“What do you want to be when you grow up?” This question is asked many times during childhood, and most children answer with dreams of becoming a firefighter, actor, or astronaut. Now that I am more than halfway through my junior year of high school, I realize that I cannot picture myself in many of those traditional childhood careers. The world offers many opportunities, and exploring them can feel both exciting and intimidating.

There is pressure to choose a career that provides stable income, a clear path from college to work, and a major that is affordable. You are not alone if you feel this way. As I grow out of childhood imagination, choosing a career feels more complex. Deciding what I want to do for the rest of my life at seventeen feels overwhelming, but it is still possible.

The best approach is similar to how previous generations made career decisions, even without modern technology. First, think about the right time to start exploring career options. Many high school juniors spend the second half of eleventh grade preparing for college. With only a few months left before senior year, it helps to have an idea of possible majors, especially since some colleges require program-specific applications.

Start by reflecting on your passions and talents before considering salary or reputation. It is easy to choose majors based only on prestige or income potential without imagining yourself working in that field long term. Tools like Cirkled In can help you organize your interests, achievements, and goals as you explore careers that balance purpose and financial stability.

Start by compiling everything you have done so far, both inside and outside of school, to better understand your natural interests. Recently, I created my profile on Cirkled In. By putting my activities and accomplishments in one place, I was able to see my strengths, talents, and interests more clearly. I also took a free personality quiz on 16Personalities, which takes about ten minutes to complete and provides insight into your personality type. From this, I learned that I am an ENFJ, someone who enjoys teaching, advising, and communicating with others. Since I am an extrovert who likes helping people, jobs that focus mainly on spreadsheets and isolated tasks may not feel as fulfilling. These resources helped me start exploring possible careers and majors.

For high school students who are unsure about what to study in college, begin by identifying your strengths, talents, and interests using free online tools. Then think about the types of work that match your personality and lifestyle preferences. Ask yourself whether interacting with people gives you energy. If yes, you may want to explore fields such as medicine, law enforcement, or sales. If spending time with people feels draining, careers like engineering, writing, or computer programming may be more appealing. Using this approach can help you connect your personality with a future career path.