I'm 18 years old and have recently been stuck in a rut about what i want to study/do with my life/have as a career.
I've taken a 2 year gap after high school and worked in two or three different jobs, traveled to the states, new Zealand & Vanuatu and have done plenty of fulfilling things...but i'm still stuck.
I have wanted to be a number of things:
1. photographer (duh)
2. an event manager
3. a musician
4. a writer/journalist
and all i'm happy with doing but a. dont know where to begin b. am worried that i may waste my time doing one of them and wishing i did the others....
i know it may sound silly to some, but if you were ever stuck in this rut or still are and have any tips about how you got where you are in life now, I'd appreciate some advice!! :)
Personally, I took a break after high school and travelled as well. In fact, 23 years later, I still haven't made it back. (I started in the US and now run a translation business in Spain.) I don't recommend this path, actually, as it's very risky and the success rate is very low (a couple-year gap is fine -even quite beneficial in some cases- but set yourself a limit).
Based on your list of interests, I'd suggest getting a degree in journalism. Apart from preparing you directly for no. 4 on your list, it could potentially open the door to no. 1 and the organization skills you learn from journalism could be applied to no. 2. Plus, journalists can also put their knowledge to work in so many other fields... from script writing to consultancy to advertising and more.
I don't have any tips, but I'm right there with you, if it makes you feel any better. I'm 23 and doing all of nothing with my life. I would love to do photography, but I'm too scared to get out and do it. I'd have to have a nice camera though...which would require a loan...which I wouldn't be able to pay :(
@goobah Gabrielle
I think that all of the above can be encompassed within a art type of course, Film / media or as David suggests journalisim.
Sometimes when we are young, we have so much pressure on us to decide what to do for the rest of our lives. You don't have to make that final choice yet. When I was your age, I was working my way up the ladder in Hotel Management.. It was long and tough hours.. I also specialised further into even management, which never quite filled my heart.
I decided to jump ship several times, I went into the Stock Market for a while, and then set up a couple of businesses.. And now I am working and training in the field I love which is psychology, and also being qualified as a counsellor and in Neurolinguistic Programming.
Life can take you down many different paths, and now I am finding that all of my previous work is helping me in my new goal, which is Organizational & Occupational Psychology.
If I can give you one piece of advice, it would be, look at what you are passionate about, and train to the highest level in that field. That way you will never feel like you are working, but doing a job you love and one you will be happy in. Good luck
I agree with @eyebrows. It's really quite common to be in one career a and then go into another. I was a lead infant teacher, then went back to school and became a graphic designer/web dev. Two very different careers. Career #2 is a much better fit, but I think it's easier to figure yourself out after more life experiences. I have always felt the it's crazy, when you think about it, that we're supposed to know what we want to do for the rest of our lives when we're only 18.
Adding onto what @eyebrows said - you're never too old to change your mind.
I like David's advice though - try that (if it feels right for you) and if it doesn't work out, keep getting back up and trying more. Life is too short to limit yourself to one thing for the rest of forever (unless it feels right for you).
In short, do what feels right for you :)
*I've not quite figured all that out myself so I'm rolling with it. Meh.
I am currently living where I have always wanted to because of planning. But not all of it was planned, though I know what I want to do and am on my way to that earlier than planned due to losing my job. That was my dream job, but I have another dream that will feel less like work. At least knowing what I want to do helped with that.
YOu seem to have a good idea of what you want to do. Event manager might earn you more initially. My question would be, will that be enough when your other 3 choices are creative ways of spending your time? If you are essentially a creative person, then stick to one or two of the other three. If there is any way of combining them, then that would be fantastic. Basically, a bit clue to choosing what you want to do with your life is to think what has most engaged you in life so far? When do you most feel so absorbed you forget what the time is? The other question is, where do you want to be in five years time (maybe ten, but five while you are exploring)? Try writing down where you would like to be, what you would like to be doing, what kind of home circumstances you want to have, what other material things are important to you... Work out how much money that will cost. Now go back to the thing you are most absorbed by. What jobs are there that will earn what you need to sustain the life you want? What qualifications, course and experience do you need to do that? What first steps can you do to securing the things you need to get on the first wrung of the ladder towards achieving what you want? What next steps.. The other things I would do is check out where such jobs are advertised and find out what the person specs say for such jobs. Also, approach people who are doing such jobs and ask if you can buy them a coffee and find out from them how they got to where you want to be career wise... As soon as you put your vision of what you want out there and start taking steps towards it, other door will start opening. So, it is a case of:
- thinking out your vision based on what you most love doing
- check the cost of where you want to be in five years
- find jobs in the fields you most love
- planning how to get there and
- taking action, benefiting from planning and the unplanned but beneficial things happen when you follow plans towards a vision....
Hope that helps and doesn't confuse. BEST OF LUCK. You are well on the way just by the fact you have ideas of what it is you want to do. I love Noel Coward's view about work, which is "it must be more fun than fun".
I'm 26 and have a degree in photography and advertising graphic design. While I don't regret my decision going to school for the fine arts, it hasn't been easy finding a job. A lot of that has to do with the times here in the States..there just isn't a lot of money to support the Arts. In most places, when times get rough, the Arts are the first to lose money. It's a sad fact of life. I am now working with Autistic kids and have an alternative teaching certificiate. Again, the education system here in the States seems to be floundering about. So I am now looking into occupational therapy. the medical field is almost always guranteed.
Basically what I'm trying to say is, you can go to school for what you want and what you love. But that doesn't necissarily mean you have to or you will use if for your later career. Things happen. The world changes..and you will change. Take a deep breath..and just try something. If you don't like it..try something else! :)
Gabrielle, dahling, you seem to be limiting yourself to do only one thing with your life. Maybe you're afraid of failing or what people will say/think about it. In the end YOU need to be happy with your choice(s). No one else. It's all about you, hun.
I went thru this a few years ago. I went to college and majored in art because I didn't know what I wanted to do. Then after a couple of years I just wanted to be finished with school so I changed my major to business and finished in real estate. I've never done anything with it. Art was where I belonged, and how I wish I'd stayed with it.
I think you should get a degree in art related field.
I wish I'd had someone tell me this when I was your age: Decide what you want to do, and stick with it. Make goals and write them down. If you can do this, you'll find yourself moving in the right direction.
Somewhere along the way in college I decided that I wanted to be a photographer. Last year I decided to make it a reality. I started babysitting to save money for a camera. It took me a whole year to afford the camera I wanted. But I'm very happy to say that I'm in the beginning stages of starting that photography business, one of my biggest dreams!
Dive in feet first and just pursue something! It's never a waste of time and you can always change directions. I've done a ton of things and never regretted any of them. My degrees are in English and Anthropology but I hop careers on a regular basis because I get bored. Veterinary technician, zoo keeper assistant, aquaculture fisheries technician, small business owner of a special needs pet-sitting company, elementary school teacher, College English as a second language tutor, chef, lab technician (human blood lab and veterinary lab) and now, a writer of fiction. It sounds weird but honestly, when I found myself stagnating on a career, I opened the Yellow Pages and thumbed through the topics until something struck my fancy. Then, I either started applying for entry level jobs or pursued the education (I needed) to do what I wanted to do. You can do whatever you want to--you just have to WANT to do it. It sounds like you've got an adventurous spirit, go for it!
@clarissajohal I admire your adaptability! I think I'm going through a midlife crisis and would definitely like to try something new! I need to find the nerve to just go for it!
@lisjam1 Thank you! And you can do it--there's no such thing as failing. I'm convinced that if something doesn't work out the way you planned, something else takes it's place.
@goobah-I think the first thing you need to decide is what is important to you. Are you more interested in financial gains that can be obtained through a job, or are you more interested in finding a job that mentally/emotionally satisfies you? If you are more interested in the money aspect, then do the research to see which would be more likely to produce the income you're looking for. If not, start looking into courses on whichever you are currently most passionate about.
The second thing is how much time you are willing to put into your studies. Some occupations might be obtainable with only certificate of training, others need an associate or bachelor degree. If you don't think you're capable of committing the time needed for one career, don't look into it.
I'm going through something similar. I have known since I was 16/17 years old that I wanted to be a child psychologist. I went to college for a semester, dropped out, spent four years running a candy store, finally went back to school, I'm a semester away from obtaining my associate's degree (which is just the first step) and I've decided to drop my major.
I am very lucky to be doing a job I love - I'm a professional musician - and being able to make it work (just about!) without having need of a "day job" as well is one of things I am most proud of.
But, at almost-21 years old, things are still very tough. It takes a long time to get established in this industry, and, as great as things are at the moment, I know I still have a long way to go, and an awful lot to learn!
Working in music is different from many jobs, as there is no established "way in" - no set path to get into the industry; everyone I know who does music full-time took a different route to get to where they are now. If you want to be a doctor, or a lawyer, you know from that what A-Levels to take, which university to go to, which courses to do, and how you will then go from education to a job; music isn't like that, and neither are most other creative/art-based careers - you have to find your own "way in", and you have to work hard to gain recognition, and build up your reputation.
@goombah - you mention, in your original post, that music is one of the areas that might interest you, career-wise... I don't know how serious about that you are, or what kind of thing you'd be looking to do, but if you want to ask any questions about working in music, do feel free to ask! I'm not a whole lot older than you, I know, but I do a certain amount of experience in this field (I've been teaching and playing for a living since I was sixteen) and I'm happy to talk to anyone thinking of trying to do the same. You may well not, of course, but the offer's there, if you want to get in touch... :)
@mej2011 pets that needed medication, fluids or injections while their owners were away (: Or high-maintenance pets--epileptic, diabetic, weirdly aggressive, etc. lol. The ones that regular pet sitters either weren't medically licensed to take care of, charged extra for or flat-out just didn't want to deal with.
WOW! What amazing responses! it feels like it could take me a million years to reply to everyone so ill just lump you all in to this one message -
all of your advice has been so helpful - more than you may think!
i realise that im only young and have so much ahead of me..so it was a little silly that i started freaking out and worrying that i hadn't done much with my life.
i definately agree with those who said i have a creative flare and need to work with that, theres no way that i couldn't be in a creative field - i would feel so denied from so many opportunities!
this thread has really opened my perspective on things and i've found that i've not been getting the wrong answers, only i've been asking the wrong questions, so thanks so much to everyone who took the time to share a little of their lives and wisdom with me!!
NOW - @manek43509 i'm definately interested in a career in music. ive been singing since got knows when, made the honours role list in our schooling system when i graduated, perform in a band (check me out ;) type in withintent on facebook!) and sometimes i think i put myself down by saying it wont happen because its such a hard industry.
but i really like how you worded hte fact that there is no 'set' way in...it made a lot of sense to me.
what do you do? what country to you live in? how did you get to where you are musically?! tell me everything!!!
im currently looking at applying to a music school here that will start in march 2012 and honestly, the excitement of just looking at it gave me quite a rush, which makes me feel i have my answer
@goobah
Well, I live in Norwich, UK - and I do whatever I'm asked to do! haha
I do quite a bit of teaching - privately, and in local schools - and I play for various different artists. There's plenty of information about that on my website, if you're interested!
How did I get to where I am musically? Well, as I said before, it's an ongoing process; although I'm happy with where I am at the moment, for someone my age, I'm still learning, and still moving forward - and I know people in their forties who say the same!
One of the biggest factors in getting on in the music business is networking - the expression "it's not what you know, it's who you know" is particularly apt - and it's important to get to know people, build up a reputation, and always be a nice person. I know that sounds a bit simplistic, but it is true that people like to work with nice people! Generally speaking, people would rather hire someone who's not quite so good, but is pleasant, friendly and easy to get on with, than someone who's the best player in the world, but has an arrogant attitude.
Whereabouts do you live? Which is the school you've been looking at?
And what actually is it that you want to do, career-wise? You say you're a singer - do you a play any other instruments as well, or is it just singing? Do you want to be the lead singer of a band? Join a choir? Be a session singer? Work in musical theatre? Be a singing teacher, or a vocal coach? Where do you see yourself, in - say - ten years time?
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Based on your list of interests, I'd suggest getting a degree in journalism. Apart from preparing you directly for no. 4 on your list, it could potentially open the door to no. 1 and the organization skills you learn from journalism could be applied to no. 2. Plus, journalists can also put their knowledge to work in so many other fields... from script writing to consultancy to advertising and more.
Good luck!
I think that all of the above can be encompassed within a art type of course, Film / media or as David suggests journalisim.
Sometimes when we are young, we have so much pressure on us to decide what to do for the rest of our lives. You don't have to make that final choice yet. When I was your age, I was working my way up the ladder in Hotel Management.. It was long and tough hours.. I also specialised further into even management, which never quite filled my heart.
I decided to jump ship several times, I went into the Stock Market for a while, and then set up a couple of businesses.. And now I am working and training in the field I love which is psychology, and also being qualified as a counsellor and in Neurolinguistic Programming.
Life can take you down many different paths, and now I am finding that all of my previous work is helping me in my new goal, which is Organizational & Occupational Psychology.
If I can give you one piece of advice, it would be, look at what you are passionate about, and train to the highest level in that field. That way you will never feel like you are working, but doing a job you love and one you will be happy in. Good luck
Just do stuff you enjoy, and better stuff will come out of it.
(These are the profound words of a teenager who has no clue what she is talking about.)
Just do lots of things and you'll find where you want to get to eventually. You've got time to think and get it sorted out. :D
I like David's advice though - try that (if it feels right for you) and if it doesn't work out, keep getting back up and trying more. Life is too short to limit yourself to one thing for the rest of forever (unless it feels right for you).
In short, do what feels right for you :)
*I've not quite figured all that out myself so I'm rolling with it. Meh.
YOu seem to have a good idea of what you want to do. Event manager might earn you more initially. My question would be, will that be enough when your other 3 choices are creative ways of spending your time? If you are essentially a creative person, then stick to one or two of the other three. If there is any way of combining them, then that would be fantastic. Basically, a bit clue to choosing what you want to do with your life is to think what has most engaged you in life so far? When do you most feel so absorbed you forget what the time is? The other question is, where do you want to be in five years time (maybe ten, but five while you are exploring)? Try writing down where you would like to be, what you would like to be doing, what kind of home circumstances you want to have, what other material things are important to you... Work out how much money that will cost. Now go back to the thing you are most absorbed by. What jobs are there that will earn what you need to sustain the life you want? What qualifications, course and experience do you need to do that? What first steps can you do to securing the things you need to get on the first wrung of the ladder towards achieving what you want? What next steps.. The other things I would do is check out where such jobs are advertised and find out what the person specs say for such jobs. Also, approach people who are doing such jobs and ask if you can buy them a coffee and find out from them how they got to where you want to be career wise... As soon as you put your vision of what you want out there and start taking steps towards it, other door will start opening. So, it is a case of:
- thinking out your vision based on what you most love doing
- check the cost of where you want to be in five years
- find jobs in the fields you most love
- planning how to get there and
- taking action, benefiting from planning and the unplanned but beneficial things happen when you follow plans towards a vision....
Hope that helps and doesn't confuse. BEST OF LUCK. You are well on the way just by the fact you have ideas of what it is you want to do. I love Noel Coward's view about work, which is "it must be more fun than fun".
Basically what I'm trying to say is, you can go to school for what you want and what you love. But that doesn't necissarily mean you have to or you will use if for your later career. Things happen. The world changes..and you will change. Take a deep breath..and just try something. If you don't like it..try something else! :)
I also quite like @davidchrtrans idea there. But like @indiannie_jones said, it should feel right :)
Gabrielle, if you relax, you will know where your destiny lies. Don't stress it. Don't force it. Don't rush it.
I went thru this a few years ago. I went to college and majored in art because I didn't know what I wanted to do. Then after a couple of years I just wanted to be finished with school so I changed my major to business and finished in real estate. I've never done anything with it. Art was where I belonged, and how I wish I'd stayed with it.
I think you should get a degree in art related field.
I wish I'd had someone tell me this when I was your age: Decide what you want to do, and stick with it. Make goals and write them down. If you can do this, you'll find yourself moving in the right direction.
Somewhere along the way in college I decided that I wanted to be a photographer. Last year I decided to make it a reality. I started babysitting to save money for a camera. It took me a whole year to afford the camera I wanted. But I'm very happy to say that I'm in the beginning stages of starting that photography business, one of my biggest dreams!
The second thing is how much time you are willing to put into your studies. Some occupations might be obtainable with only certificate of training, others need an associate or bachelor degree. If you don't think you're capable of committing the time needed for one career, don't look into it.
I'm going through something similar. I have known since I was 16/17 years old that I wanted to be a child psychologist. I went to college for a semester, dropped out, spent four years running a candy store, finally went back to school, I'm a semester away from obtaining my associate's degree (which is just the first step) and I've decided to drop my major.
But, at almost-21 years old, things are still very tough. It takes a long time to get established in this industry, and, as great as things are at the moment, I know I still have a long way to go, and an awful lot to learn!
Working in music is different from many jobs, as there is no established "way in" - no set path to get into the industry; everyone I know who does music full-time took a different route to get to where they are now. If you want to be a doctor, or a lawyer, you know from that what A-Levels to take, which university to go to, which courses to do, and how you will then go from education to a job; music isn't like that, and neither are most other creative/art-based careers - you have to find your own "way in", and you have to work hard to gain recognition, and build up your reputation.
@goombah - you mention, in your original post, that music is one of the areas that might interest you, career-wise... I don't know how serious about that you are, or what kind of thing you'd be looking to do, but if you want to ask any questions about working in music, do feel free to ask! I'm not a whole lot older than you, I know, but I do a certain amount of experience in this field (I've been teaching and playing for a living since I was sixteen) and I'm happy to talk to anyone thinking of trying to do the same. You may well not, of course, but the offer's there, if you want to get in touch... :)
all of your advice has been so helpful - more than you may think!
i realise that im only young and have so much ahead of me..so it was a little silly that i started freaking out and worrying that i hadn't done much with my life.
i definately agree with those who said i have a creative flare and need to work with that, theres no way that i couldn't be in a creative field - i would feel so denied from so many opportunities!
this thread has really opened my perspective on things and i've found that i've not been getting the wrong answers, only i've been asking the wrong questions, so thanks so much to everyone who took the time to share a little of their lives and wisdom with me!!
NOW - @manek43509 i'm definately interested in a career in music. ive been singing since got knows when, made the honours role list in our schooling system when i graduated, perform in a band (check me out ;) type in withintent on facebook!) and sometimes i think i put myself down by saying it wont happen because its such a hard industry.
but i really like how you worded hte fact that there is no 'set' way in...it made a lot of sense to me.
what do you do? what country to you live in? how did you get to where you are musically?! tell me everything!!!
im currently looking at applying to a music school here that will start in march 2012 and honestly, the excitement of just looking at it gave me quite a rush, which makes me feel i have my answer
Well, I live in Norwich, UK - and I do whatever I'm asked to do! haha
I do quite a bit of teaching - privately, and in local schools - and I play for various different artists. There's plenty of information about that on my website, if you're interested!
How did I get to where I am musically? Well, as I said before, it's an ongoing process; although I'm happy with where I am at the moment, for someone my age, I'm still learning, and still moving forward - and I know people in their forties who say the same!
One of the biggest factors in getting on in the music business is networking - the expression "it's not what you know, it's who you know" is particularly apt - and it's important to get to know people, build up a reputation, and always be a nice person. I know that sounds a bit simplistic, but it is true that people like to work with nice people! Generally speaking, people would rather hire someone who's not quite so good, but is pleasant, friendly and easy to get on with, than someone who's the best player in the world, but has an arrogant attitude.
Whereabouts do you live? Which is the school you've been looking at?
And what actually is it that you want to do, career-wise? You say you're a singer - do you a play any other instruments as well, or is it just singing? Do you want to be the lead singer of a band? Join a choir? Be a session singer? Work in musical theatre? Be a singing teacher, or a vocal coach? Where do you see yourself, in - say - ten years time?