I have literally not worked in over 4 years. I have been volunteering steadily for a year (in an office, and its boring), and while I want to work, and am looking for work, I want a career more, because I want the freedom that comes with making money on a salary. My ideal is to make like 40-60,000 a year. I'd be happy with 40. I want to live in my own house, move to another state someday, among other things.

There are a few things I'm interested in doing: sign language interpreting, office work (not so much really, but I keep thinking about it because there is vocational training for it at a career training school nearby), human services work, and becoming a bench jeweler (which I'd need some training in, and I'm not sure what it entails, I just know I took a jewelry making class last year and really loved it, and want to work with my hands).

Sometimes I think sign language is my best bet, because of the job outlook and the pay. (I'd have to go back to school for that too). I enjoy it. And I like to help people. I feel so guilty though, because I don't feel like I have a passion for deaf culture. And I feel like my reasons for getting into it are shallow. Maybe its not though. I mean, I do care about people, and I'll LEARN more about it (the people and culture), and my caring will probably grow.

I need to find someone to talk to about all of this, and come to a direction that I feel satisfied with. I think I have a LOT of fear around choosing the wrong thing, and also a lot of doubt about some things.

Maybe I will talk to my therapist. But if anyone has anything to say that might be helpful for me, encouraging, etc etc, I'd really appreciate it.

[seesaw]

If becoming a translator sounds interesting to you, then become one. You said you like to help people...there is nothing wrong with helping people and making money at the same time. You have to pay the rent.

What I am curious about is the growth of the field of sign language translators. I am not familiar with the size of this industry or the need. I would do some research on the field before investing the time and money into studying for this career.

There is also nothing wrong with picking a career based on the growth of an industry, wanting to have solid job prospects, and having a moderate interest in that field. I think so often people expect that their career should be like a "calling" or some kind of spiritual decision. It's a business decision. You pick something that you, at the very least, can tolerate for 40 years, feel you have opportunity for growth, and that you will have some job security.

There is nothing wrong with your thought process. If you can make money and help people at the same time, good for you. You will feel fulfilled at the end of each day.

I think do some research. See if you can find a sign language translator near you that you could talk to and find out what it's like working in the field. That's the best way to find out if it's really for you.

Seesaw

Thank you Seesaw!!! I will do some research. I think its a good idea, too, to talk to an actual ASL interpreter. Thanks. Also thanks for the encouragement and alternative viewpoint on what I've been concerned about. I really like that you said it is a business decision. It really is. I feel like....with all of these things I've been interested in career-wise, ASL would be most interesting and rewarding.

[Skeezyks]

There's a wonderful book I always like to recommend to people who are in the process of making career choices. It is titled: Let Your Life Speak- Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer (Jossey-Bass, 2000.) Here's a link to a review of this marvelous book:

A Review of Parker Palmer's "Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation" - Steve Stutz, D.Min, Spiritual Director

I think if you could get a copy you would find it enlightening.

Thanks Skeezyks, I'll check it out.

Hey Skeezyks. I checked it out of my library as an audiobook. I'm listening to it. Its good, haven't gotten to the middle yet. I know who I am. I'm sure there's more I could learn and figure out. But my problem is.....I don't know what kind of career I can do financially well with, and be who I am. I wrote down a list of what I really value. I can post it, if you might like to see it.

I think I'm going to have to find a way to be OK with the fact that I don't know, and don't have enough information TO know, right now. I am exploring through volunteer work and taking classes. I think I should not pressure myself to speed up the process.

[Skeezyks]

Originally Posted by starrysky

Hey Skeezyks. I checked it out of my library as an audiobook. I'm listening to it. Its good, haven't gotten to the middle yet. I know who I am. I'm sure there's more I could learn and figure out. But my problem is.....I don't know what kind of career I can do financially well with, and be who I am. I wrote down a list of what I really value. I can post it, if you might like to see it.

Thanks starry! Sure... I'd like to see it if you care to share...

Hey Skeez!

Here's a partial list:
Boundaries (the first thing I put, actually)
Self care
Self compassion
Assertiveness
Self expression
Closeness
Relationships
Connection
Knitting
Meditation

Oh, I also put solitude on my list. There's a bunch more but there's some.

If I could really do anything for a job, I would study nature and science. I would study birds and protect the environment. I would go back to school and study biology. I suppose that's not a job. Perhaps it would lead to one.

I think about languages, too, like ASL.

I do not want to do office work. I think I would be very unhappy doing that.

I also have to say how much I love talking to others about art. I don't think I'd like working in a museum though. I volunteered in a gift shop in a museum once and hated it. It was so boring.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by starrysky

If I could really do anything for a job, I would study nature and science. I would study birds and protect the environment. I would go back to school and study biology. I suppose that's not a job. Perhaps it would lead to one.

I think about languages, too, like ASL.

I do not want to do office work. I think I would be very unhappy doing that.

There are actually many jobs in the environmental science field. So you said, if I could do anything...you would study biology, basically, and find one of these jobs that interests you. There are absolutely jobs out there to work in the environmental field. Go on a jobs board and select Environment as the category.

I don't see why you can't go back to school, study biology, and be what you want. So often we think we can't do something just because we've gotten older or it's not the traditional route. If you want something, just figure out how to make it happen and do it.

Go on Indeed.com and just search the word environmental. Then figure out which of those jobs sounds like it's for you. Then see what kind of education you need for it. Then go get that education.

Seesaw

Originally Posted by starrysky

I do not want to do office work. I think I would be very unhappy doing that.

I know I said I was going to do office work, in another thread. It does feel practical. and if worst comes to worst, maybe. But yeah....

Originally Posted by seesaw

There are actually many jobs in the environmental science field. So you said, if I could do anything...you would study biology, basically, and find one of these jobs that interests you. There are absolutely jobs out there to work in the environmental field. Go on a jobs board and select Environment as the category.

I don't see why you can't go back to school, study biology, and be what you want. So often we think we can't do something just because we've gotten older or it's not the traditional route. If you want something, just figure out how to make it happen and do it.

Go on Indeed.com and just search the word environmental. Then figure out which of those jobs sounds like it's for you. Then see what kind of education you need for it. Then go get that education.

Seesaw

Thanks.

I'm going to ask the organization I'm affiliated with and also my local community college how I can pay for college.

I am not good at math. At all. But I also don't mind it and maybe this would be good. I would need tutoring and extra help. Especially in the beginning.

Originally Posted by seesaw

There are actually many jobs in the environmental science field. So you said, if I could do anything...you would study biology, basically, and find one of these jobs that interests you. There are absolutely jobs out there to work in the environmental field. Go on a jobs board and select Environment as the category.

I don't see why you can't go back to school, study biology, and be what you want. So often we think we can't do something just because we've gotten older or it's not the traditional route. If you want something, just figure out how to make it happen and do it.

Go on Indeed.com and just search the word environmental. Then figure out which of those jobs sounds like it's for you. Then see what kind of education you need for it. Then go get that education.

Seesaw

And yeah, I do feel like it is "harder," as an adult to go back to school. I will see what I can do though!

I still feel "stuck."
I think it's important not to rush myself. But to do *something* everyday to move myself forward.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by starrysky

I still feel "stuck."
I think it's important not to rush myself. But to do *something* everyday to move myself forward.

This is so true. Yes, just do a little every day and you will progress. That's how it was for me...and eventually things start to snowball and before you know it, you look back a year from now and say "wow, I came that far!"

Seesaw

[hvert]

Oooh, what about working at a therapeutic art program? I am not sure what they are called, but they seem to be really popular in my area lately.