When did you decide what you wanted to do for your job?

Question

im 14 and everyone says that i should know what i want to be by now.but i cant decide!!!

Answer 1

Don't worry about it yet. Most adults will ask youg people that question because it is the only way they know to talk to young people.

Of course you can't decide yet, you need to keep your options open, do the subjects that interest you at school and college and then make a decision.

These days it is not uncommon to have several careers in one lifetime.

Answer 2

I'm 17 and while I always knew what I wanted to be since I was like 2 I have helped a lot of friends out with this same question. Don't let other people pressure you into thinking you need to know what you want to do. The best thing is to think about things you like. Write up a list if you need to, then cross out all the things you aren't good at or things that you wouldn't want to do for the rest of your life sort of thing (just remember you can always change your mind!). After you have a list of things you like to do and are good at research a little bit into what different jobs are in the fields. You'll know when you find it. Some people take longer than others while some people never know, so don't rush it and freak out about not knowing what you're gonna be. Best of luck!!

Answer 3

At your age, my siblings and I already knew that our father (a paraplegic from WWII) and our mother were not in the best of health -- so we KNEW That we HAD to make a choice on our careers -- and DID Make those choices.

We worked (whether it was shoveling snow or pushing a lawn mower -- anything to earn some money), we did chores around the home, and we applied ourselves with our studies.

By the time we were very young adults, we HAD to go on our own -- and band together -- because we BURIED our parents.

At 14, you are at a pivotal time of your life. Start by going to your School's Guidance Office, and ask to take the Interests Surveys that they have -- even if it means that you have to stay after school or come in on the weekend to do it. From these interest surveys -- you can gain an idea of the types of careers that match to your skills/interests.

That is the first step. Then, go with your parents, and ask the guidance counselor if they have Mentoring Programs for students in your school in that interest/skill area. They will try to match you up with an adult, but realize that Mentors are in short supply, so you may have to wait a while until they do find you a mentor.

Answer 4

At 44 I've had 2 different "career" paths. After flunking out at being a rock star at 19, I worked with a few different Surveying companies, eventually as a para-professional until I was 32. For a number of reasons, I switched to Landscaping and have done that since.

I'm looking now to try something else, since Landscaping is starting to become saturated with skilled people that have a good bit of time in, meaning the wages go down. Not being a businessman by nature, my next step will again be to find a field that needs quickly trainable people, thats where the best money tends to be.

Looking back, I would have spent less time idolizing Iggy Pop, the B52's and the like and spent more time learning HOW to think. I'd have done more to educate myself in Mathematics, Physics, Philosophy and Literature.

Most people coming of age today will need to be flexible in their employment, since we will continue to evolve/devolve our culture and human resource needs.

Answer 5

Very few of us are at that age do and if we do know we are told not to aim so high. I was good at freehand drawing and wanted to be an artist and the nearest interpretation to that was a Draughtsman.
I ended up in a factory making metal parts.
Fourteen years went by before I join the high ranks of my dreams and do you know what?
I was better than any of them.
So the moral is?
Take a job and make the most of the opportunities presented.
This will lead to changing jobs, and along the way you will become a natural for the one you keep.
Good luck and keep learning.
I did most of mine at night school.

Answer 6

At that age I wanted to work with children or animals.
Then life decided for me and it was more important to take the first thing that came along to make as much cash as possible.
Been stuck in boring factories for 20years.
Now finally aged 39 I have the chance to go back into training to become a teacher.
Dreams can be put on hold but don't let them get squashed.
When you finally make up your mind - stick to it no matter what.

Answer 7

When I was your age I wanted to be a physiotherapist, by the time I left school 3yrs later I was training to be a Fashion designer.

After 4yrs at college and working in the Fashion industry for 3yrs, I retrained to become a counsellor and now I make cakes!! If I'd been told that when I left school I'd have laughed.

So don't worry that you're not sure what you want to do, it'll come in time; and you've got plenty on your side.

God bless you sweetie......x

Answer 8

Check your talents. And don't go for the obvious option. Just because you are a good writer doesn't mean you have to be an author if it doesn't appeal. You could be a journalist. Just because you are a good runner doesn't mean you have to be a track star. You could also be a running coach. If nothing interests you, find some undiscovered talents.

Answer 9

i personally dont think anyone makes there mind up until they have lived in the real working world for at least a few years, maybe aged 20 or so. i know what i want now but im nearly 24

Answer 10

I think you only really know when you are happy....an annoying response i know, but i dont think you can make those life changing decisions too early and definitely not until you have experience some of what life has to offer....my advice ignore the hassle you're getting!