<p>I am a high school senior attending Berkeley this fall. Yes, the thoughts of college always excites my fellow peers... but I for one, can't seem to find the same joy and excitement... I know part of the problem has to do with me personally knowing, understanding, and accepting myself. Another facet deals with having little knowledge of ALL the possible careers out there in light of the small expanse of subject I am emerged in within my high school education.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, even within a small pond, I've become hooked to an eclectic interest. I've always enjoyed and found my biology class the easiest. Of course, my parents would always comment on how they always thought I would become a doctor. However, recently, I've found a particular affinity for other subject matters in the past year or two-with history, philosophy, theology, and creative writing. As I scan over my growing list and try to examine how I may fit certain careers, the problem becomes so extraordinary that I lose myself each and every time. </p>
<p>Perhaps I'm thinking too far ahead of myself? </p>
<p>I don't know. And this lack of knowing has led me to this unexpected rant.</p>
<p>Ah, what am I looking for...</p>
<p>On a side note, perhaps someone may lead me to some useful online career/personality tests?</p>
<p>Don't worry about it. Take classes in different areas and explore your potential interests. Remember, everyone graduates with a major (or two!). If it works out for everyone else, it will work out for you.</p>
<p>I agree with the previous posters. I went to a private college worried about not knowing exactly what path I intended to follow. Now, a year later, I'm more confused than ever about my career plans and I couldn't care less.</p>
<p>Take a variety of classes, get involved in clubs or internships, and just enjoy yourself. Pretty soon, you'll eventually get a better idea of what you want to do. It's better than going to college set on a particular major, only to end up making a drastic change. Keep your options open.</p>
<p>college is full of fantastic resources for discovering what you want out of life. You will have the opportunity to learn about field of study you didn't even know existed. Make contacts with professors you like -- then ask them for guidance. Most kids (who don't already think they know what they want to do) make a decision about their major by the end of sophomore year in college, so you have plenty of time.</p>
<p>You're just where you need to be--interested and open-minded, heading for a great college. Take courses in what ever interests you in college. One thing usually leads to another. I would recommend internship experiences along the way because I think that's a great way to "try on" various career paths before commiting too much time to them. If there are advisors available to you, take advantage of that. If not, seek out relationships with profs or others in your school who will help guide your choices. Enjoy the great journey ahead of you and remember to feel grateful for your opportunities.</p>
<p>urdOrkk, please don't worry about your eventual "career" choice. You have chosen a school where the opportunities are unlimited - you will be free to explore all of your interests. Your undergrad years are a perfect time for exploration. </p>
<p>You might want to read a bit about personality type. You can take the MBTI through your college counseling or career centers. While I would not recommend the the on-line tests, you can certainly research the topic on-line. Certain personality types are know for their "jack of all trades" and where some individuals benefit from specialization, others actually benefit from studying disparate fields. They see patterns and make connections in totally unique and unexpected ways.</p>
<p>Ther is a reason schools have "Undecided" as a possible major for incoming freshman. If everyone knew what they wanted to do, there would be no need for this. College is a time to explore, grow and find out what you like. Take some intersting sounding courses the first year, in different departments, and see what you like. And don't be ashamed for feeling what you do. I changed majors, and most everyone I know, did. That's college. So, go, have a good time, and mature.</p>
<p>Cal has excellent humanities departments -- history and philosophy are especially good (Searle was on the faculty -- perhaps still is); be sure to take a sampling of classes in the humanities along with science courses (the entry-level science courses are large and tough) -- a great idea would be to enroll in one of the freshmen seminars in your first semester; for the writing requirement, I would recommend taking one of the courses outside of the English or Comp Lit departments -- for example, try Scandinavian or the Art History version of IA/IB. Don't worry about your major; any major that trains you in how to write and think will set you up well for the future, including for medical school if you take the science prerequisites as well.</p>
<p>I'm with bethievt especially above, plus all the other great posts!</p>
<p>You don't have to decide this yet. Enjoy the summer! My H's advice is, "This summer, read a good book, take a long walk, make a new friend." (told to him when he was this age)</p>
<p>When you get there, in addition to learning, meeting, growing intellectually...your university will have a career center with resources far superior to your h.s. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, I wish my doctors had taken more undergraduate courses in the humanities! I know someone hired by Johns Hopkins Univ. to teach medical students better patterns of communication with their future patients. Even if you become a doctor, none of your explorations will be a waste of time here.
You'll see in communities how doctors are often on the boards of symphonies and art museums, and are excellent patrons of the arts. The healers need their souls healed. </p>
<p>And if life leads you in other directions, you'll pursue that step-by-step in the future. </p>
<p>It's natural for parents to delight at the idea of a doctor. There's respect, money, and the chance to heal and save lives. And yet many pre-meds go through this journey, and make decisions. Some decide to be a "very philosophical doctor" and others drop the medical plans for other life paths.</p>
<p>I'd wager there are even books about this decision, so many face it.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, l'd encourage you to read for enjoyment this summer, anything that interests you. It's a rare gift and you'll wish you had more choice-time for reading once courses begin in the fall!</p>
<p>I agree in principle with the general thread that encourages you to enjoy yourself, explore, discover and not worry excessively about what you should be doing. To many baby boomers, like myself, fixate on defining ones purpose way too soon. </p>
<p>That said, some assessments or personality tests can help in the self awareness process. However, do not let them define you or stereotype you at all. Some of the assessments most commonly used by career folks are the Strong Interest and the Campbell (CISS). The MBTI is also popular but it is more about type than specific career preferences. It can be used for the later but I strongly suggest that you be sure to use a proper administrator who doesnt screw it up. There are more sophisticate instruments out there but they cost more as well (Highlands). </p>