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I have a law degree...but I don't practice law. I did. But I hated it. So now I am the Assistant Director of Student Life at a law school. And I love it.
My fiance has two liberal arts degrees - and both are worthless. He has a journalism degree and an english degree. Poor thing has been out of work since January. He is currently taking his licensing tests to become an insurance agent and a teacher. But this economy definitely has him down.
How long would nursing school take? You're right - it is a great field and the jobs seem plentiful. But it also isn't an easy job, so be careful committing yourself to something you may not love doing...
Good luck!
Also, I definitely do not want to work in translation, and teaching is impractical because by the time we settle in one place long enough for it to be worthwhile to get certified in that state, I could be in my 30s.
I have a literature degree; while I am planning to go back to school within the next two years to get my Masters of Library Sciences, right now I work in HR. Honestly, I could stay in my job and progress up the corporate ladder, so to speak, to one of the top positions at my company. But I don't really want to do that. I love my job because of the stability, pay, benefits, etc... not because of the work I am doing.
You said you got a degree because that's "what you were supposed to do." Is there anything you LOVE to do, though? I think foreign language degrees are actually more versatile because you can find a job in almost any market. The tough part, though is figuring out what you want to be doing.
Can you contact your career counselor at your (old) college? Ours offers services to alumni at no charge; or maybe you can use the one at your husband's college for free because you are his spouse. Anyway, they often administer tests designed to help you discover what your passions are and how you can turn those passions into a career. If you are really lost on what kind of job would make you happy, the career counselor might be a good place to start...
I feel like I could have written this!
So I have no good advice, just support from a fellow bee frustrated with what to do next :) I have a degree in English and have been working in a library since. it's fine, and I have a great boss, but it's not what I want to be doing. But then lately I've been increasingly frustrated because I don't know WHAT I want to be doing, period. Same thing as you - I want to start something soon as opposed to waiting until my FI is done with all of his post-undergrad stuff. But what? I have no idea. Very very disappointing place to be in, and you're totally not alone. As if that helps :)
I feel like I am right along there with you amandopolis. I have a B.A. in Political Science with a French minor and a B.A. in English. And, I'm in law school right now... but here's the hitch... I don't think I'm going to enjoy practicing law. Maybe it's just because I'm getting close to finishing up, but it just doesn't feel like me.
So, I'm horrible on advice on this... because I'm in the same boat with you. But, I just wanted to let you know, as minneapolitan did, that you aren't alone. Maybe the other bees will be able to help all of us in this position out a bit with their advice.
I don't know what your husband's PhD is in, but it's important to keep in mind that academic careers are tough. Jobs are scarce, and you often have to be willing to move just about anywhere for a position. This is one, of several, reasons fizicsGuy and I aren't doing that (not that we're not both so specialized jobs we really want are scarce anyway). Having a career that's pretty universal and flexible would really make your lives (and your kids' lives) much easier...if I remember correctly, you are expecting, right?
I would have suggested translation, but I get that you're not into it. Nursing is a good option, but I will say your heart has to be really into it. Nursing is a tough, tough job. Well, most health care jobs are, but as a nurse you have a lot of demands on your time and compassion...and you usually don't get the respect you deserve b/c people shower it on physicians (I've lived my life aorund the medical profession with two doctors as parents, having volunteered at hospitals a lot, and having trained as an EMT). I don't recommend going into it half-hearted. Same with teaching.
Right now the job market is tough, but it's not a bad time to be looking into career-development. One thing that's struck me is how excited you were about all the DIY you did for your wedding. Is your heart in something a bit more creative-oriented? Maybe graphic or interior design or something? The job market for that isn't great now, but when (fingers crossed) the economy picks up in a few years there'll probably be huge demand for that (as new businesses design logos, new buildings are completed, etc).
Not to be a downer, but I agree with fizicsgirl--nursing is a demanding and exhausting job and you need to want to be there. My fiance worked as a certified nurse's assistant for 2 years before going to PA school. Frankly, the CNAs and nurses were treated very disrespectfully by patients for not being doctors and even treated disrespectfully by doctors for the same reason. You need to want to be there to get through the crap you're going to be given.
You say you don't really have a life dream. Maybe you can look into jobs on a college campus? Even if you are an office clerk, you'll be in a learning environment with lots of opportunities to see what options are available, maybe even audit some classes. Good luck and remember--even if things don't really get rolling career-wise until you're 30, that's not that old!
You're right fizicsgirl, I *am* expecting, which is part of the reason I feel so desperate to figure something out. It's that mothering instinct or something. I think that's part of the reason nursing appeals to me- I'd make enough to supplement my husband if he has trouble finding a job, and even if we end up in the middle of nowhere, I should be able to land something in nursing. I do love making things, but I've never thought I was talented enough to actually work in design. It would definitely require more education. And while interior design is definitely appealing, I can only imagine us ending up in the middle of Iowa, where I doubt there's much of a market, even when the economy is good. But that might just be my defeated attitude! I seem to think no job will ever work...
After graduating from college with a theatre degree (kind of totally a little bit worthless), I worked in box offices and ticketing, before reaching what I imagined as my penultimate position - and being completely miserable. I restructured my life a bit, and found a lower responsibility, more well paying position in my field, but it's not where I want to be.
Unfortunately, the job that I WANT to do doesn't pay my bills at the moment, but I'm hoping to cut some expenses by the end of the year, take a leap of faith, quit my day job, and be able to focus on my business, which is truly what I love to do and what I am passionate about.
I quite literally stumbled on what became my passion - keep your eyes and ears out, and find something you love to do - and then figure out how you can get paid to do it.
I was totally you 2 years ago! I was stuck in a rut. Hated my job. Worked a horrible office job. I went to a career counsellor and did 3.5 hours of testing to find 3 careers that would be a good fit for me. I picked Human Resources and ran with it. I switched jobs and did school part time in the evenings. 2 years later I make twice what I did when I started out, even though I still work in an office, I love what I do and every day is interesting and different.
I think a career counsellor is a great place to start. I did 4 different tests in the 3.5 hours. They tested aptitude as well as your personality and attitudes (towards status, money etc) When I met the counsellor after the testing, she had a 20 page report for me including charts and graphs analyzing my results. One of the tests asked questions about what you like to do with your free time. It matches your hobbies and likes and dislikes with those of people in different careers (with high job satisfaction) so you get matched into jobs where people with your similar personality do well. It's very cool.
Amadapolis, I think we're the same person. I graduated in 2006 with a B.A. in English, and now I work for an educational publisher. The job has great benefits and decent pay, but I sit in a cubicle from 8-5 Monday-Friday. I'm getting an M.A. in English so I can teach at community colleges, but even that isn't my ideal career. It's so frustrating to have tons of ideas of what you DON'T want to do, but very few about things you DO want to do.
My husband is getting his doctorate in psychology, and he suggested I see a career counselor. They don't just give you personality tests but actually work with you like a therapist to find out where your interests and strengths are.
Best of luck from one frustrated liberal arts graduate to another!
I think you should find out more about the careers you are interested in! If you are interested in nursing, find out more about the classes you'd take and what you'd be doing in a hopsital! I work closely with a lot of medical professionals and I am thinking about pharmacy school myself :)
Good luck!
I got an undergrad in Business Administration and now work in insurance. I always thought I wanted to be a Pharma Sales Rep, but my Dad was totally against it and made me interview for an underwriting position. I had no idea what underwriting was at the time, but the company I was with trained me very well and I've since moved to NYC and do Business Development which I love! I even met my Fiance through Insurance too.
It's not the most sexy job or industry, but it pays the bills and is pretty steady. There's also a lot of opportunity for moving around.
If I were you, I would definitely do some research about the classes you would have to take to be a Nurse. Nursing doesn't seem like it's for everyone - if you can't stand the sight of blood you may want to rethink that. But it is a very stable and lucritive career, Nurses are in high demand everywhere and well paid.
Good luck and let me know if you have any questions about insurance!
Time to do some research. If you are interested in nursing, see if you can do some kind of volunteer work in a hospital and see if you like it. If you are interested in other things, see if you can talk to a career counselor and do a tour. They can then also talk to you abotu financing and what-not. Massage therapy is a growing field and only takes about 9 months of school, another thing to consider.
I also have an undergrad in liberal arts (painting, very useful stuff) and went back to school when I was 27 to get a master's in social work. Part of what appealed to me about the degree is that it is so versatile that you can do many things with the degree, however most of them lots of hard work and not a lot of pay. Still, I do know I can get a job just about anywhere.
But really, if I didn't love doing this work, I'd be outta here because it ain't easy and it is the same with nursing. So do your research. Thing about something out there that is fun for you that feels far fetched and find a way to do some volunteering and see how it feels. I think deep down you may know what you want to do! Find what you love to do and the rest will fall into place.
No advice here, but I wanted to tell you I'm in a similar position. I'm currently working on a degree I don't really love and have no clue what the next step is. So you're not alone!
My one recommendation is, don't go back to school or jump into a specific career or in general panic about "doing something with your life", just because you think you should. That's why you went to college, and it wasn't you. Maybe a "typical" career path isn't for you either. Not everyone is cut out to do something they love for a living. Our culture has this expectation that you should have a super fulfilling, purposeful career, and that's great, but don't pressure yourself to figure that NOW, or you'll only end up doing something that makes you miserable.
Of course, you want to provide for your new baby, but what really matters to kids is love and peace. Stressing about the future won't create that kind of environment. Cutting yourself a break, focusing on the exciting time ahead of you, focusing on your new marriage and the love that created it - those are all more worthy uses of your time than worrying!
I like spinning Jenny's idea about working at a university. Because where ever your husband goes for work it'll be at a university :) So, working in student life, or maybe in a department you care about could be worth it. They may allow you to take classes which could help give you some direction. :)
I'm with people on the warning about nursing- yes, they are very much desired right now, so there are lots of opening. But I've had two friends just finish their degrees and go into the field- first off, if you're working in a hospital, they almost ALWAYS start you out on the night shift- they both work 7pm-7am. Secondly, they get treated like crap by most of their patients. Third, they've seen a lot of stuff that they just weren't prepared for. My Mom has been a nurse for 40 years, beginning as a candy striper in her teens- she is one tough woman, has seen it all, dealt with it all, and NOTHING shocks her anymore. Nursing is a tough career, I wouldn't have the stones for it, hah!
I graduated with a BA in English from Indiana University in 1991 and married my husband (the love of my life) in Las Vegas in November of that same year. We'd known each other exactly 6 weeks before we got married.
Since then I've been a nanny, a florist, a volunteer coordinator for low-income senior citizens, an integration aide for children with disabilities, an administrative assistant, a database developer, a study abroad advisor, a web developer, and now a yoga teacher. Moral to the story, don't be afraid to try new things and follow your heart. Teaching yoga is my dream come true. I help people heal, feel happier, and release stress. I'm probably never going to live in a mansion but I love what I do and each day something new unfolds for me. I've loved something about every job I've been in and little by little I've distilled that contentment into my life as a wife, mother, and now yoga teacher. Follow your heart, be open to opportunity, and live fully and completely in this moment, one breath at a time.
With warmest wishes for your happiness,
PLEASE don't go into nursing just because of the pay. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not. That is how we get burnt-out nurses who don't care enough about their patients. I'm sure (from what I've read on Weddingbee) that you'd be an excellent nurse -- BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.
Haha, I didn't mean to give the impression that it was just the pay. I actually really love working with people, it's one of the things I'm best at. In fact, my biggest struggle at my last job as a legal assistant was that I cared *so much* about my clients that I ended up working ten times more than anyone else in my office bending over backwards to do everything possible to help them-- from researching ways to get them more money to making their doctors appointments for them. I had a woman whose son was severely brain damaged following a car accident and she was staying in a recliner in his hospital room, hours away from home, living on Mcdonald's gift certificates. I took her out to lunch and almost lost my job. That's actually my biggest worry. I am sometimes too devoted for my own good.
I have to disagree gently w/you SpinningJenny. I am in health care and I don't see RN's treated poorly by doctors or patients. (unless the patient is very ill and then they're pretty much hurting and not on their best behaviors TO ALL including their docs) I do see a big difference b/w being a nursing ASSISTANT and a registered nurse (much difference in training).
I do something totally different. I am a nuclear medicine technologist. We are techy people, usually good with human physiology, like to be independent (we do our own exams and rarely even see a doc, just our patients each day) and imho are paid pretty well. I do have to take emergency call now and then (just came off a call weekend) and enjoy the fact that we are on the cutting edge of medicine and the changes we have seen in the past 5 years is astounding!
It is a bachelor's program, but now our new Master's has just begun (at my old Alma Mater btw). It is a Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine "Nuclear Medicine Practicioner" and we will basically be our version of a Nuke Med PA and do lumbar punctures for our procedures needing that, wet reads of our own studies, and several other interventional procedures as well. (I already do one interventional procedure every day by myself now). Check it out! www.snm.org
it's allowed me to comfortably be a single mom, raise my son, own a nice home, new suv, and still have enough little bit of $$ leftover for us to always take vacays and such. I've never had a doc be anything but really nice and my patients are always usually very nice too. Most of us actually mistake us for the docs anyway...do our own thing, we wear the white coat..you know.
=) Sorry if I came off a little strong. It's just that I'm a nursing student and the first thing that people say when I mention that is "oh, well you'll make good money!" and I'm like "uh...that is SO not why I am in the field!". I do realize that income is an important factor in deciding on a career, but when you want to do something like nursing, you have to be prepared to put up with a lot. You have to really WANT to do what you're doing. Like so many others have said, you're going to take a lot of crap, and you're going to see a lot of things.
It's good that you care about people...but you can't get too attached to your clients when you're a nurse. =/ I really feel you, because I am HUGE empathetic (my father was worried about me going into nursing). But if you identify too much, you risk burn-out and other things (like losing your job).
I would say try to spend some time volunteering at different health care organizations where you live. Just 1-2 hours a week, try to get a feel for it. =) If you find that you really like it, then go for it.
The only other thing I would caution you against would be that nursing, because of the shift work, can be REALLY hard for a family that's just beginning. Plus, since you are expecting, you might have to do your schooling part-time, and you might not finish the program when you'd like.
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!
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 friends are married to social workers...It's a very respectable and meaningful job that is also exceptionally portable.
First off, I totally sympathize. I'm also unemployed and unsure what I want to do, with a degree that I have regrets about. Have you looked for teaching jobs at private schools? I know several people who have gotten jobs at private schools without teaching certification. Good luck and try to stay positive!
If you love helping people, social work might be a great field to look into, as baffled wrote it is a very portable career. You can work in schools, hospitals, government agencies, for non profits, etc. There are a lot of options with an MSW. 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.
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.
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. A good friend of mine, and fluent spanish speaker, volunteered as a translator at a legal clinic her husband provides legal services to. She had some interest in law, but wasn't sure about it. I think that exposure really helped solidify her interest, and she graduated from law school 3 years ago now:)
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.
I was just going to chime in on nursing. Only do it if it is truly a passion. I know others have said it, but for me it is such a pleasure to work with nurses who love their job. 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. The nurses at my hospital are the best!
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 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.
I have a BFA in Graphic Design and my husband a BA in English. 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. 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. He started as a nighttime proofreader at an advertising firm -- definitely not his dream job, but at least his degree was a little bit relevant -- and then, after learning the ropes, expressed his interest in learning about other roles at the same company. 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!).
I guess what I'm trying to say is, take it a little bit at a time and see what happens. 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 "get your foot in the door," so to speak, maybe without a change as big as more school. Maybe there are some baby steps that could bring you to a position where you would be happy without such a drastic change. That said, if you've thought about it and nursing is truly what you want to do -- by all means follow your heart! :) Good luck!
I have a BBA specializing in Finance. I thought I'd go into business with my Dad or eventually end up an accountant. My grandma said to me before I graduated "Do what makes you happy. Don't think about the money! Some how things always even out."
Two years later, I'm doing what I LOVE. It never feels like work. As a new business owner I'm not rolling in the dough yet... but I'm happy & I make enough to live comfortably. She was completely right-on with her advice.
I know with a baby on the way & 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 & think about what would make you HAPPY. Life is too special to waste it in a dead-end, miserable job!
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.
((hugs))
I was exactly in your position 4 years ago. I had a bachelors degree from Pitt -how's Oakland these days anyway? and couldn't get (or keep) a job to pay my tiny rent. 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. Do you like to read maps? Need a reference? I have people.
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I'm 25. My husband is in grad school, about halfway to finishing his PhD. I finished college in 2006 (BA in French), and have been kind of working here and there since then. Up until now I've always assumed that I'd go back to school eventually, but now I'm 25 and I have no idea what I'd even go to school for.
I'm out of work right now, and I just feel so defeated. The jobs available to people with just a liberal arts degree are so low paying I can't even make student loan payments, and I don't want to get stuck in a field I hate. The thought of spending the rest of my life stuck in a little cubicle filing papers away makes me want to die.
My husband will finish his PhD in about 4 years, at which point he'll get a job as a professor. It's unclear whether this job will be a one year contract, or tenure track, or what. There's no telling how many times we'll have to move before he lands a tenure track position, and we have no real way of predicting where we'll end up. I need to find something that I can do that will be available pretty much anywhere.
So my options are keeping doing crappy office jobs and being miserable, but office jobs seem abundant everywhere. Or I could try to get more education so I can get a better job, but I don't really want to go back to school and dig myself deeper into student loan debt without knowing for sure it's what I want to do.
I've considered going to nursing school-- I don't hate the idea, the pay is good, you get to move around, you don't have to wear uncomfortable business casual clothes, and jobs are abundant everywhere it seems. The cost is pretty low here, and I'd have time to complete the degree and work off the cost of school before my fiance finishes his degree, making it basically free. It's not really my lifelong dream, but I've realized that I don't really have one. I went to college because "that's what you're supposed to do." So maybe it's best to make the practical decision now? If I wait for my husband to finish his PhD before starting, I'll be almost 30 and just getting started. I'd rather start now at something so I can get some experience at something under my belt.
Bees, help me. What do you do? Do you have a liberal arts degree? Is it totally useless? Do you have a career already? How did you get there?