Frequently Asked Questions

for young people

Am I too young (or too old) to want to make plans for my career and university?

There is no "standard" time to explore possible paths. If you feel curious and ready to begin, then it is your time, independent of your age and independent of what others think you should or shouldn't do!

That being said, if you are a high school student and plan to go to university, whether in your country or abroad, it is good to start becoming familiar with your options right away!

If you still have some time before you graduate, I suggest attending an Introduction Circle. You can even bring a family member or two.

If, on the other hand, you are a few months away from graduating from high school, time is of the essence! The best strategy is to schedule a free Exploration Chat to discuss what you need to do in the time that remains and plan a strategy to get it done!

And, if you are reading this after you have already started university, check out the next question!

My family wants me to follow the path they planned for me, but I don't like it. What can I do?

Often, a family makes a career plan for their kid because they want to make sure you will be OK. You may be feeling that your family is trying to control you, but it is more likely that they are just concerned about your future.

The best response is to demonstrate that you have some plans of your own and that they are based on firm ground, not some imagined reality. For example, you can show your family that you have done your research and thought your plans through, that you are clear about the obstacles, and that you are prepared to work hard to overcome them. By showing your family your competence, you can help them trust you and your choices.

If you want to get a bit more knowledgeable about how this future-planning thing works and how to talk about it intelligently with your family, I suggest you sign up for an Introduction Circle. You can even bring a family member or two with you!

It seems that all my friends have their next steps figured out. I feel bad because I don't. What should I do?

First, I would like you to know that many young people who sound very sure of themselves often aren't. They may just be afraid of voicing their fears and doubts. Congratulations to you for not being afraid to admit--at least to yourself--that you have doubts!

Second, there is truly nothing wrong about not knowing what is next. We live in a society that does not prepare young people to make these kinds of decisions, and many are left to just figure it out without support.

Now, there is a method to figure these things out!

To get an overview of how to approach the many questions you probably have, I suggest you sign up for an Introduction Circle. You can even bring a family member or two to participate.

Or, if you would like more individualized help, go ahead and schedule a free Exploration Chat to talk about your needs and how I can help you design your next steps.

I feel so much pressure to know what is next. But what I really want is to take my time to figure it out. Is this a problem?

Yes and no. It is a problem if you are older and have to start making a living ASAP. In this case, taking your time to figure things out might have to be done while you earn some money If, on the other side, you are younger and have the resources to take your time and explore, then you are in luck.

If you would like help to consider your particular circumstances and how to include career and university exploration in your next steps, send me a note and I will return your message with a suggested strategy.

I am all set with what to study and where, and just need help to prepare my statement of purpose. Can you help?

Absolutely! I have worked with many students in your situation and am prepared to help you write documents such as the college essay, supplemental essays, carta de motivacion, and even resume. If you still have some time before application deadlines, we can also talk about how you may use your remaining time in school to become a stronger candidate!

You can start by sending me a note or scheduling a free Exploration Chat.

I already know what I want to study, but not where (or I know where I want to study, but not what). I would like to explore my options.

Great! This is exactly what Workshop Circles are for! We have a Workshop dedicated entirely to researching universities and building your university list, and two other Workshops focused on exploring career options based on your interests, abilities and the job market in different countries where you might live!

If you would rather have individual assistance to do this research, you can sign up for a Subscription instead. To do that send me a note or schedule a free Exploration Chat.

I already started university but each day I feel that I made the wrong choice. Can I still fix this mess?

Absolutely! You may not realize it, but many adults around you, even some very successful ones, took many "wrong" turns before they found their path.

To give you more specific support, let's get together on a free Exploration Chat to talk about your options to move forward in a direction that feels more true to yourself!