By Etta Brooks
If somebody asks you right now, “What do you want to become?”
there’s a high chance you’ll either:
- Say something quickly like “doctor” or “lawyer”
- Or just laugh and say “I don’t know o”
And honestly? That’s okay. Because nobody really teaches us how to figure it out. They just expect us to know.
1)First, You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
In Liberia, especially in high school, there’s pressure. Parents, teachers, even aunties will say:
- “You must become something serious”
- “Don’t waste your life”
- “This one can make money”
But they don’t always ask:
“What are you actually good at?”
“What do you enjoy doing?”
So you end up choosing based on pressure, not yourself.
2)Start Here: What Comes Naturally to You?
Not everything is about school grades.
Ask yourself:
- Do people always come to me for advice?
- Do I enjoy explaining things to others?
- Am I always creating something (hair, designs, ideas, content)?
- Do I like organizing things or leading people?
Sometimes your talent is already showing, you’re just overlooking it. The thing that feels “normal” to you might actually be your strength
3)Look At What You Do Without Being Forced
Be honest…
When nobody is watching or forcing you:
- What do you spend your time doing?
- What do you enjoy learning about online or from friends?
For example:
- If you’re always braiding hair → that’s a skill
- If you love talking and advising → that’s communication
- If you enjoy writing captions or stories → that’s writing
- If you like helping classmates understand lessons → that’s teaching
These things are not “small”, they are clues.
4)School Subjects Can Give You Hints (But Not the Full Answer)
Yes, your subjects matter, but they don’t define everything.
- Good in Biology → maybe health-related careers
- Good in English → communication, media, law, writing
- Good in Math → finance, tech, engineering
But listen…
Being “not good” at a subject doesn’t mean you can’t improve
And being good at a subject doesn’t mean you must build your life around it
5)Exposure Is the Real Problem
Let’s be honest again…Most of us only know careers like:
- Doctor
- Nurse
- Lawyer
- Teacher
But there are MANY more:
- Graphic design
- Data analysis
- Content creation
- Social work
- Entrepreneurship
- Tech careers
The problem is not you, it’s lack of exposure. That’s why it’s important to:
- Ask questions
- Watch videos
- Talk to people doing different work
6)Try Small Things Before Big Decisions
You don’t need to “figure out your whole life” today.
Start small:
- Learn a skill during vacation
- Help someone with their business
- Join a school activity or club
- Try online courses (even with small data)
Experience will teach you faster than just thinking
7)Don’t Choose a Career Only Because of Money or Pressure
This one is very important. Yes, money matters, we’re not pretending. But if you choose something you hate just because:
- “It pays well”
- “My parents said so”
- “People will respect me”
You might end up:
Unhappy
Tired
Feeling stuck later
8)It’s Okay to Change Your Mind
You might say today:
“I want to be a nurse”
Next year:
“I think I like business more”
That doesn’t mean you’re confused. It means you’re learning more about yourself. Don’t rush your life because others are rushing you. Take your time to:
- Understand yourself
- Explore different things
- Make informed choices
Because at the end of the day…You are the one who will live that life; not your parents, not your friends, not society
Conclusion
Figuring out what you’re good at is not one big moment. It’s small things:
- What you enjoy
- What you keep coming back to
- What people notice in you
Put those pieces together…and your path will start becoming clearer.
