Not everyone knows what career path to follow. For beginners, the array of options is daunting if you don’t have a passion. For others, a mid-career crisis can lead you to a career change. Whether it’s your first time or you’re looking for a change mid-career, it’s hard to pick. Do you want to be in the public health industry? Should you become a teacher? What about a software developer? It’s never too late to look for the ideal career. However, being unable to decide on a path can slow you down.

With economic fluctuations and rising living costs, the workforce is also more competitive than ever. So, being undecided could cost you. However, there’s no need to panic. From beginner jobs to intermediary skill level switches — there’s a way to do it all. Read on for some great options about how to choose your career if you’re still undecided.

Do extensive research.

It takes more than a quick search to find the perfect career. You can go to a career counselor or take an aptitude test. However, regardless of your aptitude and skill set, you also have to find what you want to do. You may be an expert surfer — but do you like the waves? You may have an aptitude for the nursing field — but is a registered nurse your ideal career?

Attend career fairs, read through career sites, and make lists of available careers. Make a list based on your experience, skillset, and education. Also, make a list of your interests and hobbies. There are careers you would never even have considered on a more traditional path. Once you have a list of career options, dig deeper into each one. Continue to work through the list until you have a handful of top choices. If you’re still confused, don’t worry. There are other ways to find the best career.

Take a course.

An excellent way to sample the basics of different careers is to take a short course. And don’t stick to traditional jobs. Your career test suggests bank teller — but does your heart say, surf instructor? If you spend time at surf spots and love surfers, this may be for you.

If you think there’s no way the perfect surf technique will help you get a job, you’re wrong. A non-traditional career path you love can be better than a traditional one you hate. If you’re a beginner surfer, try surf camp before you sign up for surf school. Take surfing lessons for beginners with an expert instructor. Also, learn all about surf etiquette. After a few private surf lessons (or a group surf lesson, if you learn better with people) you will know if it’s for you. If it’s love at the first wave, you have a career as an advanced surfer or surf instructor in your future.

Follow the same process, no matter what career you’re choosing. Think you’re the next Walt Whitman? Take a beginner craft course to learn the basics of creative writing. Whatever you want, learn the basics before you pick it as a career path.

Speak to a professional.

Do you love learning about medical care and always have a kit with medical supplies on hand? Are famous nurses your idols? Do you have posters of Army Nurse Corps founder, Anna Caroline Maxwell on your wall? Have you always dreamed of being the next Florence Nightingale? It’s well within your reach to have a career similar to that of the founder of modern nursing.

A career as a public health nurse is a great option — but what if you’ e not sure? What if you’d prefer something else in the health care industry? You won’t always get the answers you need from a recruitment office or school. If you’re considering becoming a nurse practitioner, research the nursing field first.

You can learn the basics about specific career fields — but that’s not always enough. For example, you can learn CPR, the nursing profession’s fundamentals, and what medical supplies to stock. However, to see whether a nursing career is right for you, you will need more than that. It’s not always possible to spend time and money on a particular course. However, don’t lose hope because there’s another way to figure out a career’s basics. A great option is to speak to a professional in the field.

Get real-world experience.

What if you’ve done your research and spoken to a professional, and still can’t decide? The final step to making a career decision is to get real-world experience in the field. It’s an excellent way to ensure what you choose will give you a fulfilling career.

You can volunteer at almost any organization in virtually any field. Literary magazines are always looking for volunteer readers and editors. The public health care industry is never short of volunteer opportunities. If you are almost sure this is the career for you but want to be certain, try an internship.

Internships are sometimes better for your career trajectory. It’s because they can often lead to permanent positions at the organizations. For example, being a nursing assistant now can help when you’re a registered nurse. Of course, volunteering gives you some of these opportunities too. Do your research to make sure you’re offering your time and skillset to a trustworthy organization. Some volunteer and intern positions are exploitative. You will want to make sure you’re doing the best thing for your career and not just exploited.