The Problem With “The Big Question”
Adults love asking teens the question: “What do you want to do with your life?”
Sounds simple. But it’s actually impossible. That question assumes there’s one perfect answer, waiting to be unlocked. Careers don’t work that way.
Think of it like being dropped in a brand-new city without a map. You wouldn’t magically know the best routes, hidden gems, or shortcuts. You’d start small — explore a street, try a café, get lost, and slowly build your bearings. That’s how careers work too.
From Overwhelm to Action
The trick isn’t to force an answer. It’s to take small steps that reveal more about yourself along the way. Start with curiosity.
Ask yourself:
What excites me right now?
Where do I feel energized instead of drained?
What’s one thing I can try this semester or this summer to test an interest?
Each little experiment becomes a clue. And together, those clues form your map.
A Story to Remember
Take Maya, a high school junior who felt anxious every time college came up at family dinners. She thought she had “no direction.”
That summer, instead of picking a career path on paper, she signed up to help at a local community garden. It wasn’t “career planning” but it showed her something important: she loved working with people, solving hands-on problems, and contributing to a cause.
That one step didn’t decide her future. But it gave her a compass. From there, she explored opportunities in design, sustainability, and architecture that were all connected to what lit her up in the garden.
Why Purpose Beats Pressure
Here’s another secret: students who feel a sense of purpose actually perform better. A Gallup-Purdue Index report found that graduates who had a meaningful mentor and opportunities to explore their passions were 2.5 times more likely to be engaged in their careers later in life.
That means clarity doesn’t come from pressure to “decide now.” It comes from experiences that build confidence, purpose, and self-awareness.
Rethinking What It Means to Be “On Track”
Being “on track” doesn’t mean having every detail figured out. It means you’re moving. You’re exploring, reflecting, and adjusting as you go.
At Loop, we believe clarity comes from action and reflection — not from waiting for a perfect plan to drop out of the sky.
A New Way Forward
So the next time someone asks, “What do you want to do with your life?” — flip the script. Try saying:
“I’m exploring my options right now.”
“I’m testing out what feels like a good fit.”
That’s not a weak answer. It’s the most realistic one you can give.
Because you’re not lost. You’re just still drawing your map. And that’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Careers aren’t about finding “the one right answer” at 17. They’re about exploring, experimenting, and building your map along the way.
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