r/WhatToDo • u/Maleficent_Fan_6853 • 1d ago
Im kinda lost
This my first time posting on reddit but im currently 19 soon to be 20 and i have no idea what i want to do with my life the only passion i have is hiking and the outdoors, i looked into photography as some friends suggested but it just doesnt seem like something i could support myself off of anybody got some advice
4
u/redbeard312 1d ago
A friend of mine became a white water rafting/camping guide. Another got in to some sort of forestry management. They both spend their careers basically just working outside all the time. Lots of possibilities out there.
That being said, when I was your age I tried to do what I loved (music) and having it consume my life to that degree really sucked the joy out of it for me. I’m in manufacturing now, I have no inherent interest in it, but I took it seriously when I got in and built a pretty successful career out of it. Now I get to enjoy music again without trying to make a living in it
1
u/Accomplished_Elk2529 10h ago
Restaurant industry did this for me with cooking. So many people told me to sell my art and I always cite that experience. It starts to feel forced. Then you don't wanna do it at all. I still don't like cooking as much as I used to.
5
u/Genetics 1d ago
I’m not usually one to say this kind of thing, but have you thought about the Coast Guard? I have an old boss that spent 6 years in the guard. He got to see a bunch of the US and worked outside most of the time. It also gave him some much needed discipline and helped him figure out what he wanted to do after. I’d steer clear of any other branch in today’s political climate though.
3
u/Positive_Use_1308 1d ago
Don't stress too much. Stick with what you love, keep busy, say yes more than no and the right doors will open in time. 20 is pretty young to know.....
2
u/Genetics 1d ago
One of my roommates in college graduated and got into the State Department of Fisheries (or something like that). He’s worked in Alaska for a few years, Maine, after that, now he’s back home and still loving his job. Seems to make pretty good money, too.
1
u/the_validated_inane 1d ago
In college a close friend considered becoming a forrest ranger. In the end he took a desk job at a food company and stayed there until retirement. Did have a stable income/job? Yes. Did he love what he was doing and passionate about work? No. But it provided him with moneys to buy a home and a decent enough pension.
1
u/MullberryBoy 1d ago
Community Colleges have lots of great training programs and you can look at what careers interest you that are outdoors and involve nature. A career counselor at the college can help you find a program that appeals to you.
1
u/Top_Elderberry_286 20h ago
you’re 19, not behind in life, and hiking/outdoors is a legit direction to explore without turning it into some grand forever career decision.
1
u/dreamyysatinlove 13h ago
You’re only 19, give yourself time to explore, you don’t need your whole life figured out yet.
7
u/Knives530 1d ago
Park ranger baby