Jack of all trades, master of none

[hello]

The problem is in the title. I have too many interests, I like all equally and I'm (slightly better at bolded) equally good at all of them. The real problem is that I have to choose one field to study at uni.

What should I do? (to anyone who responds.. thank you!)

Lists of interests and disinterests:

Likes:
 Juggling
 Reading
 Writing
 Cooking
 Running
 Surfing
 Skiing
 Ice Skating
 Extreme sports in general
 Psychology and sociology
 Law and society
 Modern history
 Poetry
 Knitting
 Sewing
 Craft
 Animals
 Art and sculpture
 Practical design= making things
 Travel

Dislikes:
 Disgusting food and eating with others
 Pressure
 Arrogance
 Loudness
 Isolation
 Pity
 Meaningless activities and repetition

[peanutbutter]

Unless you're one of the few people who takes pride in merely finished a university degree, you want to pick a field that you wish to work in for pretty much the rest of your life and pursue your other interests in your spare time, or try to combine as many as you can in a single career.

So what do you REALLY like? What would you do if you had to work for free? Which field combines the most of your interests, and more importantly, has the least of dislikes from your list. I think you'd probably do well in design (if you pick a team work type career) or psychology and sociology. Unfortunately, pretty much any career is going to land you into some pressure at some point, but you do have a lot of interaction with other people and not too much repetition.

Although my lists of likes and dislikes are different, I used to have the same problem as you do. When they tested my interests so I could pick a career, my results were all over the place. I eventually picked a career in chemistry because it suited my curiosity and other personality traits.

It would also help if you figured out what you want in a job, because eventually that is what you want from your career/study choice. What is more important to you? The job itself, the paycheck or the people you work with? There are many variables, so knowing a bit more about you could do wonders?

What fields have you already considered and which ones do you think could be good potential choices?

[CleeIB]

It's good that you already know some areas in which you excel. Take those as a starting point. On a general level, it looks like you're oriented either towards outdoors activities or creative ventures (which aren't mutually exclusive). So, projecting far into the future, maybe you'd be good doing marketing for an outdoor/extreme sports goods company. Or you'd want to do graphic design or even physical product design (designing skis, etc.).

It helps to get yourself into situations where you can see what professions are really like. Take an extended ski trip. Attend conventions of craftsters or creative types. What crowds excite you? What kinds of crowds do you *not* want to be around? Sometimes it helps to eliminate possibilities. The best way to do so is to experience them firsthand.

peanutbutter is right in that you should go in a direction that orients you towards your long-term happiness. One thing that might help is taking a Myers-Briggs personality test (there are a number of free ones online). These can be surprisingly accurate in spelling out your personality and suggesting occupations appropriate for it.

Good luck!

[bigcat1967]

If you were stuck on an island for one year - and you had one choice - what would it be?

Also, another way of looking at it - when you go into book stores or go to the internet, what type of material are you looking at the majority of the time? Whatever it is - then major in that.

[Shea]

Modern history!!!!

[Alexseo]

nice story bro

[Shea]

What about your choice?

[Brent Jones]

The advice I am about to offer you is a little off the beaten path from what you might expect.

If you are really passionate about something, follow that. But I suspect you are not. If you had a passion - as in you always wanted to be a nurse or a vet - you wouldn't be posting to this forum asking for random opinions. You are clearly open to ideas at this point, and lots of them.

Secondly, some people might tell you to select things you are good at or inclined to do. I wouldn't necessarily agree with this. I am great at belching contests, but no one is willing to pay me to do it. I coach people through my blog at JobGettingTips.com all the time to remain marketable and employable - regardless of education and experience level. (Sign up if you want to get some helpful hints and blog updates) But here's the thing. I am going to guess with your wide array of interests and no real specialty that you're probably quite young and just about to go away to college. So I doubt you're "inclined" to do something in any way that truly makes you employable. (Sorry, it's harsh, but it's true)

So here is what I would do. Take some of those interests and narrow them down a little into jobs. What kind of entry level jobs will be available to you in those fields/industries when you graduate? Which of those jobs are (presently) highly in demand?

Your interests can and will change. Your capacity to do things will grow if you focus on them. But the job market won't change for just one entrant. So I recommend before you sink a ton of money into post-secondary education that you really do your research and make sure you are setting yourself up for a long and successful career.

[blazeminds]

modern history r best

[Brent Jones]

What does one do with an education in modern history?

[Shea]

You can get a wide knowledge, especially in arts. But not only in arts. It goes without saying that historical education helps to find a decent job (in science, journalism and even in policy).

[BeJoblessNoMore]

Me thinks you already know the answer to that just that you are afraid of making a mistake and the regret that follows having made a wrong decision but fear not whatever your final choice is I believe it will work out good for you... that is if you make sure to stay true to yourself.

[Brent Jones]

It's like when someone tells you to flip a coin - once it's in the air, you instantly know what you're hoping for.

[Shea]

To my mind Hello presented a very wide range of professions and occupations here