[jjgbirder]

Has anyone ever questioned their career choices, or future job prospects? I am currently suffering from depression/anxiety. However, there's part of me that wants to keep myself occupied with some sort of work. My problem: I am in a state of mind right now where all I can ever see myself being good at for a "longer-term" permanent job is a low-skill, low-stress, minimum wage-like job. Otherwise, something "simpler," but seemingly unrelated to my schooling.

My counselor has suggested that I look at my strengths. I finished my undergrad (B.S. Natural Resources) and after 1.5 years of seasonal positions, I tried graduate school for my Master's: I recently dropped out after 1 year. For me, it's finding something I "know" I'll be good at, with minimal stress / low likelihood of getting overwhelmed. However, I know low-skill minimum wage jobs won't suffice for very long (I am currently looking for something... anything, really, at the moment).

[JustJace2u]

I get like that at times. Up until about a year ago I really felt driven and thought eventually I'd make a name for myself. Now I'm not feeling it so much. At one point I was going to go to nursing school but then 'life' happened and I decided against it. Now I'm stuck at a desk job, which I like for the most part, but I feel like I'm at a dead end at the same time.

[Rohag]

Hello, Jjgbirder!

Originally Posted by jjgbirder

Has anyone ever questioned their career choices, or future job prospects?

Yes, and yes.

I believe you are asking the right questions. Do you have access to a dedicated vocational counselor who can offer you practical assistance in assessing your strengths and limitations?

In my case, depression eroded and eventually destroyed my career. You may do much better over time if you start down a depression-friendly path earlier.

[metalchick]

Every morning when I wake up to go to work, I say something along the lines of hating my job and why do I do this...I do the same thing when I am commuting...usually 2+hours each way...the fact that I never get to see the sun during the winter...but I do it because of the good things about my job and the fact that I have a family to support....how I wish I was around more for the kids...the greatest thing is picking them up from school...they are so happy when this happens...Anyway...it is normal to question your career choices...does the good outweigh the bad?

[jjgbirder]

Originally Posted by Rohag

Hello, Jjgbirder!

Yes, and yes.

I believe you are asking the right questions. Do you have access to a dedicated vocational counselor who can offer you practical assistance in assessing your strengths and limitations?

In my case, depression eroded and eventually destroyed my career. You may do much better over time if you start down a depression-friendly path earlier.

The counseling center I go to now offers advice on personal growth. Actually, it was my counselor who suggested I look at my personal strengths (www.viasurvey.org). My top 5 strengths are: 1) Kindness, 2) Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, 3) Teamwork, 4) Fairness, and 5) Humility

I like the idea of starting down a "depression friendly" path. I think up until now I have really discounted the career advice I could receive from a counselor and how that may help me make future decisions in alignment with my health problems.

Originally Posted by jjgbirder

My problem: I am in a state of mind right now where all I can ever see myself being good at for a "longer-term" permanent job is a low-skill, low-stress, minimum wage-like job. Otherwise, something "simpler," but seemingly unrelated to my schooling.

I am 60 years old and find myself in that position that you described. It seems like it's been that way all of my life. I went to college and graduated with a BA degree in Management. I felt like I never got the job that seemed good enough from getting that degree.

Right now I work as a General Office Clerk (I guess that's what it's called). It does not pay a whole lot, but it helps get me by. I do go though a lot of anxiety in thinking what could I do if I were to suddenly get let go or the job is finished.

Unfortunately there was a time when doing my job was very sufficient for my income, but suddenly, no more. I don't know what happened. I feel like I either have to get another job that pays much more or get a second job. I thought that I was going to be set for life, but now retiring is out of the question. Sorry for being so down.

I had taken tests for career assesments for me. It seemed like it told me that I'm cut out for lower-paying, low-stress type jobs. So I've had to be content with it. And I'm very content with my present job that I've had for ten years. One time I read a story about two male friends in their 30s who took a test for career assesment. They both came out with results that they are not suited for high-paying jobs. One was OK with it, the other was not. The one that was OK with it ended up with a low-paying job and then got promoted to greatness. The other friend was still stuck at his low-paying job.

[jjgbirder]

Originally Posted by will19

I am 60 years old and find myself in that position that you described. It seems like it's been that way all of my life. I went to college and graduated with a BA degree in Management. I felt like I never got the job that seemed good enough from getting that degree.

Right now I work as a General Office Clerk (I guess that's what it's called). It does not pay a whole lot, but it helps get me by. I do go though a lot of anxiety in thinking what could I do if I were to suddenly get let go or the job is finished.

Unfortunately there was a time when doing my job was very sufficient for my income, but suddenly, no more. I don't know what happened. I feel like I either have to get another job that pays much more or get a second job. I thought that I was going to be set for life, but now retiring is out of the question. Sorry for being so down.

I had taken tests for career assesments for me. It seemed like it told me that I'm cut out for lower-paying, low-stress type jobs. So I've had to be content with it. And I'm very content with my present job that I've had for ten years. One time I read a story about two male friends in their 30s who took a test for career assesment. They both came out with results that they are not suited for high-paying jobs. One was OK with it, the other was not. The one that was OK with it ended up with a low-paying job and then got promoted to greatness. The other friend was still stuck at his low-paying job.

I have now taken a career assessment test (MAPP) and it told me the same thing. I am better off with a job that is routine, where I have a supervisor (i.e. I am not in charge of decisions, major responsibilities, etc.) and that I may be better off with jobs where I get to help people or work with my hands (i.e. more interest in doing than "thinking" or abstract ideas).