Need Help Deciding What I Want to Do With My Life :[

OK guys, my gf has been on my ass ever since we started dating about what I want to do as a career. She is a very motivated person and wants to go into journalism. No one in my family has ever gone to college, and I am the first to be in college and to graduate and receive a high school diploma.

I graduated from high school in 2006. A rep from Full Sail University came to visit us in my TV Production class to show us about their school. From there on, I wanted to go there. I loved creating videos. I took TV Production 1, 2, 3 & 4 and received my class year's TV Production award (they only give out one).

Then I procrastinated and said I'll apply. That I'll find money to go. I knew it was expensive, but hopefully find a great job to pay it all back. 2 years (yes, thats TWO) go by and I am still working at Best Buy. Then I met my gf. We started dating and she pushed me to go to school. I simply applied at a local community/university a mile down the road. It was a joke. I went there for a year and it felt like I was in 9th grade again. I passed every class.

First year goes by, and she gets on my ass, again. Going to the little school is not good enough. So I try to get a loan to go to Full Sail. It doesn't go through and need a co-signer. Both of my rents are in a bad situation for that. So Full Sail was out. It's only a month before fall semester starts and I decided to go to UCF. But unfortunately I missed the deadline way back in the spring. So, I applied to Valencia Community College in Orlando. I continued my transfer program for a bachelor's in Business Administration because that was all that was available at my last school. Eventually I will transfer to UCF.

But, I honestly do not know what I want to do with my life. At first, I just wanted to get my business degree. But, do what with it? Then I wanted to do something federal, like a business investigator. That lasted a week and my gf did research on it and showed me how much they make and what's required and that it's too easy for me and would not enjoy doing it.

I am really good with electronics, cars, construction, math, english... you name it. I just do not know what I want to do. So many people ask me why am I not at a technical school because that's all I ever talk about, nerdy stuff. But I am not sure.

Any of you guys (well I'm sure there are some) ever been in my situation? And what did you do? I am completely open to options, as I am almost 22 years old without a goal. Please help out this kid

Thanks to anyone that took time to read this.

 

Fireman.

It will come to you man. It just comes to people at different times in their life. I lucked out and knew ever since I could remember what I wanted to do.

 

Trust me, your not the only one in this type of situation. I was kinda in the same shoes as you at your age. I went to a community college after I graduated high school in 99'. I didnt even really know what I wanted to do with my life so I took all general ed classes the first two years. That was whatevers and I passed all my classes but still, no real future in site. I worked at Wal-Mart for about 1 1/2 years until I quit. I was jobless for about a year until I started working at a video store and still was going to school full-time. My best friend was going through the fire academy at this time and really got me interested in that line of work so I started taking an EMT-Basic class at my college. Unfortunately I dropped it during the middle of the semester because I had to work more hours to make more money. Thats when I met my ex wife. I eventually moved to Colorado to be with her and worked as a maintenance type person for a housing community. Did that for about a year then we moved to where we live now for her job promotion. Then I started working for the casinos as an Audio/Video technician. During that same time I signed up to be a volunteer firefighter since I was still very passionate about that line of work. Did that for about 3 1/2 years until I became a full-timer just a little over 2 years ago. So I pretty much was in the right place at the exact right time to get on full-time. I guess I just got lucky. Now I am doing the job I always wanted to do!!

 

Dump the pushy wannabe journalist and do what makes you happy.

 

Not an option. I love her for what she has done and making me make something out of myself.

I just don't have a projection. Some jobs that I liked are being eliminated.

I liked the idea of a LEO. My best friend is trying to become one (after the academy and college of course). My room mate is a LEO for the city. He really doesn't like it and would rather have a different job. But, it was easy for him to get in because his brother is a sergeant. Then again, I would not be utilizing my knowledge.

 

I'll tell you this right now. Law enforcement, Fire, EMS and jobs of that nature arent your ordinary jobs you just apply for. You have to have a passion for those kinds of jobs if you really want to be good at it.

 

Certainly do what you choose to do and not what someone else picks for you. I wouldn't necessarily say dump the girlfriend unless of course she gets all condescending with you and not supportive in regards to this. Sometimes we need a little push on our asses to get the ball rolling which can be the hardest part.

From what you've explained it definitely sounds like you need to be in the technical field. What exactly were you wanting to do at Full Sail? Does UCF offer a similar program?

 

Right on man. And I would hate to work at a job I really don't feel passionate about.

I want to live he saying.

"Find a Job You Love and You'll Never Work a Day in Your Life"

 

I wanted to go into entertainment business. Shows and movie sets always amazed me at how much fun and crazy it can be. I have made a lot of short videos, but have lost them all. I haven't made any videos since high school because I sold my $2000 camera and needed cash. I am currently doing a lot of photography. It is a passion. But I do not feel like a career in it will benefit me.

And yes, her pushing me is probably one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me. And I cannot thank her enough.

But, what do companies need currently? What job is really valuable in the technical field. I have even thought of doing something on the federal level. But, am not sure which direction to start.

 

I definitely narrowed it down to a Computer and Information Systems Manager.

And with an automatic transfer program from Valencia CC to UCF, I should not have a problem getting in.

What do you guys think?

 

Telecom industry. Thats the future, and the present.

 

For what it's worth... drinking in Fine Arts & Architecture... Hung out with some smarter kids... started flying planes ($10/hr - ) switched to Aeronautical Engineering and the after all of the Air Traffic Controllers were laid off - Finished off in Mech/Areo and then started working with folks way smarter than the guys in college. Got a Masters in Business/Investments (paid for by my employer). Had lots of great work opportunities and jobs that allowed me to make and save a good bit (Aircraft Sales before I was 30, VP of a OEM parts supplier, VP of Telecom Company, President of a software company).

The life lessons - ALWAYS push yourself! Live cleaner than you thought you could. Be nice to those you may not want to be nice to. You will be amazed of what you can do! You will only be as happy, wealthy, have good relationships, etc. as your 5 closest friends.

As one of my higher level math teachers once told me... "You will never use this in real life but you will use the problem solving skills you learn by learning this math."

Most of all - be careful of the food you put into your own brain. What you think is cool may be keeping you from reaching your greatness and being happy.

Good luck to all of you wondering what to do with your life!

 

what?

































. JK. You're a smart guy Paul, and I like that line : "You will only be as happy, wealthy, have good relationships, etc. as your 5 closest friends"

 

I'm in the same boat, and its good to see others posting similar things to what goes on in my brain. I did really well in HS, playing sports, working, and achieving a 4.17 at graduation. Once I hit college I started working full time and going to school full time and still nothing changed, I kept a 4.0 GPA which helped me get scholarships and pay for school. This last year I just fell apart academically and motivationally. I went into a major that doesnt have many jobs available and hate school to the point where I dont even want to work on another major. I go to school simply to finish what I started, not as a means to anything else.

Its cool to read the posts on here and see that many others feel the same way, and the advice you guys prescribe really gets me thinking, keep it coming.

 

And that's why I enjoyed wheeling with you - You're good peeps ...and don't forget - I'm expecting great things from you!!!

 

I hope something great comes from me too. In a non arrogant way, I feel like I have potential and Im just wasting it. I need to find something I like to do and work in that area. ANd I need to get motivated. And I need a trail rig. And lots of money.

 

Find a Job You Love and You'll Never Work a Day in Your Life

I like that saying and thats exactly how I wanted life to be, but sometimes I wonder if thats possible. It seems like the jobs I like have a tradeoff, they dont make enough money to accomodate the lifestyle I want to live (I dont wanna wipe my ass with $100 bills). And [it seems] when I choose a job to accomodate my desired lifestyle, I lose that quote.