What Should My Friend and I Do?

June 17, 2024

It can be hard to get clear when there are so many choices available. It’s like you are at a crossroads and don’t know what to do next. Don’t worry—this article is meant to help you through this important time. If you are a high school senior thinking about what to do next, a new college graduate, or just someone who needs direction, this book has useful tips and inspiring ideas for you.

Knowing yourself is the most important thing when making decisions

It is important to know who you are and what you value before making big choices. Being aware of yourself will help you make decisions that fit your skills and passions. Take a look at these steps to get there:

Think about the things you’re interested in. Write down the things you and your friend find interesting. Are there hobbies that overlap? This might help you figure out possible projects or job paths.
Look at your strengths: Take a moment to think about what skills you have. Can you solve problems, come up with new ideas, lead others, or maybe use your expert skills well? Being aware of this will help you choose between the choices you have.
Decide what’s most important to you. Is it being able to travel, having financial security, helping others, or growing as a person? Figuring out what your core values are will help you pick a road for the future that feels right.

Looking for Job Opportunities

It’s time to see what the world has to give after you’ve thought about your strengths, weaknesses, and values. Here’s what you can do next:

Look into possible fields: To do this, use the Internet to find information about different jobs. You can find a lot of information about different jobs on websites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and blogs that are specific to that field.
Make connections with professionals: Talk to people who work in areas you’re interested in. Many experts are happy to discuss their work and share their knowledge through informational interviews. Use sites like LinkedIn or go to events in your field.
Doing an internship or volunteering: Getting real-world experience through jobs or volunteering can help you understand what the day-to-day work is like at a job. It also looks better on your resume and might lead to job offers.
Education and Training: If you want to advance in your job and need more education or specific training, look into the best schools and programs. Think about taking online classes, getting certified, or getting a degree that will help you get the job you want.

Visit other countries and help out

Going on trips and doing charity work abroad can change your life. It allows you to see the world, learn about other countries, and work on important projects. To begin, do the following:

Gap Year Programs: Groups like Projects Abroad and EF Gap Year have planned trips where you can help, travel, and sometimes even work as an intern in another country.
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program) are two programs that let you live and work abroad while making a difference in the areas where you live.

Protecting the environment: Volunteering with groups like WWF or Earthwatch that work to protect the environment can give you real-world experience with conservation efforts around the world.
Volunteering for humanitarian work: People want to help with foreign projects run by NGOs like the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. Traveling and doing important work at the same time can be a very rewarding experience.

How to Make Your Own Way as an Entrepreneur

If you and your friend like new ideas and want to make your own way, starting your own business might be the best way to do it. If you want to start, here are the steps:

Figure out what the market needs. A lot of businesses start by figuring out what the market doesn’t have. Find issues that need to be fixed or places where you can make a difference.
Make a business plan that includes your business idea, your target market, your financial estimates, and your marketing plans. A good business plan is like a road map and is necessary if you want to get investors or loans.
Use online resources. Sites like Coursera and Udemy have classes on business, marketing, and other topics that can help you learn the skills you need.
Make connections and look for a mentor. Join local business groups or online sites for entrepreneurs. Asking business owners with a lot of experience for help can give you useful information and direction.

Higher education: Getting more experience

If you’re interested in learning more and have always wanted to go to college, higher education might be the right path for you. To get around this road, follow these steps:

Pick the Right Program. Look into programs that fit your needs based on your job goals and interests. Check out the course offerings, teachers, campus facilities, and the success of former students.

Get ready for entrance exams. Different programs may require you to take tests like the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT. Start early, and if you need to, think about taking classes to help you get ready.
Plan your finances: Going to college can cost a lot of money. Look into the grants, scholarships, and assistantships that colleges offer. As a last option, you could also look into student loans.
Get Experience in the Field You Want: Do research projects, internships, or part-time jobs in your chosen field to get experience while you are in school. Getting ready for work will go more smoothly if you do this.

Creative Pursuits: Do What You Love

If you and your friend like being creative, working in the media, the arts, or other related areas can be very satisfying. To start a creative job, do these things:

Make a portfolio. A good portfolio shows off your work and skills, whether you’re into writing, photography, design, or any other creative area. You might also want to create a personal website to showcase your work.
Freelancing: You can find paid work on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Behance. Freelancing gives you the freedom to choose when and where you work and lets you make connections.
Go to workshops and classes: Going to workshops and classes will help you improve your skills. Many professionals offer online classes that can help you become an expert in your creative field.
Make connections in creative communities. Join online boards, groups, or meetups in your area where creative people get together. Working together and sharing ideas can lead to new projects and chances.

How to Get Around Uncertainty

Along the path of life, there will always be doubt. This is how you can handle it:

Accept Uncertainty: Know that not all roads need to be clear from the start. Taking small steps and looking at different options can lead to unexpected and good chances.
Be flexible: If you need to, be ready to change your plans. You will do well in life when you are able to adapt to its unexpected turns if you are flexible.
Always Learning New Things: Stay up to date and always be learning new things. The world changes all the time, so staying up to date is important to stay useful and ready.
Get help: Lean on each other and, if you need to, get advice from mentors, family, or pros. Sometimes, looking at things from a different angle can help you see things more clearly.

Finally, some thoughts on “Taking the Leap”

Each person has a different path they take to figure out what to do next. That’s why people use Magic Mirror. You and your friend can make smart, satisfying choices if you know each other’s hobbies, strengths, and values and look into all the options that are out there. Don’t forget that it’s okay to go in different directions until you find something that really speaks to you.

Take the time to think, study, and try new things. Life is full of exciting moments, and sometimes, the best ones happen when you jump into the unknown. Have faith in your skills, and look forward to the exciting journey ahead.