Stuck in a part time job with absolutely no direction in life. Any advice?

Hi everyone,

I'm 17 years old from Scotland and left school in September last year, a year earlier than most, as I had had enough of it and was desperate to get out into the real world. I hated highschool from the very start and have never wanted to go to Uni, as I think the only two things it's good for is the socialising aspect and the credentialism you receive - Unless you're going for a course with a subject that you are really passionate about. My aim was to get an apprenticeship of some sort but have been unsuccessful so far. I think this is mainly down to the fact that I am not really passionate about the roles I have applied for. (And because I absolutely suck at interviews)

Since the beginning of March, I've been working a part time job in retail. I'm thankful that I at least have that because otherwise I would be even more bored, lonely and lacking direction than I am now, which I feel a lot in my days off to be honest. I also don't have a social life. I spend my free time lying in bed, doing nothing but questioning my life choices and wondering how I can make my situation better. I talk to some friends online while we're playing a game but that's my only real connection to people. A few of them are also in my position as they have now left school as well.

The truth is, I have absolutely no idea what I want in terms of a career or what I want my life to be in general. I was also thinking about starting a small business but again, there's nothing I'm really passionate about.

I'm thinking about saving up until November, then quitting my part time job and going travelling across South East Asia for about 3 months. Is this a good idea? Or should I keep my part time job and apply for a full time job in the meantime while also looking for apprenticeships?

I would really love to travel but if it's going to create a gap on my CV or whatever I probably shouldn't, right?

Hi everyone,

I'm 17 years old from Scotland and left school in September last year, a year earlier than most, as I had had enough of it and was desperate to get out into the real world. I hated highschool from the very start and have never wanted to go to Uni, as I think the only two things it's good for is the socialising aspect and the credentialism you receive - Unless you're going for a course with a subject that you are really passionate about. My aim was to get an apprenticeship of some sort but have been unsuccessful so far. I think this is mainly down to the fact that I am not really passionate about the roles I have applied for. (And because I absolutely suck at interviews)

Since the beginning of March, I've been working a part time job in retail. I'm thankful that I at least have that because otherwise I would be even more bored, lonely and lacking direction than I am now, which I feel a lot in my days off to be honest. I also don't have a social life. I spend my free time lying in bed, doing nothing but questioning my life choices and wondering how I can make my situation better. I talk to some friends online while we're playing a game but that's my only real connection to people. A few of them are also in my position as they have now left school as well.

The truth is, I have absolutely no idea what I want in terms of a career or what I want my life to be in general. I was also thinking about starting a small business but again, there's nothing I'm really passionate about.

I'm thinking about saving up until November, then quitting my part time job and going travelling across South East Asia for about 3 months. Is this a good idea? Or should I keep my part time job and apply for a full time job in the meantime while also looking for apprenticeships?

I would really love to travel but if it's going to create a gap on my CV or whatever I probably shouldn't, right?

It's okay to not know what you want to do. You're not alone. I think going travelling is a great idea. So that people don't have gaps on their CV, they often volunteer abroad and then they can put that on their CV and use the skills they gained from it later on in their career, you could do the same? Travelling and volunteering also might spark an interest for something you haven't done or thought about before.

I personally went on an Expedition with Raleigh International and it helped me massively, you should check them out

Do you think it's fine to go travelling but skip out on the volunteering aspect? I have a route that I've planned for South East Asia but don't think I can really fit any voluntary work into my trip.

You are 17 plenty of time to think on what you want to do. I just started an apprenticeship and im 20 aha

I was 20 when I started too.
Yep you’re wayyyy too young to be thinking too much about your future.
Even 20 is too young.
I reckon by 25, you’ll have some **** figured out . Life’s not a race anyway. It works out when it works out