[AngstyLady]

So frustrating. So many jobs I want to do, don't have the credentials for- all the jobs I have the experience for, I don't like. The problem is I've always had a minimal amount of interest in a wide variety of subjects. Growing up I never really saw a future with me doing anything in particular. I figured I'd eventually find my niche. Aside from wanting to help others and wishing I could be a social or environmental activist, I am left with nothing. I have a degree worth **** unless I go back to school for a masters in the field I don't want anything to do with. I could do it but I know I'd get too emotionally involved with my patients. I am getting older and I keep thinking I can get a job as an assistant- not like that is even my god damn passion! I love to write and I haven't even been doing much of that at all lately- been too caught up either job searching of spending time with my bf. OR getting distracted by the damned internet! lol. Argh!
I hate how things have turned out for me.
I have too many emotional hangups- from bad past romantic and platonic friendships. MY social anxiety has bred agitation and I don't know if I can really be as outgoing and socially acceptable (I'm awkward) to get the jobs I am qualified for. I'm very smart but socially awkward. It ****ing sucks!
I wish I had applied myself and gotten an English degree, or a medical license or business degree or a teaching degree even. I'm becoming more and more apathetic about the whole job search thing, as more and more I don't want anything to do with corporate america, but I can't make a living off writing poetry and philosophical ideas. And I get by with my job but It's not for me- sure I'm the best, but there's no room for growth that I want- though lately with my agitation I am getting good at giving directions/orders to people if it's needed).

My main problem is not being able to make up my mind, I've been told I'm great at painting nails and doing hair and a great listener, I'm good at word games and solving puzzles and would make a great detective, perhaps even a preschool teacher like my mom was when she was younger . . . I have great work ethics, fast typer, apt student- ****- if I could be a professional student, sign me up. I like to consider myself a
philomath (Philomath - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) but that wont pay the bills . . ... .

[Little Lulu]

How about picking one of the jobs you at least have a mild interest in and do it for a while? You don't have to make a lifetime commitment; companies certainly don't commit long-term to their employees like they used to.

[CosmicRose]

English degrees are really only good for being an english teacher. Being a writer means to be mainly self employed which means being an author or writing as an independent contractor for articles and other random gigs that many writers have to struggle to find themselves. A medical license takes 12 years to obtain, 8 years of college + residency and boatloads of debt. Being socially awkward as a doctor would be a little difficult especially if your patients were cranky and used you as their punching bag because they're sick, yelling at you for being incompetent, no matter how great of a doctor you are. It takes very thick skin to be any kind of doctor. That's why most doctors end up with a bad attitude and don't give a ***** after a certain number of years in the field.
A business degree is only good if you're planning on working for someone else's business for the rest of your life. If you want to own your own business you don't need a degree. But if you want to be a manager or work your way up the corporate ladder for someone else's empire, then a business degree would be a good start.
A teacher's degree generally takes 5 to 6 years, and just to remind you, they're letting a lot of teachers go right now and cutting their pay. It's also a high-stress job and you have to be "on" for 8 hours a day, attend meetings, get evaluated by the board every year, deal with kid's parents, and a number of other things. Teachers also end up having their enthusiasm for teaching eroded by a certain number of years. I worked for a kindergarten teacher and she seemed like she had the life sucked out of her and she was very apathetic to the kids, she just didn't care anymore, and I'm sure she wasn't like that when she first started.
I'm just giving you a realistic picture of what these degrees really offer, before you end up spending thousands of dollars on an education. You need to ask yourself what you're really passionate about, and what you wouldn't mind doing for the next 10+ years of your life. Don't follow a certain career pathway just because it seems stable. You will always have to start at the bottom in any job and work your way up so whatever you do, just keep that in mind. You can also look at niche jobs like at hospitals or anywhere, you don't have to be a nurse, you can be a medical records technician, for example.

[AngstyLady]

Well, heres a post I put up in my city's CL about the subject when I was feeling especially agitated:
The System fails most people (**** the system) (Jobville)
Unless you wanna become an electrical engineer, a computer programmer or something in a related field, you're chances of being successful are usually slim to none. Stupid people still telling kids, "you can be whatever you want." ********! Professional athletes make more money than writers and teachers and artists combined! **** you if you want to do anything besides whats in demand, you might as well get used to shopping at second hand stores and learn to be frugal. This whole system sucks. I know of many people with degrees in art, anthropology, English, Education and the like and are working more menial jobs in the hospitality and food service industry because they make more money that way. Meanwhile ignorant people look upon you like you're some high school/college drop out half wit and probable drug addict because they assume you must've really screwed up to end up working such a 'dead end job." **** the system, its ****ed many peoples lives up already, so why should I not hate it? Unless youre in finance, politics, computer programming or engineering or data processing, you're ****ed, The system supports pollution and the degeneration of the natural environment as well as dumbing down of society (the school systems have been going downhill for decades)- Such a sad, sad state of affairs indeed. You wonder why people are so depressed and unhappy and resentful towards those with money? Because those with money are part of the problem. For the most part, ignorantly thinking everything is fine with the world at large, the USA is totally awesome and promotes NOTHING but the best, everyone is so well rounded and caring and educated, no poverty or neglect or people forcing to go into work they hate just to make a substantial amount of money to support themselves in this ****ed up system! Yeah right! Keep wearing those rose colored glasses, muther****er!

[brainhi]

"Get it out Girl!" ... I am not being condescending. Many agree with you.
IMO having a brain that knows how to do different things is the key. You could go back to school to do the most important thing in the world...but if you are working with people you do not get along with or a boss you not like - you will not be happy.

I have had jobs where I like the duties...but usually the staff is what I have a hard time putting up with and end up leaving.

Not sure if you like to volunteer - but that could be a good start - you have a chance to put your abilities on display - and they usually love you because they are getting you for free. Maybe later you could do some contract work - and decide if that is a place you want to work.. You are not at the mercy of someone liking you to hire you - you pick them and see if they are worthy of your efforts.

My career works better if I am as independent as possible - and I do not expect that to change.

[AngstyLady]

Yes, I do like to volunteer and am trying to get back into it- I'm looking for another job but I also filled out an app for more info about an accredited online school to get my credentials to become a social worker. I've thought about it on and off for years and I'm going to just go for it. :-)

[brainhi]

Great! I am in the field of helping others - it works for me. It's a constant journey - I'm sure you already realize that. If you get there and it's not what you wanted - next chapter -

I've been told we will have at least 15 different careers (which includes having different job duties within the same organization) in our life. I have had 15 already..and learned a lot about what I want and what I will accept in my life....