I don't no what i want to do in life?

Question

I am 19 and really need to decide in next few days (yes i no i have left it late) I was thinking about doing an access course to get into uni, or i was thinking about starting an apprenticeship.

The problem is i just havent a clue what i want to do (not even the slightest). I have heard so many people say do a career you enjoy, not just for the money. The problem is, i just dont no what i want to do.

I am worried that in later life i may end up with **** job and **** pay.

Is this normal to not no what you want to do at 19?

Answer 1

It's a shame today...I left school in 1972 and there was so much to do - in the last weeks of school, people used to come from the police, transport, city council (usually for bricklaying courses and the like)...and even people from the hospitals to have a talk with the eldest of my class. We were gently pushed into some trade or another - except the real smarties who automatically ended up in universities. From about 14 onward, the teachers were astute enough to see who would end up where, and spend time with pupils to see what they actually wanted to do. Whatever they said, next week someone from the desired trade would pop in. if the lad was serious, he would go to the firm after school and have a look around. Of course, that all ended after the early eighties. Nowadays, the good trades have either gone, or have been replaced with 'service' employment - which doesn't do a great deal for the sharpening of brains.
Best thing to do is to see what you're good at...for you've been out of school now for four or so years - what have you done? Okay, there are not a great deal of careers nowadays one actually enjoys - but you're still at an age where your wee brain is still a sponge - it can take in much info...it's up to you what to do with what you have. 35 years ago (at the age of 19)..you were seen as experienced and earn what you liked if you had taken on a trade soon after leaving school. Today it may not be as easy, but you have youth on your side.

Answer 2

Of course it's normal! You have your whole life ahead of you, do you really need to know right now? Why don't you take up a job which doesn't need skills or do some temping at the moment untill you feel more comfortable deciding on a career. I think it's a really good idea to do an apprenticeship or go to university but that choice doesn't have to be made just yet. Also if you decide to go to university it will probably cost quite a bit so you may need some money set aside for the future. Don't try and rush the descision which may be very important to you but be patient and see what happens. You'll know what to do when it comes along.

Answer 3

That is SO normal I cannot tell you how everyday that is. Of course you have a clue, you just don't want anyone to find out you want to do....whatever. One example: A friend, late 20s, was working to make money. What he really liked to do and did very well, was prepare really good meals and have a few people over. Someone said, "Why don't you go to chef's school and make this an art?" He did and he is now head chef at an upscale LA restaurant.
I had a friend say the book, What Color is My Parachute, helped him make the big decision.
I was 24 when I changed my major in college beginning my Jr. year. I eventually got a Masters in Sociology and have had the most wonderful "work" 30 years hence. Life is beautiful because I went with what really interested me and an area in which I was passionate.
Now, if your passion lies in your wanting to be an opera singer and you can't sing, that is a problem.

Answer 4

This is very normal for a person of 19. I coach people just like you all the time. If you don't know what you like or want, then the most logical thing to do is to find out. How do you do that, you might ask, right? Go to university. Don't declare a major, but rather explore things you're curious about. If you take a class that you enjoy a lot more than the others, take another in that discipline. Do that for every class you enjoy a lot. Education is never wasted, so don't worry if you finish your first year of university with lots of classes in diverse disciplines. You will discover your purpose, but it will take patience. And patience is something that's hard to come by when you're 19. Perhaps that's another reason to attend university, to learn to strive, to learn to take pleasure in achievement. Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 5

Sweetie, some people don't know what to do when they're a lot older than you! Even though you think you've got no idea what you want to do, you should really just do something that interests you for now, either at uni, or working. If you're desparate for money, then a part time job will help. Is it a good idea to put your name down for a course that could take up to 3 years, and not know whether or not you're really into it? Think about things that you really enjoy doing, and start looking at courses or jobs that are associated with them.
Good Luck, don't let anyone pressure you - the decision is yours and you'll be the one who has to live with it, not them!

Answer 6

At 19 that is very normal, you have so many options so many roads you want to travel down, your interests are many, some may be discarded on the way. Mentally and emotionally you're still developing, there's experience yet to make its mark. Relax. If your peers all seem to know then good for them, but it's not for you. We're all different, different paces. Some people never really know what they want to do even when they're twenty years older. I'm in my 40s and I still dont know lol! As long as you can keep yourself then relax, it may come to you soon or it might take a few more years but enjoy getting there.

Answer 7

OK, I'm now 31 and still trying to figure out what I want to do!

I did a degree and followed it with a masters degree, these both told me one thing, by the time I had finished those courses I knew I didn't want to spend my life working in those areas!

So I took a job, temporarily while I tried to figure it out, after a couple of years I gave my notice, though I still didn't know what I was going to do! They offered me another job so I said I'd take it for two years, six years on I've just left that job, due to the company ceasing trading! I know this thing though, I could go find the same job somewhere else, but I am not going to, I'll try something else!

Try things, you might find something you like, travel, go to college or get a job, maybe do all three, you just have to find your own road, as Jack Kerouac (author of 'On The Road') once said.

Answer 8

Yes it's all normal, I'm 34, and the job I had, not sure I want to do anymore. Figure out what you like and try going from there. Like animals? Maybe a job as a vet or vet tech, marine biologist. Like working with numbers? Like kids?

I agree, don't let money be a deciding factor in a career. If you can, maybe take a year off from school, take a job and try to figure it out instead of being rushed and making a decision in a few days that you may regret. Good luck........

Answer 9

of course it is, dont go into uni on a whim on a course you may enjoy, in the end it might not get a job you like anyway and will be a waste of money. The same as the apprenticeship hold out for a while.
You can take on a basic job until you find out what you want to do, you dont say if you have hobbies that could help make your choice?
you can go on to websites that ask you questions and sometimes steer you in the right direction, They give job suggestions and you never know one of them you might think hey that sounds like a good job, how do i do that!

Answer 10

This is part of the purpose of college. The first two years you get a general education exposing you to a variety of subjects—during that time you can get a sense of where your interests lie. The last two years allows you to focus more on the areas that you might want to pursue in life. Your opportunities for jobs and money will increase, as, right now, you don't sound like you have a strong entrepreneurial goal.