It’s strange how society expects 16-year-olds to have their whole lives planned out, even though they haven’t completely finished maturing. Some people are lucky enough to be happy in the career they chose at a young age.

However, it’s not surprising that many others wake up to find that they’ve changed since they made those choices, and their job is not right for them. There is no shame in this, but finding the career that is right for you hasn’t gotten any easier.

Here is a short guide to make it easier to navigate this confusing chapter of your life.

Eliminate your options

You might find the endless possibilities exciting, or you overwhelming. Don’t worry; unlike when you were in high school or college, you’re not on a deadline to make a decision. Take your time, and start by narrowing your options. Maybe you should even start by deciding on what you don’t want to be doing.

If you hate doing paperwork in your current career, you can eliminate admin and office jobs. You can free yourself from being chained to a desk by choosing an outdoor job, or one that involves more movement. The options are endless, but your perfect job is out there waiting for you.

Consult the experts

In high school, you had the support of career advisors to help you understand the requirements for certain jobs. You might not have advisors on hand anymore, but you can still get some expert advice if you look in the right places.

If you want a career in healthcare, pharmaceutical recruitment agencies can give you an idea of the qualifications and experience you need for an entry level position. Sure, there might be a lot of work involved, but at least you’ll know what you need to do to break into a new industry.

Learn the necessary skills

Chances are you won’t have the necessary qualifications for the new job you want. But don’t let this put you off. You can learn the skills you need by going back to school full-time, through an online course, or signing up for part-time classes.

Even if you change your mind all over again (remember, this is allowed) furthering your career with education is never a bad thing. Studying part-time while maintaining a job will show employers that you have enough drive and motivation to go after something you want. The degree itself will also help you develop a wide range of skills in addition to learning about the subject itself.

Stay motivated

Searching for a new career is going to be difficult without factoring in your existing job. In fact, you may be tempted to just give up and stay miserable instead of trying to balance your current job and a hypothetical career. But you can’t give up before you start.

Do whatever you can to keep yourself motivated; read college brochures, attend workshops, or print out motivational quotes and stick them on your desk.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.