How do you get to know yourself?

I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with my life.
I don’t know what career or job I want because I don’t really know myself: what I’d be good at, what I really like, etc.
I want to go to college, which everyone is advising me against, because in this economy experience is valued more than anything else.
I’m afraid that if I go, and I don’t have a goal or career I want in mind, that I will be wasting time and money.
How do I get to know myself? I’m 16, so I have a little time to figure it out, but how do I know what to do?

Does this question even make any sense?