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GirlPower: Dreams, Career & Future Me

TeenThreads GirlPower: Dreams, Career & Future Me

Go to: youth.gov – U.S. Government Youth Programs

Purpose, goals, ambition, fear of failure, and confidence about adulthood — without pressure, without shame.

TeenThreads mission: Help teen girls build a future they’re proud of — with real information about dreams, careers, money, mental health, and self-belief.

Important: This page is educational and does not replace counseling, therapy, or professional career guidance. If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsafe, reach out to a trusted adult, school counselor, or health professional.

Core truth: Your worth is not defined by grades, popularity, or a “perfect” plan. You are allowed to grow, change, and try again.

TeenThreads Reality Check: Planning your future is not about having everything figured out at 16. It’s about learning who you are, what matters to you, and how to take small, real steps toward a life that feels like yours.

1) Purpose & “Future Me”

Purpose doesn’t have to be one big, dramatic calling. For most people, it’s a mix of what they care about, what they’re good at (or want to get good at), and how they want to help others or the world.

  • “Future Me” questions: How do I want to feel in my life? What kind of person do I want to be?
  • Values: Do I care most about creativity, helping people, stability, adventure, justice, family, or something else?
  • Curiosity: What topics, problems, or activities do I keep coming back to?
  • Impact: If I could make one small difference in the world, what would it be?

GirlsHealth.gov – Feelings & Self-Discovery (Office on Women’s Health)
MindTools – Finding Your Life Purpose (Skills & Reflection)

2) Goals: School, Life & Career

Goals turn “someday” into something you can actually work toward. They don’t have to be perfect or permanent — they just need to be honest and specific enough to guide your next steps.

  • Short-term goals (0–6 months): improve a grade, join a club, finish a project, learn a skill.
  • Medium-term goals (6–24 months): apply for internships, build a portfolio, prepare for exams, explore colleges or training programs.
  • Long-term goals (2–10+ years): career paths, where you might want to live, lifestyle you hope to have.
  • SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

youth.gov – Supporting Academic Success
BigFuture (College Board) – Planning for College & Careers

3) Ambition Without Burnout

Ambition is wanting more for yourself — more learning, more impact, more growth. Burnout is what happens when you push so hard that your body and mind start to shut down.

  • Healthy ambition: includes rest, boundaries, and joy.
  • Warning signs of burnout: constant exhaustion, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, irritability, trouble sleeping, feeling numb.
  • Balance: schedule breaks, hobbies, and time with people who make you feel safe and seen.
  • Permission: You are allowed to slow down without “giving up.”

CDC – Learn About Mental Health
GirlsHealth.gov – Stress & Coping

4) Fear of Failure & Perfectionism

Fear of failure is common — especially for girls who feel pressure to be “good at everything” or “never mess up.” But failure is also how humans learn.

  • Failure = data, not a verdict. It shows what didn’t work, not who you are.
  • Perfectionism trap: “If it’s not perfect, it doesn’t count.” This kills creativity and courage.
  • Growth mindset: “I can get better with practice, feedback, and time.”
  • Reframing: Instead of “I failed,” try “I learned what I need to adjust next time.”

American Psychological Association – Growth Mindset
Mental Health America – What Is Mental Health?

5) Confidence About Adulthood

No one wakes up at 18 magically knowing how to “adult.” Confidence comes from small experiences: solving problems, asking questions, and surviving things you thought you couldn’t.

  • Skill-building: learn basics like budgeting, time management, cooking simple meals, and making appointments.
  • Ask questions: about taxes, college, jobs, health care — curiosity is strength, not weakness.
  • Practice decision-making: start with small choices and reflect on what you learned.
  • Self-talk: replace “I’ll never figure this out” with “I can learn this step by step.”

Consumer.gov – Money, Credit & Basics of Adult Life
GirlsHealth.gov – Healthy Relationships & Communication

6) Exploring Careers & Majors

You don’t have to know your exact job title for the rest of your life. Exploring careers is about learning what’s out there and what fits your interests, values, and strengths.

  • Career clusters: health, technology, arts, education, business, trades, public service, and more.
  • Job shadowing: spending a day observing someone at work.
  • Informational interviews: asking adults about their jobs, paths, and advice.
  • Try things: clubs, volunteering, part-time jobs, online courses.

CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) – Explore Careers
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook
O*NET Online – Skills, Interests & Job Matches

7) Money, Scholarships & Independence

Financial independence doesn’t mean being rich — it means understanding money well enough to make choices instead of feeling trapped.

  • Budget basics: track what comes in (income, allowance) and what goes out (spending, savings).
  • Scholarships & aid: many programs exist specifically to support girls and first-generation students.
  • Student loans: can help pay for school but must be repaid — learn the terms before borrowing.
  • Start small: saving a little regularly builds confidence and options.

Federal Student Aid – U.S. Department of Education
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Money as You Grow
Scholarships.com – Search for Scholarships

8) Mental Health & Stress While Planning Your Future

Thinking about the future can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. Anxiety, sadness, or feeling “behind” are common — and they deserve care, not shame.

  • Normalize feelings: it’s okay to be scared, confused, or unsure.
  • Talk it out: with friends, family, counselors, or mentors.
  • Healthy coping: movement, journaling, art, music, nature, faith/spiritual practices.
  • Red flags: constant hopelessness, thoughts of self-harm, or feeling like nothing matters — these are signs to reach out for professional help immediately.

National Institute of Mental Health – Child & Adolescent Mental Health
World Health Organization – Adolescent Mental Health

9) Role Models & Mentors

Role models show you what’s possible. Mentors walk with you while you figure out your own path.

  • Role models: can be people you know, public figures, authors, activists, scientists, artists, or community leaders.
  • Mentors: teachers, coaches, older students, family friends, or program leaders who are willing to listen and guide.
  • Questions to ask: “How did you get where you are?” “What would you tell your teenage self?”
  • Reminder: You don’t have to copy anyone’s life. You’re gathering ideas, not scripts.

U.S. Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau
UN Women – Stories & Leadership

10) Action Planning: Next 30–365 Days

Big dreams become real through small, repeatable actions. You don’t need a 20-year blueprint — you need a next step.

  • Next 30 days: list 3 interests, talk to one adult about careers, research one program or club.
  • Next 90 days: join or start a club, volunteer, build a small project (blog, art portfolio, coding project, community idea).
  • Next 365 days: visit a college or training program (in person or virtual), apply for at least one scholarship, update a simple resume.
  • Check-in: once a month, ask: “What did I try? What did I learn? What do I want to adjust?”

U.S. Department of Education – Main Site
USA.gov – Official Guide to U.S. Government Services

Trusted Resources

20-Question Quiz + Answers

Use this quiz to check what you’ve absorbed. It’s not about perfection — it’s about reflection.

  1. True or False: Your purpose must be clear by the time you finish high school.
  2. Which of these is a short-term goal?
    a) Becoming a doctor
    b) Improving your math grade this semester
    c) Retiring at 60
  3. What does “SMART” in SMART goals stand for?
  4. True or False: Ambition is unhealthy and always leads to burnout.
  5. Name one warning sign of burnout.
  6. What is a growth mindset?
  7. True or False: Failure means you are not good enough and should stop trying.
  8. Give one example of a healthy coping strategy for stress.
  9. Which U.S. government site helps you explore careers and training?
    a) CareerOneStop
    b) GirlsHealth.gov
    c) UN Women
  10. What is one benefit of talking to a mentor?
  11. True or False: You must choose one career and stick with it forever.
  12. Name one financial skill that supports independence.
  13. Which site focuses on federal student aid and FAFSA?
  14. True or False: It’s weak to ask questions about money, college, or jobs.
  15. What is one reason it’s helpful to break goals into short-, medium-, and long-term?
  16. Name one mental health red flag that means you should reach out for help.
  17. Which site is run by the U.S. Office on Women’s Health and focuses on girls?
    a) GirlsHealth.gov
    b) CareerOneStop
    c) O*NET Online
  18. True or False: Role models are only celebrities.
  19. What is one small action you could take in the next 30 days to explore your future?
  20. Finish the sentence: “My worth is not defined by ______.”

Answer Key

  1. False – Purpose can evolve throughout your life.
  2. b) Improving your math grade this semester.
  3. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
  4. False – Ambition can be healthy when balanced with rest and boundaries.
  5. Examples: constant exhaustion, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, irritability, trouble sleeping.
  6. Believing you can grow and improve through effort, practice, and feedback.
  7. False – Failure is information and part of learning, not a final judgment.
  8. Examples: exercise, journaling, art, music, talking to someone you trust, spending time in nature.
  9. a) CareerOneStop.
  10. They can share experience, advice, and encouragement, and help you see options you didn’t know about.
  11. False – Many people change careers multiple times.
  12. Examples: budgeting, saving, understanding loans, tracking spending.
  13. studentaid.gov.
  14. False – Asking questions is a sign of strength and responsibility.
  15. It makes big dreams less overwhelming and helps you focus on realistic next steps.
  16. Examples: constant hopelessness, thoughts of self-harm, feeling like nothing matters.
  17. a) GirlsHealth.gov.
  18. False – Role models can be anyone whose life or choices inspire you.
  19. Examples: talk to a counselor, research a career, join a club, start a small project, shadow someone at work.
  20. Grades, popularity, mistakes, or one single decision.

 

By TeenTheads Content Team

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