How to Set Career Goals

Even If You’re Not Sure What You Want to Do Yet

By Paige Marley, Employment and Training Consultant, Youth and Young Adults

If we're being honest, a lot of us don’t know what we want to do with our lives at 16, 18, or even 25. And I’m here to tell you, that’s totally fine. The good news is, you don’t need to have it all figured out to start moving forward. Setting career goals, even small ones, can help you discover what you like, build up your confidence, and open doors you didn’t even know existed. Here’s how we can start setting some career goals for ourselves:

1. Start with what you do know. You might not know what your dream job is, but you do probably know:

  • What subjects or activities you enjoy

  • What kind of environment you thrive in (quiet? fast-paced? team-oriented?)

  • What you don’t want to do (which is just as important!)

2. Set exploration goals first. Instead of jumping straight to “I want to be a ___,” try setting goals like:

  • “I want to shadow someone in a job I’m curious about.”

  • “I’ll apply for a summer internship in a field I want to learn more about.”

  • “I’ll take a free online course in graphic design/business/IT/etc.”

3. Break it down into small steps. Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them down:

  • Big goal: “Get a job in healthcare.”

  • Smaller steps: “Research healthcare careers,” → “Talk to someone in the field,” → “Take a CPR class,” → “Apply for a volunteer position at a clinic.”

4. Stay open to change. Your interests will evolve. That’s normal! Career goals aren’t set in stone; they’re more like driving with a GPS. If you take a detour, you can always reroute. Check in with yourself every few months:

  • What have I learned about myself?

  • What did I enjoy (or not enjoy) doing?

  • What’s one new thing I want to try?

5. Talk to people who’ve been there. Ask lots of questions to teachers, mentors, family members, and people in your community. They can all offer advice, share their own journeys, and help you see options you didn’t know existed. Try asking:

  • “What do you like most about your job?”

  • “What did you wish you knew when you were my age?”

  • “How did you figure out what you wanted to do?”

You don’t necessarily need a 10-year plan to start building your future. You just need curiosity, a willingness to try, and the courage to take the next small step. Your path doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours. For information and resources regarding these next steps, feel free to check in with us at Frederick County Workforce Services!

Job Seekers, Goal SettingJessica Mills