<p>I want to find a job where I will be able to use my love and talents. However, I don’t even know what the job is!!</p>
<p>I love writing, reading, traveling, running, and leading (who doesn’t?) as in giving speeches, motivating, etc - basically, being up there.</p>
<p>I would call myself talented in writing, giving speeches, academics, sports, and I know three languages other than english fluently and I am in my third year of french (hmmm… interesting how I am good at the things I love… that is why I want to work at the things I love) </p>
<p>But what job requires it? I was thinking about journalism, but I heard that it is not good to major in journalism but in something else - and then write about it. I would love to be a writer, but its not safe. Business? I don’t even know what I would do - there are so many options. Psychology? I don’t know if I would like sitting in my chair for 8 hours.</p>
<p>Any ideas? Anybody works at a job like the one I described?
Thanks!!!</p>
<p>You’re 16, you don’t need to know what you’re going to be. Most people never get there dream job. You know what you like, which means you’re already ahead of the game.</p>
<p>There are many possible jobs that would use the talents you have, and college will be a wonderful place to explore those. In addition, volunteer work now could be a way to try some of them out.</p>
<p>Translating is one possibility; it could even involve writing, as a good translator has to not just translate words, but meanings and language sounds–in other words, to make the writing sound proper and flow in the translated language. There might be jobs in corporations that have subsidiaries in other countries, where they would want a multilingual person. </p>
<p>Writing is definitely a possibility. There are many ways to be a writer; not all of them involve sitting at home sending out manuscripts that may or may not be published. You could be an in-house writer for some company or do contract work. There are educational writers who work on books intended for school use, and writers who put out company magazines. I’m sure there are many other possibilities. I’m just putting down the ones that pop into my head at the moment.</p>
<p>You certainly have plenty of time yet to find the career you will love. It is good, however, that you are thinking about it now. Keep your eyes open and try new things that interest you. Look for ways to do what you love in the community around you. Given time, I am confident that you will find a place where you can contribute and be happy.</p>
<p>Don’t be too worried about the end point. Try to find a college with a very flexible or hopefully totally open curriculum so you can simultaneously pursue current passions and explore whims without too much constraint. Remain open to acquiring more loves because you will. I forget who said this but it has always been very resonant for me: “The best way to know life is to love many things.”</p>
<p>Recognize when good chances present themselves and don’t be afraid to leap for them. Something that seems just plain appealing or interesting does not have to make sense in a bigger picture; you can do it because it is the most exciting option in the present. </p>
<p>You will very likely do more than one career. I have many of your same loves, and I have had a series of careers, all wonderful. They have included film production, writing, political advocacy, pregnancy & childbirth education, and real estate. As I evolve, my needs and interests evolve, and new opportunities continually present themselves. </p>
<p>I could see diplomacy or international business as possibilities that would play to your strengths. One of my friends from college-- an athlete with a buoyant personality, great communication skills, and a gift with languages-- has zigzagged around the world as a consultant, in marketing, etc, for a series of international companies-- living in Tokyo, Paris, Portland, NYC.</p>
<p>You have the right attitude to leap into lots of great things! Have fun!!</p>
<p>Write some self help books and become a motivational speaker. You don’t have to be Tony Robbins or Wayne Dyer to make a good living at it. I have a friend who does this very successfully and she’s far from famous. She travels the world, speaks to corporations, gets booked on cruises, etc. </p>
<p>What have you done that involves being “up there”–to make you know that you love it?</p>
<p>Writers do a lot of sitting too. Which would you like better: writing all day on something you love or being “up there” all day in an activity you love?</p>
<p>by being up there, I mean anything active. That is, indeed, a disadvantage I find with writing.</p>
<p>I do a lot of American Cancer Society things which involve going to businesses and asking for donations, organizing people in clubs where i have leadership positions, organizing fundraisers, starting stuff like the school newspaper and service projecs, traveling for competitions to give presentations, etc. And I love it! I am also in cross country, which means that I am active by nature… I love ot be doing something that involves moving around and interacting with people all waking hours of my life!</p>
<p>You sound self-confident and entrepreneurial. :)!</p>
<p>Which would you rather do: run your own business or significant part of a bigger business, or consult and thereby help others run theirs?</p>
<p>Both could keep you very busy, active and happy. Both could involve international travel, where your languages would be a terrific asset for you.</p>
<p>Speaking foreign languages, writing, public speaking, leading … I’m staring into my crystal ball, and seeing … a puff of white smoke! Your dream job is being the pope!</p>
<p>Those talents are also useful in corporate executives, and politicians.</p>
<p>The good news is that you’re under no obligation to pick a dream job, and figure out a precise strategy for landing it. Just continue to develop those talents, and ultimately, a series of “dream jobs” may come your way.</p>