How to figure out what you want to do for a career. That is a huge question! But here’s the reality. You can choose a direction now but you can always change your mind later. Don’t let this idea overwhelm you. Let’s just take it one step at a time.
If you are in high school, you may be trying to figure out if you want to continue your education at a community college or pursue a four-year degree. If you are in college, you might be trying to choose your major and thinking about the related career choices. Your dream job might be something you’ve never heard of or thought of.
I want to help you think things through. It would be great to find a job you are excited about, in a field you are passionate about, and use skills that are your strengths. Here’s the thing: don’t feel like you have to have it 100% figured out.
Most people in high school or college don’t really know what they want to do! Many adults still don’t know! You might only stay in a job for one to three years and then move on. Stay curious and try new things. Your career may meander a bit, and that’s ok. But you have to start somewhere. So, let’s start thinking.
Change how you look at the world.
Start looking at the world through the lens of all the different kinds of jobs there are. You might focus on the areas where you have the most interest. Let’s say you love animals. We can use my dog Louie for this exercise. There are tons of jobs that revolve around supporting pets and pet owners. Here are a few job titles from gig to full-time.
Gig. Look at apps like Rover! Wags! And Fetch! You can find a job as a dog walker or pet sitter and work only when you want to work.
Part-time.
Dog groomer assistant. Consider a part-time job working as an assistant for a dog groomer to help bathe the animals, clean up, walk the dogs, check in/check out, and run the cash register.
Doggy daycare. You could have similar responsibilities working at a doggy daycare but also spend time playing with the animals!
Pet store. Working as a cashier in a pet store you could gain retail experience and possibly work up to a full-time supervisor or store manager position.
Full-time with some education (5 months - 2 years) There are some jobs you might find interesting that will require a little more education past high school.
Vet tech. A veterinary technician works under the guidance of a veterinarian. They record patient history, conduct X-rays, prepare animals for surgery, and more. You could work in a vet clinic, dog shelter, or zoo!
Dog groomer. You could become a certified dog groomer in five months. You could work for a large pet supply store with grooming services, a smaller grooming shop, or you could start your own grooming business. I’ve seen a mobile “food truck-style” grooming truck in my neighborhood!
Dog Training. If you go to a hands-on school, you could become a certified dog trainer in six months. You could work for a pet boarding facility that offers dog training. You could also start your own business.
Full-time with an advanced degree
Dog food scientist. You could work for a large company and be the person who creates new dog food and treats or studies pet nutrition.
Veterinarian. If you love animals and science, you might enjoy being a vet. This will take both an undergrad degree and another four years in vet school.
Pet accessory designer. If you are more on the creative side, you could be the person who designs pet Halloween costumes, sweaters, designer leashes, toys, beds, houses, and more! This might require graphic or CAD design skills.
7 Steps to Figure Out What You Want to Do for a Career
I wanted to be a vet my whole childhood. After taking my first science class in high school, Introductory to Physical Science, I found that I hated science. Before I even graduated from high school I had a career change!
You have many resources at your fingertips to research a world of ideas. This is just the beginning. Embrace the opportunities and welcome change.
Step 1: Take time to self-reflect.
The first step is to do some self-reflection. When you think about what you want to do for a career, there is no reason why it can’t be something that you enjoy. Take some time to think about how you like to spend your time, what interests you, and what kind of work environment might be a good fit. Ask yourself the following questions:
What classes in school do you excel in?
What are you passionate about?
Could you turn your hobby into a career?
What problems would you like to solve in the world?
What are your core values?
Do you like working on a computer?
Do you prefer to be outside and away from a desk?
Have you always enjoyed drawing, coloring, painting, and anything creative? You might want to be a graphic designer.
Did you take apart and rebuild your own computer? A career in IT or as a developer might be something to consider.
Do you like to play “Chopped” in the kitchen and make up your own recipes? You may have a calling to be a chef!
You get the idea.
Step 2: Assess your skills.
Beyond what you enjoy, what are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Think about soft skills like interpersonal communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. Make a list of hard skills like software programs, writing, or foreign languages you can leverage in a job.
You might consider taking a free personality test to figure out your personality type. Understanding your personality traits may help point you in a new direction for a new career path. Blend this new information with what you already know about yourself for your career search.
Are you the person in your friend group that people confide in and ask for advice on handling personal challenges? Match this with an INFJ (Introvertive, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging (INFJ) in the Myers-Brigg types. Maybe you would make a good therapist or counselor.
Do you love TV shows like CSI? And you rank high for conscientiousness and social responsibility? Consider becoming a forensic scientist.
Step 3: Take advantage of your school’s resources.
College counselor. I have a friend who is a retired college counselor; her brain is like a database of schools nationwide. She would interview her students to understand their interests, personalities, extracurricular activities, and strengths to make suggestions on possible degree and career options. She also knew which schools offered financial aid, grants, and scholarships.
Job and career fairs. Many high schools invite colleges and potential employers on campus to help students figure out their ideal careers and explore different jobs. Many junior and community colleges offer similar events open to the public. Usually, these are free and you can get great information to help exclude different career paths and move others higher on your list.
Career counselor. Most colleges have a career center that offers all kinds of services. Resume and cover letter review. One-on-one career counseling. Career assessments. Job and internship search, and more.
I went to a career night during high school and saw someone speak about their career in marketing and BOOM I was set! I went to college, majored in marketing, then went to graduate school for my MBA. I have been working in marketing for 30 years and still love it. So don’t underestimate school-sponsored events!
Step 4: Talk to professionals in the field.
Talking to people with jobs that interest you is a different way to figure out what you want to do. I have another blog post that gives you a lot of ideas on how to handle the informational interview. You will be surprised how helpful people will be.
Ask your friends and family members if they know anyone who works in the field you are researching. Have them introduce you via email. You can also reach out to people on LinkedIn. Lots of people enjoy networking and meeting new people. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
If you are interested in marketing, reach out to me with the form at the bottom of this website! I would be happy to talk to you!
Step 5: Review job descriptions.
There are many different online job boards that show open positions for any kind of job title you can dream up. Indeed, Monster, LinkedIn, etc. These sites are the same places you will use for your job search. Food Technologist, 3-D Designer, Copy Writer, Game Designer, HR Generalist, IT Support Specialist, Software Developer, and on, and on.
If you love music, type in “music-related jobs” on Google. Part-time Music Researcher, Music Production Coordinator, Music Research Specialist, Sales Manager (Music, Tours & Live Events), Music & Talent (Programming Intern), and more cool jobs. It’s kind of fun to daydream about this stuff!
Don’t just search for entry-level jobs for your current role, look for the aspirational jobs you might work towards that represent your dream career. Keeping with the music path, I found Vice President Music Business Affairs (Legal Counsel) at the Walt Disney Company. That sounds like a pretty cool job for a lawyer who also loves music!
Scan through the job descriptions and see if anything sounds interesting. You might not understand all the terminology but you will get a feel for the job tasks, responsibilities, and education requirements.
Step 6: Consider education and training requirements.
I started this thinking in my example above with Louie my dog. After you narrow down your potential jobs, research the education and training requirements. Some careers may require a specific degree or certification, while others may require on-the-job training. Explore a variety of career ideas and compare.
Another important question to research is the cost associated with education and training and what are more affordable options.
Many community colleges offer courses with credits that transfer to a four-year college.
Going to school in-state vs. out-of-state. Think beyond tuition, room and board, books, and fees, and include travel costs.
Where do you want to live after school? A pricey Ivy League education may not be required for a successful career in your city.
Step 7: Research salaries of specific jobs.
How do you spend money? What kind of house would you like? What kind of car do you want to drive? Do you prefer designer brands for clothes, shoes, and accessories? Do you drink coffee shop coffee or make it at home? How much money will you need for your desired lifestyle?
Compare the earning potential for different career options in different industries. Compare this with the cost of the education, how much student loan debt you may need, and what the monthly payment would be. You might work up a sample budget for rent, utilities, food, etc., and see how much you need to make after taxes. Not that the entire career decision will be made based on jobs earning higher salaries but it’s definitely something you should research.
Sites like Glassdoor collect salary information and offer salary calculators. Type in the job title, location, and company name. You may be surprised by how much or how little some jobs pay.
Hopefully, these steps will help you brainstorm different ideas for jobs to get you started. It is very common for people to switch industries or fields, so don’t stress out about having to choose just one. It’s normal to work in a job for a few years and then switch to a new job with a different company. Your ideal career may end up being a patchwork of different experiences. Good luck!
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