How did you decide what you want to do?

I dont have a clue what career I want to end up in and it got me thinking. How did you decide on what you want to do?

 

It depends on several factors. Do you want a career that pays well or a career that you love to do? Because sometimes you cant have both. My ideal job wouldnt support my lifestyle so I chose a more technical career. To a certain extent you have to recognize what you are good at and direct yourself to jobs that align with those skills.

RJM

 

Joined the Air Force. They picked for me and I'm lucky to have gotten such an awesome job.

 

I didn't decide. It found me. I'm an IT consultant (but my degree's in Religious Studies). It's not my passion at all. But it pays good, I work for myself, it's challenging, and it also leaves me plenty of time to pursue my passions.

 

I really cant decide. I love guiding (really assisting/ "seconding") and I'm going to college for a rec degree, just finished my first year of general credits so its completely up in the air. Doing all of the things that degree leads to interests me but I don't want to do them as a career.

What do you do?

That actually sounds kinda cool. The challenging, paying well enough to pursue your hobbies and have time to do them parts anyway

 

Check this out.
I had wish I had heard this before making my decision for a life time career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45kNqUF6kC4

 

I know what you mean man. I messed around after high school and landed a good paying job but once the recession hit I got laid off. Every job I have had since then has been lower paying. So now that I am almost 27 and getting close to the time I have to declare a major I have no idea what I want to do. I thought I would go into nursing but after my grandmother being in the hospital a lot these past couple years I don't think I could handle it. People tell me I should do what I'm passionate about but I feel like I'm not passionate about anything. So now I have no idea what to do. Good luck on your search for a career!

 

I'm working multiple jobs right now. Work construction all week, (on lunch break right now,) anything from framing and roofing to drywall and trim. At night (2-6:30 am) I run a newspaper route. In my spare time, I mow lawns and recycle scrap metal.
I want to get into the local police force, but I'm not sure how to go about doing that. I want to help people and make my community a little safer.

 

i was in college, partying, chasing girls..being a idiot with my money.

i worked for a sign company. we had to install a marque for some hospital. our sub, the electricians refused to dig a trench, so my boss handed me and my friend a shovel each.

my buddy looked up and screamed.."holy shit, we're effen ditch diggers!". we both took schooling a tad more serious.

 

You are pretty ambitious for a 20 yr old.

For becoming a LEO Im sure there are members here that could help you out.

RJM

 

I'm choosing my career based on both factors. I plan on becoming a leo after I finish college at uncc. I have always wanted to be a police since I was a little boy and Police also get a very decent pay.

 

I was always told there are three things you have to balance: What you're good at, what interests you, and what pays the bills. I was always good at math and science, I have always liked building things, and I'm not exactly frugal.

I became a Civil Consulting Engineer. It's alright. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up though.

 

I know in another thread you mentioned that you were friends with one of your local police officers(when a group of kids broke into your truck). The best bet would be to try and see if you could join him on a couple ride alongs and start asking him a lot of questions. He would be the most helpful regarding the process for becoming an officer in your area.



I didnt really choose my current career, just kinda got lucky with networking

 

Yeah, Leo that lives down the street. I didn't know you could do ride-alongs. I think he mostly works at a school, kinda like a security guard but a real cop.

 

I spent years and thousands on a pre- med degree before taking time off school. I returned for art school becuase it makes me happy and I think it is important. But, I understand that maybe I will have other jobs and careers in my life. I would suggest doing what interests you and doing it well. The more skills you have and the more curiosity you allow yourself, the more any job will be one you can find some happiness in.

 

good advice here ^^^

don't feel like you have to shoot for the moon, ...if you really aren't being pulled in a particular path, ...try to go into something that has a fairly broad base of demand in your locale... ...something you can make a living on, and interests you at least somewhat... sometimes you don't know what you like, until you try it, ...just be sure that the time/effort you're putting into "trying" a path allows you to build a foundation that could readily facilitate a career transition later if need be (i.e. a general career/industry "sector")...

 

i wanna retire

 

Right out of high school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I have a decent paying job, but it isn't a career. I had a very bad night few years ago was in the hospital. Talking to the nurses and seeing what they do got me interested in the medical field (plus I'm into fitness so learning about anatomy and physiology was very interesting to me). Now I'm pursuing a career as a hopeful nurse.

 

I wanted to make more money without going to college for 4 years or taking out student loans. I also did not want to wear a tie or sit in a cubicle all day long. I went to a local trade school that has a reputable diesel and construction equipment program. I worked full-time the whole 2 years and paid cash for all my school and tools. A month before I graduated I had 3 interviews in one week and all 3 offered me a job. It nearly doubled my hourly wage and also gave me an associate's degree, so in the future if I want to get a bachelor's degree it will only take 2 years. So if you're a hands-on type, I would highly recommend a good trade school.

 

I chose mechanical engineering because I wanted something
1) technical 2) versatile 3) decent paying 4) stable

an ME degree opens up a lot of possibilities, even in unrelated fields. Plus, with a 3.0+ gpa and lots of time applying, you can get enough scholarships to graduate debt-free