Choosing a Career When You Don’t Know What You Enjoy Doing.

Choosing a career often feels like a significant stepping stone in life. You go through school, graduate, and you’re expected to know what you want to do in a very short period of time. 

Whether you attend college or not, you’re immediately faced with very real-world decisions. But, what happens if you don’t know what you want to do? What if you don’t even really know what you enjoy doing? 

First, take a deep breath. Remember that once you choose a career path, you’re not stuck there forever. Don’t let yourself fall into a mindset that it’s all or nothing with a career. Change can be good!

But, what about right now? What can you do to start your career journey when you don’t know what you’re interested in? Let’s cover a few tips that can help. 

Self-Reflect

One of the best ways to start your career search is to spend some time in self-reflection. No matter your age or paths you’ve been interested in before, have you ever taken the time to stop and think about who you really are and what you really want? 

Self-reflection often gets overlooked because, as a society, we’re too busy for it! But, hitting the “pause” button on your life and looking inside yourself can make a big difference. 

Ask yourself what your dream job would be, and the role you would play there. Consider the environment you would most like. What are your hobbies, and how could they be translated into a career? What makes you motivated to start each day? When do you feel most excited to try something new?

These are the kinds of questions you should reflect on to get a better idea of a career that would be both fulfilling and satisfying. 

Consider Past Jobs

Chances are, you’ve had at least one job in your lifetime. It might have been waitressing in high school or working retail through college. Maybe you even had an internship you enjoyed but it wasn’t the right path for you. 

No matter how small the job was, consider the things you liked most about it. Did you enjoy the environment? The people? Was it fast-paced and exciting, or do you think you would prefer something more laid-back and casual? 

Consider making a list of the things you liked and didn’t like about past job experiences. That can help you narrow down your path and start looking into positions you might be more comfortable with. 

Shadow Someone at Work

Once you have a list of careers you might be interested in, dip your toe into the water. Try finding a mentor in that industry, or ask if you can shadow someone in a specific position for a while. 

Getting hands-on experience in a career of interest can help you quickly realize whether it’s right for you or not. 

It can also help you network with the right people. So, if you end up wanting a job in that field, you’ll already have a head start getting your foot in the door. 

During your shadowing experience, ask questions. Most people are happy to talk about their work and don’t often get to share the details of their job descriptions. The more you ask, the more you’ll learn, and the more confident you’ll be in your decision. 

Not everyone is lucky enough to end up in a career they really enjoy. Again, there’s no shame in changing careers throughout your life. But, if you’re looking for something now and you’re not sure what you enjoy doing, take the time to learn more about yourself and your needs and wants before you dive into a new job.  Reach out to learn more about career counseling and how it can help you.