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At a turning point...normalcy?
Topic Started: Mar 12 2008, 05:57 PM (1,027 Views)
TatteredDaydreamer
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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Thank you, everyone. Since this semester is almost done with colleges, I'll be waiting until the fall....will give me plenty of time to figure stuff out.

V, thank you so much for the words of encouragement. They mean a lot. I do like writing, not sure how I'd go about the freelancing though.

Every flight attendent job I've looked into only requires a GED or HS diploma....however, I think I'd have to lose a bight of weight to fit the requirement.
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Trixie
Thomas H. Cruise!
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I didn't think I'd be doing what I'm doing, but I like it okay.

A business degree is quite useful as you can parlay it into any number of things pretty easily. Many of our recent young hires have had degrees in business. I'm not entirely sure if they actually know what they want to do. That doesn't particularly matter at the moment, because they're gaining experience, and they can do what we need done. Whatever they wind up doing, they'll automatically be more successful at it because what they're gaining in several years at an entry level position is the ability to show up on time, be pleasant and professional, and to finish a task. As they go along, they'll find a path.

Except for our receptionist. I'll never understand a woman that wears giant spike heels, skinny jeans, and a cape to work and thinks thats appropriate. But, that's a story for another time.

There's nothing wrong with wanting normal. I went to art school, we are NOT known for normal. I know that based on the mindset of the school that I went to, a lot of my peers will still be waiting tables at age 50. I wasn't comfortable with that, because I wanted to be able to afford a home and farm. So, I took what I was good at (photography, digital editing, and writing) got better at the aspects that are commercially useful (graphic design), and parlayed that into a job where I'm the art/communications department for a large business.

Take something that you're good at and start with that. You are by no means "stuck" with anything, just be sure to give it a fair shot.
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TatteredDaydreamer
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Thanks Sar. I appreciate it.

I just need to GET the degree, get it out of the way, and get my ass into some company and, like you said, gain the experience and figure it out from there.

Today, I am in the process of contacting the first college and getting the transcripts sent to the college I will go to in the fall. Baby steps.

Off to walk the dog and ride 4 ponies. Thanks again, everyone.
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Sannois
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TatteredDaydreamer
Mar 13 2008, 08:22 AM
Thank you everyone, I appreciate it.

DQ...my issue is I have NO IDEA what I want to do or study.

NONE.

I'm thinking business at the community college....just to have a degree that opens some doors.

L

If this makes you feel any better, I am 50 and I still dont know! :psycho:
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Trixie
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You can always take a part time receptionist or administrative position while going to school. If you can refrain from dressing like a hooker and can prove yourself as being reasonably competent, you can often move up from there.
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TatteredDaydreamer
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I've looked into doing that, but I can't find anything close enough to me. You know where I live, bumblefuck.

I save my Hooker-Wear for the rock concerts.;);)

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Fenway
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I'm a teacher and I will gladly give you my job. I guess I'm in the minority--I LOVE school--but when I'm LEARNING, not teaching.
I stay because I get summers off to work with the horses (which is great with all of the babies) and I am out of work early in the day, plus holidays and weekends and 12 sick days during the year. It is not something that I enjoy, really, well, sometimes, but I don't know what else to do that I could have the same hours/vacation. I just keep hoping that the SO's company will start having big contract years. If they have another year next year like they are scheduled to have this year, I may not have to work much longer.

My younger brother just started back to school. He had taken a semester and then took a couple of years off. He works full-time at a job he loves (Pharmacy Tech at a privately owned pharmacy) and takes one or two classes a semester now and has figured out that he wants to teach--mostly because he wants to get into coaching sports. He is your age. He'll be 22 in May. Just get your feet wet and go from there.
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Robin
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I am going to dispute DQs advide on college. First, I have to let you know that I am NQR
(according to the esteemed DQ) as I am fully entitled to sign all those letters after my name
(i.e. B.A., M.S. PhD). Yes, I did like learning things, still do. I used to be a university professor
teaching all those boring classes to young folks. Oh, and I am very far from the world of
being young; AARP has been sending me invitations for over a decade now.

That all said, I would advise a vocational/technical school rather than a college. College
is for developing thinking skills, vo/tech for developing manual skills. I don't hear you
saying you want to develop thinking skills. With manual skills, especially in a field that
is licensed, you have a specific trade that not just everyone can get in. That makes
for a higher wage. And you might be able to travel around doing what you like. I know
of one lady who is a physical therapist who works for an agency. She spends a few
months in one area and then asks for placement in another region. She gets to work
in the south in winter and the north in summer. She goes to towns where horse trainers
she wants to study with teach and boards there for a few months to study with that person.
She doesn't make millions, but she is comfortable.

Most vo/tech schools have a counseling department that will try to help you identify what
you might enjoy. At very least, they should have a copy of the Occupational Outlook
Handbook which will give you an idea of what the demand for each trade is and how
much you can earn doing that. Oh, another horse friend is a plumber; she apprenticed
and now designs and supervises installation of new home septic systems. She loves
to work outdoors and that is most of what she does.

I would be careful about a career in music for you. Maybe I am wrong, but I keep hearing
the drug scene there can be hard to avoid. I have heard the same thing about the high
end restaurant chefs, too.
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Trixie
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Just remember, overly tight satin is not a "daytime" fabric. :yes:

Not, of course, that you would do that. It's just that someone else did and now I'm traumatized. :jaw:
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3Bays
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Well, I'll wade in with my 2 cents and a novel-length reply, too! :innocent:

I totally understand your current "lost" position! I have been there in spades, as many others here have also done!

Here are my suggestions...

#1: First, since you truly have no clue (at the moment) as to what you would like to pursue that fits your criteria (notice that you like a situation with variety and change...travel, different things each day, etc), I would make a written list of such things. When you write down "Desired" and "Not Desired" aspects on paper it will help you focus. For example:

Desired: Travel, change, variety, being around people and interacting with people, music, creative things, enough money to live comfortably.

Not Desired: Sitting in an office, dealing with paperwork daily, repeated daily routines, stuck in a cubicle, not dealing with people but dealing with only numbers, restricted income levels.

(I may not have these lists correct, but you can see what I'm trying to describe, I hope!)


#2: I strongly suggest you take a REAL "career aptitude" test. You can find some good ones online and in a few books ("What Color Is Your Parachute" is a good one)...either take out the books from the library or buy your own...take it HOME and do the test(s) seriously. Some counselors will do this...I took one from a bona fide psychology counselor and it really gave me some incredible insights and has helped to guide me throughout my life.


#3: In the spirit of getting to know yourself in general, you should check out the Meyers-Briggs personality tests, the 8 Intelligences tests and read any and every book on self-discovery that interests you...browse bookstores and libraries. Same with online testing.


#4: Understand that even if you find a great career path that suits you and fits your criteria right now, you most likely will do more than one thing in your life...you may have three or four "careers" over your life. Life is not one continuum, it's various chapters which may differ.

Also, having more than one skill area or ability to flex into different subjects or having more than one subject of interest and the experience in various areas is a good thing...it means you'll ALWAYS have a job, no matter how tight the economy gets. Remember, too, that what might be a great career in your 20's and 30's may be different from what is a great career for you in your 40's and 50's, etc. For example, travelling may be just the thing for you for about 20 years, and then you'll want something more stationery because you marry and have kids or something like that.

Don't be afraid to try new career paths if they open up to you later on...you can be surprised and find you have abilities you didn't even know were there. People grow and change and gaining life and work experience may make you more interested and able to do different things later on. (I started out in life doing one career and in my late thirties did something else...so I had two completely different paths, both were perfect for me at those times, too, so I don't reget the change at all.)

#5: I agree with the others here: get SOME kind of degree or "formal education". Now, in this day and age, there are some FINE educational institutions offering degrees or career certificates and other "diplomas" ONLINE. You do not have to go to a brick and mortar location anymore for your education. You DO need to be very careful and check out that the school you choose is PROPERLY accredited and all, but honestly, you CAN be well educated online today. Often, it's less expensive and much more flexible...you might be able to "try out" various jobs WHILE getting a degree. And, yes, overall, it's just important to have a degree...it doesn't HAVE to be exactly in what you eventually end up in most of the time. There are a few career paths which require your degree be specifically in that area, but many jobs aren't that way.

#6: You are YOUNG yet, girl! You've got lots and lots of time to figure out what you want to do/be! This is the perfect time for you to explore your own self, look at what's out in the world and examine what you need and want to do in life. TAKE YOUR TIME and enjoy the process! Realize that you'll likely try lots of things...this is good! Relax and go with it. I'm quite proud of you for taking stock right now and realizing that you WANT and NEED to do what is right for YOU and you're ready to dig in and figure it out. GOOD on you!

#7: Lastly: here are some websites which might help get you going in the right direction; the first one is a great general "starter" place:

http://www.careerplanner.com/Career-Articl...titude-Test.htm


http://www.careerexplorer.net/aptitude.asp


http://jobsearch.about.com/od/careertests/a/careertests.htm


http://www.quintcareers.com/career_assessment.html


http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/


http://www.directoryofschools.com/


http://www.onlinedegrees.org/




Also: as you mentioned you might like to have a professional spot in the music industry, you might find this interesting:

http://musicians.about.com/od/otherindustr.../p/Promoter.htm

You might want to dream big...instead of just being an agent all your career life, eventually you may want to become an Entertainment Attorney? THERE's something with variety, travel, interesting people and lots of $! Or shift from agenting one genre of musician some other genre (ie, going from heavy metal rock to country musicians or something like that...it's still music, but they are totally different "worlds" IN music.)

Anyway, I hope that some of this has been helpful. You're doing the MOST important thing you can do right now already: thinking and reflecting and making the choice to improve yourself and your life! MUCH applause! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:







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TatteredDaydreamer
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Robin, it's not that I don't enjoy learning new things. I really do. I just have to find something I'm interested in learning about.

I'm done with physically working, done it for 17 years, HARD labor for 10. I'm ready for an easier job. At 21, my body already hurts.

I don't think Vo-Tech is for me, I appreciate the suggestion though.


Sar, LOL! Dually noted.
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TatteredDaydreamer
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3bays, that was INCREDIBLY helpful and insightful. Thank you so much for all the links. I've got to get going and enjoy this beautiful day for riding. As soon as I get home I'll give them a go. Thank you, everyone. It's great to have a support system.:clap:
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SnackPack
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Robin
Mar 13 2008, 07:36 AM
I know
of one lady who is a physical therapist who works for an agency.  She spends a few
months in one area and then asks for placement in another region.  She gets to work
in the south in winter and the north in summer.  She goes to towns where horse trainers
she wants to study with teach and boards there for a few months to study with that person.
She doesn't make millions, but she is comfortable.

Um, you have to have a degree to get into PT school. It's not just vocational training. I was a Pre-PT major in college (basically pre-med) but didn't continue to PT school. PTs average around $80k/year and often work horrendous hours. All the ones I know work 8-7 MWF (longer if paperwork isn't completed) and have shorter days on TTH. They also work most holidays 'cept the really big ones.

Tattered, contrary to what DQ said, some people do love school. I am one. I would be a perpetual student if I could. I often think I should get a higher degree, but I just can't think of something to do it in. At least not something that would be worth going into the kind of debt that I would have to go into to go back to school.

Looking back, I think a business degree is your most generalized and useful course of study. It will open most doors for you...even if you need tech type training to continue. Getting your foot in the door is often the most important part of a job. Well, that and meeting the right people. I can't say enough about social networking. Knowing the right people can get you far in life.
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vxf111
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Excellent links 3bays. I am passing those on to my little sister who is kind of in a similar position to Lindz.
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TatteredDaydreamer
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My test says, Sales/ Marketing, Administrative/Clerical, Communications. Which is what I figured it would.

Ok, now I'm REALLY going to walk dogs.

L
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