Confused about Career Choice

First, relax and don’t be so concerned about being confused. Most people at your age are confused — whether they admit it or not. You need to sit down and really think about what you want to do with your life — both as a career and with a family. Teaching is a very admirable profession, and female math teachers would be great role models for young women in high school, but you need to decide if you originally were leaning this way because the hours are more flexible and easier for having a family, or whether you want to teach so you can make a difference in young people’s lives.

My advice is for you to take some time and talk with some people. Talk to your family — what do they think about your potential and career goals? Talk with some of your professors — both in the math and physics departments, but also go and talk with the a professor in the education department and one from the engineering department. Go back to your old high school and talk with one or more or your old teachers and get their advice.

Finally, go to Quintessential Careers: Career Assessment, and take one or more of the assessment tests and spend some time thinking about the results.

The key is that you still have time to make a decision, and there is no need to rush to force one at this time. You obviously are good in the sciences, so now you just need to find some direction for how to best apply those skills into a career that you will enjoy.