#FindingYourPassion #CareerAdvice #MeaningfulJobs
Hey there! 🌟 It’s completely normal to feel lost and unsure about your next steps when you’re in your twenties. Don’t worry, many people go through this phase and come out on the other side with a clearer sense of direction. In this article, I’ll provide some guidance on how to navigate this challenging time in your life and find a career path that aligns with your values and interests.
## Understanding Yourself
### Personality Assessments
One of the first steps in figuring out what to do with your life is to understand yourself better. You mentioned that you’ve looked into the Big Five personality traits and the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) assessment. These can be helpful tools in gaining insight into your strengths, preferences, and tendencies. As an INFJ, you likely possess qualities such as creativity, empathy, and a desire to make a difference in the world.
### Values and Interests
Think about the activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. What subjects do you enjoy learning about? What causes are you passionate about? Consider your values and what matters most to you in a career. For example, if you value helping others and making a positive impact, a career in healthcare or education might be a good fit.
## Exploring Career Options
### Meaningful Professions
You mentioned that you are drawn to jobs that are considered meaningful, such as teaching or nursing. While these professions involve a lot of interaction with people, there are ways to find a balance as an introverted and sensitive individual. For example, you could explore roles in education that involve research, curriculum development, or working one-on-one with students.
### Alternative Paths
If traditional professions don’t resonate with you, consider alternative career paths that still allow you to make a difference. For instance, you could explore opportunities in non-profit organizations, social enterprises, or environmental advocacy. Think outside the box and consider how your unique skills and interests can contribute to a purpose-driven career.
## Overcoming Challenges
### Setting Boundaries
As a sensitive and introverted person, it’s important to set boundaries to prevent burnout. Practice self-care and prioritize activities that recharge you, whether it’s spending time alone, engaging in creative pursuits, or practicing mindfulness. Don’t feel pressured to conform to societal expectations of what a successful career looks like.
### Seeking Support
Don’t be afraid to seek guidance from career counselors, mentors, or therapists. They can provide valuable insights and support as you navigate this period of uncertainty. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help and take the time you need to make informed decisions about your future.
## Conclusion
In conclusion, finding your passion and purpose in life is a journey that takes time and self-reflection. Embrace the process of exploration and don’t be afraid to take risks or try new things. Remember that your career should align with your values and bring you a sense of fulfillment and meaning. Stay true to yourself, and you’ll eventually find a path that resonates with who you are. Best of luck on your journey to discovering your calling! 🌟
I was in a similar boat. Stuck in a warehouse job and didn’t know much of what I wanted to do I just knew I didn’t like what I was doing. What I would suggest is getting out of retail since you hate it. I would look into trying to get into the service industry. It directly exposes you to face to face interactions and forces you to learn how to talk to people. I was incredibly introverted until I started serving/bartending. It forced me to learn basic communication skills and customer service. I quickly learned I’m very good at it and I loved what I was doing and you make some pretty damn good money bartending. The best part is that it’s easy to even do part time so you could go to university while still picking up shifts. I was even able to land an IT help desk job to transition out of the service industry because of the customer service skills I learned.
Hey, I have no idea either and I’m 24! I think I’m going to attend tech college and become a welder. I went to a coding school and that didn’t work out so now I’m in a bunch of debt. You got this lol
I don’t have any magic advice or silver bullet. The one thing I can say is you have to take chances on things that seem outside the norm, and follow opportunity. My wife is the same personality type as you and she absolutely hated corporate jobs, so kudos to you for knowing what you DONT like. That saves you some heartache. She did take a chance on a startup that did graphic design, animation, etc for advertising campaigns and really enjoyed most aspects. She was the first employee so it seemed risky, and after several years they did end up going out of business. But the experience was worth it because she found out she preferred creative pursuits. She hasn’t made a full time career out of those things, but her life is full and she enjoys her passion projects.
TLDR: stop trying to ‘find’ your path, and ‘make’ your path. Life is an adventure with the right attitude.
1) Take up a trade – plumbing, carpentry, welding, etc. You’ll learn something and get paid well.
2) Join the military. It’ll pay for college later and give you time to figure things out.
3) Join the Peace Corps. It’ll pay for college later and give you time to figure things out.
Any decision is better than no decision. And very few things are irreversible.
I was 20, I had no idea what to do with my life. I took a construction job. Sign boy. Lasted 60 days. You want to know a secret. It took me 60 days to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Nothing focuses you faster than road construction.
Goodluck, just know that you are going to fail a lot, and it is okay. You don’t need to be perfect or to have it all mapped out. Jump into a role and figure out if it is for you. If you like ot, keep growing. If you hate it, find another one 🙂
Sign up for college talk to a counselor. They can help out. Watch YouTube videos of what interests you and also see what is the path to get there. Your early 20’s is a very trippy year.
I was that age once looking at the night sky at 4am while I waited for my ride to pick me up to work a 12 hr shift in a warehouse.
I never went to school just worked. In my current job I’ve been in for 18 yrs. I now work in an office I have a family and I love what I do. I’m a production planner. You’re at an age where you can do what ever you want because you don’t have added responsibilities. So go tackle the world and don’t put yourself down. At the end we need money. Get a job that does that to travel or help out in your community in the spare time make things workout for you. Good luck.
Don’t panic too much. I’m 36 and still have no idea what to do with my life.
You can go to community college first and start as undecided, talk to a counselor about the type of classes you should take for a diverse learning perspective. Maybe consider what a meaningful career means to you (psychology, nursing/doctor, non profit/business) and maybe these can help you decide where to go in the future. You’re young and have time to try things out.
Don’t let the idea of not liking something stop you, try it first and then make a decision on how you feel about it.
Your young give it time.
Find your purpose. Even in “soul-less corporations”, you can find ways to help. Their are good people everywhere fighting the fight and trying, sometimes against the odds, to do the right thing.
If you were to help develop a drug which helps cure a disease or make life better for people, would you consider that fueling corporate profits? Or is that helping society? Would working for the government in a field where you can do good, but your results will at some point be used for profit cross that personal line? My point is that everyone will draw that line I. A different place. I am not telling you where you personally cross that line. I am only suggesting that you figure out where that line is for you. And the only right answer is your personal right answer. There are so many jobs that involve helping people I. Some way, shape, or form. Yes, there is often a profit motive. That is our system, and it won’t change quickly.
It sounds like you know what you don’t like to do. That is a start. But what do you like to do? What kind of work would you enjoy? Then, figure out how you can use that to help.
The suggestions regarding Peace Corp and community colleges are great ones. They provide you with an opportunity to learn.
Don’t feel like just because you are an introvert (INTJ if you must know) you can’t do a publicly facing job. I am an introvert, but I regularly have to go in front of people and speak. A few weeks ago I had a he’ll week with 4 days of 8-10 hour days of meetings. I was worn out and drained. But I did it. I took breaks whenever I could. Just a short walk outside in the rain helped center me so I could make it through. But I did. My GF said she had never seen me so drained. And I was. But I am not special. There are tricks you can learn to cope. But always be aware that they are tricks and it does take a lot out of you. It requires planning to get your alone time needed to re-energize.
If nothing interests you, pick a career where there are a lot of jobs and a high income. If anything, you would rather be miserable doing something you don’t like, but get paid handsomely for it.