My recommendation, whatever you decide, is to become a specialist. You answered elsewhere that you thought about teaching, so for example, if you were to teach art, I would say don't generalize, like teaching art at a high school. Specialize in some niche, like the art of a specific nomadic group in prehistoric Mesopotamia, or a select group of 18th century Russian painters. When you specialize, you create demand, meaning you can charge more for your work and/or expertise.
I say this as a low paid generalist, I've spent my life jumping from this to that, working hard and long to make very little. Now I'm starting to specialize, and will in a few years be at a point where I will make more in one year than I made in 6 years, from ages 19-24. Working LESS. Knowing what I know now, I feel like a fool for how little I sold my time and energy for. But I have lots of good memories and skills now at least :)
The other way to go with this is to do something you really, literally LOVE to do. As in you would do it regularly, even if you weren't being paid to do it. Maybe this is creating art for you. I would suggest if you love art (or anything else) so much, even if you don't choose it as a career, you still put time and energy into it as long as it remains fulfilling for you. You never know where it could lead you; painting for 20 years for example, is bound to make you a better painter than most.
Every job is just a job at the end of the day and not the most important thing in the world. Don't come in thinking that work is the ultimate goal of your life. Work is just a necessity to keep your existence and may others. That doesn't meant that it's bad it's just necessary.
Don't let work define you find yourself in ways beyond work.
The best career choice for myself was the Marine Corps. I served in the military and it was the most fun, rewarding, and challenging experience ever.
I would still be enlisted if I didn't get medically retired after an injury and being sexually and physically assaulted during my service. I have been compensated very well for my hardships so I can't really complain. I love America. And I would fight for it until my last breath if they ever let me go back active duty.
Wherever your interest lies. What are you interested in? I'd suggest to take this test. I took one and got a couple of career choices and most of them were in healthcare.. which matches my interest https://www.careerexplorer.com/career-test/
A good career choice is wherever your interest lies. As that will help one maintain long-term discipline in learning the craft to create longevity and be prosperous on said career path.
Just dont be a "dollar and a dream" type of person. It such a torturous path to take.
@HeartFullOfGlue realistic, but also terrible sources of income. You have to work constantly with those jobs, and bring in very little money. My bosses who owned their own restaurants were always working at the restaurant twice as much as anyone else, and one even had a second job as a school janitor.
What appeals to you about those jobs? working with kids? Socializing? or something else?
Focus on courses and education that helps with a career you want, this may mean joining specific clubs, volunteering to get experience for your CV etc. Four years would be too late.
Ok you can start thinking about it right now but don’t worry about figuring it all out at once. Sometimes things take time and circumstance to bare more clarity. Come up with a few ideas and pursue them all equally until one of them takes your interest more avidly in the future.
Some ideas I can think of for you is graphic designer (like Chris was saying), high-end baker or coffee-roaster, or something you didn’t realize you liked beforehand…
Keep exploring the options and wait until you find something you are passionate about. Your school counselor may be able to give you some tests to show what careers you would be best at.
Superb Opinion