Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Navigating career possibilities can be daunting, especially at a young age. As I reflect, there’s one paramount piece of advice I’d give my younger self: try everything. Here’s why.
The world is a smorgasbord of experiences. Each endeavor offers a unique flavor. As a teenager, I often felt boxed in and pressured to follow a popular path. Society, teachers, and peers subtly nudged me towards ‘safe’ and ‘established’ professions. But is safety the key to fulfillment?
Let’s fast forward a little. During my honeymoon, my wife and I visited an ice cream shop that held the Guinness Book of World Records for unique flavors, from the traditional vanilla to booger – yep, booger. Would you want to stick with just one flavor without tasting the others? Life and career choices are somewhat like this. By not exploring, you might miss out on something you truly love.
Trying diverse roles and tasks isn’t just about uncovering passions but understanding oneself better. It’s about figuring out what lights the fire within you, what makes you jump out of bed every morning, and, equally important, what doesn’t resonate with you. The latter is just as crucial because life is too short to be stuck doing something you don’t love.
Moreover, the boundaries between professions are blurring in this rapidly evolving world. Skills acquired in one field often become invaluable in another. For instance, an artist today can leverage technology to create digital masterpieces, while a programmer might use design thinking principles to make user-friendly software. By trying everything, you equip yourself with a versatile skill set that makes you adaptable and resilient in an ever-changing job market.
In essence, the advice to try everything is not about being fickle or indecisive. It’s about permitting yourself to explore, fail, learn, and grow. It’s about understanding that every experience every role you undertake, adds a layer to your professional persona, making it richer and more nuanced.
So, to my 16-year-old self and every young individual out there: Step out of your comfort zone. Dive into the myriad opportunities the world offers. It might seem intimidating initially, but remember, every expert was once a beginner. The key is to start, to try, and in the process, to discover the unique blend of passions that define you.