Choosing a Career When You Don't Know What To Do

By Anna Johnson

So... how do you choose a career when don't know what you'd like to do?

Well, here is my No. 1 tip.

Stop asking that infernal question "what do I want to do?"

This question seems to give someone who is trying to find a career no end of grief.

Why?

Because there is often no single, definitive answer! You might have one answer one day, and then a different answer another day.

Take it from me.

For many years I struggled with choosing a career.

I even completed three different degrees at university (law, arts and commerce) because I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do.

And then I went on to be an advertising copywriter, marketing manager, lawyer, IT business owner, freelance writer, illustrator... and they're just the career I can remember!

There were certainly moments in each career when I thought "yes, this is what I want to do with my life" ... but inevitably I thought, "this is okay, but what if I enjoy something better?"

Eventually, I concluded that if you know the answer to "what do I want to do?" well and good. Go for it.

But if you don't, then stop asking that question... because you may NEVER get a conclusive answer.

Instead, I suggest asking a different question. One that empowers you... and doesn't require you to have one, definitive answer.

Ask yourself:

"What do I want to learn?"

Your answer to that question is your best bet in helping you choosing a career you enjoy. And hey, if you stop enjoying it after a while, you can ask yourself what you want to learn again, and then see where that leads...

The days of everyone having one vocation for life are over. It's accepted that people will do different things over the course of their working lives. So embrace that and let "what you want to learn" help you find a career path!