Yes, I remember the dilemma Nathan is experiencing well.
I graduated from HS and planned to enter the Air Force during the Viet Nam war, but my folks talked me out of it, so I head to college..dropped out after 1 semester because I didn't really know what I wanted to do with it, so I went to VoTech automotive mech. program. I finish it, but find while I like cars, I don't like the automotive trade as an every day job. I got a job at an aircraft prop repair shop, but come to the same conclusion after a year. I got my Real-estate license..but was too young to be taken seriously, I took a job as a Dept store men's wear dept. Mgr,...boring. I try a surgical nursing assistant position..interesting but I want more. So I go back to school for Resp. Therapy, then the RN program, end up graduating with a double major in both programs, but am exposed to nurse anesthesia as a surgical assistant, which I find intriguing, so I go to nurse anesthetist school.....and finally found my niche! It turns into a very fulfilling 40 year career.
Sometimes you just need to keep trying different things out until you find what gives you job satisfaction. Some find it right off the bat, and some like me, take awhile, but none of those various job experiences were a waste of time. I learned things at every single job / school experience that I've used through much of my life. I do most of my own vehicle repairs, I built my own airplane, which I've flown and maintained for nearly 1000 hrs over the last 16 years. I learned enough mechanical skills to give me the confidence to at least try tackling most household repairs that don't require very specialized equipment or skills.
The key thing I got out of it was to try keep my mind open to learning something new. Just about everybody knows something that you don't, and if you are willing to listen, most will be happy to show or tell you something useful to add to your skill set, or to modify your current one to make it better.
I suspect that Nathan may already know some or all of this, but may be impatient with the prospect, but FWIW, tell him not to be in a rush to figure it out. Enjoy the journey, and make it count.
