Don't know what I want to do when I "Grow Up"

Tiggerlove · 17th August 2005, 3:06 AM

I'm looking for a new job, but I'm also considering on going back to college. Thing is, I'm 24, and still do not know what I want to be "when I grow up". I love to travel, and I love animals, meteorology. Thing is, I don't have the drive to go back to school, and go to school for another 4-8 years depending on what I end up doing. While I"m looking for this new job, I've realized I'm not going anywhere except office clerk to office clerk.
How do I push myself, or convince myself that school would be good for my future? How do I figure out what I want to go to school for?

Naive · 17th August 2005, 3:15 AM

Do lots of research. If you see how much people with degrees make in contrast to those who do not, it might motivate you. I know that school is not for everyone. I for one hate school BUT I love to think how life is going to be once I am done. It's definitely worth it. If you decide that you do want to go to college then you can go and enroll to a nearby college and talk to a counselor, he or she can help you figure what you want to do. They can give you many ideas on what you might want to see into depending on your interest.

Outcast · 17th August 2005, 7:37 AM

Why not look for a career that would get you involved with animals, travel and/or meteorology? You could be a veterinarian with a touring animal show or a meteorologist for the military. There are many many jobs in the travel industry - even being a counter clerk for an airline can get you travel benefits. Or you could be an animal trainer for the entertainment industry or a zoo specialist who travels to zoos around the world to help out. Use your imagination and see how you could combine your interests. Spend some time with your favourite search engine and read through the results you get when you search on things like working with animals or jobs in meteorology. Once you find a career you're passionate about, going back to school (if you have to) will be a pleasure because it will be your road to your dream future.

RecordProducer · 17th August 2005, 8:34 PM

There are so many occupations in this world. You should use your maturity to choose the right school. When you go back to school, you will see how fun it can be. You'll strive to get a good grade and it's like a nice intellectual game rather than torture. Don't be so afraid to go back to school!

Regarding the choice of occupation, set your goals in different terms.

Talents
Don't just think which job you would like to do, but also think which job would like YOU. Maybe you want to be a biologist traveling around the world and be recorded by Travel channel, but not everyone can do that. There are very few people that were chosen to do it.
You need to be brilliant at what you do regardless of whether it's cooking or nuclear physics, teaching or engineering. Only then you can enjoy your job and progress as well as make good money.
Maybe you have precise hands, maybe you are good at figures, maybe you are a good orator... There are so many character traits in everyone of us, you should thoroughly examine all of them. Your friends and family might be more objective than you. But don't let them mislead you!

Money
Some jobs are just more profitable than others. There are many lists that show which jobs pay what. You cannot be a pilot instructor and live in a fancy villa. Don't study computer science because Bill Gates made it or political science because politicians are successful. Find a compromise between your financial needs and preferred jobs.

Desires
I believe that the most important thing about jobs is how much you make, but the second most important thing is to enjoy your work. If you're an artistic, introvert person that loves being alone, you will find it hard to work with lots of moody people or children; you will need peace. If you like to help people, consider that when choosing your future occupation. You like animals, but would you be a veterinarian?

Working habits
If you're not very enthusiastic and motivated, if you lose your inspiration easily then don't choose hard schools like medicine, engineering or science. You might never graduate. They require a lot of hard work, sacrifice, sleepless nights, and concentration of your mind. If you're rather artistic and don't like figures, don't choose finance. Take into account that if you don't like the school, you probably won't like the scope of jobs offered within that particual degree.

Let us know what you have decided please!

Outcast · 17th August 2005, 9:41 PM

Quote:

I believe that the most important thing about jobs is how much you make, but the second most important thing is to enjoy your work

I completely disagree. You need to do what you enjoy doing. Money will not make an unbearable job bearable. Take it from me.

RecordProducer · 17th August 2005, 10:16 PM

You can't make great money in a job that you can't bear.

HokeyReligions · 17th August 2005, 11:43 PM

I'm pushing 50 (hard!

) and I STILL don't know what I want to do when I grow up! I've been to college off and on for years and am thinking of going again too!

Naive · 19th August 2005, 12:24 AM

It is never too late!!!!!

Tiggerlove · 19th August 2005, 1:53 AM

Thanks for everyone's reponses! I"ll update you when I figure it all out!

cosmogal · 30th October 2005, 5:14 PM

get a job as an office clerk in an industry of interest for the time being. Do research on what you are interested in doing now and then save your $$ and go back to school part-time at night. Good luck!!

the corinthian · 30th October 2005, 10:53 PM

It is my opinion that a person cannot compete in today's society without possessing a college degree of some kind. You are right in wanting to go back to school, but I do understand your hesitation.

I would suggest that you look into a local, community college. Often, free counseling is available to help guide you through your education; which major to choose or which program to enter. For persons not entirely certain what to do, a two-year college can ease transition into a four-year school.

Do not worry about your age. I am twenty-three years old, and still have another year before I finish my associates degree in English. I have known several professors who did not receive their four-year degrees until their mid thirties. I have come to understand that what matters is simply working to get a degree, and not how long it takes to do so, or how old one might be when he is awarded one.

It took me until I was twenty-two to decide that I was ready to go to college, and to know what it was I wish to do in life. Once you find out what you are interested in, I have no doubt that you will succeed. I love my education, and am now proud to be a member of a national honors society for two-year colleges.

Look into your local schools, seek academic counseling, and do as well as you can. Good luck.

SmoochieFace · 1st November 2005, 12:10 PM

I am 36 and I still do not really know what I want to do. Well, that's not completely accurate.

I currently work in an office... typical 9-5 *beep* and I can't stand it. Unfortunately, the skills I have are not in high demand in today's world (thanks, computer geeks!

) so I will probably have to *do it* on my own somehow.

I am a linguist who also likes to write. I would like to write children's books... possibly in other languages. I also have a few ideas for novels as well but the main factor holding me back from realizing these goals is the lack of time. Time that is *wasted* commuting to a dead-end job.

I may have to wait until I retire but that won't be for another 25 years or so. I just cannot picture myself living this crazy hectic life for another 25 years though.