Home / Problems and solutions

Talents and intelligences12–18 years

A teenager who can't choose a career

Your teenager doesn't know what they want to be? That's normal: help them understand their interests and strengths and try out careers up close.

What you may notice

  • When asked 'What do you want to be?', they say 'I don't know' or change the subject.
  • They name a new career every week or show no interest in any.
  • They worry about choosing subjects, exams or a university and keep putting the decision off.
  • They say, 'I'm not good at anything,' or pick what others want for them.

The rest of this guide is for subscribers

Possible reasons, step-by-step actions, what to avoid, how to use your child's strengths, and when to see a specialist.