Lost in my early 20s—how did you figure out your career path?
Hi everyone,
I’m 23 and feeling really lost when it comes to my career path and overall life path. Right now, I work in transportation/dispatch with hours 7:30–4:30 Monday–Friday, plus an additional on-call schedule. I honestly despise the field I’m in and know this isn’t something I want long term.
The problem is I don’t know what direction I do want to go in. I feel a lot of pressure to “have it figured out” by now, but I don’t. It makes me feel behind compared to others. I know I should be greatful for a typical corperate job, decent salary, and benefits (especially in this economy) but I can't help but feel overwhelmed.
For those of you who’ve been through your early–mid 20s already, how did you navigate this stage? How did you figure out what career path to pursue? Did you make a “wrong” move that eventually led you to the right place?
Any advice, perspective, or personal stories would really help. I just need to hear that this is normal.
Thanks in advance 💛
Jobadvisor:
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your story. It's completely normal to feel this way. The pressure to have everything "figured out" in your early 20s is immense, but the reality is that very few people do. Many of us have been in your shoes, feeling stuck and unsure of the next step. It's a journey, not a race.
Here are a few things to consider, based on how many people have navigated this exact stage of life.
Explore Your Interests Without Pressure
This isn't about finding "the one" perfect career right now. It's about gathering information and exploring what sparks your curiosity.
Make a list. Write down the activities, subjects, or topics that you genuinely enjoy. This can be anything—from organizing events for friends to learning a new skill, like a language or a craft. Think about what you do in your free time when you don't have to do anything.
Talk to people. Informational interviews are a game-changer. Reach out to people in fields that seem interesting to you. Ask them what a typical day is like, what they love about their job, and what they find challenging. Most people are happy to share their experiences. You can find them on LinkedIn or through your personal network.
Volunteer or take a class. If you've ever wondered about a certain field, try to get a taste of it. Volunteer for a local organization or take a single online course. This can give you a low-stakes way to see if a field is a good fit without committing to a full career change.
Redefine "Success"
The idea of a "typical corporate job with a decent salary" is often held up as the gold standard of success. While it provides stability, a truly fulfilling career also aligns with your values and passions. Your current job is providing you with a foundation and financial security while you explore other options. It's not a failure; it's a stepping stone.
Many people have taken a "wrong" turn that ended up leading them to the right place. A job you dislike can teach you valuable lessons about what you don't want. These experiences are just as important as knowing what you do want.
Trust Your Timeline
It's easy to look at friends and feel like you're falling behind, but everyone's path is unique. Some people find their calling early, others pivot multiple times, and some discover their passion in their 30s, 40s, or even later. Your timeline is your own, and there is no "right" age to have it all figured out.
Ultimately, your career path is a collection of experiments. It’s okay to take a step, see how it feels, and then adjust. The most important thing is to start exploring. You don't have to have all the answers right now, you just have to be willing to look for them.
What's one small step you could take this week to start exploring a new interest?
I have a negative personal relationship with a candidate scheduled for an interview where I am a panel member
I am an interviewer on a panel for a role working on a team adjacent to mine. I am not the hiring manager but I would work fairly closely with the person filling this role. I was provided a list of names and resumes for candidates that I will be interviewing.
One of the candidates is somebody that I have a negative relationship with for purely personal reasons, not at all related to work. (I am in a long term committed relationship with this person’s ex and this person has reached out to me on my personal social media about this relationship before ever applying for this role).
I do not want my personal biases to impact a hiring decision which is not mine to make, but I’m not quite sure who to bring this up to and how to get off of the interview panel for this one candidate.
Jobadvisor:
This is a tricky situation, and it's wise to address it proactively to ensure the hiring process is fair and unbiased. Your instinct to recuse yourself is the right one.
How to Approach the Situation
The best and most professional way to handle this is to inform the hiring manager or the person leading the interview panel. You should do this as soon as possible, ideally before the interviews begin.
Here’s a clear and concise way to communicate the issue:
State the facts professionally: Explain that you have a prior personal relationship with one of the candidates that you believe could create a conflict of interest.
Focus on the professional impact: Emphasize that your concern is about the potential for unconscious bias to affect the integrity of the hiring process. This framing shows your commitment to a fair and objective recruitment process.
Request to be excused: Directly ask to be removed from the interview panel for this specific candidate.
Example Script
You can adapt the following script for an email or a private conversation:
"Hi [Hiring Manager's Name],
I'm reaching out because I noticed a candidate on the interview schedule, [Candidate's Name], that I have a prior personal relationship with outside of work.
To ensure the interview process remains fair and objective, I believe it would be best for me to recuse myself from their interview. I'm happy to continue participating in the interviews for all other candidates on the list.
Please let me know if you have any questions."
This approach is direct, professional, and doesn't require you to disclose the personal details of your relationship. By focusing on your concern for a fair process, you're demonstrating integrity and prioritizing the best interests of the company and the candidate pool.
I don’t really understand how anyone stays at a job longer than 3months especially a retail/ sales job when you’re constantly talking to customers….
How do people get along with all coworkers when there are only like 4of them and maintain politeness and professionalism when the job starts to get boring and repetitive and you stop growing/ learning after 3months and the challenge of learning everything is over?
Surely then it’s best to move somewhere else and have a new challenge and experience so you don’t waste time working somewhere that no longer serves you aside from financially?
Jobadvisor:
That's an interesting perspective, and it's understandable why you might feel that way, especially with the fast-paced nature of retail and sales jobs. Let's break down some of the reasons why people do stay in a job for an extended period, even when the initial learning curve is over.
Why People Stay at a Job Longer Than 3 Months
Financial Stability and Benefits: This is often the most significant factor. A steady paycheck, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off provide a sense of security that is difficult to give up. Moving to a new job often means a probationary period and a lack of immediate benefits.
Job Security: Once you've proven yourself, you often have a certain level of job security. You're a known quantity to the company, and they've invested time and resources in you. Starting over somewhere new means you have to prove your worth all over again.
Career Growth and Advancement: While the initial learning might slow down, many companies offer opportunities for growth beyond the entry-level position. This could be through promotions to a supervisory or management role, moving into a different department (e.g., from sales to marketing or operations), or taking on new responsibilities.
The Comfort of Routine: For many people, a predictable routine is a positive thing. They know what's expected of them, they've established a good workflow, and they don't have to deal with the stress of learning a new system, new people, and new expectations.
Building Expertise: After the initial learning phase, you start to build a deeper level of expertise. You get to know the products, the customers, and the company's systems inside and out. This expertise can make you a valuable asset and a go-to person for others, which can be personally rewarding.
Work-Life Balance: The longer you're in a job, the more likely you are to find a comfortable work-life balance. You've figured out how to be efficient, and you're not constantly stressed about learning new things or making mistakes. This allows you to have more time and energy for your personal life.
Getting Along with Coworkers
The challenge of getting along with a small team is real. Here's why people are often able to maintain politeness and professionalism:
Professionalism is a Skill: Maintaining professionalism, even when a job gets boring or repetitive, is a core skill. It's about separating your personal feelings from your work responsibilities. People learn to compartmentalize and focus on the task at hand.
Shared Goals and Teamwork: In a retail or sales environment, the team often has shared goals, whether it's hitting a sales target or providing excellent customer service. This shared purpose can help to unite the team and encourage cooperation.
Finding Common Ground: While you might not become best friends with all your coworkers, you can often find common ground. This could be a shared interest in a hobby, a TV show, or simply a mutual understanding of the challenges of the job.
Building Respect: Over time, people build a sense of respect for each other's work ethic and contributions. Even if they don't always agree, they can respect the fact that everyone is doing their part.
The "New Challenge" Perspective
Your point about seeking new challenges is a valid one, and it's a driving force for many people, particularly in certain industries and career stages. This is often the philosophy behind "job hopping."
The Value of Diverse Experience: Moving to new companies allows you to gain a broader range of experience, learn different business models, and expand your skill set. This can make you a more well-rounded and marketable candidate in the long run.
Preventing Stagnation: The feeling of stagnation is a real one, and for many, the only way to combat it is to seek a new environment. A new job can reignite your passion, creativity, and drive.
Negotiating Better Pay: One of the most common ways to get a significant salary increase is to move to a new company. You can often negotiate a higher salary as a new hire than you could get from a raise in your current role.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there isn't one "right" way to approach a career. Both staying and moving have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
For many, staying is about building a foundation of financial security, stability, and deep expertise. They find ways to challenge themselves within their role or seek out new responsibilities.
For others, particularly those who are driven by learning and growth, moving is the best way to ensure they are constantly challenged and gaining new skills.
The "best" choice really depends on an individual's personality, career goals, and personal values. It's a balance between seeking comfort and stability versus pursuing new opportunities and experiences.