To the people with jobs that they really like, how did you get them?

[Ross MwcFan]

I take it you had to study first and get qualifications or whatever. But how did you know what to study?

 

Or did you just study something you liked, and didn't know if it would get you the kind of job you wanted, and then after finishing studying, you looked at what kinds of jobs you could get because of your qualifications, and then picked one of them that you liked?

 

It all seems really confusing and difficult to me and I don't know how to go about it. It's like I always have this mental block.

[xisnotx]

I'm very far from having a job that I like (I don't even have a job), but I'm pretty confident in my ability to land in a career that I know that I'll "enjoy" (which is extremely different from it being easy). "Why?" you ask?....well

 

I've literally been spending every waking moment of my life since I was about 10 thinking about it. That is, at this point in my life, more often than not, I've been thinking about who I am, what I'm capable of, what my ideals are, what the possibilities are etc etc, for longer than I haven't. It's been a long time...and I've stressed about every little nuanced detail imaginable...but I'm fairly confident that I'll be able to achieve some sort of contentment with whatever I end up doing.

 

I've been having the same mental block since I was ten, as stated above, and in my experience it does get easier...you just have to be honest with yourself. I imagine a lot of people who are really happy with their careers went through a similar stage (not that I'm in anyway out of it, to the contrary, ish just got real, as they say on the skreets) but, I'd imagine the mental block is indicative of positive personal growth.

 

And the sad truth, it seems, is that no one really knows how to go about it. But that's something I'd imagine you'd have to learn on your own...no one can tell you that.

[Ross MwcFan]

Maybe my anxiety and depression is a big contribution to why I'm finding this so hard.

[Ross MwcFan]

I've moved several times in my life to where the best opportunities in my profession are. My GF is a nurse and has done the same.

 

Do you save up your money beforehand, so you can pay the rent at the new place until you find the job you want?

[Ross MwcFan]

I wouldn't be able to understand how to move over to Canada.

 

So did you get the job in the area you moved to first, before moving there? And that's how you was able to afford to pay the rent at the place in the new area?

[Pyro]

For me it was luck. I was very unhappy at my last job and a guy who was there part-time was able to get me in to his full-time job. The job is great.

 

What it comes down to is who you know.

[oldguy]

Google; Working in Canada.

 

It's a great country.

[denise_xo]

- I chose degrees that I knew would lead me in the right direction (even though they didn't qualify me for a specific job or trade)

- I've worked part time since I was 13 to get job experience, and as I got older tried to get job experience in fields that I wanted to work in full time in the future

- I've worked very hard at the jobs I've had. As a consequence, my previous bosses have given me a lot of support when I've applied for jobs or looked for other opportunities later down the line.

- I've moved countries a few times to better my work opportunities. In one instance, I had a potential job but nothing was secured, another time the contract was signed before I went. In the first case, I borrowed a fair bit of money to make the move. In a long term perspective it was worth the investment as it opened other doors, but in the short term it was not a great financial move. I don't regret the decision.

- I've used the internet actively to seek out job opportunities and find information about the fields I want to work in.

- At various times I've had jobs I've hated, too, but they've paid the bills and sometimes I've known that sticking it out will eventually get me somewhere better.

[denise_xo]

Maybe my anxiety and depression is a big contribution to why I'm finding this so hard.

 

Yes, it probably is. Anxiety and depression generally leads a person to see obstacles rather than opportunities. You've probably answered this before, but do you take any meds to relieve your anxiety?

[carhill]

For myself, it was simple, merely a continuation of the obvious path as a child. When I sold off all my childhood stuff prior to my mom's death recently, in setting it all out on tables I could see it clearly. The microscope, the chemistry set, the electronics kits and projects, the old lawn mower engines I rebuilt as a child, etc, etc. It was natural that I went on to engineering school, though I'd later drop out in favor of hands-on engineering, designing and fabricating, something I still do today as a business. Looking back, there really was no ambiguity at all.

 

My only 'job' I ever had was 'gotten' for me by a friend who worked at an oilfield services machine shop. I knew how to design stuff and had been doing it for years in my head and on paper and wanted to learn how to actually make the things I designed. For that, I needed equipment. At 19, the easiest path to that place was going to work for someone else and trading my labor for learning and income until I could go out on my own, which I did at 27. Simple as that.

[Ross MwcFan]

Yes, it probably is. Anxiety and depression generally leads a person to see obstacles rather than opportunities. You've probably answered this before, but do you take any meds to relieve your anxiety?

 

I'm on meds but they don't seem to be working. I can't change them because the doctors are against it.

[oldguy]

Once again carhill is right, find your passions, your interests and go from there. As for a specific, detailed career. Most college graduates end up working in areas they did not even realize existed within their field & sometimes out side your field of study. I know a neurosurgeon who started his studies in the EE field.

 

My career interest where probably more inline with carhill; I liked to know how things work & was always building, designing & repairing things. My interest in how things work included people, so I changed my studies from electronics to mental health & sociology. after initially graduating I found myself eventually working with substance abuse as I grew up in that environment I had some practical experience. I also included over the years support for victims of substance abuse which then naturally included relationship counselling, which led to family & adolescent counselling & then full circle back to substance abuse & now assisting in the collection of social statistics & a 9 to 5, (actually much less than that). But in the beginning if you would have mapped my career path I would have run screening in the opposite direction.

 

Let your passion lead you & if you make enough money to keep the lights lit your doing well.

 

One more thing, also align yourself with mentors in various aspects of your life, people you respect & would like to immolate in your career path, personal & even spiritual path if the spirit moves you

Edited February 14, 2012 by oldguy

[Philosoraptor]

You just need to get started. Very rarely is your first job your dream job. You either grow to like it or you move on. As you become more qualified you will have more opportunities to try new things out and find something you like better.

[cerridwen]

But how did you know what to study?

 

I looked into what career I wanted based on my strengths and interests.

Then I looked at the educational requirements and chose areas of study accordingly.

It all seems really confusing and difficult to me and I don't know how to go about it. It's like I always have this mental block.

 

I would worry less about a career path right now, Ross, and more on calming yourself enough to get a volunteer position.

 

Once you've steadied yourself and gained a little experience out in the world, on to the next step of directing your career life.

[KathyM]

In my case, I sat down one day and made a list of all the possible jobs I would enjoy doing, and then narrowed down the list and scrutinized it until I had my one most desired job selected (and one based on reality of course). Then I developed a plan on how to get that job--what degree I would need, where I could go to get that degree, and then I applied to that college. At middle age, I am finally pursuing my true dream job, and currently getting the degree I'll need for it.