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How to Figure Out What You Actually Want in a Career (When You’re Not Sure Yet) 

If you’ve ever stared at a job posting thinking "I guess I could do this?" or felt a pang of doubt when someone asks “What’s your five-year plan?”—you’re not alone.

Figuring out what you want in a career isn’t about having it all mapped out from day one. It’s about starting where you are, getting curious, and collecting clues. Here’s how to begin when the path ahead feels unclear:

1. Ditch the pressure to have one “right” answer

A lot of early career confusion comes from the myth that you have to pick a perfect career and stick to it forever. The truth? Most careers are built, not chosen. Think of your career less like a train track and more like a hiking trail—there’s room to explore, take detours, and change direction.

2. Start with what energizes you

Energy is data. Pay attention to:

• Tasks that make time fly

• Conversations that leave you feeling motivated

• Topics you naturally read or talk about for fun

Make a list. These small signals help reveal the conditions and types of work that feel aligned—even if they don’t yet point to a specific job title.

3. Look at what drains you, too

Clarity isn’t just about what you love—it’s also about knowing what doesn’t work for you. Maybe you hate rigid processes, constant solo work, or environments where decisions drag. That’s valid information. List your deal-breakers.

4. Think in terms of themes, not titles

Instead of chasing job titles like “Product Manager” or “Account Executive,” zoom out. Do you enjoy solving problems? Leading others? Creating experiences? Working with data? These broader themes will show up across many roles and industries.

5. Talk to real humans

You don’t need all the answers—just better questions. Find 2–3 people in roles you’re curious about and ask them:

• What do you actually do all day?

• What surprised you about this job?

• What skills matter most?

Their answers will give you a clearer sense of what you might (or might not) want to pursue.

6. Experiment where you are

You don’t need a new job to try new things. Volunteer for a project. Shadow someone. Learn a new tool. Every low-stakes experiment is a step toward clarity.

7. Build a “career hypothesis”

Once you’ve gathered enough clues, make an educated guess: “I think I’d enjoy X kind of work because of Y and Z.”  Test it. Adjust it. It’s not final—it’s just your starting point.

Final Thought: Your path doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful.

Careers are rarely straight lines. They're made by trying, learning, refining, and evolving. Give yourself permission to be in discovery mode—it’s not a delay, it’s part of the process.