"This is your life...

[cbwing0]

...and it's ending one day at a time."

Since this isn't really a theological question as such, I'll post this in the General Forum.

Lately, I have been having some problems figuring out what I want to do with my life. Right now I am in college, but beyond that I don't know what I want to do. I've thought about many different jobs, but none of them seems to fit.

People always say that you should find something that you like to do, and make a career out of it; but I honestly don't see how that works. In other words, I would like to be done with work and just rest.

And it isn't that I'm not good at anything: I could probably do very well in a variety of professions. The problem is that I seriously doubt I would enjoy any of them.

What I am trying to find out is this: for those of you that have a career, how did you come to it? More importantly, how do you get through the grind day in and day out?

I realize that this will mostly only apply to the older members, but anyone else should feel free to chime in, even if you are just expressing similar concerns (knowing you're not the only one going through something helps, after all ).

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Angelchick]

i have some of those concerns too. i plan to just try different things that i want to do and figure out which one i am best at and like to do the most. if you know you are not going to like a certain job then i think you should just not do it. i'm sure you will find something you are good at that you also like to do just try things you are interested in.

[CDLviking]

I don't think it's about liking your job, I think it's about finding the job where you can do the most good. Pray about it and ask God where he wants you. To paraphrase Office Space, if everyone had a job they enjoyed, then who would clean the public bathrooms?

[cbwing0]

To paraphrase Office Space, if everyone had a job they enjoyed, then who would clean the public bathrooms?

And to paraphrase another line from Office Space, if I had a million dollars, I would do nothing.

[Technomancer]

It sort of dependson the job (since I get paid to be a student, I sort of have a job). Having worked in a research capacity both student and for National Defence, I've always derived a lot of intellectual stimulation from my work; I get to learn a lot of new things and am paid to do it! To a greater or lesser extent I can expect this later in life as well.

I studied electrical engineering because while I liked astronomy and geology, the job prospects were not entirely to my liking. Computer science was also too narrow for me, since I still wanted to learn some "real" science. I'd always planned on doing grad school since I started university. To keep up with the family if nothing else(both my parents have Master's degrees, and so does my older brother). Realistically though, I knew that it would not only enhance my education, but also open many new opportunities for me. Research does have its ups and downs in a sort of manic-depressive fashion, and many, many frustrations but the rewards are worth it (even if they have yet to be terribly renumerative for me).

As far as the daily grind goes, I'm usually learning something new or banging my head against a wall, so it's not often dull. However, regardless of progress I usually do try to have something else going on, mentally speaking (like reading technical articles). In any event just about any job can be gotten through by keeping a healthy balance. If the job's not so great, at least it pays for all the other stuff you want to do. Don't be defined by your work.

[Zedian]

I say don't limit yourself and what you can do. See, that's the only problem with college -- people feel they are obliged to work only in their particular field of study. I know I've grown angry sometimes, I enjoy programming, setting up and diagnosing networks along with some database designing but I don't know if that's what I WANT for the rest of my life. Just learn as much as you can, talk with people and most importantly pray and ask God to do what's best but also what makes you happy. Because in the end, that's what God wants from us.

And if you make up your mind and don't like what you are studying, pursue something else. You're still young, in fact all of us are so there is plenty of future still ahead. And don't always follow the money -- since money isn't total happiness. Actually if you have fun at your job and do it well the money will come in due time.

I can totally sympathize with you, I have felt like that plenty of times.

[CDLviking]

And to paraphrase another line from Office Space, if I had a million dollars, I would do nothing.

Do you have a million dollars? I didn't think so.

But seriously, no matter how much money you have, it shouldn't matter. You should strive to be where God wants you to be, and that may mean that you won't particularly enjoy your job, but God rewards obedience with far greater joys.

[cbwing0]

And if you make up your mind and don't like what you are studying, pursue something else. You're still young, in fact all of us are so there is plenty of future still ahead. And don't always follow the money -- since money isn't total happiness. Actually if you have fun at your job and do it well the money will come in due time.

That is actually part of my problem. I have decided that the traditional "money" jobs (doctor, lawyer, investment bankers, etc.) aren't for me. I'm not really concerned about making a lot of money, just with making enough to support a family if and when I start one.

For a long time I was trapped in the money mindset, because I thought that my family wouldn't respect me if I didn't make a lot of money. Thankfully, I now realize that that is false.

Right now I am contemplating being a librarian, but who knows how that will turn out.

[Technomancer]

Well, what sort of studies interest you? What are you good at?

[Staci]

Mayhap you should look to your hobbies and see what possible job opportunities lie there. Here is an example: Johnny likes to play video games. Johnny also likes to write. Johnny decides to put both hobbies together and write video game reviews as an Electronic Entertainment Journalist for some monthly gaming magazine.

Now, I am fully aware this may not be as easy as it sounds. Perhaps you could consider a teaching profession? Teaching something you enjoy, beit history, mathematics, or under water basket weaving. Do you enjoy a language? You could always help others learn to love it while expanding their minds.

I agree with CDL, though - pray about it! The Lord will eventually show you where He wishes you to be. *~_~* You're still young at 19 - that is a fair amount of time to still be undecided. Figure out what you enjoy, first, and it will all be in place. (And don't say sitting around doing nothing because that's a load of bull... It gets boring SO QUICKLY when you have nothing to do. ~_^ )

[cbwing0]

I am interested in philosopy, religious studies, history, and psychology, in that order. I am "good at" writing, reasoning, research, teaching, and counseling.

I have contemplated becoming a video game reviewer. I would definitely enjoy that, and probably do well in the profession.

[Technomancer]

You could probably pursue a degree in the humanities (poke around and see what programs interest you, if you aren't already pursuing a degree). That would certainly open doors in teaching, especially if you pick up a language teachable. You could also consider graduate studies in your field, and possibly make a career out of your interests.

Journalism is also open of course (you might write game reviews yet). My advice is not to rely on one course, which might not pan out, or may not be to your liking in the end. Pursuing higher education will not only be beneficial to you personally, but will open new paths that you may not have even been aware of. I think that a liberal education will probably benefit you more than a very specialized program would.


By way of example:
http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/
http://www.socsci.mcmaster.ca/

[Mave]

*works on a literature review on polyphenol analysis and presentation, listens to ABBA, sees this CAA thread in lurk mode, dunks down a big gulp of coffee and delurks*

I'll answer this because many times, I've been told that I seem to know exactly what I wanna do in life. Is that true? I'll share my thoughts and you decide. Bear with me, it's a long one.

I've always loved to draw comics and write stories as a kid. However, "comics and animation" is not a honored major in my culture so I was steered toward the science field. Since I hated calculus and physics with a vengeance, I refused to do any form of engineering. My parents relented and we agreed on any "_____" Science. Food Science was something we all found acceptable. My parents rationalized "Ppl always eat, so there's a need for food scientists." Ok whatever. I can deal with that, I like food anyway. Heh.

So I ended getting a B.S in Food Science. But I had no idea what I wanted to do in this field. Food Science is a pretty broad term, even in Product Development (PD). I did a summer internship with Access Business Group in Grand Rapids and learnt more about how members in the Food & Nutrition Department function in real life. There were 3 formulators, 2 packaging specialist, 2 process engineers, 1 sensory specialist and 3 technicians. Then, I decided on Formulation and Sensory Evaluation by observing what this group does.

I got back to graduate school by God's grace. The two projects, both product development based got me working closely with a marketing team. I wanted to expose myself more to various aspects of PD so I took a Packaging and Marketing class.

I went for a Food Science convention last and attend a seminar by the Sensory division. They projected how such specialists are making an impact on business and marketing decisions. The Marketing Management class I'm taking now is very interesting especially International Business. I decided, "I wanna do Marketing!!" After getting my Masters, I intend to do a 1 year internship in a sensory program before looking for a full time job.

My most recent jobwish is Sensory Specialist in a product development team of any company that values international trading/marketing, especially Asia. is that specific or what? That scares me coz I don't know whether I can get it.

What about my mangakaing work? First I decided I'll do Christian comics (thanks to CAA ^^). I'd like to keep it a side job. My most fav. thing to do is concept art especially character designing. Therefore, apart from being a mangaka or animator, I open myself towards being a concept artist for game development as well. But let's see what God has planned for me.

But get this. I only had this all figured out last year. 22 years before, I hadn't a single clue. So what am I doing right now and suggest for others who are still figuring it out? Expose yourself to various fields of interest. True, you shouldn't limit yourself to your area of study. You'll never know what God has plannd for you. God has been leading me all the way towards this direction and I believe He will too for you, whether you ask for it or not.

To freak everyone out even more, I also would like to go to art school (to improve my art skills duh), learn how to write and attend culinary school (the skills of a chef is super useful in my food science career) but only if I can afford it. But hey, it doesn't hurt to dream and be flexible.

Cheers and God bless everyone

*returns to her literature review paper and lurk mode, plays Jay Chou's "The Eight Dimensions" CD, makes more coffee ready to stay up all night ^_^*

[EireWolf]

I can sympathize with you, definitely. I hate the daily grind. But the truth is, you may have to endure the grind for a while, before God leads you to something better.

I recently decided on a career path that will most likely NOT make me rich and famous, but definitely fulfilled. I decided to be a sculptor. In all honesty, I could not do this if my husband weren't making enough money to feed both of us. But my hope is that I will begin to make some money with my art soon.

I did endure the grind for a while, taking jobs that I felt I could tolerate, but were not what I really wanted to do forever. I think that was necessary for me to build up the determination to do what I really want to do... because it's going to take some hard work to get there. I needed to live the "rat race" life for a while so that I could be motivated enough not to have to live that way anymore. Make sense?

Of course none of us want to work at grunt jobs. But you'll probably need to "do time" like the rest of humanity before you find your niche.

I say this not to depress you, but to encourage you -- find what you love, and work hard to be able to do it. As I said, this may take a lot of time and endurance, but you can do it if you want it bad enough. Keep your eyes and options open.

[Ingemar]

That is actually part of my problem. I have decided that the traditional "money" jobs (doctor, lawyer, investment bankers, etc.) aren't for me. I'm not really concerned about making a lot of money, just with making enough to support a family if and when I start one.

I'm compelled by family and adult friends to be a doctor too. I guess if I don't become one, all those stupid A's and 4.X's I've been getting all along would be for nothing. Plus, I always do better than I expect (I frequently doom myself to failure]. (Of course, there are many poor families, but they tend to have hard lives and no one willingly chooses hardship). I wouldn't be able to provide for her and the kids. Of course, maybe if I were the "woman" (and the wife were a professional, like a lawyer or such) it wouldn't matter whether I have a bad job or any job at all! I wouldn't mind being the subservient one, although it wouldn't seem to be an improvement over the simple, solitary life I planned for myself...

How do I deal with this? Shut up, sit up straight and play out the game till I'm dead. End of story.

[alf4office]

Well, I would suggest that you find you passion in life and do everything you can to make that your profession. Example, my sister's passion is art, and character animation. Because she's put so much work into her art she been able to land a job running a children's art program in Washington DC. It's incredibly hard to go to a job everyday that you hate, but if you love what you're doing and are passionate about it, it no longer feels like work, but rather a really cool hobby that people pay you for.

[kaji]

CBWing0,

I have to admit that I did not read every one elses posts (they were getting quite long). So if I am repeating somthing, I apologize.

I am interested in philosopy, religious studies, history, and psychology, in that order. I am "good at" writing, reasoning, research, teaching, and counseling.

I have contemplated becoming a video game reviewer. I would definitely enjoy that, and probably do well in the profession.

Have you every considered being a teacher in one of the subjects that you enjoy?
Then you will cover one of more of the subjects you enjoy, you will be able to do research, some writing, loads of teaching and the ocasional counseling.
Not to mention you get every summer off!!!
You will also be able to help influence loads of kids who are just trying to find there way in this crazy world.

Just a thought.

-kaji

[Shinja]

i think most people dont know what they want to do till they end up doing it. and even those who do know what they want to do seldome get to do them. best you can do is keep dreaming and praying. God will give you something, maybe somthing youd never thought about before.

[ice122985]

it also depends what you want out of your job. I, for one, am not looking for fulfillment or enjoyment out of the job I am aiming for (teaching). For me, the point of working is to support that future family of mine- in other words, my future wife and kids. My joy and passion will be in them cause i know that that is where i can make the most different in someone else's life and bring them to the Lord's light. THe job, therefore, is just a means to that end...

[cbwing0]

THe job, therefore, is just a means to that end...

That is my general attitude toward the whole endeavor. I want to find the easiest way to make a comfortable living that I can. I know that sounds selfish, but those are the facts.

I should also probably give you some details about my current situation. I am at the end of my first year on undergraduate study at the University of Virginia, probably headed for a philsophy major, with a possible Spanish minor; or double major with religious studies.

Thanks again for the advice everyone.

[Seiya]

I'm not quite sure what I want to do...
I'd like to be a marine biologist, working at a turtle hospital in Brazil,
Puerto Rico, or maybe in Japan. ^^
However, the Lord has been calling me for some time to travel to Argentina.
I'm not quite sure what I'm doing there yet...
I also sing and play piano, setting my poetry to music. My parents seem to want me to pursue this, which is most likely because it was their dreams as children, and they made choices which prevented that from happening.
I've considered designing web pages for a living, as I enjoy making them for fun anyway, but I've become lazy and copy/paste all of my codes. There are alot of gaps in my knowledge.

[Seiya]

I also write, and I am working on my series called Compact Universe which I someday hope to turn into a manga. I'm also planning on setting some of my dreams to writing, and I wonder if this might be the start of a career...
But I'm not sure.
I was sent to speak to God's people, and I know that God does not seek to confuse me, but why do I have all of these extra talents and interests?
I suppose God is a god of abundance...
He gives me more than I need.

[true_noir_chloe]

I'd have to agree with CDLviking on this. Keep praying. Get your major. I honestly know that God will lead you in the right direction. "Seek Him first, and all that..."

I've had a chance to do a lot of stuff I've wanted to do. I've travelled the world, I've been able to witness to others who became saved, I've performed my music in front of audiences, I've finished a novel, I've learned another language -sign language, I have two beautiful children, one boy and one girl, I am loved as a precious gem by my husband, I've done a lot of things, but mastered nothing. The one thing I can say I've mastered is this: I've always stayed open to where the Lord leads.

Stay open to His calling and it will work out. God may intend for you to do many things, take one day at a time and keep moving forward. Get your degrees and stay on the course, and who knows what doors will open up to you.