What if you don’t know yet?
When someone asks you, “What do you want to do after school?” and you don't have an answer, it can feel overwhelming.
You might feel as though everyone else has a plan, knows what they are good at or has already decided what their future will look like.
And if you don't, you might start wondering whether you should.
There's a perception that we need to have it all figured out by the time we finish school. But the reality is that understanding what interests us, what we are good at and what kind of work might suit us can take time.
For some people, those insights come early. For others, it can take years of trying different things, meeting people and discovering what feels right.
Not knowing yet doesn't mean you are behind. It simply means you are still figuring things out.
Start with curiosity and not pressure:
When you put too much pressure on yourself to find the answer, it can feel as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
But what if, instead of trying to decide your entire future, you started by asking questions?
Talk to people you know, people whose work interests you or people you admire and look up to. Speak with teachers, school career advisers or others who can help you explore different pathways.
You don't have to know exactly what you are looking for before you start these conversations.
Sometimes, hearing how someone else found their way can open up possibilities you hadn't considered.
And you don't have to have all the right words. A few thoughtful questions can be a great place to begin.
For example:
How did you discover what you wanted to study or do for work?
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
What do you find most challenging?
What do you think makes someone well suited to this type of work?
What skills, interests or personal qualities do you think are important?
If you were starting again, what would you want to know?
What other pathways or opportunities would you suggest exploring?
You might not walk away with a clear answer. That's okay.
You may simply leave with something new to think about, another person to talk to or a pathway you hadn't considered.
That's progress, too.
Get curious about yourself:
While learning from others is valuable, it's just as important to pay attention to your own experiences.
Start noticing what you enjoy, what interests you and the situations in which you feel most comfortable.
Ask yourself:
What activities make me feel engaged or energised?
What subjects or topics do I naturally want to learn more about?
What kinds of environments help me feel comfortable and do my best?
What conversations do I enjoy contributing to?
When do I find myself holding back and what might be behind that?
What do people tend to come to me for help with?
What would I like to try, even if I'm not sure whether I'll enjoy it?
You don't need to have immediate answers to these questions either.
The aim isn't to turn every interest into a career or to analyse everything you do. It's simply to start recognising patterns and learning more about yourself.
Sometimes, what you enjoy isn't immediately obvious. Sometimes, your strengths are things you take for granted because they come naturally to you.
And sometimes, you only discover what suits you by trying something new.
Be careful not to measure yourself against everyone else:
It's easy to look around and assume that other people have everything sorted.
Someone might have secured a university place. Someone else might have an apprenticeship lined up. Another person might be taking a gap year or heading straight into work.
Their plans might look clear from the outside, but you don't always know how much thought, uncertainty or changing direction has happened behind the scenes.
Your path doesn't have to look like someone else's and you don't have to move at the same pace.
Give yourself permission to explore, change your mind and learn along the way.
Looking after yourself matters, too. If thinking about the future becomes overwhelming, take a step back. Talk to someone you trust. Focus on the next small step rather than trying to solve everything at once.
You don't need to make every decision today.
You don't need the whole answer to take the first step.
Understanding what comes after school isn't always about finding one perfect career or making one big decision.
It can begin with a conversation. A question. An opportunity to try something new. Or a better understanding of what matters to you.
The more you learn about yourself and the possibilities around you, the more informed your decisions can become.
And if you are still unsure, remember this:
You don't need to know what you want to do before you start. Sometimes, understanding yourself is the best place to begin.
Alice Bacon is a life coach and facilitator who helps individuals and teams build self-awareness, resilience and personal growth through emotional intelligence and the Birkman Method. She is the creator of Clarity Beyond School, a program supporting young people as they navigate life beyond the classroom. Contact Alice if you’d like to learn more.
