bexy_22

You have no idea what you want to do as a career?

I'm looking into going to college next year and I just drew a blank. Ever since I can remember the only thing I have ever really wanted to do was write but I know that it's hit and miss and is only really ever a hobby as opposed to a career. I looked briefly into studying journalism but it's now media studies and as well as writing you have to do sound editing, lighting, camera work etc but I'm not interested in any of that kind of thing.
I know I couldn't stick a 9-5 office job. I think I would be more suited to working in the community with people where every day is different. I would love to be a midwife but I can't stand sick (!) I was leaning towards primary school teaching but I'm having second thoughts because I am petrified of public speaking and I don't know if my leadership skills are very good.
I want to get this right as I started a degree in Philosophy without really thinking it through and I hated it and left Uni.
I'm just stressing out because I want to get on with my life as soon as I can and that means studying for a good career that hopefully I will enjoy while I have the opportunity and not just to go rushing into any old job and being stuck there and miserable!

Chris77

Why don't you look into becoming a social worker? They aren't always a 9-5 behind a desk job.

I can totally relate to where you're coming from. At almost 32 years of age, I have no career and have gone from one meaningless, boring 9-5 job after the other. : Except for the period of about 18 months when I was a Psychiatric Technician. I worked all different shifts and really enjoyed it. However, what I couldn't handle anymore was all the holidays and weekends I had to work. It really cut into the time I spend with family and friends. But to be honest, I really don't care to have a "career". Just having a job is fine by me. You don't even want to know how many jobs I've had!! DH was astounded when I started ticking off all my jobs.

I went to college and have an Associate's Degree in Office Management but haven't been able to do anything with it, other than just being a secretary.
I'm unemployed again and I'll probably get a job at DH's employer working as a Patient Account Rep. I've had that job before, not thrilling, but I've had worse.

Mynxie

A social worker needs a degree, but the degree, as far as i know, can be in anything.

An Occupational Therapist is the same.

For a carer you could literally walk straight into a care home out of school. You could also study care and social work at college. There's loads of avenues hun xx

Alexas Mommy

Is there any way you could go to a career councellor, who may help you figure out what is best for you? I know what you mean, it can be difficult deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life-it took me quite a while, and the only way I ever decided on pursuing the career path (of an accountant) was because I got a job as the bookkeeper's assistant, and she showed me a few things. I would have never even thought of doing this forever!

Good luck making the decision!

brownhairedmom

If you google Free Aptitude tests that may help.

What about Speech Pathology or Respitory Therapy? You need a masters here for Speech but just a college degree for RespT

Freyasmum

It's rough, isn't it? I so envy people who just know exactly what they want to do with their lives.
I have a job, which may be considered a career, I suppose, although I'm not convinced it's what I want to do. I've just kind of fallen into it and now don't want to change because I like the $$$!!

To be honest if we could afford it I'd much rather work in a cafe or something.

I agree with the others about careers counselling. It sounds a funny thing to be doing when you're not at school any more, but makes a lot of sense. I'm trying to get my OH to go along to something like that too... he's just drifting from job to job and getting nowhere.

Good luck! I hope you find your passion.

Chris77

A physical therapist is another option, you need a degree for that though.
I've been trying to think of other things that aren't necessarily a 9-5 stuck behind a desk sort of thing. Activities therapist. I was thinking of a home health care aide but remembered you said you don't like being around sick. Child day care?

I agree with the other ladies in that a career counselor is a good way to go too along with doing and aptitude test online.

Good Luck!

dizzyisacow

ok ill tell you what you DONT do (what i did)
choose something you dont really want to do because you feel pressured into doing something.
i have a diploma in aesthetics and i own a convenience store completely pointless because i didnt know what i wanted to do!

katy

See if you can find those test thingys online that tell you what jobs you'd be good in.

Also, there are other things like beauty therapy and alternative medicine type things, or events management, which is kind of a mix of office work and going out and meeting people. xx

Sarahkka

Don't put too much pressure on yourself to pick just one thing. If you are this uncertain, you may want to consider choosing a more general degree to start with and see which courses are really lighting your fire. It sounds like writing has already done that for you and I would encourage you to follow your heart. I did that with both theatre and writing, and while I had some lean times, I have never regretted my decision.
Writing as a career can take many many forms. And the more flexible you are and the more ways you can apply your skills, the better you will be at making a living out of it.
I have found that a career in the arts takes a lot of hustle and you need to have some good back-ups. What about teaching writing? Maybe check into some Lit or Creative Writing programs and get the education and training for teaching those subjects at the high school level. When you start teaching at the senior high level, most of the time, you are teaching kids who really want to be there, and it is tremendously satisfying (I'm talking Lit and Creative Writing that older students take as electives).
Teaching lets you keep food on the table and provides the financial stability that your family needs, and it allows you to keep your writing chops going.
You can do both if you want both.
Look at most famous or established authors today. Almost all of them had a day job.
Good luck with your decision, but remember that you always have the option to change your mind. Education is never wasted. Even that false start in the Philosophy degree taught you something.