His assignment is ten minutes on paper: list three careers that interest you, find one adult doing something you would like to learn about, and write down one skill you can start developing right now. The goal is to name possibilities, not to commit to a life.
The other two are what actually move you, and they are both about people, which is the whole argument of the book.
One person. A teacher, a coach, a family friend, someone at church, an alum, a neighbour. Reach out this week with a respectful message and one question about their path — that is a cold conversation, and Chapter 10 is the script.
Look at the skills listed across your three. The ones that repeat are the transferable ones — communication, professionalism, follow-through — and they serve you whichever door you end up walking through.
How do I choose a career if I do not know where to start?
Start by naming possibilities rather than committing to one. List three occupations that interest you, look at what people in them actually do day to day, and note one skill common to all three. That skill is where to begin — it will serve you whichever direction you go.
Where does this career data come from?
US occupations come from O*NET, the occupational database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, covering over 1,000 occupations. International results come from ESCO, the European Commission's classification of skills, competences and occupations, available in 28 languages.
What is a preparation level?
O*NET groups occupations by how much education, training and experience they typically need — from "very little" through to "extensive", which usually means graduate school. It is a useful filter when you are working out what is reachable from where you are now.
Is any of this saved or shared?
Your three shortlisted careers are stored in your own browser. Nothing is uploaded, no account is needed, and nobody else can see them.
Every chapter of Open Doors ends with something to do. The companion is where the other eleven live.