I envy those people that knew from the time they went to college - or before - what they wanted to do with their lives as far as a career. And then went out and made those careers happen. Me? I thought for years I wanted to be a teacher. My parents were teachers, aunts, cousins - it was in our blood. I went to school and majored in education to be a high school English teacher. Second semester of senior year I was in a classroom. In a classroom going, "Holy shit, I don't think this is for me."
And so, all these many years later I have a job in an industry that I never expected. It's okay and all. It takes a special kind of crazy to work in any aspect of hospitality. But the benefits suck. Like big-time. The hours can also suck. We work weekends which has luckily been okay so far, less daycare for the Pixie = less money going out in that direction. However, in two years she is going to be in school like the Wonderboy. Their lives will be Monday through Friday. Weekends are for things like sports, playdates, birthday parties.
What I'm getting at here is that I need to figure out what the hell I'm doing career-wise. Good time to be thinking about this, right? Economy is totally tanked - let's go find a new job! The other part of it is, the avenues that I am thinking of pursuing will require me to go back to school. Which means paying for school. It's such a vicious cycle. Can't quit work to go to school full-time. Can barely pay for anything at the moment, so let's add some educational debt into the mix! Plus, did I mention how much I hate change? A lot. Frightens me down to my littlest toe.
But it's time to face facts. Health insurance is kicking our ass. Can't get it through either job so we go private and it's a fortune. My kids are young, we have a good amount of time before they get to college. I'm not *ahem* that old. If I'm looking at 25 or more years of work, I'd like it to be doing something I truly enjoy. I just wish I could figure out what that is. I have some ideas - full on career change kind of things. Scary. The thought of starting over - scary. The thought that I'd still be sitting at the same desk in another twenty years? Even scarier.
Any advice?
Testing, testing...is this thing on??
2 months ago
17 comments:
I wish I had some advice on this one, but unfortunately I'm right there with ya! I have recently been applying to jobs outside of the industry that I currently am in.. and feel so lost!! Good luck!
Sadly I don't have any advice, but I can commisorate. It's actually the reason I'm home for now, because I'd be paying more for daycare than bringing home. I was just thinking the other night, Hey, now I qualify for those "re-entering the workforce" scholarships I coveted at 18. Instead of coveting I should have taken it as a premonition and tried to get it together then. But, such is life. I've had some experiences with my young kids that I never would have had had I been in a high end, time consuming job... but like you, it's now time to figure out how to turn that around for the next 25 (or more) years.
(As for your cult, yes, your poolside cult does sound more appealing than the paint peeling cult. Count me in just as soon as I can get this primer up!)
Sadly, no, because I can't figure out what I want to be when I grow up, which is scary when I look at our accounts and see college looming closer than it was not that long ago. I toss that in on the flip side, though, of thinking about how I don't want to go back into a workforce where I have to attend team building meetings and goal setting activities, and I feel stuck in a corner.
Sorry, no advice from me - for reasons I expect are glaringly obvious.
We're all in the toilet economically, so you may as well do something that makes you happy, right?
(but not until we've freeloaded at your current digs.)
I long to figure out what I want to do with my life. What my "special purpose" is. I think the real truth is no one knows, and that's why we make a big deal out of the people who do.
I envy that kind of person as well
i know what to do but the doins hard!
I'm pretty sure there are online aptitute tests which could possibly point you in the direction of another career. And I know it's a lot to sort through, but there are just tons of scholarship and student loan options out there. If you found some courses you wanted to take, maybe you could switch up your schedules now so one of you is with the kids on the weekend? I wish I had more concrete advice for you. I feel for you. I bet talking it out with your husband or your friends could really help! Best of luck!!
I got nothin.
I wanted to be a teacher, so I went to school and became a teacher, then decided I didn't really want to be a teacher so much and quit, and now I'm thinking maybe I should be a teacher.
Kids party planner? That would be fun, I always thought.
Useless here as well (Saw you at Trout Towers, btw).
I wanted to be a wife and mother but had to work. Now that everyone has graduated and is out on their own, I'm unemployed (happily!!!) but benefits end in March so I suppose I should find something. I'm thinking retail... bookstore? something touristy?
I couldn't imagine paying for our insurance...That must cost a fortune...Good luck figuring out what you want to do.
If you get any good advice, pass it on.
get out from behind that desk while you still can! I did and I think my health has improved! ...mentally, anyway ;)
I hear ya. I went through so many jobs before landing on writing/editing...and now find myself unemployed and not sure where to do from here. I sometimes still wish I had tried to be an actress/singer! lol.
I really don't have any good advice except try to find something that is best for your family and that you enjoy doing, but I guess that's common sense, huh? Sorry I'm not much help, lol.
Dude I wish I had some good advice. Or ideas. Apparently my next job won't be career counselor.
Dude-two words for you... SUMMERS OFF. I mean, that's not why I went into teaching but now with kids....it rocks! You don't need to go back to school--just one test and I know 2 super cheap tutors who could help you through that one.... ;) You'd be great.
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