Lots of good advices already, what'd add, is a possibility of setting a kind of framework of long term goals (no, that's not job related, no need to hurry and reach em, just to keep em in mind). I see like 3 of them:
- You'll be using a number of ships. Can be 3 or 30, but most likely not a single one (tho possible why not), even for exploration you'll need something focused on jump range, another on landings so being small, another like deep space and independent.
- You'll be working in different areas, like engineers, guardians, BGS, whatever else, some you will like or maybe some you won't, but find them necessary as rewards are nice, some maybe not needed for you at all. I'd agrue if something is really mandatory, you do what you like to, but some stuff's benefits are clearly worth having for everyone.
- You'll get a carrier at some point, that will change the way how exploration works (more like adding you one more - but very powerful - tool - no need to hurry to get it, but worth getting when possible, i. e. running only after credits is ofc a boring thing, but that will lead you to this carrier once too).
Looking at your game this way will answer the question of what's worth doing even if it feels boring, or maybe you'll find something fun and rewarding at the same time.
And then i'd just wander. Got an idea of passenger runs? Ye, get a Dolphin, outfit it with cabins and all required and try it. If you like it, keep doing that, if it gets boring - store your Dolphin (you'll outfit it later for a rescue ship - explorer - silent runner - something else, or get back to passenger missions). Venture to mining then, build a mining Asp or a Python (latter too expensive now for you but you'll get more credits in a while) and try that, it's relaxing. Not for you again? Ok, you've said you liked SRV, put a Guardian filter on galmap and look at the
East from the Bubble. You'll see maybe at 1k ly'ish disctance first rare blue dots, go visit them (if you like it with no spoilers), or read on them and then go visit. No-spoilers-way i'd recommend 2 SRV hangar, 16t cargo, good jump range and obviously a fuel scoop, rest your choice. Atteinable in DBX but Asp or Dolphin can be better.
What i'm trying to say is that while fullfilling engi tasks will indeed give you knowledge about career patches, but you're fine trying on your own too. Nothing stops you from mining or buying bromellite (one of engi wants some amount of it) later at some point. Also it's not linear, like Felicity being one of the first engi can g1-g3-mod a good half of your modules, while some other engi are much more focused and may deal with stuff you're not currently using.
You're currently at the stage that a lot of players consider being the best in the game - you still haven't tried most of activities and most importantly you don't even know how they work. Try some of them and in a while be back to exploration if that's still what you like the most.
(boost into the station, unshielded, for a time bonus according to your boost speed when going in).
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