So, you’re trying to figure out your career path. Whether you’re fresh out of school, making a career change, or rethinking your goals, let me say: You’ll always find good company.
Discovering what you want to do with your life is one of those exciting and terrifying adventures that rarely follows a straight line. But don’t worry, it’s like finding the perfect pizza place—it might take a few tries, but when you find it, oh man, it’s worth it.
Embrace the Detours
First, let’s get something out of the way: The traditional “one career for life” is basically a myth at this point. People change jobs, switch industries, start businesses, or become freelancers—and that’s just in their first decade of work. So, if you haven’t figured it out yet, you’re already part of a very normal club.
Think of your career like a road trip. Yes, you might make a wrong turn and end up at that weird roadside attraction that wasn’t in your plans, but hey, now you’ve got a story. Plus, who doesn’t love an unexpected detour with some good snacks?
Find What Lights You Up
Now, time to get serious—at least for a second. Take a moment and ask yourself, What do I actually enjoy doing? And no, “sleeping” doesn’t count, even if it’s your passion. Think about the tasks or hobbies that make you lose track of time, the things you could talk about endlessly.
For some, it’s solving complex problems (hello, engineers and programmers), while for others, it’s helping people (our social workers and customer support heroes). If you’re into making spreadsheets do magical things, or you dream of fixing websites in the dead of night (I see you, my fellow tech enthusiasts), own it. What excites you might not excite others, and that’s okay—it’s your path, after all.
Learn, Experiment, Repeat
Guess what? You don’t have to commit to one thing forever. It’s not a life sentence; it’s more like a buffet. Feel free to sample the lasagna and the sushi. Take an online course, pick up a side hustle, or try shadowing someone in a job you’re curious about. You might discover a hidden love for something you’ve never even considered.
If you feel a little lost, that’s okay too. Some of the best careers start with “I have no idea what I’m doing, but let’s find out.” Just ask any entrepreneur who started their business in a garage (or, you know, their mom’s basement).
Listen to the Signs (and Ignore Some)
People love to give career advice—whether you ask for it or not. Your uncle might say, “Get a government job, it’s safe!” while your friend swears by startups because “It’s all about hustle!” The truth is, what works for them might not work for you, and that’s perfectly fine.
That said, don’t ignore the little clues life throws your way. If everyone keeps telling you how great you are at organizing events, maybe there’s something there. Or if your last three jobs involved fixing tech problems and you loved it (even if it wasn’t in your job description), perhaps that’s a sign. But take it all with a grain of salt—and some humor. You know yourself best.
Embrace Failure (Yes, Really)
Here’s a little secret: Everyone fails. And not in a “learn from your mistakes” motivational poster kind of way, but in the real, sometimes messy, awkward way. Maybe you’ll take a job and hate it. Maybe your startup idea will fizzle. Maybe you’ll pivot careers and realize it’s not quite what you wanted.
That’s okay. Failing at something is often the quickest way to find what you don’t want, which will only bring you closer to what you do. And sometimes, failure opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
Keep Moving Forward (With Snacks)
The best part about your career journey? It’s not over until you say so. Whether you’re just getting started, in the middle of a detour, or thinking about switching gears, remember: It’s your adventure. And every twist and turn just adds to the story. So, keep moving forward, keep exploring, and for goodness’ sake, make sure you pack enough snacks for the ride. Life’s too short to be hungry and career-confused.
You’ve got this!
