http://boards.weddingbee.com/ Weddingbee Boards Topic: What should I do with my life? en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:53:31 +0000 http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-248283 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:16:07 +0000 California Girl 248283@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>I was exactly in your position 4 years ago. I had a bachelors degree from Pitt -how's Oakland these days anyway?&nbsp; and couldn't get (or keep) a job to pay my tiny rent.&nbsp; Anyway, if you are not enthused about a medical career (though the 'burg is great for that- I picked up my Dr. FI there) go back to school for Geology at Pitt. I did mine in two years and got free ride scholarship offers from every MS program I applied to. Geology pays great, is everywhere, and the people are way more laid back than in medicine or business.&nbsp; Do you like to read maps? Need a reference? I have people. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-246460 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:30:01 +0000 RecessionistaBride 246460@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>I have a BBA specializing in Finance. I thought I'd go into business with my Dad or eventually end up an accountant.&nbsp;My grandma said to me before I graduated &quot;Do what makes you happy. Don't think about the money! Some how things always even out.&quot;&nbsp;</p> <p>Two years later, I'm doing what&nbsp;I LOVE. It never feels like work. As a new business owner I'm not rolling in the dough yet... but I'm happy &amp; I make enough to live comfortably. She was completely right-on with her advice.</p> <p>I know with a baby on the way &amp; all these major changes it must feel completely overwhelming! First of all, you're 25... not 55. You will go through a gazillion career changes by the time you reach retirement, so cut yourself some slack!! You still have 40 more years to get it right lol. I wish one of us had the perfect answer for you! No one can tell you what to do... you have to dig deep &amp; think about what would make you HAPPY. Life is too special to waste it in a dead-end, miserable job! </p> <p>Aww I read your comment about your last job... you're a sweetheart!! Have you ever considered some sort of work with seniors? The aging baby boomers are opening up many, many doors for employment. </p> <p>((hugs)) </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-246292 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:43:22 +0000 plumeria 246292@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>I have a BFA in Graphic Design and my husband a BA in English.&nbsp; While I did end up going into the field I studied and love it, my husband definitely had a bit more of an ongoing journey.&nbsp; He taught high school English for three years before deciding it was just not for him and he wanted a career change. For him, achieving that meant baby steps -- getting in somewhere where his past experience was sort of relevant and then working hard to excel and push forward into a new role.&nbsp; He started as a nighttime proofreader&nbsp;at an advertising firm -- definitely not his dream job, but at least his degree was a little bit relevant&nbsp;-- and then, after learning the ropes, expressed his interest in learning about other roles at the same company.&nbsp; Less than a year later he was promoted to a daytime project manager position, in which he is learning tons and enjoying himself fairly well (and I am so so happy to finally have him home again in the evenings!).</p> <p>I guess what I'm trying to say is, take it a little bit at a time and see what happens.&nbsp; Think about what type of job you'd like to have, what type of company you would like to work for, and then brainstorm ways that you could &quot;get your foot in the door,&quot; so to speak, maybe without a change as big as more school.&nbsp; Maybe there are some baby steps that could bring you to a position where you would be happy without such a drastic change.&nbsp;&nbsp;That said, if you've thought about it and nursing is truly what you want to do -- by all means follow your heart! :)&nbsp; Good luck!</p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-246038 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:54:04 +0000 SpinningJenny 246038@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>Bellenga--I'm glad you've had nothing but good experiences. In my post I had just wanted to point out that some nurses in some hopitals (like the one my fiance worked at) occasionally had a very hard time with both patients and doctors&nbsp;and it's something you should go into with your eyes wide open. I hope everyone is courteous to ALL their medical professionals, no matter their degree, and it's great to hear from people who've experienced that. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-245885 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:26:54 +0000 Mrs. DG 245885@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>I was just going to chime in on nursing.&nbsp; Only do it if it is truly a passion.&nbsp; I know others have said it, but for me it is such a pleasure to work with nurses who love their job.&nbsp; They need to go above and beyond the call just to take care of patients on a daily basis, and it takes real love for the profession to do that.&nbsp; The nurses at my hospital are the best! </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-245870 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:11:43 +0000 fizicsGirl 245870@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>One thing just occurred to me...I know that you say you don't want to do translation, but it could be a useful way to explore other career opportunities.&nbsp; A good friend of mine, and fluent spanish speaker, volunteered as a translator at a legal clinic her husband provides legal services to.&nbsp; She had some interest in law, but wasn't sure about it.&nbsp; I think that exposure really helped solidify her interest, and she graduated from law school 3 years ago now:)</p> <p>One thing is that if you can certify as a translator quickly (no idea how hard it is), you could translate at a hospital say, earn some cash, *and* explore whether nursing is something you'd enjoy as a career. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-245858 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:02:42 +0000 mambinki 245858@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>If you love helping people, social work might be a great field to look into, as baffled wrote it is a very portable career.&nbsp; You can work in schools, hospitals, government agencies, for non profits, etc.&nbsp; There are a lot of options with an MSW.&nbsp; Also, if you feel you sometimes work TOO hard to help others, the schooling may help you learn about how to balance work-life with the rest of your life, ethical boundaries, all that good stuff.&nbsp; </p> <p>I really enjoy being a social worker and feel it has brought a lot of happiness and fulfillment to my life. But, it is a commitment and I have a lot of student loans to pay off, so make sure you choose something you think you'll really enjoy doing.&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-245360 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:50:01 +0000 ellebeaux 245360@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>First off, I totally sympathize.&nbsp; I'm also unemployed and unsure what I want to do, with a degree that I have regrets about.&nbsp; Have you looked for teaching jobs at private schools?&nbsp; I know several people who have gotten jobs at private schools without teaching certification.&nbsp; Good luck and try to stay positive! </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-245337 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:15:51 +0000 baffled111 245337@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>FWIW, my partner and I are both professors and most of our friends are also professors. In my observations, I have come to the conclusion that social work is the most academic-friendly career. Many of myacademic&nbsp; friends are married to social workers...It's a very respectable and meaningful job that is also exceptionally portable. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/what-should-i-do-with-my-life#post-245315 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:51:14 +0000 KateMW 245315@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>I have no real job advice, but from a mommy standpoint, I do know how you feel. I also remember how nice it was not to have to go back to work right away. I would do something temporarily that makes you some money then after the baby is here {Many congrats again, they are just soo much fun!} and you have had time to think things through and get a better plan, then look into changing careers or going back to school. Also something to think about it is that daycare or a nanny is SUPER expensive. As is, my husband is a partner in a large law firm and we thought it was expensive. It was about $800 a month for a good daycare. Ack! </p>