Most of my students start out having no clear idea of what they want to do with their lives. Often, students seem worried about that, but actually it is completely normal for a 16 or 17 year old to be unsure of what they want out of life. I’d be more concerned if they had it completely mapped out!
I saw a little movie not long ago that stated that most of the careers that students in high school will be involved in throughout their lives have not even been created yet. Think about that one! Add to it this fact: over 80% of students change their major at least once. So don’t worry if you don’t know exactly what you want to do…there is time to explore.
People ask me: what is the first thing I do with a new student? Assessments on personality type, career interests and aptitudes, and inventories about learning style, etc etc. Do you come up with a concrete plan at that point? No…but at least you get a direction!
What is most important is finding a direction, and a school, college or university that is a good fit. Some students are not college bound, and that is okay, as long as they know what direction to go in. There are many satisfying careers that do not require 4 year college degrees. Think of all of the options out there: community college, culinary schools, art schools, music schools, the list goes on and on. I have a student right now who is exploring commercial diving, and there are several different options for that career. Start thinking about who you are, what you enjoy doing, and where you might see yourself in ten years. Don’t be afraid to explore your options!
