Help with finding a meaningful career to pursue.

Question

Needing help with pursuing a career. I have studied in a University for 3 semesters but now after working on my off track for some time I am questioning what I actually want to do with my life. I was going into business management but now I am not sure this is what I want. I work at a sign shop and I noticed I like to see things being created and working with my hands. It feels fulfilling to me and I am not sure business management will help me have this same joy. I also enjoy meeting new people and helping others. I enjoy meeting new people and I would like my job to feel it is helping society. I know these two things are a bit different but any advice on careers or paths to take would be appreicated, thanks!

Answer 1

It’s very normal to question your direction after a few semesters of college and some time working. Often the first major we choose is based on what seems practical or familiar, not on what we discover about ourselves once we’ve had real experience. What you’re describing — enjoying hands‑on work, liking to see something take shape, and wanting your efforts to feel meaningful — are important signals about how you’re wired.

One helpful way to think about career decisions is to pay attention to the moments when you feel most alive or absorbed. You’ve already noticed that creating things with your hands gives you a sense of satisfaction. That’s worth exploring. Many people find fulfillment in fields like skilled trades, fabrication, design, technical craftsmanship, or roles where you can see tangible results from your work. These paths often combine creativity, problem‑solving, and physical engagement in a way that business management doesn’t.

At the same time, you mentioned enjoying meeting new people and wanting your work to help society. Those values matter. There are careers that blend hands‑on creation with service — for example, roles in community development, environmental work, healthcare support, public works, or even small‑business settings where you interact directly with customers and see the impact of your work.

A good next step is to explore a few areas through short courses, informational interviews, or job shadowing. Tools like interest inventories (the Kuder assessment is one example) can also help you identify patterns in what motivates you. You don’t need to decide your whole future at once. You just need to follow the clues you already have: what you enjoy, what feels meaningful, and where your strengths naturally show up. When you pay attention to those things, your path becomes much clearer.

Answer 2

First off, let me just say: you’re not off track, you’re on your track. A lot of us start down one path (hello, business management) and then life taps us on the shoulder like, “Hey, you actually like this other thing.” That’s not failure—it’s clarity.

From what you’ve shared, I hear two strong themes:

You light up when you create something with your hands and see tangible results.

You value people, connection, and contributing to society.

Those are not opposites—they actually blend beautifully. Careers that mix hands-on work with serving people do exist, and they tend to feel really fulfilling. A few paths that come to mind:

Skilled Trades / Craft Professions: Think sign making, graphic design, woodworking, fabrication, or even technical trades like HVAC or electrical. These let you make things and literally see the results of your effort every day.

Design & Creative Fields: If you like the process of turning ideas into real, usable things, graphic design, industrial design, or even marketing/branding could tie your hands-on creativity with your people side.

Community-Oriented Roles: Nonprofits, community development, or customer-facing jobs in industries you care about. This way, you still meet new people and feel your work helps society.

Hybrid Careers: Jobs like project management in creative industries (construction, sign making, events) give you the structure of business + the joy of seeing things built + plenty of people interaction.

Here’s my HR advice: instead of forcing yourself to pick one box (“creative” OR “business”), explore where they overlap. Do some job shadowing, try side projects, or talk to people working in these fields. Notice what excites you when you imagine doing it every day.

And remember—you’re not behind. You’re building a career that fits you, not just a résumé that checks a box. That curiosity you have right now? That’s the best career fuel.

Answer 3

Russ,

It sounds like you are asking great questions, and being appropriately aware that the track you are on may not be the exact right one. Bravo! There are a few things I would recommend to help you get clarity on a successful career path:

1) Continue to think through what you enjoy doing, what gives you satisfaction, what is important to you. Make a list, take some notes. I find writing it down to be a powerful step.Don't worry that they might not all be reachable with a single job or occupation. That is always the case -- that your job meets some but not all of your interests and skills.

2) Talk to people in these different jobs, find out what the work is like.

3) Find out the job opportunities in these different fields.

I would be happy to work with you to explore these areas, and help you discover some possible career paths. I have a pretty good perspective on careers in different areas, and we can figure it out together.