Is it normal that i don’t know what job i want?

Don't even worry about. Just don't go to school till you have it figured out. Unless you come from money you'll be paying that shit off for a very long time so do not go till you know. If you go to college with a ill figure it out as I go attitude you'll only waste your time and money. If say you wash dishes for a year or 2 or someyhing spend that time looking into jobs based on things that in your mind is something you could do and be happy doing. Get a taste of the real world and maybe you'll start figuring it out. Some people never do and thats fine 2.

People may try to tell you that you need to figure everything out right now, and the decisions you make now will determine how the rest of your life will go. That's true to some extent, but we no longer live in a world where you can reasonably expect to get some qualifications, go to work for a company and stay there, gradually progressing up the ladder until you retire.

Looking at the economic forces at work in the world today and how things are changing, I suspect that most of those people you know who seem to have it all figured out are probably in for a few surprises down the line.

I think there's a lot to be said for finding a trade that resonates with you at least a little. Maybe the thought of working as a plumber, heating and ventilation technician or painter doesn't fire your soul, but there's very little chance of those jobs being outsourced to another country. I recently read an article about how the pandemic has highlighted a huge shortage of appliance repair technicians in the USA. It's not a glamourous job, but it's well paid, helping people solve their problems is always rewarding and keeping appliances in working order rather than them ending up in landfill is a socially positive thing.

But maybe you're not technically-minded at all, and you're more of an arty type. Making a living in the arts can be very difficult, but perhaps you could investigate the craft side of things. It can also be challenging to make a decent living in that field, but if you spend your days doing something you're passionate about and you're making enough to get by, life can be enjoyable.

I don't know if it's still the case, but back in ancient times when I was in high school, all schools had a guidance counsellor who was supposed to help students learn what was available out there in the big, bad world, help them figure out what really interested them and suggest how they could proceed after HS.

At your age everyone tells you that you need to decide what career you want. It’s hammered into you that your whole world will end if you don’t do well and achieve certain grades. It’s like you are doomed never to achieve anything in life if you don’t decide right now what you want to do. It’s all crap, the most important thing is to have a good work ethic and be prepared to do what you have to do to get where you need to be.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do at your age. I wanted to be a carpenter like my grandfather. As a child I would spend hours in his workshop with him. My brother was never interested but I loved it, my grandfather always told me he would employ me as his apprentice when I left school and teach me his trade. He thought I would eventually take over his business. Sadly he died unexpectedly when I was 14 so that was the end of that. As soon as enrolments were opened for my year group to go to college, I signed up for a carpentry course. I had done woodwork at school as one of my options and thought I was all set. I got my acceptance letter and was looking forward to starting the following September. 3 weeks before college started I received a letter telling me they were very sorry but I no longer had a college place in carpentry. I was told there were still a few spaces in child care or secretarial if I applied straight away, but I needed to act quickly as all places were allocated on a first come first serve basis. I immediately rang the college thinking there must be a mistake. I had done my enrolment on the first day we were allowed so I must have a place. I was told I had been removed from the course to give my place to a boy. They had prioritised him because I was a girl so my placement was less important. I ended up doing a year on a secretarial course and hated every minute. I didn’t return for the second year but got a job as a hotel receptionist. Unfortunately the hotel went bust a couple of years later. I lived in a staff chalet so I ended up homeless and jobless. The only job I could get at the time was in a seedy club as a topless waitress. I hated every shift but it eventually led me into working as a pole dancer in a strip club. Another horrible experience but very lucrative. I managed to stay away from drugs and used the money I made to invest in property. Using carpentry skills I’d learnt as a girl and decorating skills which I taught myself I was able to buy an old flat in bad repair and do it up. Once complete I moved in until I saved enough to buy a better property then moved in there and rented the first one out. I gradually built up a portfolio of properties over the next few years. As soon as I knew I could generate enough income from my rentals I gave up dancing.

So why am I telling you all this? The moral of the story is if you are determined to succeed in life then you will find a way. So stop worrying, I bet most of your friends won’t even end up doing what they set out to do with their lives.

VERY normal. To be honest, I think a lot of kids your age are in your boat (I know I was, as well as a lot of my friends at the time). To be honest, a lot of the ones who did have a plan ended up changing majors or career paths, so it's not set in stone and you still have time to figure it out.

I ended up in a career I never would've dreamed about being in and was never a "dream" job of mine or a passion, but it pays well and I like my job. Really, you never know where life will take you and a lot will change after high school.

I definitely agree with WeirdGuyFromTheS0uth that while chasing your dreams is great, you also want to be realistic and be able to make money at what you do, so it would be wise to look into well paying jobs you think would work for you.

I also agree with a-curious-bunny's advice about holding off on college until you have a plan, and also SwickDinging's advice to consider other options besides college if your plan is not to become a doctor, lawyer, etc. While I had it drilled into my head as a teen that college was a necessity and I'd never go anywhere without it, it wasn't for me and I ended up in a manual labor job I like that makes great money. There are definitely other options, and they are worth looking into.

Normal.

I don’t know either.