Create your future!
Your big future begins with you — it’s your journey.
Asking yourself questions can help you figure out
who you are and where you want to go.
What are some
things you feel you
do well?
Think about the talents you already
know you have, and ask friends and
family what they think you’re good
at. You might be surprised by what
they say.
What challenges you?
The things that challenge you might be opportunities to improve and
move toward your goals — and they might suggest areas of study and
work that will keep you interested long into the future.
What do you like to do for fun?
Think about the reasons you enjoy your favorite activities, the things
they have in common and the strengths they bring out in you.
Find something you love
doing and then figure out
how to get paid doing it!
Who do you look
up to?
The people you admire —
whether they’re celebrities,
historical figures or people you
know personally — can tell you
something about who you are
and what you value. Consider
what it is about them you like
and whether those qualities are
worth reaching for.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to try?
Consider your reasons for wanting to do this — and why it is you haven’t done this yet. Do you
find it exciting? What do you expect to get out of it?
What accomplishment has
made you most proud?
Your answer might have nothing to do with a hard-won A or a trophy — it
might be the time you stuck up for someone who needed your help.
What you’re proud of can help you see what matters most to you.
What’s your
favorite class?
Don’t limit yourself to the
subjects that come easiest to
you. Think about which classes
make you lose track of time. Is it
the teacher or the subject matter
that holds your interest?
What do you read
about in your free
time?
The kinds of stories you follow in the
news, your favorite books and
websites — these can help you
figure out what really makes you
curious.
If you could do any job for a day, what would it be?
Think about which careers you want to try on. What is it about them you find so appealing? What
would you change to make them fit you better?
As a kid, what did
you want to be
when you grew up?
Even if your childhood dreams
seem silly now, remembering them
may show you what’s always been
important to you.
What now?
Keep asking yourself
questions like these and
you’ll make important
discoveries about who
you are. Stay open to
the places and interests
they lead to.
