So… About Figuring Out What You Wanna Do with Your Life
Okay, real talk—how are we supposed to figure out our whole dang careers when we can barely decide what to eat for dinner? Like, one second you’re vibing to a lo-fi playlist and the next you’re spiraling because someone on LinkedIn just got promoted again and you’re sitting there wondering if you accidentally missed the whole memo on how to “life.”
But let’s breathe for a sec. You’re not behind. You’re not late. You’re not broken. You’re just… figuring it out. And yeah, it’s kinda overwhelming, but setting career goals early (or even just thinking about them early) can low-key save you a lot of confusion down the line.
I’m not saying you have to know exactly what job you want by 22, or have a 10-year plan color-coded and laminated (seriously, who even does that??). But starting the convo with yourself early? Huge. Life-changing. Slightly scary, but worth it.
So, if you’re wondering where the heck to even start, you’re in the right place.
Why It’s Actually a Good Idea to Start Thinking About Goals Now
Alright, let’s unpack this. You know how your Spotify Wrapped kinda shows you who you really were that year? Setting goals early is like doing that—but for your future. It gives you a vibe check. A sense of direction. Something to aim for, even if it shifts later (and spoiler: it probably will).
It’s Not About Locking In Forever
Setting a goal doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. This isn’t like getting a tattoo of your high school mascot. You can change your mind. You should change your mind as you grow.
What setting a career goal early does is give you some clarity. It helps you start asking the right questions. Like: What kinda work makes me feel alive? What kind of life do I want outside of work? Do I want stability, creativity, freedom, money (hey, no shame)?
You don’t need all the answers—just enough breadcrumbs to start walking in a direction.
Career GPS > Career Google Maps
Here’s how I like to think of it: career goals are your GPS. They don’t show you the exact route with traffic updates and alternate paths like Google Maps. But they give you a general direction—north, south, wherever. You’re allowed to stop for snacks, take detours, or even pull over for a cry sesh (been there). But you’re still moving.
The Weird Pressure of Figuring Things Out by 25
Okay, so why is it that everyone suddenly expects you to have your whole life together by the time your car insurance goes down?
It’s a weird thing. Especially for Millennials and Gen Zs. We’re the generations raised on “follow your dreams” and “you need to have a 401(k) by 24.” Like, excuse me, which is it?? Do I become a travel vlogger or buy real estate??
Here’s the tea: that pressure is fake. Social media makes it look like everyone else has it all figured out, but behind the curated posts is a LOT of confusion, burnout, and job-hopping.
So if you’re still bouncing between ideas like marketing, UX design, or starting your own business selling crochet frog hats—guess what? You’re normal. And you’re doing just fine.
Still, even amidst the chaos, having some goal in mind can keep you from floating too far off course.
Little Ways to Start Setting Career Goals (Without Freaking Out)
Let’s say you’re not ready to commit to “I want to be a software engineer at Google by age 28.” That’s cool. There are a bunch of chill, low-stakes ways to dip your toes into goal-setting.
Try the “Future You” Exercise
Super simple. Imagine it’s five years from now. You wake up and it’s a weekday. What does your life look like?
Are you working from a cute home office with a matcha latte? Commuting to a tall glass building downtown? Running your own biz from a van in Colorado?
Get specific. Not about the job title necessarily, but about the vibes. The pace. The lifestyle. That’ll give you clues about what kind of work you might actually enjoy.
Set Mini Goals First
Before you even think about the big stuff like “dream job,” try setting tiny, achievable goals like:
- Finish an online course in something that sounds interesting
- Reach out to someone on LinkedIn for a casual convo (aka an “informational interview” but make it chill)
- Update your resume—even if you’re not applying yet
- Apply to one job that scares you just a little (because growth, baby!)
These small wins build momentum. And when you’re just starting out (hello, First Job Starter Pack phase), that momentum is everything.
Don’t Sleep on Self-Knowledge
Look—Buzzfeed quizzes can only tell you so much. If you want to really get somewhere with your goals, you gotta do a little digging. Not the cringey, soul-searching type necessarily (unless you’re into that), but asking questions like:
- What kind of tasks do I actually enjoy doing?
- When have I felt most on fire—like, in the zone?
- What makes me feel drained, no matter how good I am at it?
That stuff matters more than your college major, tbh.
The “First Job Starter Pack” Nobody Talks About
Let’s be honest—the first job is wild. You go from group projects and ramen noodles to performance reviews and awkward Zoom calls. It’s a whole vibe.
There are things people never tell you about that First Job Starter Pack, like:
- You’re probably going to mess up. A lot. It’s fine.
- You may discover that you actually hate what you thought you’d love. That’s valid.
- Imposter syndrome is gonna try and crash the party. Don’t let it.
- Most people are faking it too. Seriously.
But here’s the secret: your first job isn’t about finding “the one.” It’s about learning what you don’t want, picking up skills, and building confidence. It’s the training wheels phase.
If you go in with a rough idea of your goals—like “I want to lead projects someday” or “I want to do work that lets me be creative AND pays decently”—then you can evaluate that first job with a bit more intention.
Instead of just “surviving,” you’re learning. Strategically. Like a boss. (Or, you know, an intern who knows they’re gonna be a boss someday.)
When Goals Change (Because They Will)
Okay, so let’s fast forward a bit. You set some goals. You followed a plan. You landed a job.
And then, outta nowhere, you wake up and realize… wait, I actually hate this.
This is also normal. No panic required.
Changing your mind doesn’t mean you failed—it means you’re paying attention. Goals aren’t supposed to be static. You’re evolving. The world is evolving. AI might take your job or create a brand new one you love. Who knows?
The key is staying flexible. Pivoting with purpose. And checking in with yourself regularly like, “Hey, is this still it?”
Spoiler: It might not be. And that’s okay. You’re allowed to adjust, reroute, and even start over. That’s not weakness—it’s self-awareness.
Let’s Talk About Confidence (Because It’s Kinda Everything)
Setting goals isn’t just about what job you want. It’s about who you believe you can be.
Ngl, confidence is a work in progress. Especially when the job market is wild and you feel like you’re in a constant comparison game. But here’s a little trick: confidence isn’t a feeling, it’s an action.
You don’t wait until you feel confident to take the leap—you do the scary thing, and then the confidence follows.
Apply to the job you think you’re underqualified for.
Speak up in the meeting, even if your voice shakes.
Say “no” to stuff that doesn’t align with your goals (or your sanity).
Every time you do that, you’re proving to yourself that you’re capable. And slowly, that belief starts to stick.
TL;DR – You Don’t Need a 10-Year Plan, Just a Direction
Alright, if you made it this far (bless), here’s the big takeaway:
You don’t need to know exactly what your dream job is. You don’t need to have your life planned down to the quarter. But giving yourself the gift of intentionality—thinking about what kind of career feels right for you, setting some mini goals, and starting small—that can totally change your future.
You got time. You got options. And you’ve got way more power than you think.
So maybe today, you just write down three jobs you’re curious about. Or message someone for advice. Or finally update that resume sitting in your Google Drive since 2022. That’s enough.
Seriously—just start. You don’t need all the answers. You just need to care enough to begin.
You Got This 💪
Wherever you’re at in your journey—whether you’re fresh outta college, still in school, or already on job #3 and wondering what’s next—I’m rooting for you.
Start messy. Set weird goals. Be honest with yourself. And most importantly, trust that you’ll figure it out as you go.
Because you will. Promise.
