Don't know what to do after college

<p>I posted this in the careers forum, and I'm posting it here in case I end up getting more responses in the College Life section. Anyways, here goes: </p>

<p>A lot of people are telling me that I shouldn't experience so much anxiety over what I want to do after college, but I know that there are many entry-level jobs and graduate schools out there that require at least a certain set of undergraduate classes. </p>

<p>My problem is, I have absolutely NO idea what I want to do. I have looked at pretty much every single possible job/career out there, and there's always something that turns me off about each of them. There's always competition, salaries, stress level, debt, shortage of jobs, lack of graduate schools, high academic standards, location of jobs (I want to be near my family), etc. to worry about. </p>

<p>I don't mean to sound like the ultimate CC underachiever, but I'm really not the type of person who enjoys going through a lot of stress. I've had enough of that during the past few years of my life. Sure, I got accepted to Cal for the upcoming fall and everyone says that it's one of the toughest schools to get into and that I should be proud of myself. Yet, that doesn't necessarily mean that I am intelligent. If anything, I'm probably going to be the below-average student. Then again, getting any career nowadays seems to be tough. </p>

<p>I've asked an experienced adult for advice, and he told me that I have the option of taking extra classes after college if I ever decide to change my mind about what I want to do. Only thing is, I really don't have the money to do that let alone go to grad school for another several years. I can always TRY to land a little job (and balance the rest of my hectic life), but I would hate to have to put my family through all of the financial stress of paying for my expensive education. I want to be able to take them on a nice well-deserved vacation, not have them stress out over having to pay my bills for me for the rest of my life. </p>

<p>My interests are mainly in the mental, exercise, and public health field. I know, it's kind of a broad range, but I love running. I love studying psychology. I love the idea of promoting health. I just don't know what I want to practice exactly! We all know that there's a big difference between wanting to study something, and actually doing it for the rest of your life. </p>

<p>By now, you're probably thinking: what the heck is wrong with this girl? I am just so afraid of not finding anything to do, and being stuck in an unsatisfactory career after all of the hard work I've been through. Yes, I do have four more years (or five) to prepare for the real world, but I can't just keep changing my mind like what I am doing now. Doing so would just be an absolute waste of time and money. </p>

<p>Sorry for the long post, but if anyone has any advice for me, please do share! Choosing a major is probably one of the hardest decisions of my life (at least, so far). It's probably only going to get worse. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Okay, maybe I should condense my post a bit. </p>

<p>I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life after college, or what I want to major in. I enjoy studying psychology and the idea of public health seems exciting. It’s just that I don’t know what to do aside from becoming an epidemiologist, health promoter, doctor, or a psychologist/psychiatrist. </p>

<p>If anyone has any advice, please help me. :(</p>

<p>Don’t stress, you’ve got plenty of time. You can take classes, try different majors, see what you want to do. If you don’t like what you’re learning, just take something else… you’ll get there.</p>

<p>About Cal, well, I think a lot of students here feel like they might not be smart enough, like it’s a mistake that they got in or something. Just remember that if you got accepted, it means someone thinks you’ve got what it takes. So long as you want to do well, you’ll be fine.</p>

<p>It sounds like you’ve got an interest in psych or public health, start there and see where it takes you. :slight_smile: If you decide you don’t like it, you’ve got time to change and try something else. Don’t worry so much!</p>