I recently graduated college this past December with a bachelors in financial management. The only problem is that I feel that I have chosen a field that I will be very unhappy with if I decide to persue. To me the world of accounting and finance seems so empty and money driven, which does not fit my personality at all. Since I've graduated, I've done a lot of soul searching and the more and more that I think about it the more I feel that I will be unhappy if I do end up getting a job in this field. I really wish I would have thought about all of this more while I was actually in school, but that is all said and done with, it's too late now to dwell on the past.
So you ask, what do I want to do with my life? I want to help other people, I want to make a difference in the world and in other peoples lives. I don't want to spend the rest of my life punching numbers and talking about portfolios, it just seems so empty and pointless in the big picture. I have always been fasinated by how the human mind works, and have read a number of books on random things as simple as birth order and human desires and so forth. I really think that I would be very happy if I could just become a school guidance councler or something to that nature. I really really enjoy helping people out and making a difference in the lives of others. By the time I had realized this in school it was much too late for me to change majors.
I've taken a lot of personality and career assesment tests over the last few months and they all point to the same thing, and that is that I am a person that needs to help others out to be happy, and that is truley how I feel. Honestly, just sitting here writing all this is making me feel a lot better just to finally get this all out. I have gone on a few job interviews with financial institutions and accounting firms and everytime I don't even bother following up on them because I just have this gut feeling that it isn't right for me at all.
I am willing to go back to school to change all of this. Would I be able to get into a masters program in psycology if I have a finance degree or would I have to go back and get my bachelors? Everyday I am more and more convinced that this is hwat I want to do in life. I want to make a difference in the lives of others, I won't be happy simply punching numbers all day and leading a life like that. If anyone has any advice at all it would be great.
Have you considered using your degree in a career that helps others? How 'bout going into the financial aspect of Habitat for Humanity or helping low-income families afford housing, etc?
Financial Management. To me the world of accounting and finance seems so empty and money driven.
Well Duh! what did you think finace is about?
have you started a job yet? there are many types of jobs that could tie in with your degree i am sure, and not all of them have to do with money hungry folks.
i am from the school of "don't knock it till you try it" .
are you sure you can deal with untrusting social cases too? they are not all bad luck stories.
__________________ Glitter: The herpes of craft supplies.
~Demitri Martin
Last edited by laRubiaBonita; 3rd March 2005 at 4:16 PM..
You might be able to work for places that help people out when they are in danger of going bankrupt!
As to whether schools would admit you, you'll have to do a lot of searching. I'd love to do an advanced degree in Psych, but most of the schools I looked at didn't want you unless you started Psych as a B.A.
Maybe you could get some sort of government social services contract to set up a business helping people who are poor find ways to better manage their money or maybe even helping poor people who have good ideas for businesses but haven't the knowhow to start one on their own.
For the time being, go for a job where you help people with financial planning (such as debt consolidation, finance management for saving money, etc).
You are young and your career path has barely even begun, so the world is in your hands right now. Send resumes out to various places, including finance, and social work. Social work may also be an option. However, the pay is extremely low and jobs in that field are hard to obtain and lay-offs occur frequently from budget cuts.
However, no matter what job you pick, it's not going to be your dream job. Regardless of whether you are working in an office or another type of work environment, it's going to be an entry-level position, which is a code for "go-for" (however you spell it??).
You're going to be answering phones, getting coffee, scheduling appointments, creating meaningless charts and writing letters, and filing out usless forms.
I don't mean to scare you here, but I just want to provide you with a reality check.
At my uni you have to do your B.A is psyc before you can do a masters specialising. Some places have counselling courses, I know in the education department at my uni you can go for a diploma in counselling even if you haven't done your B.A in education. I agree with the other people who say that you should give a job in the field you are trained in a go and see how it feels. And getting into a job where you can use your knowledge to help people who are financially trapped would be a good way to help people.
Give it a go and see how you feel- you aren't trapped into doing this forever- these days people can change their careers many times during their working life. You have time to figure yourself out. Don't stress. Good luck!
I have been going through the same thing. I graduated about a year ago with a communications degree and a core concentration in business management. I got into a retail job after college to get some experience - I like it, but it's not nearly as stressful or busy as most stores. I got into a management trainee program with another chain, and absolutely hated it! I ended up going back to the first job -I'm still there, but I don't think retail management is what I want to do anymore. It's just not for my personality type, though I've tried to convince myself that it is.
I really have grown to dislike customer service. I got another part-time job as a waitress to add onto my income, and that clinched it. I cannot deal with that many people full-time, let alone be their servant! I did an administrative job during college, and that is much more "me." I like people, but I can't take them constantly breathing down my neck. It sounds like you want just the opposite of what I want, Strike3. I've take career assessments, too, which lead me to sectors like data management and paralegal studies, which are not as people-oriented as store management. I like the retail setting, but I don't have the need to help people, nor do I really care about solving their problems. It's harsh, but I think something like finance would be right up my alley, and management would be more your style since you mentioned wanting to help people. It's something to think about, anyway. Good luck!
I know someone who had your challenge. She graduated with a similar degree, got into her field and hated it. So after alot of soul searching came up with the same conclusion you did. Now she has her M.SW and is working at a domestic violence center. The DV center was her choice, I think, because she had been in an abusive relationship for 5 years. Choose you own path, do what makes you happy.
It is never too late to change careers, go back to school or have another chance to be happy.
Please note: The suggestions and advice offered on this web site are opinions only and are not to be used in the place of professional psychological counseling or medical advice. If you or someone close to you is currently in crisis or in an emergency situation, contact your local law enforcement agency or emergency number.
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