[OiBoyz]

Originally Posted by penguinofwar

I have no idea what I want to do when I grow up, other than play sports. I'm a sophomore in high school. Should I be concerned?

I'm 45. I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up either. Should I be concerned?

[1/2-Fast Player]

OiBoyz:
> Should I be concerned?

Not at all. I'm 48 and I don't know what I want to be when (if?) I grow up either. Hopefully I'll figure it all out by the time I retire. Right now I'm torn between becoming a professional figure skater or becoming pope.

Just remember that while we count the years that have gone by, God counts the years we have left, and that's a far more important number.

To the OP - if you can decide on a thing or two that you love and do those, you'll likely become quite good at them and make a good living. Unless of course you love something like intoxication. Take a variety of classes, try different outside activities, expose yourself to a broad range of possible interests. Something will click.

But don't expect to be locked in today. Your interests will probably change as your education continues.

[Folk_guy]

You don't need to make up your mind at your age. Now is the time for you to try to figure out what you are good at, and what you might enjoy doing long term, but there certainly is no rush. I would take a well rounded curriculum, that included a good foundation in Math, Science, English, Art, History, etc. Then see what it is you really enjoy and excel at. Figuring that out will give you a clue as to the type of future careers that might interest you.

[earlessdog]

I think it's good to get an idea when you're in high school, if possible. I didn't and here I am now, broke and trying to pay rent with no idea what I want to do with my life. I hate the idea of a career, so leaves me with crappy low paying jobs. I really feel unhappy, quite honestly, probably due to different reasons, but a big one is I have nothing to shoot for.
Toss around ideas, at least so you can get some possibilities to think about. I definitely would jump into college unless you're positive what you want, because far too often people do that then drop out because they realized they didn't want that.

[fendeanson]

Originally Posted by earlessdog

I didn't [have an idea] and here I am now, broke and trying to pay rent with no idea what I want to do with my life. I hate the idea of a career, so leaves me with crappy low paying jobs. I really feel unhappy, quite honestly, probably due to different reasons, but a big one is I have nothing to shoot for.

This is the kind of situation that I was talking about in my post about the Baptist college.

(No offence earlessdog)

[SccHarpGirl]

Originally Posted by penguinofwar

Well, part of my point is that I'm not really sure what I should focus on most. For instance, what am I good at? Math, but do I like it, not really. Could I get a good job by being good at it? Maybe. Should I start with what I like and branch out? Or should I look at what I'm good at first?

Anyways, thanks everybody.

out of curiousity what do you like? Because there are a zillion different fields you'd probably be good at if you have a good mathematical mind...economics, accounting, statistics (), physics, market research, quantitative ecology, finance, various engineering fields, epidemiology, and so many more. Just because algebra 2 or precalculus or geometry really doesn't spark your interest doesn't mean that other fields that use math wouldn't. Just a thought

In answering your question, I would look concurrently at both what you like and what you are good at and try and identify areas that use both? I'm not sure there really is a right answer, though. Personally I would start with what you like. If you like something, you probably aren't terrible at it.

Now is a good time to be thinking about these sorts of things and exploring, you're right, so when you get to university (esp. if it's a pricey one!!) you have a general idea of the direction you want to go in and don't waste money flailing around (though you could argue that education is never a waste...)

Does your school have a career counselor? I know my high school did. Or could you talk to professors of classes you like to ask what jobs exist in that field, what they would recommend, etc? Also perhaps think about jobs you would like, and then go backwards to find out what education you would need to land that job.

[penguinofwar]

Originally Posted by SccHarpGirl

out of curiousity what do you like? Because there are a zillion different fields you'd probably be good at if you have a good mathematical mind...economics, accounting, statistics (), physics, market research, quantitative ecology, finance, various engineering fields, epidemiology, and so many more. Just because algebra 2 or precalculus or geometry really doesn't spark your interest doesn't mean that other fields that use math wouldn't. Just a thought

Do you mean like what do I enjoy doing? Or what kind of fields do I have interests in? Part of my thing is that I don't really know what kind of fields I have interest in and if I'd be good at them. I'm pretty good at math and science (I'm in honors for both) so I'm not really sure how many fields that portrays for me. I'm not bad at English, I get like a B+/A- in regular, but its not my strong point (you can probably figure that out ). My mom has always told me I could be an architect because she thinks I'm really creative (and because I'm good at math and science). DaGeek once said about how sometimes people have a desire to do something epic, and I've kind of felt that way before. By that I've had some interest in doing something like being in the FBI or even being in the Army or something. I actually once really wanted to be in the Coast Gaurd, but that was mostly after watching The Gaurdian . I've also thought being an engineer would be cool, but I don't know that much about it.

In answering your question, I would look concurrently at both what you like and what you are good at and try and identify areas that use both? I'm not sure there really is a right answer, though. Personally I would start with what you like. If you like something, you probably aren't terrible at it.

Now is a good time to be thinking about these sorts of things and exploring, you're right, so when you get to university (esp. if it's a pricey one!!) you have a general idea of the direction you want to go in and don't waste money flailing around (though you could argue that education is never a waste...)


Does your school have a career counselor? I know my high school did. Or could you talk to professors of classes you like to ask what jobs exist in that field, what they would recommend, etc? Also perhaps think about jobs you would like, and then go backwards to find out what education you would need to land that job.

I think we do but I'm not sure. That probably just consists of talking to my normal counselor. Another thing is that one of my goals is to play a sport in college, primarily either football or baseball, so that could change a lot of things (or even use sports to get into a nicer college that I normally couldn't).

[1/2-Fast Player]

> I've also thought being an engineer would be cool, but I don't know that much about it.

Of course it's cool, especially with all those chicks who become engineering groupies and chase after us all the time.

I've been an engineer for 25 years. Math and science are critical, but communication skills, both written and verbal, are also very important. It's a very creative profession. It can be very fulfilling, but it also can have lots of frustrations. If you'd like more info about what we do, PM me.

[beanbag]

about sports in college: if you want to go on scholarship, make sure you start trying out for varsity as soon as you can, if you're not already on a varsity team. also, let your coach know right now that you want to play sports in college. I work with some athletes, and really, the best way to be seen by scouts is to let your coach know you want to play in college because they will contact colleges for/about you. there really isn't any way for you to act as an agent for yourself. I mean, you can, but it usually doesn't work out very well. one of my coworkers was an athlete in college and he mentioned something about having to get registered with a clearinghouse before you apply for college. it all sounded to me like he was speaking a foreign language when he explained it, so please, talk to your coach. he/she will know everything that you need to do to best situate yourself to be seen by college coaches.

as for college academics: I think everyone else has hit on the important stuff. the best thing to do is to take the most challenging course load that you can and still maintain As and Bs. and like mulletman said, if your school allows you to take college classes, sign up NOW. =)

[jthomas1600]

A few more thoughts.

If you still have even the slightest interest in the Coast Guard I would encourage you to keep that option open. It would provide good solid gainful employment and great experience for a few years while you were still figuring some of this out. Also, for a slightly longer commitment to the C.G. you could get some money for school if that is an issue for you. Also, you could save lives. The C.G. flew me out an emergency pump once on a sinking fishing boat. It was dark, stormy, and we were probably an hour or less from sinking when the chopper flew over and dropped the pump.

I remember the day I found out what I would do for the rest of my life. I was 18 and had an opportunity to go for an afternoon on a tug boat at the mouth of the Columbia River. Standing on the bow of that boat, with salt water in the air and the wind in my face I knew... there was no question. In the 25 years since, I've logged about 5 years off and on employed in 9-5 type jobs. The rest of the time has been at sea. Not saying that will happen for you, but you never know. You may try something new one day and be like "this is it, this is what I was born to do".

[bobthecockroach]

Originally Posted by penguinofwar

Do you mean like what do I enjoy doing? Or what kind of fields do I have interests in? Part of my thing is that I don't really know what kind of fields I have interest in and if I'd be good at them. I'm pretty good at math and science (I'm in honors for both) so I'm not really sure how many fields that portrays for me. I'm not bad at English, I get like a B+/A- in regular, but its not my strong point (you can probably figure that out ). My mom has always told me I could be an architect because she thinks I'm really creative (and because I'm good at math and science). DaGeek once said about how sometimes people have a desire to do something epic, and I've kind of felt that way before. By that I've had some interest in doing something like being in the FBI or even being in the Army or something. I actually once really wanted to be in the Coast Gaurd, but that was mostly after watching The Gaurdian . I've also thought being an engineer would be cool, but I don't know that much about it.



I think we do but I'm not sure. That probably just consists of talking to my normal counselor. Another thing is that one of my goals is to play a sport in college, primarily either football or baseball, so that could change a lot of things (or even use sports to get into a nicer college that I normally couldn't).

Instead of asking what you are good or what you are interested in, perhaps you should ask what you do. I started writing computer programs for fun when I was like 10 years old. It didn't take much contemplation to realize I might enjoy a career writing computer programs, and that is in fact what I do now, and I do in fact enjoy it greatly.

If you don't do anything that you could see making your career out of, then stop talking and thinking and asking for advice, and start doing. You can easily get the equipment to do entry-level engineering projects for $100. Find schematics for simple electronics projects and build them. Look into Arduino (Google it). Build a trebuchet in your backyard. Take something apart and put it together again.

If you want to test-drive being an architect or FBI agent, I'm sure there are ways to do that too. If you can't think of anything, try getting in touch with architects and FBI agents. It may be easier than you think given the internet. It took me precisely 3 seconds to find a message board for architects on Google. Surely you can find someone to tell you about it. There is an FBI field office in Detroit. Have you contacted them for information about the FBI? If not, why not?