Unfortunately, evidence is mounting that youthful brilliance in one or more areas does not always translate into adult satisfaction and accomplishment in working life. Some factors that can contribute to problems with career planning are presented here, along with ways of preventing and intervening with career development problems. The broad range of opportunities available tends to increase the complexity of decision making and goal setting, and it may actually delay career selection. Students may participate in multiple social and recreational activities with no clear preferences, and they may overschedule, leaving few free periods and little time to just think. Students often accept leadership of a wide variety of groups in school, religious activities, and community organizations.
Students are able to maintain high grades in most or all courses taken.
An important clue to continuing multipotentiality is the student's vocational interest test profiles. These tests often show interests and similarities to an unusually large number of occupations. Multipotential students often have multiple academic majors. Three or more changes of college major are not unusual for an individual who cannot set long-term goals. They continue intense participation in extracurricular activities and have outstanding academic performance but are concerned about selecting a career.