You graduate high school, and the big question drops: “So, what are you planning to do?” It’s like people expect you to have a fully mapped-out career plan before you’ve even figured out how to do your own laundry. The pressure is real—and honestly, it’s a little unfair.
Most students aren’t entirely sure what they want to do, and that’s completely normal. The idea that you need to get it “right” the first time creates stress and sometimes leads people into fields they don’t even like. There’s nothing wrong with shifting gears. It’s actually smart to try out different options before locking yourself into a career you might grow to hate.
Trying New Roles Can Change Everything
Let’s say you start out convinced you’re going into marketing. You land a summer gig where you do social media posts and help plan a campaign. Cool, right? But maybe after a few weeks, you realize you don’t care about engagement rates or email open percentages. Suddenly, what looked fun in theory feels a bit… boring.
Now imagine you try something else. Maybe you take a role in event planning or logistics. It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and somehow, it clicks. You enjoy the challenge. You don’t feel like you’re counting the minutes until lunch.
That shift wouldn’t happen if you hadn’t stepped out of your original plan. You gave yourself the chance to discover something new.
Why Experience Matters More Than You Think
The best way to test the waters without making a huge commitment? Internships.
They’re short-term. They’re structured. And they show you what a day in the life actually feels like—not just what a website or brochure says the job is like. You might learn how to solve real problems, communicate in a team, or just figure out how many cups of coffee you need to survive a Monday morning meeting.
And here’s a helpful tip: if you’re even slightly interested in shipping, planning, or supply coordination, check out options for logistics internships that give you a feel for operations behind the scenes. The experience can surprise you in a good way.
Switching Paths Isn’t Wasting Time
Some people worry that if they switch directions, all their past effort will be wasted. Not true. Skills transfer. You might take communication skills from a sales job and apply them to a Career Path in HR. Or use project management experience from a nonprofit internship when you later join a tech company.
Even if a job isn’t a perfect fit, it still teaches you something—about work, people, or yourself. One of the smartest things you can do in your early career is collect clues. Every experience adds to the picture of what you want and what you really don’t.
Don’t Let Fear Keep You Stuck
What keeps a lot of people from trying new paths? Fear. Fear of judgment, fear of starting over, fear of making the “wrong” choice.
But guess what? Most successful people didn’t follow one straight line. They pivoted. They started in one field and ended up somewhere totally different. And they’re better for it.
Here’s something no one says enough: you don’t have to be great at something right away. It’s okay to try, fail, and move on. That’s how you grow.
Make Room for Curiosity
Have you ever done something just because it seemed interesting, even if it wasn’t “part of the plan”? That curiosity can be your best guide.
Say you’re majoring in business, but you’ve always loved writing. Take a class. Volunteer to write for a campus blog. It doesn’t have to lead to a career—but it might. And if nothing else, it keeps you energized.
Sometimes, those detours open the best doors.
The Value of Exploration Is Underrated
If there’s one thing you should feel free to do in your twenties, it’s explore. Try jobs that don’t match your major or expectations. Shadow someone with a Career Path you don’t fully understand yet and ask plenty of questions. Take on side projects that challenge your skills and expose you to new industries. Stretch your comfort zone and embrace the uncertainty since it’s all part of the process.
You’ll End Up Where You’re Meant to Be—Eventually
Let’s be honest, no one has it all figured out right away. And pretending like you do is just unnecessary stress. The best thing you can do is stay open, stay curious, and give yourself permission to change your mind.
You’re not behind. You’re not lost. You’re just learning.
So try a few things. Take a few risks. Your future self will thank you.