career - depressed

[mjewell]

I have been in a quarter life crisis for 5 years now and I am SICK OF IT!!! I hate my job, this is the third job I have had since college and I know I'm in the wrong field, but I don't know what I want to do or how to go about getting a job that suits my interests. it is SO frustrating to hate your work. I am so envious of people who love what they do.


My degree is in communications/journalism and I have been working in marketing, promotional creative type marketing, for 5 years. Like I said, i am on my third job in 5 years, and I feel like I will never have a job in this field where I am happy. My interests are as follows:


-the environment
-animals
-Writing/editing
-Photography


I currently volunteer at the Humane Society, and I live in Idaho so naturally you would think it would be easy for me to find some sort of job combining some of those interests, but I am at a loss. I have looked at some government jobs but I am not qualified...I don't even know what else to look for. I am so sick of this...I do not want to go through my life squeaking by on a so so income while hating my job. Life is too short!!Edited by: mjewell

[tink]

Maybe you can get an entry level job at a vets office. To sort of test it out and see if you like it? You could also do photography in your spare time, and maybe write poetry or a book. You could make money at both of those, while not even making it your main job. That way your doing a little of everything you like?

I wish you the best, and hope you find what you are looking for.

--Kim

[dita]

I'm sorry that you are so unhappy.....I have the same degree as you, although I just gradutated college and got my first job in the field. I am a communications specialist for a power company.....why don't you try to get a job writing for a paper or magazine. You could do your own photography and write enviromental stories (I know I know, easier said than done.....it's hard to find good writing jobs). Maybe you could find a job that was more writing and less promotional marketing. That way you would still be using your degree, but enjoying your job. Or if possible, you could do some freelance writing and photography on the side until you build up a client base and then go full-time.....I don't know, just some suggestions. You should live your life hating your job....find something that makes you happy!

[dita]

sorry, i meant to say you SHOULD NOT live your life hating your job....

[chally]

mjewell - I'm in the SAME EXACT boat right now. I have been out in the workforce for two years now since finishing collegeand I'm on my second job and HATE it. Trying to find a new one though! I'm reading a greatcalled "Twenty Something, Twenty Everything" and helps you cope with your quarter-life crisis - I believe it was published last year.


I'm sorry you're feeling so depressed about your job, but gosh, I know exactly how you feel. I told my fiance that before we start having kids, I want to find a job that I really enjoy. My degree is in business and I've been in customer support- I'm looking in the sales/marketing field. I wish you the best and hope that you can find a job that you enjoy!


If you ever need to vent, please let me know! I have AOL IM...

[mjewell]

Thanks guys. I know it takes work to make your life the way you want it, but sometimes I wish the right job would just smack me right upside the head. it's hard to know where to evenstart.

[dita]

it took me FOREVER to find a good job that I enjoyed......just keep looking and don't give up! The right job will come along

[violet]

Never give up on your dream of what you want and love, just sometimes it takes a little time to get there....

Im sure you will be fantastic at what ever position you get combining your passions!!

How about focusing on one or two and combine them into a job that you can take some time to look for and then do some part time work to combine your other interests!!

Keep trying hun you will get there!!

xx

[californiagirl]

Have you spoken with a career counselor at a college? They can usually help you.


Try this, it's a quiz from Princeton University, it helps you, based on ypur answers, which career may be right for you. Pretty interesting!!!!


http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/quiz/default.asp


Let me know how it turns uot, and good luck [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[purpleteacher]

I'm 23, myself, and all I have had since graduating college in terms of job have been "transition jobs" --- not doing what I really am passionate about. Substitute teaching is close, but I don't get any of the thrills like writing the lesson plans and getting to know the kids more intimately and grading papers and designing the most awesome buliteen boards in the whole school!


I am currently applying for jobs in areas where I'm skilled, but not as passionate about. I'm looking into working for insurance companies in the area of behavioral health --- I have to pay my bills and I have administrative support experience in that area. I am going back to what I know, yet I am not happily going back. I will return to teaching when I have to money to get my advanced degree and certification.


It totally sucks having to work at a job where you don't feel complete.

[japa]

mjewell -- A book that helped me was What Color Is My Parachute? Maybe you've already seen it though when you were choosing your original trajectory in college? I used it to figure out a career change.


If you were in the mood for a further degree, you could go to veterinary school. I know it'll cost, but I'm in graduate school myself, so I am not one to be practical about those matters. Edited by: japa

[lgood22573]

Freelance photographers make good money I use them every great once
and a while for my business. Also public relations firms use copywriters.
Any kind of business (like I'm in) advertising, public relations, graphic
design is a hi stress atmosphere, but freelance is the way to go.

[crimgoddess]

Mandee- I know that you already do volunteer work at the SPCA, but what about getting involved with other advocacy/volunteer organizations that relate to the environment, animals, etc? Not only will that give you the feeling that you are doing something worthwhile (if you are not content with your actualy job), but it may actually lead to a paying position. Many organizations, when they hire, prefer to do so from their volunteers or people who are familiar with their operation because it saves time, and they already have an idea of the individual's skills.


That, or you can always return to college or university. It is expensive, somewhat stressfull, and can definitely put your life in limbo for awhile- but if it means being able to work in the field you want and being happy, than it is completely worth it. That's why I'm still in school- and after seeing some of the people I did undergrad with struggle finding a job, or working in jobs they absolutely hate, I know I made the right decision.


Goodluck! It's rough when you realize that you no longer want what you have been working towards.


*amber*

[mjewell]

Good advice everyone. I think I will just get out and start volunteering more, like you said, maybe with the Sierra Club or something. I am taking a photography workshop in April, so that will be lots o' fun.


As for the vet thing...ack, I don't think I could handle all the ickiness that goes along with it. I respect the hell out of vets and If I wasn't so easily grossed out I would do that in a second, but I think my aim in life is more of an animal "rehabilitator" if you will.


I have wanted to talk to a life coach or something for a while, but once you are out of school those kinds of counselors are expensive! Thanks for that link Charlene, I will try it.

[mjewell]

Have you spoken with a career counselor at a college? They can usually help you.


Try this, it's a quiz from Princeton University, it helps you, based on ypur answers, which career may be right for you. Pretty interesting!!!!


http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/quiz/default.asp


Let me know how it turns uot, and good luck [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

Hmmm...ok, I didn't get the answers I expected, especially with the answers I gave to the quiz. Here are my results:



"People with yellow Interests like job responsibilities that include organizing and systematizing, and professions that are detail-oriented, predictable, and objective. People with yellow Interests enjoy activities that include: ordering, numbering, scheduling, systematizing, preserving, maintaining, measuring, specifying details, and archiving, which often lead to work in research, banking, accounting, systems analysis, tax law, finance, government work, and engineering. "


I suppose the organizing, detail-oriented and systematizing is accurate, but those suggested career paths are the LAST things I would want to do, especially since I am HORRENDOUS at math. TAX LAW???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? LOL.

[californiagirl]

MJEWELL~~~~


I got the same result about TAX LAW! I know what you mean! I HATE math, and the confusion and boring-ness of TAX law would bore me to tears!!! Instead, I am becoming a Divorce Attorney. MUCH more exciting!!

[crimgoddess]

I hate those quiz things....they make them just broad enough so that they can be somewhat applicable to everyone- but not completely tailored to one person. The main problem I see with this one, is that they give the person two options, but not way to rank the questions. What if NEITHER option is appealing to you?


For instance- Tax Law and research can be complete opposites. I conduct research, and am I complete math-squib; I just do qualitative analysis because I prefer to get what the people say in their own words instead of getting them to just tick off categories on a survey and fit them into a previously constructed box. Government work as well- what the hell does that mean? My dad works at a liquor store, and he technically qualifies as a government worker as all liquor stores in Ontario are regulated by the provincial government. Within the government you will find such diverse categories as corrections, fisheries, library and archives, aboriginal affairs, etc. How can they pigeon-hole that into one category when the job descriptions can be completely different?


I am a firm believer that the only way you will know if a career is right for you is to actually try it. Of course, use logic, as if you are severely allergic to dogs don't go in to veterinary services, or if you don't have the patience for kids don't go into early education, etc.


*amber


Ps- Good luck on the career search/soul searching Mandee.