If you’re unsure about what you want to be ‘when you grow up,’ you’re not alone. But it’s not just young people who haven’t found their path. Many of us need to try a few different careers on for size before finding the right fit. In fact, today, young people will work in as many as 17 different jobs across five careers in their lifetime. If that doesn’t put things into perspective, then take comfort in the fact that about 85 per cent of the jobs in 2030 don’t even exist yet!

So, if you have no idea what you want to do, don’t worry, your dream job may not be invented yet. The best way to deal with career indecision is to take the pressure off.  The following career advice offers six practical, low-pressure steps to make progress without having everything figured out.

Step 1 – Give Yourself Permission Not to Know (Yet)

Creating a career plan can be overwhelming at the best of times, so if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to do, it’s easy to get stuck.  But you don’t have to have it all worked out to move towards finding a career you love. Try switching your focus from the end goal (a dream job) to reflecting on your interests and strengths, which will help guide further study.

When you reframe studying as exploring interests rather than a lifelong commitment, you take the pressure off. It’s often better to choose something rather than wait for certainty because you never know where that new knowledge will take you.

It’s okay to settle for a vague plan for now as long as you take small, practical steps in the right direction.

Ask yourself:

• What subjects spark your curiosity?
• What transferable skills will help you in any career?
• What kind of work environment suits you best at this stage of life?
• What are you naturally good at?

Step 2 – Notice What Lights You Up

Your interests don’t need to steer you in a clear career direction, but they do offer valuable clues. Think about what gives you energy.

• Do you enjoy spending time outdoors, or do you prefer an office environment?
• Do you find fulfilment in creative expression, hands-on tasks or helping others?
• What activities make you lose track of time or leave you feeling energised rather than drained?

When you pay attention to what naturally holds your interest, even outside of work or study, it can lead to meaningful career choices. These signs can point to study choices that support how you like to think, work and interact with the world. When you recognise what motivates and energises you, get curious about what that means in terms of study and a career.

Step 3 – Follow Your Curiosity

You don’t need a five-year career plan to make progress. We’re not all planners, but everyone’s capable of curiosity.  When you capitalise on your interests and strengths, they grow into skills – and skills become careers.

It might help to think of your future career as a journey, rather than a destination. After all, it’s likely that you’ll have more than one career in your lifetime. Along the way, enrol in a course, read books on a topic you’re passionate about, and keep putting one foot after the other.

Being curious reduces the fear of making the wrong choice and can lead you to discover opportunities you didn’t know existed. In this instance, curiosity will not kill the cat. On the contrary, this piece of career advice encourages exploring, experimenting and learning more about yourself.

Step 4 – Explore Careers Through Small, Low-Risk Experiences

Curiosity over commitment is the best way to find direction when you’re not sure what you want to study. If you’re looking for practical, low-risk ways to explore different types of careers, try the following:

• Enrol in short courses, micro credentials or workshops to get a feel for a subject.
• Read articles, watch videos, or listen to podcasts related to industries you find interesting.
• Volunteer, job-shadow, or take on part-time or casual work to gain real-world experience
• Start a small side hustle or hobby that lets you explore new skills
• Reflect regularly on what you enjoyed, what you didn’t, and what surprised you. You might even try keeping a ‘career diary’ to keep track of your experiences.

When you engage in these kinds of experiences, you’ll find that your interests bring clarity without the pressure of committing to a single career direction.

Step 5 – Talk to People Doing Work That Interests You

Curious about a career? Go directly to the source! What better way to find out about a career that interests you than to ask a person currently working in that job? When you have these conversations, you’ll discover meaningful and honest insights that aren’t easily gained otherwise. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to talk to people in a role that interests you, you’ll gain honest experiences that help you understand what a role is really like day to day.

Ask the following questions to gain real career advice:

• What does a typical day or week look like in your role?
• What skills are most important for doing this job well?
• What surprised you most when you first started in this field?
• What are the biggest challenges or pressures in this career?
• How did your study or training prepare you (or not prepare you) for the work?
• What entry-level roles or experiences would you recommend for someone starting out?
• How has this career changed over time, and where do you see it heading?
• What do you wish you’d known before choosing this career?

Career knowledge is valuable when it comes from the source and reflects real-world experience. It’s these types of conversations that provide real insight you can’t find in a course catalogue or online. So, reach out to friends, family, or colleagues who can introduce you to someone in your desired career.

Step 6 – Find Your Direction Over Time, Not Overnight

Career direction is something most people find over time. Sure, some knew what they wanted to do before they could walk, but they’re in the minority.  So, if you’re struggling to find your dream career, remember that it’s perfectly acceptable to change your mind, and you’re never too old to learn something new. As long as you’re making progress, you’ll eventually start to understand what feels right for you. The experiences you gain, whether through study or work, will ultimately help you find your true north.

 

Whether you’re a young person stepping into the workforce for the first time or a mature-age career changer looking for something new, we hope this career advice gives you the confidence move forward. Remember, it’s often the pressure to decide too soon, not a lack of direction, that keeps us feeling stuck. So, give yourself permission to explore, grow, and choose when you’re truly ready.

 

Can we help you find your new direction? Explore hundreds of professional development courses that might spark your next career move today. Contact one of our friendly Course Consultants on 1300 76 2221, via Live Chat, or Online for more information.