DD 19 doesn't have a clue what she wants to do!!

[Susiesue61]

DD is bright but didn't love school. She went to a specialist sports college to do a BTEC for sixth form and loved that. She didn't know what ti do after that and has taken on an apprenticeship in a GP reception.
At first she was delighted to have a job and money, but increasingly she is bored and fed up. She's outgoing and happy generally and the rest of her life seems fine, she plays football and has a good group of friends.

Her older brother is at uni and has a good plan of what he wants to do. Is she unusual or does it take some teenagers a while to know where they're headed? She wanted to go to Camp america but obviously that isn't on the cards at the moment

I don't think it's unusual at all. I'm 40 and I have no idea what I want to do.

Give her time op, she's still very young.

I didn’t figure out what I wanted to be until I was 30 and that was by accident too. She has lots of time.

What about a fitness instructor?

18 y/o dd is the same here - she did science A levels but really not sure what to do next. She was planning to take time out & volunteer / travel but obviously Covid has limited that for the moment, she's working & then going to college part time to do another A level in an essay subject.

I think not knowing what you want to do at that age is really normal, and especially with the fees now taking time to explore different options is sensible rather than as so many do just going to uni as a way to put off decisions. It's just a bit difficult right now as working / travelling / exploring the options out there is rather limited!

Too much pressure is put on young adults re careers, I’ve told mine it’s fine to not know and it will figure itself out. I’ve changed career a few times as like a challenge and sometimes you find something new that intrigues you into trying it.

Perfectly okay to not know what you want to do at 19. Plenty of people finish school or further education without knowing what career they want.

What kind of sports BTec did she do? Are there any opportunities through her football club? Does she want to do further study or get a full time job? Maybe the GP surgery is too office like- what kind of work environment does she want- it sounds like she would prefer something outdoors, more physically active, or with children? Schools often look for qualified sports students to support activities, so maybe that would be an option?

Thanks for the replies! Yes I think it is too officey and to samey for her, she was looking at the height of Covid. I think it's important she carries on while she decides what she does next, I don't want her sitting at home doing nothing. It's hard not to push them into what you think would be best!! We've talked about it tonight (DH s a careers advisor!!) and she's thinking about what she wants to do

I think some people just need to try different jobs in order to figure out what they want to do.

But not knowing at 19 is nothing to worry about and is normal. Most 19 years old ime are still figuring it out.

I think it's quite normal.dd 21 has been working full time in a well known pet store for three years and is only just starting to think of more courses to do and her future.
Ds 19 has spent a year working as a joiner for a small company and last week said be was thinking about joining the army.
So many years ahead of them to try things out.

I’d disagree and say just doing dull jobs doesn’t trigger a lightbulb moment about what you want to do.
Get her to do some online career psychometric tests to help her work out what she wants from a job and what jobs offer those experiences. There are so many things out there that young people often don’t even know about.

Would she consider PT instructor in the forces, for example? What about doing coaching qualifications as an add on? Would she want university?

Once she knows where she wants to be, it’s easier to get there rather than drifting through life.

I'm 30 and still don't know what I want to do.

Mine is currently working for a supermarket, it doesn't particularly please her, however I pointed out she has a safe job that pays enough for her keep at home, her car, clothes, nights out and holidays. In the current situation she's starting to realise that it's not so bad compared to uc that is 30% of her wage.