Feeling unsure about your next step? You’re not alone, and you’re not behind.
You’ve just finished an incredible year (or two) away. Now what?
Suddenly, it feels like everyone else has a plan: a course, a degree, a job, a direction. And you’re still wondering… what’s my next move?
If that sounds familiar, breathe. You’re in good company.
You don’t need to have your whole future figured out. But it’s worth thinking beyond just the next year. The best paths are flexible, built around your strengths, and able to grow with your life—even if you pivot along the way.
I spoke with some of the most grounded, insightful women I know—employers, course creators, and career mentors—about what they’d tell someone just starting out. The kind of advice that’s practical, honest, and actually helpful.
Here are five smart ways to find your next step and build a future that fits you.
1. Let your job build your skills
Not every job is glamorous, but almost every job can be a growth experience if you show up with the right mindset.
“Any job is a great opportunity , it’s like paid training. It’s a success as long as you’re developing communication skills and soft skills. Even in a role that doesn’t feel like your dream job, you’re gaining real-world tools. Communication, problem-solving, listening, navigating hard conversations — these are skills that transfer to every industry.
You might find you have a knack for smoothing over tense situations or delivering tough messages with clarity and tact. That’s leadership, and it starts by being willing to work through discomfort, not around it.
You don’t have to love every task. What matters is that you’re learning how to show up, function professionally, and build tools you’ll use in every future opportunity,” says Nechama Seidenfeld, professional skills trainer and CEO of Wurkfit.
2. Start with your strengths and stay open
You may not know your long-term plan yet, but you can start by asking what feels right for right now. “Most women have at least two careers in them,” says Rechy Zolty, founder of Bridges for Families. “Start with what fits now, but keep your heart open.”
Rechy explains that understanding your core strengths can open up a wide range of options. Are you a communicator? A helper? A builder? A creative? Your job isn’t to guess the perfect fit, but to start identifying patterns in what gives you energy—and what doesn’t.
And yes, pivots are normal. A path that makes sense now might lead you to something you never imagined. So stay curious, stay honest with yourself, and keep growing your skills. They’ll carry over to whatever comes next. People naturally change and grow, and evolve into their fuller self. What you might not be ready for today will shape you into the person you will become tomorrow—a version of yourself that you don’t even know yet.
3. Seek mentorship and hands-on experience
Dina Cohen, registered dietitian and founder of EatWellSoon, shadowed professionals before choosing her career. “I asked dietitians to walk me through their day so I could get an accurate picture of what the job actually entails,” she says. “It helped me understand if I’d enjoy working in this field—not just on paper, but in real life.”
I (Adina) got my first hands-on experience in high school, designing our yearbook and discovering a love for creative work. That led to an entry-level job at a packaging design studio, where I found myself captivated by the process. Over time, that early passion grew into a career in marketing and management. Sometimes, when something feels right, you follow it with intention, and doors begin to open.
Volunteering, internships, and even short conversations with people in different roles can help you make smarter, more confident decisions and avoid surprises later on.
4. Work can be meaningful and still be work
Don’t write off structure or office life as boring. It might be the best launchpad you’ll find.
“Offices are busy, stimulating, and full of growth potential,” says Hadassa Seror, sales manager at Silverkey. “I’ve worked in offices for over 20 years and have never once been bored. If you bring energy and initiative, you’ll find the same.”
Esti Neustadt, CSO at ConsultWrite Media, adds that mindset is everything. “When you enter the workforce with the mindset that it’s about becoming your best self, every challenge becomes a growth moment.” She explains that real-life work—interpersonal conflict, team dynamics, deadlines—is where you build the muscles that make you confident, capable, and ready for the next step.
The work may be hard, but it’s the kind of hard that shapes your future.
5. Make your money choices make sense
Your career path should support your life—not just emotionally, but practically. Simi Mandelbaum, financial therapist and founder of PROSPR, encourages girls to get honest about money: how they spend it, how they want to live, and what kind of structure fits their strengths.
“Your money personality matters,” she explains. “Someone who loves routine and saves easily might thrive in a steady job. But if you’re a big dreamer, love variety, or need more flexibility, you’ll want a path that reflects that and supports it.”
This isn’t about giving up your passion for a paycheck. It’s about understanding your values and your lifestyle, and choosing a path that gives you both stability and satisfaction.
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