Reply To: I don’t know what to do with my life

Does your university have a career center? If so, you can speak to a career counselor there. You’re far from the first 19-year-old to question the path they are on! I also think, at least where I live (US), that for some areas of study, there’s a disconnect between university and career. Accounting majors, for instance, become accountants, whereas other majors — English, history, psychology, etc. — don’t have the same kind of defined path. A career counselor can help you understand where your degree can take you, perhaps what kind of higher degree you could pursue, or what other options are out there altogether if you want to completely change paths.

My best general career advice is to try to find the intersection of what you are good at, what you like enough, and what pays you enough to live comfortably. I don’t think you need to love what you do and it’s okay if you aren’t passionate about it, but you hopefully won’t hate it.

I do know one person who studied language and linguistics. She has a BA, MA, and is currently finishing a PhD. Her jobs have been research- and community-based. The last time I saw her was 2019 and her job had her traveling a ton to study and map dying languages. She’s a friend of a friend and while I don’t know her too well, she seems content.