choosing a career (Full Version)

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mayfly -> choosing a career (7/8/2008 1:16:23 AM)

I need help choosing a career. I've been working in the food industry since high school (about 4 years) and I've taken some courses in pastry, but I'm finding that it just isn't a good fit for me anymore. As a baker, I need to start work at 5am or earlier (and I am far from being a morning person--waking up too early on a regular basis actually makes me get sick!), and as a cook I have to work extremely hard late into the night, which is not particularly conducive to having a social life and waking up in time for church on Sundays. And on top of that, I'm just not enjoying it anymore. I love cooking and baking, but I hate that as a professional I never get to see people's reactions to my creations--that's the best part, the feedback!

So I'm looking for something new to do with my life, but I don't know what. I can't think of anything that really interests me, that I could really be passionate about. I love animals, but I have no interest in being a vet. I could see myself training dogs or horses, but I don't know how I could afford to do that full-time and make ends meet. I'm good with computers, but I don't want to repair them. I'm a fast typer (90WPM+) and I can do anything on a PC or Apple computer, so I could probably do some kind of entry level office job (and I might even like it) but I don't want to do an entry level job for the rest of my life. I don't want to be a 65 year old secretary (no offense to anyone who is a 65 year old secretary).

The other thing is, lately I have been feeling drawn to work in the church. I really don't know how to get started on that, though, and since there are no churches that I'm attracted to in my area I don't even have a pastor I can talk to about it.

Another obstacle is that I technically didn't graduate high school. Although I was an honors student, and I had one of the highest marks in the province on my English diploma (standardized provincial testing at the end of grade 12), I failed a required course by 2% and therefore did not get my diploma. Ironically, that course is CALM--Career And Life Management. [:D]

I guess if I'm being really honest here, I don't actually WANT a career. I want to get married and have kids and stay home with them. That would honestly be my dream job. But unfortunately, after breaking up with my fiance recently, that won't be happening any time soon.



spdrgrl.603 -> RE: choosing a career (7/8/2008 12:49:18 PM)

i'm sorry you broke up....[&o] maybe those (i'll remember what you really call them and post it when i do) those career managers..... someone to help you find a supporting career that you want (if i read right... something so you have a little more time but can support yourself)



stellaluna -> RE: choosing a career (7/8/2008 4:14:12 PM)

You could always be an entrepreneur--using your love of cooking or animals to create your own career. For example, you could get a business degree and run your own bakery or catering company or some sort of company that deals with animals. You would set your own hours that way and it would be much more flexible. You may not need a four-year degree, though. Check community colleges for certificate programs and two-year degrees. There are a lot of options available.

(If you don't have a high school diploma, you will have to get a GED.)



mommyto1 -> RE: choosing a career (7/9/2008 9:13:27 PM)

Hi - I happen to be one of those career managers, so maybe I can help.

Several suggestions:
If you have a vocational technical school near you, you can take a career assessment for free there. It's usually something like the Compass test, here where I live. If you don't have access to a tech school, junior college or university, you can go online to humanmetrics.com and take the Jung Typology assessment which is based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. From that you will get a 4-letter representation of your personality style. Use that style to investigate career options. A very good resource based on the MBTI is "Do What You Are" which goes into a lot of detail about the career preferences for the 16 personality types.

If you would take a few days to think about what kinds of things you are really good at doing, and then add to that the kinds of things you really like to do, you could look for where you have the same idea in both lists. For example, I enjoy playing golf. I'm pretty good at it, too. Would this be something I should investigate as a career? Well, I could certainly talk to some people who work in golf-related jobs and ask them all kinds of questions about it. This is called an Information Meeting -- google this and you can get all kinds of questions to ask.

Talk to people (older people) who know you well such as your teachers, your parents' friends, etc. and ask their advice. People are usually flattered when asked to share their opinions. Ask what they would do if they were starting their careers over. Do a google search for 10 hottest careers - there's usually an annual list. Figure out if one of those would be something you would enjoy.

Most of all, talk to people who are currently doing the job you think you would like. Never never never jump into the swimming pool until you know two things -- 1. there's water in the pool and 2. how much water is there. In other words, find out as many details about the actual job that you can before you decide that's the one for you.

HTH Blessings to you.



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