Sometimes they’re an invitation to try something new. Sometimes they’re a conversation with someone you’ve never met. Sometimes they’re a chance to spend a day in a workplace and see what actually happens behind the scenes.

That’s what made experiences like spending time in a real workplace so valuable to me. I didn’t walk in expecting to suddenly have my entire future figured out. I went in curious, ready to listen and probably slightly nervous, and I left with a much better idea of what I enjoy, what I’m good at and what I still want to explore.

I think that’s the secret to making the most of an opportunity: be curious.

Ask questions. Lots of them.

If you’re shadowing someone at work, don’t just watch what they do. Ask why they do it. Ask what they enjoy. Ask what they found difficult when they were starting out. You might discover something about a career that you never would have found from a Google search.

The second thing is to actually get involved.

If someone gives you the chance to introduce yourself, speak up. If there’s something you can try, try it. Even if your brain is screaming, “Absolutely not, let’s go home.”

And finally, pay attention to how you feel.

Did you enjoy talking to people? Solving problems? Creating things? Being behind the scenes? Being the person presenting to everyone else? These little reactions can tell you a lot about yourself.

I’ve definitely learnt that you don’t have to say yes to absolutely everything. That would be exhausting, and frankly, I have homework.

But when a good opportunity comes along, it’s worth being brave enough to take it.

You never know where one conversation, one experience or one slightly scary “yes” might lead.

Sometimes the opportunity itself isn’t the answer. Sometimes it simply gives you the clue you needed.

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