscovering myself of what I’m capable of doing( I’m trying to learn what I’m good at and I’m not and who I am). I used to run my own candy business and it was fun interacting with people and getting their feedback on my candy so it got me thinking for quite some time that I love knowing what I do makes people happy and makes their day a bit better with a snack so I was wondering if something in the medical field or maybe fashion because I like the way fashion is and the way it hold confidence over me maybe can be an option because I don’t want to work where I will be behind a computer while working a 9-5 job. I like helping people, marketing objects, social media, being my own boss, making discoveries.
Things to know about me:
-I get bored to easily if it’s a repeating cycle of the same day
-I like to travel
-my family plays a big role
- I like to challenge myself
- I have an ENTP personality
-I want to make an impact on people’s life's
- I want to make my make name known in the world and leave history behind
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Ann’s Answer
Occupational therapy could be the perfect career path for you! With more than three decades of experience under my belt, I've delved into numerous facets of both the medical and educational spheres of this field. I dedicated the initial 20 years of my journey to serving the elderly community in various settings, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, and homecare.
In recent years, my focus has shifted towards children. I began by providing homecare to young children with disabilities, then moved on to early childhood intervention for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 3 years. Currently, I'm offering virtual support in schools to students grappling with developmental or learning disabilities.
Additionally, I am a certified lymphedema therapist, assisting individuals suffering from chronic swelling due to cancer or other chronic diseases. The opportunities in Occupational therapy are truly limitless!
Go to AOTA to read more about the field of occupational therapy
In recent years, my focus has shifted towards children. I began by providing homecare to young children with disabilities, then moved on to early childhood intervention for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 3 years. Currently, I'm offering virtual support in schools to students grappling with developmental or learning disabilities.
Additionally, I am a certified lymphedema therapist, assisting individuals suffering from chronic swelling due to cancer or other chronic diseases. The opportunities in Occupational therapy are truly limitless!
Ann recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Hakeem Ola’s Answer
1. Take a Step Back
Reflect on Your Passions: Think about what excites you most. Do you enjoy solving complex problems (medicine)? Do you love strategizing and organizing (MBA or business)? Write down what makes you feel alive and purposeful.
Identify Overlaps: Some fields, like healthcare management, combine medicine and business. Exploring these intersections can ease the pressure of “choosing.”
2. Start Exploring Now
Pre-Med Path: Take science classes (biology, chemistry), and consider shadowing a doctor or volunteering in healthcare settings.
Business/Management: Join a school business club, attend entrepreneurship workshops, or even start a small project to understand the basics.
Broaden Horizons: Watch videos, read articles, and talk to professionals in both fields.
3. Don’t Rush Decisions
At 16, you have time to test the waters before committing. Use high school to explore and figure out your strengths and interests.
Your first career decision doesn’t define your entire future. Many people pivot as they learn and grow.
4. Build Foundational Skills
Regardless of which path you choose, these skills will help:
Time Management: Juggling coursework and extracurriculars will prepare you for any career.
Communication: Learn to speak and write effectively. It’s critical for medicine and business alike.
Problem-Solving: Engage in activities that challenge your critical thinking, like debates, STEM competitions, or starting a small project.
5. Seek Guidance
Mentorship: Reach out to a teacher, counselor, or family member who can help you navigate your options.
Online Communities: Join forums, groups, or local meetups for students interested in pre-med or business.
Professional Insights: If possible, arrange informational interviews with professionals in medicine or business.
6. Experiment with Small Steps
Pre-Med: Enroll in an anatomy or healthcare-related class, or try out a summer program for aspiring medical students.
Business: Start a mini side hustle, like selling handmade items or tutoring, to experience running something on your own.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
It’s okay to feel uncertain. Most people don’t have it all figured out at 16.
Focus on learning and growing rather than putting pressure on yourself to “choose the right path.”
Reflect on Your Passions: Think about what excites you most. Do you enjoy solving complex problems (medicine)? Do you love strategizing and organizing (MBA or business)? Write down what makes you feel alive and purposeful.
Identify Overlaps: Some fields, like healthcare management, combine medicine and business. Exploring these intersections can ease the pressure of “choosing.”
2. Start Exploring Now
Pre-Med Path: Take science classes (biology, chemistry), and consider shadowing a doctor or volunteering in healthcare settings.
Business/Management: Join a school business club, attend entrepreneurship workshops, or even start a small project to understand the basics.
Broaden Horizons: Watch videos, read articles, and talk to professionals in both fields.
3. Don’t Rush Decisions
At 16, you have time to test the waters before committing. Use high school to explore and figure out your strengths and interests.
Your first career decision doesn’t define your entire future. Many people pivot as they learn and grow.
4. Build Foundational Skills
Regardless of which path you choose, these skills will help:
Time Management: Juggling coursework and extracurriculars will prepare you for any career.
Communication: Learn to speak and write effectively. It’s critical for medicine and business alike.
Problem-Solving: Engage in activities that challenge your critical thinking, like debates, STEM competitions, or starting a small project.
5. Seek Guidance
Mentorship: Reach out to a teacher, counselor, or family member who can help you navigate your options.
Online Communities: Join forums, groups, or local meetups for students interested in pre-med or business.
Professional Insights: If possible, arrange informational interviews with professionals in medicine or business.
6. Experiment with Small Steps
Pre-Med: Enroll in an anatomy or healthcare-related class, or try out a summer program for aspiring medical students.
Business: Start a mini side hustle, like selling handmade items or tutoring, to experience running something on your own.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
It’s okay to feel uncertain. Most people don’t have it all figured out at 16.
Focus on learning and growing rather than putting pressure on yourself to “choose the right path.”
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Blanca !
Thank you for coming to Career Village to express something very special ! Finding your life's works is a journey of self-discovery and inspiration that I have no doubt you will eventually find.
You are probably one of the ideal types of home schooled students since you are ENTP which is very versatile and helpful in life in general. Being extraverted, intuitive, thinking and perceiving is highly helpful for your journey and any path you choose. It means that you are adaptable, curious and have a strong desire to innovate and create !
Something that I think would be helpful for this and next year would be to choose one or two subjects for yourself, design the curriculum and present it to one of your home school teachers. This would be a good way to delve into a subject that you may be thinking about but haven't focused on yet. Present some field activities to your teachers, too. It's all about you when being home schooled and it is a very special experience. You can make the most of it !
It is perfectly fine to not have situated your future work at your age. Many people do not know till later in life. It happens for people at different times and there are no rules about this. Trust the process and yourself to make a great decision when the time is right. There are still more exciting experiences waiting for you to help you choose careers.
Follow your instincts and not how a particular career looks or sounds to be. Your career will not be like anyone else's. Do not be afraid to give it time - the time you specifically need.
You are already making discoveries and have a clear self-identity which will support your quest. Remember that you do not have to choose just one career. I get the vibe that you are someone who will make an impact on the world in more than one field of work. Give it time.
Best wishes in all that you do !
Thank you for coming to Career Village to express something very special ! Finding your life's works is a journey of self-discovery and inspiration that I have no doubt you will eventually find.
You are probably one of the ideal types of home schooled students since you are ENTP which is very versatile and helpful in life in general. Being extraverted, intuitive, thinking and perceiving is highly helpful for your journey and any path you choose. It means that you are adaptable, curious and have a strong desire to innovate and create !
Something that I think would be helpful for this and next year would be to choose one or two subjects for yourself, design the curriculum and present it to one of your home school teachers. This would be a good way to delve into a subject that you may be thinking about but haven't focused on yet. Present some field activities to your teachers, too. It's all about you when being home schooled and it is a very special experience. You can make the most of it !
It is perfectly fine to not have situated your future work at your age. Many people do not know till later in life. It happens for people at different times and there are no rules about this. Trust the process and yourself to make a great decision when the time is right. There are still more exciting experiences waiting for you to help you choose careers.
Follow your instincts and not how a particular career looks or sounds to be. Your career will not be like anyone else's. Do not be afraid to give it time - the time you specifically need.
You are already making discoveries and have a clear self-identity which will support your quest. Remember that you do not have to choose just one career. I get the vibe that you are someone who will make an impact on the world in more than one field of work. Give it time.
Best wishes in all that you do !