“What do you want to be when you grow up?” – the dreaded question too-often asked of young people. As we get older, it evolves into…
- “What college are you planning to attend?”
- “What are you going to major in?”
In extreme cases, it can even cross into…
- “So what are you going to do with that degree?”
Unlike most people I knew, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to be “when I grew up.” I jumped from artist to botanist to musician with each new hobby. It wasn’t until junior year that I finally started getting a clear vision of what I truly wanted to do – work in a youth development program.
And so the exploration began. I wanted specific information on everything – college life, the duties of my dream job, and everything that flowed in between. Meanwhile, application deadlines set off the chain of events that became my senior year whirlwind. I wanted to ensure that my career choice, even if changed later, would be worthwhile to me after all the work I was about to invest.
Let me say it again:
I wanted to make sure that my career choice, even if changed later, would be worthwhile to me after all the work I was about to invest.
Now pursuing my career through college, I know I wouldn’t have made it through without the guidance of several people in my life. Here’s where my challenge to you comes in: take the initiative. If you will reach out to the leaders around you, similar guidance can help you navigate your own exploration process. To help along the way, here’s my list of three people you need to talk to when deciding your career.
1. Your Parents / A Trusted Adult
These are the people who’ve been with you through all the ups-and-downs of your growing up years. They’ve seen how you spend your time, what catches your attention, and what makes you light up. When you have an idea of which thing you might like to turn into a career, bring it up to them. Have a conversation about it. They’ll most likely have the most dependable theory on whether or not it’s a good long-term fit for you.
If you’re not able to talk with your parents, go to a trusted adult who’s known you for several years. My friends and I refer to these people as “Mom Number 2” or “Uncle (insert name);” they’re close enough to have seen the same passions in your life that a parent would see. This makes them some of the perfect people you need to talk to when deciding your career. Ask them what they think of your career ideas, and take both their excitement and direction into consideration. Plus, they’ll probably be thrilled that you thought of them when considering your life path.
2. Adult(s) Currently in that Career Field
When deciding if a potential career in 4-H youth development was a good fit for me, I reached out to adults I knew in that field. My years on the State 4-H Council introduced me to several positive mentors who were making an impact through their youth development positions. Already having those connections, I felt confident in emailing State 4-H Council advisors for advice. I asked questions like…
“How did you get to where you are?”
“Would this specific degree be acceptable to fill this specific position?”
And the cool thing? I got fantastic answers from each source – specific lists of things I needed to know and advice from the other end of the degree. One mentor even put me in contact with another source who’d just graduated with her Bachelor’s and started in her 4-H position. Not only did old and new connections develop through reaching out, but I got much-needed guidance from these discussions. Finally, these experienced adults even made themselves available to support me and answer any future questions I’d have.
Even if you don’t personally know the individual in your dream position, take the initiative to email or call them. People like to talk about their success, especially when someone’s asking about the work they put in to get there. Chances are they’ll reach back to you with excitement and job-specific information you wouldn’t get elsewhere.
3. A Current College Student
This step applies regardless of what your chosen career is. Whether it’s for two years or more, college is an intimidating step that can be overwhelming when you don’t know what to expect. One of the best ways to combat this nervousness is to speak with someone who’s been through the same thing. Standing on the farther end of a post-secondary education, current students often have tips they wished they’d known at the beginning of the process. If you know a college junior or senior (someone above freshman status who has a few more years of experience), ask them your burning questions.
“What are your dorm go-to’s?”
“How do you balance social life with studying?”
If you can talk to a student at the University you plan to attend, even better! This opens up the conversation to college-specific questions that may give you some extra insight. Looking for more ideas on questions to ask a current college student? Check out this article on Choosing a College: How Current Students and Alumni Can Help.
Besides the practicality, here’s another crucial element of these college connections: support. During senior year, my college friends have been some of the most reassuring people to talk to about the process. While fellow seniors are good to talk with about the mystery, sometimes the advice of someone who’s already been through it is more reassuring. Scholarship applications, overwhelming finances, and overall uncertainty of the next few months provide major stress. Through it all, my college friends’ “It really will be okay” have been a welcome reminder that all of this does lead to something worthwhile.
All of this does lead to something worthwhile.
Choosing your career path is such an exciting step in life! That personal, unique goal will drive you through the hard work and uncertainty that precedes achieving it. Sure, your plans may change (as they do for most people). However, you only find your best fit by asking questions through the process. Seeking out guidance will not only help answer those questions, but it’ll build connections with people who are there to support you along the way. Call back on their words often, and take heart: you’re one step closer to changing the world in your own unique way.
Start a conversation. You never know what you may learn or who you could meet.
If you’re ready for the next step closer to your future career, check out my article on 5 Interview Tips for Teens.
Find these tips on people you need to talk to when deciding your career helpful? Let me know at buildwithbethany@gmail.com.
