I recently talked to some graduating students from a big university. They were both excited and nervous about what would happen to their lives after school.

There were a few who had intentions of starting their own businesses. There were many who planned (or hoped) to get a job related to their course..

What struck me, though, was that there were also those who had no idea what to do after graduation. They had taken their courses not because these were career choices, but rather due to the necessity of filling out the blanks on what they intend to major in at the start of the school year.

There was a time when people were defined by their profession—what they studied in college was something they did for life. “What do you want to be?” was the question adults would ask children. Being a doctor, lawyer, accountant, soldier etc. became a job because people went on to practice it after school, maybe adding more skills to master it until the day they retire.

These days, the question people ask is, “What do you want to do?” Young people now change employers or jobs in just a few years or even months. The once enthusiastic workers decide they need to change jobs not because they realize what they really want to do, but rather, that’s not what they want to do after all.

Jobs are like jeans

Pop-culture author Paul O’Donnell likens jobs today to jeans that people put on or take off as they please. Changes happen quickly in young people’s lives. Their initial goals and plans may change as they age. New life experiences begin to enlighten them to the challenges of real life. Change is inevitable, and it is how people cope with change that define them.

The soon-to-graduate young person must face the reality that he/she will have to make some real choices on what to do with life in the immediate future. This is a tough decision because, most often, the young adult is still not absolutely clear on what to do after school.

Countless relatives, teachers and friends give their opinions and words of wisdom, which usually just make the poor kid more confused. Oftentimes the well-meaning advice given by adults is based on personal biases, as well as a desire to be able to help some more in the future.

My father and his friends pushed for me to pursue a career in the military. Of course they were all in the military themselves. My doctor uncle asked me to consider being a doctor. My religious grandmother urged me to become a priest, and so on and so forth.

Too many surveys show that only a small number of graduates end up doing the job that they studied for in school.

O’Donnell says it is important to consider what kind of atmosphere one wants to spend in the next 40 years or so. Ask yourself who or what are the kinds of people you admire. What provides satisfaction for you? Building wealth? Helping others? Being able to create new things? Do you like travel? Do you like risk? What do you do when you are able to do anything—do you watch TV or movies? Go for a hike? Play sports? Do you shop for clothes and things? Do you do it alone, or do you want others with you?

Specific industry

Such questions may lead you to a specific industry that you may consider as your line of work—automotive, construction, food, real estate, filmmaking, nonprofit, etc. Just be aware that every industry is a miniature example of the economy at large. Television and movie studios do not just need actors, but also writers, directors, accountants, hairdressers, drivers.

To work in the music industry, you do not need to be a singer or musician because it also needs sound engineers, promoters, public relations managers, et al.

There are plenty of jobs involved in all industries. Which are you interested in?

Whatever your inclination, most likely you already have the skills for it. Now you just have to find out how those skills will work best for your interest. The best way is to get an idea what that career is really like (rather than what you or other people assume it is).

My father who served in the military wanted me to go into the armed forces, too, because his experience and connections could help me. He strongly opposed a show-biz career because everyone he knew said, “It is too unstable.”

Now, 26 years later, I am still active as an actor, with regular TV and movie projects. Dad admitted that his opposition was due to knowing very little about the industry, and a father’s dread of not being in a position to advise and assist his child.

Find people who are in the same profession you are aiming for. Learn about them in biographies in books, newspapers and magazines. It is a plus if you can actually set a meeting with someone with a career you admire. Ask them questions, such as how they got to where they are now and how they spend a typical workday.

You can take an internship (if you can afford it—you work for no pay) in the field to get an inside look at how it really is. If you are still interested, you are already heading where you want to go.

The bottom line is to follow your interest by gathering information that gives you the real story.

In my case, four years into my chosen field and with 10 movies under my belt, my father said, “Thank you for proving to me that you were right. I am proud of you, son.”