Career Guidance for Teens: fun or run ?

So, you’re 15–17.
You just woke up and someone’s already asking:
— “What do you want to be in life?”

Panic? Cringe.
Let’s break it down — here’s how to make it cool:

1. Choosing a job “forever” — cringe.
The world is changing fast. Jobs disappear, new ones pop up (who knew about TikTok managers 10 years ago?).
Cool: explore what actually excites you and what you’re good at.

2. Picking a career just for the money — cringe.
Sure, money matters. But if you hate what you do, no paycheck will save you.
Cool: find the sweet spot — where passion and income meet.

3. Comparing yourself to others — cringe.
“Vasya is already studying IT and I have no idea what I want!” — stop. Everyone has their own pace.
Cool: look inside, not at someone else’s Instagram.

4. Trying different things — cool.
Internships, online courses, volunteering, even blogging — the more you try, the clearer it gets.
Cringe: waiting for your “calling” to magically appear.

5. Afraid to change direction — cringe.
You’re not a tree. You can move. People switch careers at 30, 40, even 50.
Cool: reinvent yourself when needed — that’s future-proof thinking.

⸻

Bottom line: Career guidance isn’t a test or a sentence. It’s a journey.
And if you don’t have it all figured out yet — that’s totally okay.
Just keep moving.

Save this and share it with a teen who’s stressing out. Let them know — they’re doing just fine. ...