7 unconventional ways to build a career when you don’t know what you want yet

In an era where professional lives are increasingly non-linear and success no longer follows a single template, the traditional question—"What do you want to be?"—can feel more limiting than helpful.

For students and early-career professionals who don’t have a fixed goal in mind, the pressure to “figure it all out” can be stifling.But not knowing your destination doesn't mean you have to stand still. In fact, some of the most rewarding careers begin not with certainty, but with experimentation. Here are seven unconventional yet effective ways to gain direction, credibility, and confidence—while the bigger picture continues to evolve.

Start a Public Project

Rather than waiting to secure the ideal job or internship, consider launching a public project of your own—something tangible and visible that reflects your interests and initiative. This could take the form of a blog on productivity, a podcast featuring conversations with people you admire, a YouTube series delving into your city’s startup culture, or even a carefully curated Instagram page focused on a niche topic.

Such projects help you develop a range of valuable, transferable skills—like writing, editing, outreach, and branding. They also create a digital footprint that potential employers or mentors can easily access, offering a clear demonstration of your abilities and interests. Most importantly, public projects don’t require you to have your career path fully figured out. What they do require is the willingness to act, explore, and build something authentic on your own terms.

Take a ‘Portfolio Gap’ Instead of a Traditional Gap Year

Many take a gap year to "figure things out," but it often becomes a period of drift unless it's structured. Instead, treat it like a portfolio year—a time to work on short-term freelance gigs, open-source contributions, creative writing, or research. Document these projects as you go.Over time, this collection becomes a living, breathing testament to your curiosity and growth. It demonstrates productivity and adaptability—qualities employers are increasingly prioritizing over fixed qualifications.

Shadow, Don’t Just Intern

Internships are valuable, but they’re not always easy to land—especially when you’re uncertain of your path. An often overlooked alternative is job shadowing. Spend a few days or weeks observing a professional in a field you're curious about. This requires less bureaucracy, less time, and often reveals more than a structured internship.Through shadowing, you gain direct exposure to the day-to-day reality of a profession—something that job descriptions and brochures rarely capture accurately.

Observing real work environments helps you understand not just the core responsibilities, but also the soft skills required, the team dynamics, and the hidden pressures professionals face in that role.

Try Reverse Mentorship

Traditional mentorship assumes that the younger professional learns from the older one. But in today’s digital-first world, reverse mentorship—where you share your skills (social media, no-code tools, content creation) with an experienced professional in exchange for industry insights—can be equally valuable.This kind of exchange:

It’s an organic and low-pressure way to explore industries while adding value in return.

Solve a Real-World Problem

One of the best ways to figure out your interests is by applying your skills to solve something real. Look around your community, college, or online circles. Is there a local NGO that needs help organizing data? A family business struggling with its website? A student group that could use better branding?These experiences test your ability to manage ambiguity and help build confidence.

Even if the work is unpaid or short-term, the learning—and future recommendation—can be invaluable.

Join a Startup

Working in a startup environment forces you to wear multiple hats. You might find yourself writing a copy in the morning and solving customer problems in the afternoon. For someone still exploring their career fit, this kind of exposure can fast-track self-awareness.Startups tend to value:

Alternatively, if you spot a problem worth solving, gather a small team and start something—however small.

A side hustle can be the clearest mirror to your working style and interests.

Design Your Own Learning Path

You don’t need a university syllabus to learn. Pick a topic you’re drawn to—UX design, behavioral economics, climate finance—and build a self-study roadmap using free or low-cost resources (MOOCs, YouTube lectures, curated reading lists).Set weekly goals. Track your progress. Share insights publicly through blogs, LinkedIn posts, or videos.

This approach helps you build credibility in a niche before formally entering it and show initiative to future employers. Over time, you’ll gain both a skill set and a voice—two things employers care deeply about.In a world shaped by rapid change and evolving industries, not knowing what you want yet isn’t a weakness—it’s a transitional state with its own possibilities. Careers today are not ladders but lattices; what matters most is momentum, visibility, and growth.

By experimenting, creating, and connecting, you can build a meaningful foundation—one that allows your career to take shape not through rigid planning, but through informed evolution.