The Student Room Group

I don't know what job I want when im older

Im 16 and an average student and im doing History,Psychology and Chemistry at college and I like Psychology and Chemistry but HATE History. Originally I wanted to do Psychology to a degree level at university and now I just don't know if its what I want. Also i've been told im a very funny person and have always thought of stand up comedy but I get terrible stage fright so thats always made me forget about it any help would be appreciated thanks
Reply 1
Forget about the future man. You will fall into place. Do what you enjoy, get a part time job and earn some money to fund a hobby and a social life. Get involved with the right people, don't just sit around wasting your youth. If you're enjoying psychology then stick at it, get good grades. Do you want to go to uni? If not what could you do now? Anything at all? What about the armed forces? Start a business? You're only 16, even if you thought you knew what you wanted to be, you probably would be doing an entirely different thing by the time you retire. You have a lifetime of choices to make, you don't have to make choices yet, just focus on keeping doors open and maximising your potential. Volunteer, get experience, get a hobby, make friends, live your life.
Unfortunately most people on TSR can't help you with this, a lot of them are certain of what they want to do.
I don't know what career I want either, just give it time I guess? :dontknow:
Reply 3
16 is very young to know exactly what you want to do. I'm 21 and still having doubts about my chosen line of work.

My advice is pretty much the same as Spikeooa. Get a job, make some cash, get some experience and start building that CV. Even if you're still unsure by the time you're 20-odd, the experience you have now will make you that much more employable compared to other candidates.

I don't know if colleges are the same, but when I was in college I had a form tutor who we reported to every day, so they would get to know you better than most other teachers. Have a chat with any teachers you know particularly well, and they should have some advice for you.

As for standup, it's tough. As Louis CK (my favourite comedian ever) would say, "you need to know that you WILL bomb (on stage) horribly, but still be able to continue if you have any chance of becoming a standup comic".
I am 22, just finished University and I too have absolutely no idea what I want to do. At 16, it really isn't a big deal as you still have time to think about it.
I think many people are in this position.

I studied English because I was very good at it and because it is a degree which can link to a good few things, and also German because I wanted to carry on with a language.
If you have an interest, perhaps look up info about possible careers relating to it, to see if it is something you want to study? If you enjoy something, it may be worth studying anyway, as options will develop as you study and after too.

Or take a gap year, try out diff things and then see if something else appeals to you.
Reply 5
Miss_Scarlet
I am 22, just finished University and I too have absolutely no idea what I want to do. At 16, it really isn't a big deal as you still have time to think about it.
I think many people are in this position.

I studied English because I was very good at it and because it is a degree which can link to a good few things, and also German because I wanted to carry on with a language.
If you have an interest, perhaps look up info about possible careers relating to it, to see if it is something you want to study? If you enjoy something, it may be worth studying anyway, as options will develop as you study and after too.

Or take a gap year, try out diff things and then see if something else appeals to you.


Yeah I was thinking about a Gap year but I don't know if it will be good I heard I could get a job and practice what I wanna do on night times and stuff so thats a good idea thanks :smile:
I'm 16 ,girl and I'm sooo confused on what I want to do when I'm older ? I went from doing a floristry course to an art course and now I want to do a beauty course?? But alls I really want is to be financially stable and also happy I want to enjoy my job when I'm older and I want to be able to walk into a shop and buy whatever I want. But my downfall is I'm not that clever an there's not many jobs out there that would fit my description 😂
Hay why don't you try YouTube no people there so you can't get stage fright☯️
Reply 8
Original post by Spikeooa
Forget about the future man. You will fall into place. Do what you enjoy, get a part time job and earn some money to fund a hobby and a social life. Get involved with the right people, don't just sit around wasting your youth. If you're enjoying psychology then stick at it, get good grades. Do you want to go to uni? If not what could you do now? Anything at all? What about the armed forces? Start a business? You're only 16, even if you thought you knew what you wanted to be, you probably would be doing an entirely different thing by the time you retire. You have a lifetime of choices to make, you don't have to make choices yet, just focus on keeping doors open and maximising your potential. Volunteer, get experience, get a hobby, make friends, live your life.


Honestly this is the best bloody advice ever. I love you man
that’s honestly beautiful
You seem to have your head screwed on right and you're doing great subjects at college. honestly just keep doing what you like, if/when you go to uni you'll be able to find a more specific area you want to focus on, then you can build your experience and education from there. Good luck.
This was posted 9 years ago and OP is now 25. Hope all your dreams came true xx