How do you figure out what you want to do as a profession?

[ironpony]

I am not sure what I want to do as a profession, and I took some aptitude tests and some courses offered by the government which are designed to you me figure it out.  But they came back saying I would be happy working a grocery store, or cafeteria like environment.  But I've worked those jobs before and they don't make enough money hence why I took this course and aptitude tests in the first place, to help me figure out what I want to do, to find a better paying, more opportunative profession, than those ones I already worked before.

But since the course and tests didn't seem to help really, is there a different way of trying to figure out what you want to do as a career possibly?  Thanks for any advice on it!  I really appreciate it!

[Fletch Lives]

I've taken some of those tests before........one was right on the mark. 

But the problem is, they give you very few choices. I would try to find out what qualities grocery and cafeteria jobs have, and then see what other types of jobs fit those attributes. There are probably tons of niche jobs that are similar. 

For example, the test I took said I would be a good teacher - what it did not tell me is that teacher is a bigger field than just the classroom. I found I was good at writing self-help books (okay, I have qualities which make me a good writer too), sales presentations, and counseling. All of those involve teaching - but I don't want to work in a classroom.

more tips:

 - don't worry about the money at first - if you are good and figure out the biz you get into, the money will come. You might own a grocery store someday. And forget about status - it's fake.

 - You might just want to try some jobs initially - experience is one of the best teachers, and show you what you like and don't like.

 

[Foxhall]

Not always easy this one is it,

personally have struggled on this, accountancy was the route I went down but have really lost interest and find it too boring and unstimulating,

I drifted into teaching more recently but again not sure about that either long term,

doing something in medicine or science is what I should have done. I find myself very interested in medical research and the likes and something like being involved in researching the development of covid vaccines strikes me as a much more interesting career.

 

go with something you like and have a passion for,

film making you were trying was it, dont give up on that yet- follow your dreams as they say.

if that dream prove unachievable, perhaps something "that has a benefit for society as a whole," that you are helping people- that could be a motivating factor to guide you.

[LuckyM]

No certain way for everyone and that's a reason why people go to college to find themselves. In your case think of some decent paying jobs that have a future for you and you could do well and ask people who have these jobs about it. Don't rely on the internet only or books or test scores. Communicate with workers in these occupations by email or snail mail. Maybe visit them

[ironpony]

Thanks, I am just not sure what to find out what I want to do.  I don't know if I should go to college to find myself, if I do not know what I want to take, should I?

Also, I was told not to do filmmaking by some others before, because I was told I do not have the aptitude for it.  Is there ways I can develop my aptitude and make it better, or is it built in by nature, and you cannot make aptitude better really?

[basil67]

There are a great many people who don't have a profession, myself included.  Without people who do regular jobs, the developed world and it's economy would fall down in a screaming heap and so those workers are absolutely essential.   A job doesn't have to be a profession to be able to take pride in it.

You've mentioned in the past that you don't like working in the cold.  Have you considered working in hospitality or retail?  Office admin?   Or, do you have a caring nature?  If so, consider support work or nursing assistant.  

What are your strengths?   You have a driver's license...what other skills do you have?

Edited March 2, 2021 by basil67

[elaine567]

Professional people have a good education with excellent grades and qualifications before they even start....
How well did you do at school, what qualifications have you gained since school? 

[Dis]

1 hour ago, elaine567 said:

Professional people have a good education with excellent grades and qualifications before they even start....
How well did you do at school, what qualifications have you gained since school? 

Yes but many of us start off with nothing. 

 

I almost had to repeat a grade in high school because I had so many issues going on at the time. I barely graduated. Then I went on to do short term retail jobs. Jumped around for place to place. I was still trying to figure my life out. 

 

I ended up getting a job as a companion and homemaker and realized I really loved taking care of people. My mom is a Nurse Practitioner and I was always inspired by her. 

It was at that point I decided to pull myself up by the boot straps and go to nursing school. I graduated with honors and now I'm an employed RN thriving in my field. 

 

Sometimes we have to fail many times before we succeed. 

[ironpony]

2 hours ago, basil67 said:

There are a great many people who don't have a profession, myself included.  Without people who do regular jobs, the developed world and it's economy would fall down in a screaming heap and so those workers are absolutely essential.   A job doesn't have to be a profession to be able to take pride in it.

You've mentioned in the past that you don't like working in the cold.  Have you considered working in hospitality or retail?  Office admin?   Or, do you have a caring nature?  If so, consider support work or nursing assistant.  

What are your strengths?   You have a driver's license...what other skills do you have?

I've worked in retail but not the others.  I didn't mind it, it was okay.

[ironpony]

2 hours ago, elaine567 said:

Professional people have a good education with excellent grades and qualifications before they even start....
How well did you do at school, what qualifications have you gained since school? 

I've only done high school and film school.  High school I do not remember my exact grades but I got the diploma.  Film school I got an 86% in.

[basil67]

Ok, so going back to what @Dis wrote, where to you feel your strengths are?   

You clearly like the film industry, what about getting skilled up in one of the many fields which supports film or TV.  For example, one of my mates is a successful cinematographer.   His name is always popping in credits for series we watch.

[ironpony]

I didn't mind the grocery store job, it was okay.  But I thought the goal was to get a job with a higher wage though of course :).

[basil67]

A lower paid grocery store job can be a stepping stone to being a more highly paid store manager.   

[ironpony]

5 minutes ago, basil67 said:

A lower paid grocery store job can be a stepping stone to being a more highly paid store manager.   

That's true, but I worked in a grocery store for nine years and never made it up, but maybe it's normal to wait longer?  However, it was said before that I shouldn't wait too long before I move out and get a place on my own, but maybe I should if it's normal to wait over nine years?

[basil67]

51 minutes ago, ironpony said:

That's true, but I worked in a grocery store for nine years and never made it up, but maybe it's normal to wait longer?  However, it was said before that I shouldn't wait too long before I move out and get a place on my own, but maybe I should if it's normal to wait over nine years?

No, it's not normal to wait nine years.   My daughter got a job working in a supermarket when she was 19 to support herself through Uni.  (not her first part time job).  In less than a year she was service supervisor and supervising people who were much older than her and had been around longer.  She left that job to work in her chosen field, but had she stayed, the next promotion would have been shift supervisor, then store manager.  It's about working up through the ranks. 

Here's what she did to get the promotion:

On top of standard things like being reliable and personable, if she saw that something needed doing, she'd do it.  If there was a lull in customers, she'd dash off and face up the shelves or clean up onion skins on the ground.  If something went wrong which had never happened before, she'd take the initiative to figure out a solution.  To sum it up, I guess it's pretty much taking initiative and solid problem solving skills which is what sees a person getting the promotions.

 

[ironpony]

Oh okay thanks.  I think I took initiative and solved problems as far as I know.  But I will keep that in mind still for the future.

[ironpony]

I would like to live on my own and perhaps even buy a place compared to renting, but even to rent, I find it difficult to find a job that will pay those bills.  My current job only pays 12 Canadian dollars an hour for example and they are giving me a promotion, but I don't think they will give me a raise of at least five more dollars an hour to go with that of course.

So I am wondering, are there any jobs out there, where one can have a living wage, without having to invest money in school or college necessarily?  Thank you for any input on it!  I really appreciate it!

[vla1120]

What about attending a trade school? You can go to night school when you are not working and getting certified as an electrician, plumber or welder. My daughter has a friends who is 4 years out of high school. He attended a trade school for HVAC certification. He owns his own business and does very well for himself. Yes, you would still have to attend a trade school, but they usually offer financing and will pay for themselves very quickly, especially if you go into business for yourself.

[Traveller]

Lots of online opportunities nowadays from marketing, graphic design, article writting. You may not need a degree technically speaking if you go as a freelancer, yet knowledge is key, so you'll have to invest some time regardless into educating yourself and getting some skills in whatever field you go for.

[Wiseman2]

Talk to your social worker about programs available including tuition free programs. 

[Foxhall]

I'll be slated if I say gambling- like the guy on the dating threads here- lol, though I have made a side income betting on horse racing and golf over the years,

not that it gets any easier- the problem then is the bookmakers dont want to accept the bets,

my new venture is I would like to develop writing- if I could write a decent novel and make a few sales, thats my next little project,

Anyway perhaps in your case- maybe writing is an option for you- dont you direct films?

then how about buying and selling online- sourcing products cheap in China or wherever and selling them on e bay at a profit,

Or you could start cooking and baking and sell your items at local markets.

One area where a friend of mine does well is posting pictures online- she is a pretty hungarian blonde though- so I suppose that gives her a certain advantage!

 

[Wiseman2]

Look around for part time jobs. Make extra money and try out some things you are good at. Don't forget to ask your caseworker about aptitude testing and whatever programs you quality for based on your medical history.

[elaine567]

Most in your situation  either go get an education so they re better qualified or  they do 2-3 or even 4 extra P/T jobs to give them the income they need to survive or they start a business ie make their own job and/or they rent somewhere cheap with a room-mate or room-mates.
 

Edited December 12, 2021 by elaine567

[Mrin]

Teach yourself how to write code.

[ironpony]

Okay thanks, I will try those options and ask a social worker.  Also, every time I try part time jobs, they always conflict with my main job, time wise, and that's always been an issue.  So I think I need to prepare for that not being an option possibly, if there is always scheduling conflicts.  I don't really want roomates though as the point of living on my own, is living on my own, so I feel that roommates would defeat the purpose of the goal, since the goal is to get my own place, unless that is not good?

Edited December 12, 2021 by ironpony