How do you work out what you want to do in life?

[VelvetSpoon]

Not exactly an AIBU, but

How do you know?

My DS (19) is really struggling with this at the moment. He's working in a fairly well paid P/T role at present so he's earning about £400 a week before tax, but it's all evening and weekends, and its not a career - he's been there nearly a year and most people are newer than him.

He's got A levels but didn't want to go to uni.

When in 6th form he thought about teaching but did some practice in a local primary and hated it. So that was out. He has thought about accountancy as He did a related subject for A level but a friend is doing it at uni and from what he's heard DS doesn't want to do that either. He has no interest in IT or anything (the route his younger brother is set to go down), is no good at anything practical, like me he is a leftie, quite clumsy and not good at practical tasks. His main interests are football and watching idiots on YouTube, neither of which lend themselves to careers

I knew what I wanted to do when I was 14 so I don't know how to help him...What can he do? How can he work out what will interest him? He's also got used to a good salary now so I know will be reluctant to give that up for something paying less...!

I never knew what I wanted to do. I volunteered around my job when I was younger, which led to an admin job and then a career. Which I then changed 10 years later. I didn't go to uni because I wasn't sure where I was going. I'd never even considered what I do now before I saw a job advert and went for it.

I think voluntary work and entry level jobs really help you figure out what you do and don't like doing. I used to browse job websites like Indeed without any keywords to see what sort of jobs existed in my local area and there are all sorts of weird and wonderful things!

If he’s enjoying working in a theatre how about something like stage management or lighting/techie stuff?

Volunteering sounds like a good idea. Especially as a lot of slots are short daytime ones so he could fit in with work. If he likes working with people then maybe think about what types of people he might like to help and start volunteering, e.g. Elderly (e.g. Shopping/library/talking), children (baby groups), special needs (e.g. Respite care), sick (e.g. Hospices), disabilities, foodbank, etc. Some voluntary work is hands-on with the general public, other is more office/behind the scenes.

Having mornings free really lends itself to this type of thing.