Thing is, I DON'T WANT A "CAREER". I want to continuously learn a variety of different skills as they peak my interest. I don't want to dedicate my WHOLE LIFE, to one focal point. And frankly I think people are crazy if they do. Careers turn people into single use tools, and do nit make them multifaceted

I'm 24 and still dont really know what I wanna do. And I get stressed watching my peers pass me by doing great things

I did know what I wanted to do, then I did it, then after 26 years it was time to change - now I'm 50 and starting all over - I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up...

I feel like the things im interested in, i wouldn't wanna do/wouldn't be good at. But the things im good at, i don't think I'd wanna do it for a career

I’m 35 and feel this so much. It’s worse for people (like me) that have so many interests. I envy people who realize their dream job in their 20s!

This is exactly the video I needed right now. I just started college last week, and I feel so lost in every way possible

Words I will never forgot while getting dropped off at my first day of college. "If you only remember one thing I tell you, it should be this; you can do anything, but you cannot do everything."

I'm 28 and am this. For a decade I thought I was sure I knew the degree/career for me but crashed&burned at entry-level. I wish everyone well with making these decisions. Love your explaining the layers within the message 'pick something you won't hate doing!'

You're a legend and this video meant a lot. Thank you!

I really enjoyed it, and I can totally relate to your words and feelings, cuz I have been through all of it, and I still am. Thanks for sharing it with us.

You're so amazing and real. Thanks for sharing!

Very helpful. Thank you so much for being so honest and genuine. Your words were very helpful to me right now as I am trying to figure things out.

Needed this! Thank you!

This is what I needed, thank you so much! Lately I have been stressed out trying to make a decision on what to major in, I'm in my second year of college and running out of general education to take. This video helped me calm down, and I feel much more confident knowing that the decisions I make aren't right and wrong, but steps on the path to learning about myself. I loved this video and find it very helpful on this confusing journey

I really needed this video, thank you so much!

Very interesting video! Studying something and actually working in the field can be very different experiment! You have alot of good life wisdom and advises.

I love what you said about picking a career based on the day to day work and not just what you want to go to school to study. I spent my first 2 years studying engineering because everyone said if you're good at and enjoy studying math and science then you should be an engineer... while the material in school was fine, once I got exposure to what an engineer would actually be doing in their day to day, it was totally unappealing to me. I followed my gut and switched to environmental science and now my actual career work is exciting and fulfilling for me.

Thank you.. just when I needed to hear this

Thank you so much for creating and sharing this video. I definitely needed it right now. I also have made the decision to attend community college before transferring to a four-year university, and I feel like a deer in the headlights with deciding a major (in fear I will choose the wrong path). I think all of the wisdom/advice you gave was very helpful!

Kristina this is GREAT advice! Very well done :) Something you said that really hit home with me. If you really enjoy something such as film making, painting, sculpting etc. It might be a lot more satisfying for your art to be your escape or outlet than your career. You can create the art you want versus creating something you can sell.

Thank you so much for sharing your opinion on this! It's been so precious for me to hear what an adult thinks about their place in their life, about their job and determination, and I've realized something completely new due to this video

i needed this so bad :( thank you

Thank you reminding us that even people that look like they have it all figured out, sometimes still have doubts. I know I can speak for many of us that we look at your videos for advice, and we need to to remember that everyone has been/is a little confused. Such great tips in this video, appreciate your honesty and love your videos!!

I resonate with the part about the study vs the actual job. I studied psychology for 2 years and loved it but the more I looked into actual jobs/careers I don't think I could do any of it and it fills me with dread. Yet, psychology is still the only thing I can study for hours and stay interested.

I needed this so much ♥️ I’m 30 and planning on going back to school. Because of my current job I know I need to work outside (I’ve never been able to sit still) and I would love to make a positive impact on the world/help wildlife. The only thing that’s discouraging is the job outlook where I live.

Thank you for this such honest and humble talk! I can totally relate! I'm 26, already finished a master's and going into PhD and until today I have the feeling I have no idea what I'm doing and whether I'm on the right path. I love what I do, and love how life has presentd me with the greatest and craziest opportunities but my days are full of the "what ifs". Thanks so much for sharing this because it gives a sense of reality that we are not alone. Adulting is hard and I guess it will just keep being it- we just have to learn to enjoy the journey :)

this is my first year of college and i've honestly never felt as lost and hopeless as i have the last several months. i originally planned on becoming a therapist to help people like myself but i never truly felt passionate about it. i've always loved animals and nature but i never thought i would be smart enough to go into such a science intense field. your channel has inspired me to chase my passion and switch my major so that i'll hopefully become a wildlife veterinarian. i really appreciate the message you spread and how you want to educate and help your audience. keep up the good work!!

I really appreciate your honesty in this video, Kristina. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in feeling lost and not knowing what I'm doing with my life at 28 years old

This video is so reassuring. I’m currently going to a community college. For my first two semesters I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I’ve been looking into botany, but the worry of will I be doing this for the rest of my life has made choosing a career difficult, thanks for the reassurance.

Thank you so much for this video and all your other ones, I’m 22 and having a mini crisis because I’ve already graduated with a bachelor’s degree and halfway through college I didn’t think i was cut out to teach, yet I finished my degree anyway. It’s kind of discouraging seeing my friends about to graduate especially since I’ve been considering going back to school, but your videos helped me decide I want to major in environmental science, so thank you very much!

I agree wholeheartedly! I've always loved animals, the outdoors, etc. even though I was not really exposed to environmental education or conservation topics growing up. It was more of just a burning hidden desire to be in and around nature all the time. It wasn't until I decided to go to college (first-generation graduate here! GO BULLS), that I truly understood how passionate I was about these topics. But just like you, I have absolutely no idea what to do next with having an Integrative Animal Biology degree. I know I want to be outdoors, hands-on, and talking to others about conservation issues! :-)

Great advice

People get lost with what they want to do and it gets worse as you get older because we are attached to a money system and that creates bias in our judgements. The fun jobs with less stress are volunteer. If you eliminate money from the equation than all of us can do fun volunteer jobs and create our own schedules when we want and actually have some variety. Now that's life worth living. 😁

As you age, you start to appreciate everything you don't know. Life is humbling.

This is such an important topic and you honestly nailed it head on! I’m now a junior at community college and switched my major to wildlife, fish, and conservation biology. Before, I had been majoring in graphic design. Although im passionate about art, I realized I would rather pursue something more challenging for me. I then got a job working at a facility taking care of and pack-walking dogs. I’ve always loved animals but did not think I would enjoy working with them as much as I do. At the end of the day, you have to do something you enjoy but should also be practical so you can be happy. Your videos really help me ease my mind that I am doing the right thing, even if it may be more challenging. Thank you!

This was more helpful than a Ted Talk I just saw on this subject.

I really really enjoyed this. Before this COVID-19 happened, I was burnt out in my marketing job and left searching what the next move is. I have just been to see family for the first time in Papua New Guinea, and ecology somehow popped on my radar after that. This video is really true. You will never know what you do, and do not, want to do until you try :) And having it all figured out at 20 is very much a lie :)

I just found this channel and love it. I am returning to college after almost 10 years and going for a different focus then when I started. Life unfortunately doesn't just have things fall into place (for everyone, some are luck). I think this is a great topic and video, hopefully it helps everyone

Hey Kristina, i just came across your channel and I'm so happy i did. I live in Australia and Im a new graduate registred nurse and i just realised that this is not the career for me. I chose it just because i had to at one point in my life. But I've known I've always loved animals and the environment. I loved this video so much, I actually just applied for a wildlife biology degree. Im excited and I'm following my gut.

Totally agree, great video. I want to start my Masters in Environmental Engineering at a quite good school, so I don't know yet if I get accepted. If not, I'll probably go to a regular Masters programme here in Switzerland (community style) and try some stuff out, what works best for me. I'll start my second internship next week, what really helps to figure out what is best for you. My first one was in Mexico City, speaking barely any Spanish, but who cares, it was awesome I learnt a lot new things about water treatment etc. Just go for it, whatever you think is best for you. It takes me so long to make any important decisions, but when I look back, I barely regret anything I risked, just the things I didn't. ;)

This video helped me a lot. Giving up a great job with a pension to go back to college with the G.I. Bill and study Coastal Environmental Sciences. House goes on the market tomorrow, Classes start Jan 15th and I was a bit freaked out, but I know I don't want to keep doing what I am doing, and my gut tells me that too so... Time for a change. Thank you for the content, just found this channel a few days ago.

My first love was art, then music was added, then I discovered a love for the natural world. Now figuring out which one to try to make a living from, and which to just be part of my life. Art and music are also very diverse, there are so many fields. Then of course there is an interest in business. I just want to restore the planet's ecosystem, create natural beauty and somehow make a living:)

Good video. Life is a journey and you’re constantly growing and things are changing all the time, so you cant decide at the age of 17 what you’re going to do with the rest of your life because it will change as you get older, you will be a totally different person in your 20s than In your 30s and on. Totally agree on that last part about being independent on your decisions and not letting a gf/bf influence your decision. I also want to comment for those in high school and college that are indecisive like me: don’t let your parents decide what you’re going to do with the rest of your life. I learned the hard way and became very confused as to what I wanted to do because I wanted to please my parents. I wasted a lot of years going back and forth with them. I understand that they play a part in financially supporting you, but they should also understand to support you as an individual and respect your desires because it’s your life and you get to decide what to do with it. If they don’t support you, find a way to support yourself. Never let anyone decide what you’re going to do. You are responsible for your own life.

YESS!! I CAN RELATE TO THIS

Thank you for this. I'm 32, still don't know what I'm doing but have several interests & career ideas. I'm really struggling with that "what if?" for all the paths I need to abandon in order to just choose something.

Thank you

😂😂😂 I'm nearly 40 and STILL don't know what I want to do!! Always liked animals and music but they weren't "real" career choices. Didn't go to Uni straight from school because I wanted to wait for that light bulb moment, when I would become an adult and suddenly life would become clear. 20 years later.... 🙄 Well, now I've got to choose something or I'll be retiring soon 🤣 So, now at Uni, doing Wildlife Conservation and music - D'oh, should have just followed my passion all those years ago! I don't care if I don't earn a cent from it, entering the field at 40. We each have our passions for a reason and we shouldn't deny them, even if they don't seem like "real" career choices. Denying them just becomes a source of regret that gets BIGGER as you get OLDER. Kids, heed these wise words from this old lady! 😂 Kristina, you have some great advice in this video, I wish you were around when I was 17!

So, so relatable

can you do a video on what you miss about america? / pros & cons of living in canada...i’m very interested!

I absolutely love watching your videos. They have helped push me in the right direction and I've decided to go back to school. I want to make a difference in this world and want to leave it better than before. The colleges near me only offer degrees in Environmental Conservation, and one a bit farther away offers Environmental Science. Do the majority of jobs in these fields require traveling? My husband is in the military and we have a dog. I kind of need to be near home to take care of my dog when my husband is gone - or be able to bring my dog with me. We will also be moving about every 4 years, so I'm hoping to find something that'll be just about anywhere we go. Is environmental conservation or environmental science a general enough study to work towards?

I’m 25 and still have no idea what I want to do

Hi kristina, i have watched a lot of your videos and must say that your videos are very precise and informative. But next year i will be going to college in canada for the Environmental studies degree (undergraduate). But you see i m very scared and confused about the future after that......My biggest fear is that would i be able to find a good job and sustain myself or should i change my decision....... P. S. (I really love working for the environment. 😊😊)

Thank you I feel betterq

I'm 28 and am halfway through earning a masters in HR, which is a career change, but feel like I'm not actually interested in it. Feeling the pressure from my family and myself to "just finish it" added with the pressure of having no "real" HR experience is starting to get to me. I just feel like I'm pretending to move forward but still feel stuck.

This is the topic I plan on chatting about with my future students (in high school). I, like everyone else, wasn't sure about what I wanted to do, but I came across some advice that I wish I was given in high school... The advice is to 'attempt' the career choice that you could see yourself doing. In today's world, I think the least we could do is take a break from whatever videogames/shows you binge, and actually research the jobs that seem tempting. Allow yourself to 'work' through all the redundant information found online and choose that path immediately after high school; ideally you will recognize if you can tolerate the job (or not) at an earlier age and update your life choices from there. If you're fresh out of high school, I recommend trying some job (any job) so that you have an idea of how it feels to be employed... its a real eyeopener. My biggest suggestion: Don't limit yourself from a job that can be 'too hard'. Most jobs require a lot of work, and just because you settled for a job that pays okay without a degree/accreditation/certification doesn't mean that you've avoided suffering through education. You're likely going to endure a different kind of suffering, and not receive the better wage or have the opportunities that could've been available to you had you made yourself indispensable.

I'm 27, and I want to just get my associates degree, I'm having a hard time looking at different programs cause I have so many interests, but all a girl wants is a good stable job that is semi interesting that can support the lifestyle that I want to just buy land, live in a different state be closer to my favorite cities, buy books and just not worry about money and have something to fall back on that's it.

Notification gang 🙏🏾 LOVE your videos

Exactly how i feel rn i think I'll hop into just a random career and see where it goes

I'm 31 and I still don't know what I'm doing. I'm torn between two completely different options, both of which appeal to different sides of me. Life man - you live, and then you die haha

I'm going to become a wildlife biologist.

I totally get it. I am 26 finally got my bachelor in political science, but I went into it to help the environment thru policy, but now that I am searching for jobs seems soo hard to get to that point. I might need a master, so I don't know what to do.. go to school again and get more debt? this is exhausting

They also say that people who arent sure in this field, they should teach and eventually they will find their way

Being pressured to start college and finding absolutely nothing interesting is crushing. I don’t know what to do, kinda wanna just give up fr. I’d be fine in a tiny camper in the woods anyways.

I'm 24 and finishing my clinical psychology bachelor degree in 2 months, building my resume for a career in psychology since I was a teen. But now that I know what the job will really take, I decided it's not for me. I get the dreading feeling you mention in the video during almost every single class. I took a biodiversity minor during my degree, and (finally) decided that's going to be my new route. Where it will end, no idea.

Just turned 17 this week, and struggling with what I should choose but all of them just don't have my interests. I wanted a job that allows me to stay at home, leave whenever I want, don't get to be bossed around, or being force to socialized (especially in jobs like Doctors, Police etc) by others. A job where I wouldn't have to stress my mind over, tire myself everyday, or the need to calm myself in every situations, conversations with new people (and with the possibility of offending them with whatever I didn't mean to say) and me overthinking stuff. I was thinking of becoming a writer but I don't know where to start and I am afraid of being critized. I wanted to become an Artist/animator but I am not that devoted. Most importantly, I can a good pay too, for my mother who I owe too much.

Thank you for this video- I just started school last week too and I’ve been torn between the film field(wanted to be a director too lol), biology and social work/justice. So all very different. But animals/the environment are things I’ve always been very passionate about since childhood (I grew up in rural Pennsylvania). So thanks for the advice- your videos have been super helpful! :) One question though- what is the ratio of paperwork to field work? Do you always do your own reports on your fieldwork or is that more of admin’s work? The biggest thing that’s turned me away from this field is the fear of hours and hours of paperwork all the time. That’s just how I’ve always imagined a scientist’s life to be like but I’m interested in hopefully finding something that’s more fieldwork than paperwork. Probably not possible, but figured I’d ask anyways

Wait, I also like filming and video editing. Right now, I have two career pathways I'm considering: Broadcast Industry or Environmental Science related majors. But I have to say, I'm more interested in Environmental Science :)

I want to work in microbiology, ecology, human biology, research, chemistry or education. I seriously just want a job that pays enough to live off and have a solid career. I already have a degree in Graphic Design , have taught English overseas in Asia for 6.5 years and as a SEN Teaching Assistant back here in the UK this year. I got top marks in my Access Course, in Health, so could probably (maybe?) still get into most universities. However I dropped out of two universities last year, first, from an Occupational Therapy BSc, and then a Physiological Sciences BSc. I simply couldn't see a logical career path at the time due to failing the interview the interview for the Audiology route, and also the Occupational Therapy route being such a subjectively effective career. I also worked in NHS as a Healthcare Assistant the past few years moving back to the UK. My initial interest in Science came from teaching kids overseas specific subjects in English such as Drama and Science. I am coming up to 38 years old and am still set on continuing to get some kind of qualifications in science and then either teaching it or using the skills in a different career. It's been a never ending battle trying to find out the kind of work I can continue to pursue whenI have not managed to find a solid job or career outside of the TEFL field which I was previously working in. Two things I am certain of, is that I know I have a passion for human and plant biology, and also teaching. At the moment I am considering taking Biology BSc with QTS in Secondary Education, and either stay in the UK, or take those skills overseas to teach.

One of the most interesting people I've met say they have absolutely no idea what they are doing with their life being 40 sth yrs old. I guess that's OK and the real thing we should be afraid of are the fixed ideas in our head about "what I should be".

P.S. for people who are in high school, you can start a B.A. or B.Sc. or an Arts and Sciences degree and you can change your major in the first year (or later, sometimes)!

I graduated from high school in 2015 I went to college for 2 years and dropped out when I had my son , I’ve had a million random jobs since and I don’t know what to do or where to go . I’m super stuck lol

Omg you guys. I’m 42. It never stops lol.

I’m not 100% sure what I want to do but I know I have time! Think of how many years you are working for I’m 21. I have ideas, I like to help people and feel like I’m having a positive impact on peoples lives so I should be getting into youth volunteering to get a qualification to eventually become a youth worker hopefully I enjoy it hahaha but you never no until you try!

You should have been a director too (and you still can); your videos are pretty good. Directors don’t write the scripts (they review it); screenwriters write the script. The directors are basically the creative backbone of a film.

I'm that person who's got 20 things they wanna do and tryna do them all and not really getting any where quickly

I'm in my second year of college, studying biology. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'll be honest: I'm not a natural scientist. I'm an artist. I like to write, play the cello, watch and observe movies and shows and draw and analyze and think creatively. However, life didn't give me the luxury of experience and knowledge of some of these things. I hate math. Hate it. With a passion. I was never good at math. I wanted to be everything. I spent years off and on researching different career fields. I wanted to be a writer. But I can't write as a day job with the kind of writing I want to do. Other English jobs just seemed boring. I went for psychology. It didn't feel right. I liked biology in high school and everyone said that college courses were like high school courses, but just faster. I've always been interested in the human body and how to play instruments. I learned anatomy my senior year of high school and I loved it. I learned the cello the summer before that, might have loved that even more. But later I decided I was going to be a forensic pathologist. I recently decided that I am tired of school and am willing to get my master's, but medical school is out of the picture, not because I don't think I can do it, but because I don't think I want the job bad enough to put me through more years of school. I'm still majoring in biology, only because it didn't feel right when I changed my major and when I swtiched back to biology, I felt better and whole again. I don't know how to explain it or why I felt that way. I just took it as a sign that this is where I'm supposed to be. There are days where I second guess my decisions. As I mentioned before, I hate math. Not only do I have to take trig, calc, and statistics after algebra (what I'm taking now), but I also have to endure the cruel torturing months and years of chemistry. I'm only in my second month of chemistry and am freaking out because I get confused and panic and things don't usually end well when that happens. I just wanted to study biology. The study of life, humans, animals. No plants, though. They are not that interesting to me anymore. I don't know what I'm going to do with my biology degree. I'm looking into working with animals because I love animals, and I have no interest in going to med school anymore to study dead bodies (that was the dream... I might still keep it and try), and also because I want to not wake up every morning dreading the day of being stuck in a lab, looking under microscopes and doing boring work all day every day. I still have more research to do and will speak to my teachers and advisor about more careers. As you can see, this is really a tough position that I'm in. I have no idea what else I'm passionate about other than writing and playing cello. The next thing I can think of whenever they come up or whenever I see one are animals and human anatomy/pathology. I'm no scientist and I don't want a job where chemistry and math are going to be the basic every day thing I do. I don't know every career that use those every day and which ones don't, but I know some and.... I don't know. I guess just live life and go with the flow. I'll find something.

Tips where u can find internships or volunteer work in the conservation field?

Heh. I found someone I'm passionate about. Just dont know where to find the path to take to get there hahaha. :) its researching, conserving and or writing policy to protect coral reefs

I have this feeling now in my 27 years of age, I really wish I realize it sooner :(

**31 year old going back to school for Natural Resources after a long, drawn out, less than stellar college career** Yeah, paralysis of analysis is a very real thing. Overarching theme of life: Gotta take a leap of faith at some point. The benefit of learning about yourself and growing through your perceived mistakes, etc. (no matter what path you and up choosing) far outweighs the pain of regret due to stagnation and constant "what ifs." Trust me on that one. Appreciate your advice and you sharing your story :] :]

So, I studied social development and policy because of the lack of study options where i live. But I was interested in studying a STEM subject, within which i was eager to study environmental science. Now, I feel like the doors to a science-oriented Masters have really closed for me. Is there any way I can still pursue a natural science/life science heavy Masters without having an undergrad in those subjects? I did study the sciences until my A Levels and a couple of courses like Environmental Engineering and Intro to Biotechnology during my undergrad too. A new degree is being introduced where i live, an undergrad in Human and Environmental Biology, would it be wise to do a second bachelors in it for now, and do a Masters later on? I love animals and nature but I also find myself interested in contributing to the circular economy by using science and engineering principles to develop products that are sustainable, but I'm not that good at Chemistry so I'm also confused about what degree I should try to study since the two seem to be quite different in their academic requirements. Any guidance would be highly appreciated!

This is so true! I made the decision of going back to school (community college because I had no idea and no money) after 40 years old, and now I am working on my Bachelor Degree...I still have some doubt about where I am going but I am half way rather than starting from zero had I never made the decision.of keep going.

Im only 13! But everyone around me has decided what they want to do and are doing things to reach these goals and my teachers as well have expected me to decide on the spot during a parent teacher interview so i could choose the excellences to do next year and for the rest of high school and the two i sorta wanted to do were shut down so…I’m a lil but stressed

I would LOVE a job intertwined with nature, but I always hear it pays shit. So I might just get a good paying job and donate.

Being 26 and have a undergraduate degree in psyc but I feel it’s not leading me anywhere. I don’t want a masters and don’t want to get into counseling. I took a biology minor and history minor so those are options but man it’s hard to choose lol I always had a passion in marine biology, and any job that requires scuba diving I would retire with. Sadly I’m landlocked living in Alberta

I am from Santa Cruz, Bolivia!

im still figuring it out and im late 30s. i got add and learning disability though and got fired though

I also feel that I am still an 8th grader nd I never grew up after that😓

1:10 thank you for that it means a lot. Edit: And 2:38 I think that will help, thanks

Could you make a video on seasonal wildlife biology jobs and how to combine jobs ( like software developing and wildlife biology )?

0:30 My thoughts: no kidding; as you were saying that, I thought to myself "it is based on an emotion! You'll know exactly what you want to do in life based on an 'emotional anchor'!". Perhaps one can reconnect or connect to that anchor during specific scenerios. One of those scenerios could be in a near-death experience. Y'know, Elon Musk said to do something that feels exciting to the point that it makes you wanna get up and out of bed in the morning.

Best advice I can give you and everyone in the comments is "take away the pressure of having to decide what you think you should be doing for the rest of your life.1) First discover what is it that you don't want to be doing, that'll help you make it more clear to what is you like. 2) What is it that you're curious about? Usually following what you can see yourself wanting to know more works better in the long term than what you fantasyse about 3) What would you do if money wasn't an issue and you'd be willing to do for free? 4) Know at the end of day no life worth living is without risks. Better to risk and give it a real shot than spending your life wondering 5) why would you rather be mediocre in a safer career when you can be extraordinary if you follow your dreams? 6) Have to many interests? Probably because you never really explored most of them besides thinking about them. Put all your interests on paper, look at them and write what attracts and doesn't attract you about them. Maybe some are meant as a hobby, maybe some could be pursued professionally. But focus on your priorities right now. Again don't let the pressure of having it all figured out haunt you. Free yourself from that. 7) If you really like wearing multiple hats maybe you're meant to have your own business. Hope this helps!

I have been hesitating in working in environment or in art for years and starting my third year at university in geography, I'm still hesitating 😂

I changed my country of residence. now live in Canada and I'm 20 years old. What will I be? Big complicated questions in my head :(

I have bachelor degree in international relation, however, when I study this, I found environmental studies, and I really want to shift, I want to have major in Environmental studies, can i tho?

I’m married I love my wife and my baby but I still don’t know what career I should do .

I’m 17 and in few month i have to choose what I will do in the next years and I am so lost I don’t know what I want to do how am I supposed to ? I want to do so many things at once

Thanks for this video. I think I should find an internship!

What is your job exactly ? For who do you work ? So curious !!!

i just finished my college this year, and now i feel like i dont like my major, and i have no idea what i want to be :(