Can’t decide, undecided
Career or Education Indecision
Originally by Lawrence K. Jones, Ph.D., NCC — Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education, North Carolina State University. Updated by Juliet Jones-Vlasceanu, GCDF, J.D. — President & CEO, Career Key. Last reviewed August 2026.
Can't decide on a career? Or college major? Training program? This is not unusual.
For example, in one's teen years and early 20's, a person's personality and abilities are developing. Your values, abilities, skills and talents are emerging.
Sometimes, the person doesn't know him or herself well enough to make a specific career or college major choice.
Some people in their middle years take a close look at who they, their career, and consider changing careers – perhaps returning to school. Practical steps you can take are described in Learn More about Yourself.
Another factor that frequently causes indecision is that important information is missing. If you feel you do not know enough about the occupations or majors you are considering, go to Learn More about the Jobs that Interest Me or Learn more about college majors.
There are also situations, of course, where a person is unable to decide even though they have adequate information and maturity. Here we recommend seeing a professional counselor. Career Counseling will get you started.
References
1. Jones, L. K. (1989). Measuring a three-dimensional construct of career indecision among college students: A revision of the Vocational Decision Scale—The Career Decision Profile. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 36(4), 477–486. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.36.4.477
2. Jones, L. K., & Lohmann, R. C. (1998). The Career Decision Profile: Using a measure of career decision status in counseling. Journal of Career Assessment, 6(2), 209–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/106907279800600207
3. Brisbin, L. A., & Savickas, M. L. (1994). Career indecision scales do not measure foreclosure. Journal of Career Assessment, 2(4), 352–363. https://doi.org/10.1177/106907279400200403
4. Lent, R. W., & Brown, S. D. (2013). Social cognitive model of career self-management: Toward a unifying view of adaptive career behavior across the life span. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(4), 557–568. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033446