How To Decide What You Want To Do For The Rest Of Your Life | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

How To Decide What You Want To Do For The Rest Of Your Life

100 percent accurate. Results guaranteed.

83
How To Decide What You Want To Do For The Rest Of Your Life

Set the scene. The aggravating inquisitions begin around your junior year of high school. With the SAT and ACT and all of your classmates stressing about getting the grades to get into that college, the questions start. You go to your grandma’s house for Thanksgiving, and suddenly everyone wants to know what colleges you’re thinking about applying to and where you’ve visited. Soon enough they’re wondering where you’ve been accepted, where you’re considering going, and are you really considering moving that far away?

Fast-forward and you’re in your first year of college, and yet the constant barrage of questions still isn’t over. The dreaded “What’s your major going to be?” which escalates into “Where are you interning this summer? Who are you going to work for after you graduate? Are you going to attend grad school? When are you getting married? How many kids are you going to have? What’s the name of the third dog you’ll have when you’re 42 and living in Rhode Island?"

Well, maybe not that much detail. (But if your family is anything like mine… .)

All in all, it is just a little frustrating when everyone wants to know your future plans and you don’t even know what you’re eating for breakfast tomorrow.


So to escape these interrogations, you have two options: 1) run away to Canada, or 2) figure out what you actually want to do.

Of course, this starts with your choice of major. Even if you figure just this one thing out, you’ll be the king of Thanksgiving dinner conversation. You will, in fact, have won (take that, Aunt Jean!).

To win the game of life (not the board game—though these ideas might help you win that too), you’ll have to distinguish which options of majors and careers are right for you, which can easily be accomplished through the following steps.

1. Figure out your likes and dislikes.

This will help you narrow down career options because you don’t want to be stuck doing something you hate. So, for example, if you enjoy looking at yourself in the mirror, major in modeling because that’s definitely a thing. If you love Chik-fil-A, well, congratulations, so does the rest of the entire world (seriously, I have never met a person that doesn’t absolutely love Chik-fil-A). If you really hate kids, maybe put elementary teacher as option two or three, but definitely not one.

2. Take a couple of those personality tests.

A sample question: “Are you a people person?" Options: "Yes, I’d love to be around people all the time" or "No, leave me in a box on a deserted island.” Those are the only choices. You can only be one. You can only pick one. From this, you will determine your career. I bet you feel more secure about your future already.

3. Ask yourself, “What would I do if money didn’t matter?"

Does it really matter? Does anything in life really matter? After all, aren’t we all just floating on some rock in the sky?

But also, like, money is lifebecause I buy all my friends, so I kind of need some of that cash dolla bills.

4. Think about what classes you enjoyed most in high school and college.

You can only pick from these four options: English, math, history, or science.

(Unfortunately, you cannot major in lunch. Believe me, I’ve tried.)

5. Explore the majors offered at your university and the associated careers.

Then roll some dice.

If that proves too difficult to do, just get famous. It has to be pretty easy with all of the people that achieve it nowadays. Record yourself doing something dumb and it’ll go viral within minutes. Fifteen minutes of fame? More like 15 lifetimes—am I right or am I right?

6. If you feel up to it, hit up a major or career fair.

Wear a monkey suit. It’ll spark interest with recruiters, and we all know there isn’t a such thing as negative attention. Also try to bring up how "wasted" you got this past weekend so they'll think you’re super cool.


In all honesty, what major you choose doesn’t really matter in the end—you can choose a wide variety of careers from almost any major. However, you might run into a bit of trouble trying to pursue a career in the medical field with a degree in the arts. Although this is America (cue an old fat guy with a rifle in each hand screaming “’Murica!”).

But really, it’s OK if you don’t know what to do. Whether you’re 15, 20, or 45, you will find something you love eventually. Actually, you’ll probably find a multitude of things that you enjoy, so for now, try not to stress about it and instead focus on living your life. Or just go to Taco Bell and try not to catch any diseases. Both are equally challenging, but totally necessary.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
gossip girl

On the Upper East Side, Blair Waldorf is an icon. She's what every girl aspires to be. She's beautiful, confident, and can handle any obstacle that life throws at her. Sure, she may just be a television character. But for me, she's a role model and theres a lot that can be learned from Queen B.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Perks of Being a Girl

“I just want you to know that you’re very special… and the only reason I’m telling you is that I don’t know if anyone else ever has.”

772
girl

As frustrating and annoying as it can be, being a girl is really awesome. We are beautiful inside and out. Not a lot of people may see that, but girls have a ton of amazing qualities.

We have unique flirting skills.

Us girls have a significant way to flirt with other people. Even when we say the most random or awkward things, we have a way of making everything sound cute and planned. It’s just a gift; we’re good like that.

Keep Reading...Show less
gossip girl

Us college students know all about the struggle of spending the day in the library. Whether you are writing a ten-page paper, studying for a biology exam, or struggling through math homework, you somehow find the strength to get to the library to get it all done. Let's just say you have a lot of different thoughts that run through your head during the many hours you spend in the lovely library.

Keep Reading...Show less
female tv characters
We Heart It

Over the past decade, television has undergone a very crucial transition: the incorporation of female lead characters. Since it's a known fact that girls actually do run the world (Beyonce said so herself), it's time for the leading ladies of the small screen to get some credit. Without these characters, women would still be sitting in the background of our favorite shows. These women are not only trailblazers for female empowerment, but role models for women worldwide. With that, here are 15 of the smartest, sassiest ladies gracing our screens that remind us that women do, indeed, rule:

Keep Reading...Show less
New Now Next
New Now Next

If you are like me, you have an interesting personality. Basically, you love to be sassy and snarky, gossip, and act like a total bitch (not really), but deep down, you are actually a very genuinely nice person. The idea of actually hurting someone truly makes you feel bad, and you probably have never actually hurt someone’s feelings because your kindness always shines through, even if you do not want it to. Not sure exactly what I would call this type of personality, but if you identify with it, here are some feelings you can undoubtedly relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments