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I'm stumped, City Data. I've gone through two career planning books (What Now? and Do What You Are). I've taken a class in career planning at the university that I attended last semester. I know my personality code (INFP/ENFP hybrid). I have a list of possible careers. But I simply cannot decide on one. I have a really difficult time making decisions and sticking to them. I tend to get excited with ideas but then usually end up deciding that it won't work out so I give up and start over.
I've considered going to a career counselor but I'm not sure that they could actually help. I took a class and that didn't do much, although I'm sure that a career counselor would have more expertise than a TA. Money is not abundant for me right now and I'd hate to waste a lot of it on the same personality tests that I've completed multiple times over. Does anyone have personal experience with career counselors?
This is my list of possible careers, although I'm sure that there are many others that I would be interested in that I have yet to discover:
Clinical Lab Technician
Private Investigator
Optician
Animal Behavior Consultant
Therapist
Illustrator
Graphic Designer
Journalist (REAL news, none of this celebrity gossip BS)
Screenwriter
Editor
Desktop Publisher
Software Developer
Child Development Specialist
Montessori Teacher
Author
Human Resources Manager
As you can see, I have many diverse interests. The only things that I consider myself 'good' at are writing, coming up with wacky/awesome ideas () and critiquing. I enjoy being around people that I know but being around a lot of strangers all day really drains me. I've done so much research and I still feel so uncertain about what I should do.
I'm already 20 years old and I desperately want to start training for a career, especially since a few of them will require me to obtain a college degree. I feel like if I wait any longer to decide, my life will have passed me by and I won't have the opportunity to do something that I love. These minimum wage jobs are driving me bananas! I want a career that interests me and pays more than 9.00 per hour. But I feel so directionless, I almost want to give up. Has anyone else been in this position before? Any advice would be fantastic.
ETA: I think that part of the problem is that I'm not picky about any factors except subject matter and work hours. I don't care what shift I work, where geographically I work, how much money I would make as long as it would allow me to obtain basic comforts/necessities (no extravagent mansions, cars, etc)...I just want a career that's interesting and has me working less than 50 hours per week.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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I think we've all felt like this (or still do) at one time or another.
In looking at your list, I noticed that several of these things would require additional schooling. Before going back to school, try to get a job related to to that field. For example, I noticed optician. Maybe you could be an appointment scheduler at an optician's office.
I also noticed that several of the jobs involve writing: screenwriter, journalist, author,etc. So start writing. Really. Blog. Take a screenwriting class, enter screenwriting contests. Outline a novel, or a short story. Heck, you could even write in the evenings or on weekends after working as an optician.
Animal behaviorist:start a side job walking dogs. Volunteer at a shelter. Go where the animals are.
My point is that I think you should try out all of these careers without committing a whole lot of time and money until you're a little more sure/have narrowed your list down a little more.
Also, I've changed careers 3 times already over the course of my working life. It's impossible to know who you are going to be or what you'll like doing 10 years from now. Go with what appeals to you know, knowing that you can change it if it doesn't work out.
Perhaps you are over-thinking this, and burying yourself in the options.
First of all, you need to get an education -- and that means college. Why not start with the basic courses required for most of your interests, and then follow the doors that open before you. You do not have to determine your destination before you take the first steps.
Listen to that still, small voice that comes from your heart. Cast your line, and see what bites upon your hook.
My gut feeling is clinical lab technician would be stable and offer job opportunities in many parts of the country.
Human Resources Manager is not an entry level job but working in HR is so that would be a good choice: company benefits, 401(k), easily transferable job skills, working with people.
I think we've all felt like this (or still do) at one time or another.
In looking at your list, I noticed that several of these things would require additional schooling. Before going back to school, try to get a job related to to that field. For example, I noticed optician. Maybe you could be an appointment scheduler at an optician's office.
I also noticed that several of the jobs involve writing: screenwriter, journalist, author,etc. So start writing. Really. Blog. Take a screenwriting class, enter screenwriting contests. Outline a novel, or a short story. Heck, you could even write in the evenings or on weekends after working as an optician.
Animal behaviorist:start a side job walking dogs. Volunteer at a shelter. Go where the animals are.
My point is that I think you should try out all of these careers without committing a whole lot of time and money until you're a little more sure/have narrowed your list down a little more.
Also, I've changed careers 3 times already over the course of my working life. It's impossible to know who you are going to be or what you'll like doing 10 years from now. Go with what appeals to you know, knowing that you can change it if it doesn't work out.
That's a terrific idea. I was hoping that I'd be able to make my decision in a short amount of time but it seems like this is a process that is going to take a while. It definitely makes sense to get some hands-on experience. Thank you for the advice!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LookinForMayberry
Perhaps you are over-thinking this, and burying yourself in the options.
First of all, you need to get an education -- and that means college. Why not start with the basic courses required for most of your interests, and then follow the doors that open before you. You do not have to determine your destination before you take the first steps.
Listen to that still, small voice that comes from your heart. Cast your line, and see what bites upon your hook.
My only concern is spending more time/money on college only to realize that what would make me happiest wouldn't require a degree at all. I need to be very, very motivated to succeed in college. I tried going before but had no direction so it felt very pointless to me. I ended up wasting a lot of money and will not go back until I've got a clear direction this time around. Not to mention that the general requirements are not the same for every major and I'd rather not spend hundreds of dollars on a class to gain information that I could have easily attained through a few weeks of research at the library.
Thanks for the advice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles
My gut feeling is clinical lab technician would be stable and offer job opportunities in many parts of the country.
Human Resources Manager is not an entry level job but working in HR is so that would be a good choice: company benefits, 401(k), easily transferable job skills, working with people.
Software developer if you have those skills.
Next Child Development Specialist or Optician.
I think that out of those I'm most interested in working in Human Resources. I've been looking at the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the ones that you listed are definitely the ones with the most stability and growth. Thank you for the advice.
Jobs are tough now they maybe tougher when you finish your education, Do you have any networking potential for when you start looking for a job? As an example if your Moms Sister or best friend is the head lab technician at a local hospital you may have a better chance of getting a job.
My suggestion is that you pursue a career which places a value on thinking/creating/problem solving over doing specific tasks. What I mean by this: A clinical lab technician is a doer, not a thinker. For every group of lab technicians out there, there is a thinker at a company trying to figure out how to simplify the lab technician's tasks to such that he is easily replaceable, whether by another person, or by automation, in order to make the company more money. On the other hand, a private investigator is a thinking/problem solving job. You can't replace a good one with a machine, you can't write a manual that a new person can follow step-by-step with guaranteed similar results.
My gut feeling is clinical lab technician would be stable and offer job opportunities in many parts of the country.
Human Resources Manager is not an entry level job but working in HR is so that would be a good choice: company benefits, 401(k), easily transferable job skills, working with people.
Software developer if you have those skills.
Next Child Development Specialist or Optician.
Clinical technicians require at least an associates and a residency or licensing in some states. The pay is not great probably 30k or so and lab personnel are at the bottom of the health care totem pole. That is when hospitals cut costs, the lab which is the least visible often gets hit. Most people prefer to go for nursing as the training is about the same, however the pay is over double. Anything with the title technician is usually low paying considering the training or education involved.
Jobs are tough now they maybe tougher when you finish your education, Do you have any networking potential for when you start looking for a job? As an example if your Moms Sister or best friend is the head lab technician at a local hospital you may have a better chance of getting a job.
I don't really have many connections like that, but I'm hoping to attain more professional contacts as I continue to complete volunteer work and come into contact with people through my jobs. Overall, I think that I'll have a bit of an edge with whatever I choose to do because I have no qualms with moving, even out of the country. I'll be open to any and all opportunities, and if it takes me a while to find my 'perfect' job, then so be it. I won't be starving in the meantime. Thank you for your advice. Networking is definitely something to think about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OngletNYC
My suggestion is that you pursue a career which places a value on thinking/creating/problem solving over doing specific tasks. What I mean by this: A clinical lab technician is a doer, not a thinker. For every group of lab technicians out there, there is a thinker at a company trying to figure out how to simplify the lab technician's tasks to such that he is easily replaceable, whether by another person, or by automation, in order to make the company more money. On the other hand, a private investigator is a thinking/problem solving job. You can't replace a good one with a machine, you can't write a manual that a new person can follow step-by-step with guaranteed similar results.
That is excellent advice. The best thing about problem solving is that it provides such a dynamic work environment, something new every day. The more that I think about it, I could see myself getting bored completing the same exact steps each and every day. Definitely something to think about.
I'm really, really drawn to being a private investigator. I'm super nosy (), have excellent interpersonal skills after years of working customer service, I like problem solving and I don't mind erratic hours or occasional tedious activities (stakeouts, computer work, etc). I think I'm going to make that career the first one that I really look at in-depth. I've read that it's a good idea to speak with people who are in that career field and ask some questions to get a feel for what they like/dislike about it. What do you guys think about this idea? I think it could be useful but I also don't want to be a pest and bother people with lots of questions.
most of the things you listed were high prestige jobs. think less of prestige and more about earning money and avoiding monster debt. think Vocational ed and less high end professional. my favorite pick is RN or LVN, LVN can be accomplished with as little as 42 units at a local CA college. here in CA its then only 30 units of crossover program to an RN in one of our local jr colleges. no college degree necessary.
3 years ago on CDF when i posted this same info i got yelled at for stereotyping and moralizing. interfering with people's "chosen profession and dreams".
now its a different tune.
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) and critiquing. I enjoy being around people that I know but being around a lot of strangers all day really drains me. I've done so much research and I still feel so uncertain about what I should do. 
But I feel so directionless, I almost want to give up. Has anyone else been in this position before? Any advice would be fantastic.
I was hoping that I'd be able to make my decision in a short amount of time but it seems like this is a process that is going to take a while. It definitely makes sense to get some hands-on experience. Thank you for the advice!
Definitely something to think about.
