Career -- college -- confused

[cbcbd]

hahahha i'm in the exact situation man, 1/4 life crisis

i mean, i have a good paying (really good paying) job with a govt contractor doing computer work, but i don't think i have the will/desire/interest to keep doing this for the rest of my working life, and i really don't have the freedom to start all over and go in a completely different direction....

Yeah, I feel ya ZoomZoomH...

Same here with my job. I could keep climbing the corporate ladder of the IT world, but I'm just not feelin' it.

To me it would be a completely different change in careers - I would or go into business for myself (real good option if you find something good), or go back to school for probably music or something related to it. Big changes, but I'd find a way...

Why do you say you don't have the freedom to start all over? Is it money? That's the biggest thing since round 1 of college is done, and so are the round 1 of funds... but there's always a way to get money.

 

[ZoomZoomH]

Why do you say you don't have the freedom to start all over? Is it money? That's the biggest thing since round 1 of college is done, and so are the round 1 of funds... but there's always a way to get money.

let's just say i have family members that need my current income to support them.... all of it...

 

[MSPinVA]

The administration side of IT isn't so bad. It's the programming and computer engineering jobs that are getting killed right now. I actually am majoring in IT, but at my university they group IT under Business Administration, so technically if I really wanted to I could go back to school and within a year or so have another degree in Management or finance or the like. I agree with everyone about how the job market in IT is saturated, but it really depends on where you are in the country. Around here (tidewater VA), there are at least 100 jobs available and more spring up everyday, and in the big cities there are plenty more.

But ANYWAY, back to the topic, I do agree with doing something very broad first off, because it will expose you to a lot more things and give you a lot more breathing room when it comes to looking for jobs. What I have also come to find out is that many companies only look for the fact that you did go through college and you did get a degree, not necessarily what you studied. My g/f's mom has 2 degrees, one in psych and one in philosophy, and she's a national project manager for Verizon. She didn't even take a business class in college, but she interviewed well and they were impressed by her POTENTIAL <---- key word. Companies care about what you know to an extent, they care about what you can learn and what kind of an asset you could be to their organization. Think about that when you get into school and look for jobs.

 

[Black Majik MSP]

I'm on my 4th college.

1. UCF-Computer Science major, switched 1/2way to English-Technical Writing w/ Magazine Journalism minor
(2 years)
2. Valencia CC-Declared the English major, but at a CC it doesn't really matter
(8 months)
3. Broward CC-Changed to Automotive Tech & wanted to get a job working on race cars
(2 weeks)
4. Digital Media Arts College-Heard about this place from my HS guidance counselor & now I'm working to become a computer animator.

1 & 2 were in Orlando (& I took off a year from school in between), then I moved back home to south FL for 3 & dropped out of there after I heard about 4. I've been in college for 3 of the 4 years I've been out of HS now & changed around a lot. Don't expect to know what you really want to do right away, but consider these important things.

Whatever career you choose to pursue needs to be something that you really enjoy. It would be nice if it also paid well, but you really shouldn't let the salary range influence your decision when you are trying to decide what to do. That's the reason that we have teachers...their love for their job outweighs the comparably low pay. IMO, the only thing that you need to consider besides how much you enjoy it is the demand for that job now & in the future.

All that being said, the real estate business is booming here in FL...come here & live with us.

 

[olddognewtrks]

I've been a motorcycle mechanic, Paramedic, Pediatric ICU/ER nurse, and am now looking for a new job after graduating with a second complete Bachelor's degree, in Information Science. I've been able to do mostly what I wanted, when I wanted to do it. I just had to make sure that I had money for bills while I explored my universe.
Bottom line is; you're young, and have your whole professional life ahead of you. Do what makes your heart happy. If things change later on, remember: It's never too late to start all over again.

 

[MackDadam]

Ive been at USF here in tampa now for two years. still i have no major and cant make up my damn mind. I hear usf really means U Stay Forever, which i dont argue with. what a bad academic advising programs. I think im finally just going to become an accountant...seeing that i need to choose something cause i dont wanna be a senior with no major in sight

 

[girth]

I was in your situation, and I hated all the answers like people are giving here because I didn't enjoy anything. Work sucks, period. So to be told "study what you enjoy" was bullcrap to me.

My advice is do what I did -- pick the things you excelled at in high school and pick a major that has an emphasis on those things. Working for 50+ years is going to suck no matter how you slice it - so if you pick something you're good at, at least it won't be that difficult while you're putting in those 50 long years.

If all else fails, go into teaching. It's a cake career, easy degree, and pretty good pay considering it's usually only a 9 months a year job.

 

[tonkabui]

So yea I am soo confused on what to do with my life. I am always changing my mind one min. its this then that..

At first I wanted to be a Dental Hygentist then a real estate agent started to take classes then dropped those.. Now I'm on deciding on...

1 - Physical therapist

2- Dermatologist

3- Radiology tech

4- Chiropractor -- nice job but I'd have to move nothing in WI for schooling

5- Real Estate ( house market can plunge anytime all commission )

AHHH I can't decide what I want !!! All of them have ups and downs..

Whoever is in college how did you finally decide what to do? Was it hard? And what did you decide on for college?

How long are you in college for??

I need some help

take your time and be sure to try whatever interests you. i'm pursuing my second bachelor's at the moment. i had a good job as a photog for the local paper until i got tired of it. it's never too late to go back to school, and don't be afraid to try different things. sooner or later, you'll realize your calling and your passion and end up doing that. your list of possible occupations range from a 1 year program to a 12 year program. i'm on the 10 year plan myself, this being my first real year in the program. i've been in college since i was 18, so i guess i've gone to school now for 6 going on 7 years. 2 more years of this stuff, then 4 more years of more stuff, then 4 years of residency... then if i can, a 3 year fellowship. i guess i don't look at it as a bad thing to spend forever in school. the longer you're in, the more you learn... and hopefully, along the way, you learn about yourself as well.