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I am having severe trouble figuring out what to do with my life, in terms of what kind of job I want in the future and what education I should pursue… Severe.. trouble

So I am searching everywhere to try and get an impression on what different professions are like, but with the limited info I obtain I still find it very hard to gain a solid impression of the different fields and opportunities and conditions..
So was wondering if anyone knows about any particular forum for this kind of subject - choosing a career and education etc.
Nothing would be better than a special internet forum where one could ask real people with real jobs what it´s really like. Other relevant resources are also good of course.
All replies are much appreciated

Don't you envy the people who knew "I'm going to be a doctor" since age 3?? I'm not one of those. I'm guessing you're not either. At present, I work on Wall Street (YUCK!!) but in my heart I'm a writer working toward a career as a makeup artist.

Take a look at the book "What Color is Your Parachute." Also (something I did) was sit down and write down EVERY type of job that I'd label as "dream jobs" for me. Then I'd imagine myself doing it. Research it. Try it on like a new pair of shoes. Then decide if it fit.

Now, here I am, my writing is published and I'm finishing school to become a certified makeup artist. Wall Street pays my rent (YUCK AGAIN!!) but soon I'll shed that awful career when my dream jobs generate dream salaries.

What are you interested in?

Thanks for being the one to respond so far. Yeah I´ve felt that exact way for a number of years, envying all those people who´ve always known what they want to do. After all, if you focus on one thing from the start the odds are that you are going to succeed well in it. While in the opposite case, well you know...
My number one interest is making money so I can satisfy my number two interest, which is travel. Seriously though, I have many interests, too many! But I feel that the money issue sort of clutters the whole issue of what work I may find interesting since I really want to spend as many years as possible traveling, and to do that you need money. I have even been considering seriously whether I should just do whatever pays a lot for a few years, save as much as possible and invest it in mutual funds and then hopefully live well off the returns in cheap countries and be free to indulge in whatever interest I may have… Most (or all) people I meet don´t seem to dig or have a lot of faith in that idea though…

I second your request. I'm 27 and an office manager and this job is DEFINITELY not my dream job. Dream jobs:

Archeologist

Museum Curator

Producer for Discovery Channel (or any part of the film crew)

Lady of Leisure.

The last one seems the most likely out of all of them---now all I have to do is strike it rich somehow!

quote:

Don't you envy the people who knew "I'm going to be a doctor" since age 3

It's a mixed blessing. As someone who knew he was going to be an engineer by age 5, I must say it really sucked when I was unable to make it through the degree.

After a few years of not knowing what to do with my life (and traveling...that part was good), I seem to have settled on accounting. As boring as it sounds, it's rather exciting to me. Good career opportunities. Lots of numbers,. No calculus. So I'm all signed up to start classes in May.

I'd be careful of assuming an equation of "life" and "profession". The phrase, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" is SO wrong. A more accurate one would be to break it down into two questions-- "who are you going be?" vs. "What are you going to do?" You also see it in answers, not just questions, in a convo. that goes like this: "Who are you?" "I am an accountant." STOP! What's with "I am..."? How about, "I work for...", "I do accounting at..." etc. No need to wrap up one's entire identity, self-image, self-esteem, etc. in their job. Now, a job can help build that, and be an outgrowth of it and one's personal passions, but to base your identity on your paycheck is dangerous.

I'd also be careful of assuming that a vocational path is a life-long ball & chain to one profession. Many chose one field and stick with it for their entire life, and that's where concepts of "career" often used to come from. Today, it's not uncommon for someone to be working in a job for ___ years, then totally changing fields/jobs. That only looks bad when it adds up to a lot of short stints in this job & that, which just SCREAMS instability on any resume.

I'd also be careful of assuming that a particular choice of major locks you into one vocational field forever. It's not uncommon to find people working in a field that has nothing to do with their B.A./M.A. degree. Companies like that the person got a degree, as it shows self-discipline, well-rounding thinking, perseverence, and all kinds of other good all around qualities.

I was/am the same way. When I was in college, I was totally confused, and changed my major every semester. Until I got to 3rd year, and had to make a decision or waste alot of time/money. My advisor had me take a skills test to see what I was strongest in. It turned out to be math/science, so they steered me in that direction. I ended up with a degree in Medical Technology. Its pretty boring, but Im really satisfied with my situation (financially and emotionally), so I think in the long run, it was the right thing for me. In hindsight, it wouldve been great to take time off and get a real job and grow up a little before choosing a degree. But I really wasnt mature enough for that, I needed campus life to aid my maturation.

You can use an online calculator.

Young people today are more likely to have several carreers before they retire anyway. If you don't know what you want, then I I'd focus on the skills that will be useful in any job:
1) Adaptability
2) Communication
3) Ability to learn new concepts at a rapid rate.

And try a few out.

I'm going to be retired before I ever figure out what I want for a career.
If you switch around too much, or more than once, on any given profession, you have to be careful that boneheaded HR reps will glance at your resume(which isn't even a full application, it's supposed to be terse) and decide you won't stay for more than a week without consulting you.

I've come to the realization what we are searching for is lifestyle. If you can have a job that you don't hate or doesn't completely burn you out, and pays enough for you to actually live, you have it made. If the job doesn't disgust you, you can afford a nice place, and you have weekends off(if that's what you want); don't mess it up! Now if only someone told me that 10 years ago!

And if I get PTO, forget it! I should've never left my last job that had PTO!

Thanks Jeff for that last comment. That really solidifies some conclusions I've been drawing about my own choice of profession.

After a couple years of struggling, I'm finally starting to conclude that a job, any job - even a great job - will never be a source of fulfillment for my life. Jobs are a means to an end, that's it. And like you say, if it's not disgusting, pays decently, and even comes with some good perks, the job's a keeper.

I think a person's true vocation or "calling" if you will, has to come from within, not from the Help Wanted ads.

I've never done it, but I think the best way to find out what profession would be best would be to actually interview people who are doing it and are retired from it. I keep meeting doctors when I travel, doctors and other medical professionals who are semi-retired working one day a week or so. It never occurred to me to think about what professions work into an easy part-work retirement scheme.

I just kind of fell into one thing, then another. I always tell people that I'm not sure what I'll be when I grow up...and I'm 48 now. On the other hand I have a pretty fine job designing training for business software so I really can't complain too much. I agree with those who say you should do what you enjoy (whenever possible). And don't confuse career with being.