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Trouble finding what I want to do next
BellaCanada
Posts: 8 Confirmed not a robot
in Work & Study
Been long time since I messaged here, but I am currently struggling with what to do with my life although that sounds dramatic I feel I need to do something and find it quickly to not waste time as I am scared of being 40 for example and not have achieved anything. I finished university last September then went traveling and came back about 3 months ago and struggling to find what I want to do next or even have motivation to apply or look for jobs as thought scares me about doing a job I am not good. I was wondering if any one had similar experiences after university or had any advice?
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I struggled a lot after university too. I hadn't really planned what I was going to do and felt so anxious about wasting time or not doing anything at all.
Firstly, as difficult as it might be, try not to feel anxious or panicky. When we are anxious, we might not be able to think clearly and as a result, we might make decisions that might not be in our best interests but out of anxiety of what might happen if we don't do something. It can help to remember that not everyone knows what they want to do after university, and even those that do know, may end up changing their minds as they go through life anyway.
Next, it can be helpful to think about what job you want. Maybe there was something in particular that you enjoyed learning about during your time at university? Or maybe even at school? Remember, it doesn't necessarily have to relate to your studies at university. Perhaps think about what interests you- what are your hobbies? What do you like to do or are good at? If you like to travel, are there jobs out there to do with travelling that might interest you? Or maybe you might want to think about what your long term goals in life are and whether certain jobs might help you meet those goals. While you are thinking about these things, you might also want to look up job profiles to get an overview of the kind of jobs and careers out there and the requirements for the jobs as well. Good places to start include:
UCAS https://www.ucas.com/careers-advice/employment/how-to-become-a/job-profiles-overview
National Careers Service https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers
Propsects https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles
The websites listed above, and other similar websites, may also have quizzes to help you figure out what jobs might suit you best. You can also try personality tests too to get a better understanding of yourself as a person.
When you have an idea of what jobs you are interested in, you can start checking out actual job posts. I felt anxious when I first started browsing jobs but some time later and I realised that the more I checked them out, the less anxious I felt. This was because I started to familiarise myself with job advertisements and requirements. They tell you a bit about themselves as a company, the role that they are seeking to fill, and the person they are looking for. Then it just becomes a sort of matching game- making sure that you can fill the requirements (and if not, finding ways where you can meet the requirements). This helps both the employer to make sure that they find someone suitable for the job but it also helps you to know more about the role and what to expect (which might help with the fear of not doing well in a job...and even then it's important to remember that we all make mistakes and get things wrong as we are learning something new). You can also look up more information online, watch videos, talk to others on social media etc., about your chosen job to help you get a better idea of what it is that you will be doing, helping you to feel more prepared.
It's definitely worth looking into volunteering as well. Volunteering adds to your CV, gives you a reference, helps to develop your confidence, helps you to learn new skills and maybe even develop an interest in something that you might not have thought about before. Check out local charities and organisations as they often advertise for volunteers and if not, you can always ask. There are many places where you can volunteer- charity shops, libraries, museums, rescue centres etc., so you might find something that interests you.
You might also want to check back with your university as some universities still provide career guidance for previous students, sometimes for several years after graduating. Or maybe there are careers advisors in your area that you can talk to?
We are always here for you too
@Maisy covered this really well, but it's definitely worth having a think about what you've achieved in life so far. What subjects have you enjoyed at school/modules at university? What skills would you say are your strengths? Combine the two, and there's guaranteed to be roles out there that interest you and let you utilise your strengths.
There's something in particular you mentioned that I wanted to touch on. You mention fear - you don't want to reach middle age and feel like you did nothing; and that you're afraid to do a role that you won't be good at. And that's pretty natural for your age - you want to feel like you've lived a meaningful life and perform well. But you know, you have plenty of time between now and then to figure out what you find meaningful and do things that make you feel like you've "done something". It takes life experience to figure it out, and there isn't always one answer either. The point being, you have time, and the best way to feel fulfilled in life is to take opportunities, try your best and use them to learn about yourself. Some of them go better, and you might find things that resonate; and some of them may not go better, but you're not bound to one role for life and there are still good lessons to take from it. The only guaranteed way to not lead a fulfilled life and not do anything well is to do nothing, so as long as you're not doing that, you're making progress!
The other thing to add is the power of social networks. There are so many people in the world, and they all know a couple of people and opportunities. Talking to people about what they do helps us to realise that there's so many cool roles out there, that there's so many different career paths, and that there's many opportunities out there that aren't advertised! So if you want to find out more information, one of the best things you can do is talk to people and find out what they do. People love to talk about themselves, so they'll only be too happy to oblige
Thanks for your guys messages again its made me feel better already I always get a slight nervousness that if I post no-one will reply so thank you
1. Set Realistic Expectations
2. Networking (e.g. university's career center, professors, alumni, or peers for networking opportunities and job leads)
3. Internships and Volunteering
4. Professional Development
5. Set Clear Goals
6. Apply Strategically (focus on roles that genuinely interest you and align with your skills and values. Tailor your applications to these positions.)
Remember that your career journey is a process, and it's perfectly normal to feel uncertain at times. You have the opportunity to explore different paths, learn, and grow along the way. Embrace this time as a chance for self-discovery and personal development. Your path may not be linear, but with persistence and self-awareness, you can find a fulfilling career that aligns with your passions and values.
You absolutely do not need to stay in the same job for your entire working life at all. It can seem daunting and 'final' to think that now you are an adult you need a job and to imagine that you will be working in that job for the rest of your life. But it doesn't have to be that way. Some people start in one job and work their way up, or perhaps specialise in a certain area. Other people start off in one job and then perhaps find that life or their interests change and so they change careers too. And some people have one main job and a side job, perhaps born out of a hobby, and decide to become self-employed and turn their side job into their main one. It can help to think long term, but it doesn't mean you have to commit yourself to one job either.
Psychology and helping people sounds good! Definitely worth looking into volunteering in those areas