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Feeling overwhelmed about choosing a career or university course is completely normal.

Research shows around 15% of students have no clear direction, and another 57% are still exploring their options. Meanwhile, a few classmates may already have a five-year plan, but that doesn’t mean you need one right now.

If you’re wondering what to study after Year 12 or how to pick the right career path, these four practical strategies will help you discover your interests, narrow your choices, and take confident next steps.

1. Choose passion over pressure and see where it takes you

40% of students take a chance on something that interests them without thinking too much about where they'll end up. In doing this, you'll likely end up somewhere cool, have a good time getting there, and learn something important about yourself along the way.

Courses with broad subject ranges and double degrees can be a good place to start if you’re taking this approach. Some of these include  degrees,  degrees, general business degrees, and  degrees.

2. Turn to your motivators for help

3. What career do you really want?

You’ve probably been asked what your dream career is a million times, but what if it hasn’t even crossed your radar?

Research different university degrees to understand the careers they can lead to. A UOW writing grad is now working as a copywriter at Uber. A marine science grad currently works for the Australian Antarctic Division, and a law grad is creating change at the Aboriginal Legal Service Limited.

When choosing a degree, it’s also smart to think about future job security. UOW graduates enjoy higher full-time employment rates than the national average, giving you confidence that your study choice can pay off long after graduation.

4. Do a personality test

Created during World War II by a mother and daughter duo, the remains a popular tool among students and employers. The idea was to help post-war women entering the industrial workforce for the first time find employment that suited their personality.

Once you finish the test, your results reveal potential career paths for your personality type. Although considered pseudoscientific in some circles, it can make things a little clearer (and if you’re especially amazed by personality types, you might be interested in studying for a psychology degree.)

These tactics can help you pave a path that makes sense for you right now. But it’s also important to note that nothing is ever locked in. If you change your mind later or discover a new path, it’s okay to transfer between courses. You may even be able to get credit for subjects you’ve already completed and count them towards the course you transfer into.

With over 350 courses across various disciplines and study levels, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs, you’re bound to find the perfect course right here at UOW.

This article was originally published in 2021 and has been updated with new information to ensure accuracy and relevance.