“How Do You Know What Career You Want?” by Panayya Gaba 

 Let’s Talk About It. Hey you, 

Yeah, you—the one stressing about your future career while scrolling through Instagram, half-listening to someone say, “follow your passion.” I get it. That one question—“What do you want to do with your life?”—can feel like a punch to the gut when you’re still figuring out if you want tea or coffee in the morning. 

First things first: it’s okay not to know. Really. There are people out there hitting restart at 50. Heard of Home Depot? It was founded by Bernie Marcus after he got fired at age 50. Let that sink in. Life is long, unpredictable, and weirdly wonderful. You don’t have to have it all figured out at 16 or even 26. 

There’s no rulebook saying you need to stick to one thing forever. Try stuff. Do a little bit of everything. Keep your eggs in all the baskets. You might discover you’re amazing at something completely unexpected. I mean, I went from dreaming of being a singer… to a marine biologist… to a scientist… and now, I’m into brand management. (Although let’s be honest—I still toy with the idea of joining the fitness industry because I love working out and moving my body!) 

Everyone says “do an internship.” I’ll say it too—but real talk: Finding one is hard. What’s harder? Walking into an office and realizing you know nothing. So take every opportunity to learn—intern, volunteer, shadow someone, even if it’s unpaid. Experience builds confidence. You’ll never regret knowing more than you did yesterday. 

Hobbies. Yes, I said it. Keep them. They’re not just for fun. Hobbies spark creativity. Creativity leads to passion. And passion? That’s the real sauce you need to succeed. Don’t ignore the things you love just because they don’t seem “career-worthy.” Sometimes, they lead you exactly where you need to be. 

Also, listen. (Ugh, I know.) Sometimes, the people around you—parents, teachers, friends—they notice your potential before you do. As annoying as it is to hear unsolicited advice, don’t block it out completely. There’s wisdom in those words, even if it’s buried under four layers of “I told you so.” 

Whatever you do—don’t settle. You have potential. Big, bold, beautiful potential. Even if the world doesn’t see it yet, you better know your worth. Work so well and so passionately that no one can point fingers. Be the one who walks into a room and leaves people thinking, “Whoa, they’ve got it.” 

And lastly—it’s okay to make mistakes. In fact, please do. Mess up, fall flat, try something, and hate it. As long as you learn from it, it wasn’t a waste. It was growth. And that’s what this journey is all about. 

So breathe. You’re not late. You’re not lost. You’re just learning—and that’s the best place to be. 

We’ve got this!! Until next time, —Your friendly guide who’s still figuring it out too. Panayya Gaba

For more on career counselling, get in touch with IVS Solutions