Career Aspirations
This song keeps playing in my mind.
The pressure is on.
I told myself that I would go back to work full-time this fall. As in September or October; November at the latest.
Well, fall is just about over, and I’m no closer to finding a job. (I haven’t actually started looking.) I’ve decided to set a new deadline for myself for February 1, 2009. I will be have a new career by this date come hell or high water!
And I don’t want to hear about that pesky recession. Everyone I tell my plans to laugh at me because the job market is so bad right now. They tell me no one is hiring. Well, that recession better just think again if even thinks about trying to interfere with my plans of being employed again.
I have a lot of emotions about this decision. One minute I’m scared, the next I’m excited. Then I start to feel overwhelmed by the whole job hunting process, as well as trying to figure out how I will swing things when the kids have off of school for snow or sick days.
As terrified as I may be, I know that it is time for a change. I’m ready to get back out there and contribute to society again.
I want to be like Melanie Griffith in Working Girl, but without the big hair and shoulder pads.
The problem is that I have no idea where I would want to contribute.
Before I had kids, I was a fourth grade teacher. My original plan was to go back to teaching after my kids were in school all day. The thought of doing that now just doesn’t appeal to me anymore. I may go back one day, but I’m not ready to take on the challenge of full-time teaching again just yet.
When I start to think about what else I could do for a living, I often find myself thinking of the things I don’t want to do. Then I start thinking of this scene from Say Anything:
Here is what I would add to Lloyd Dobler’s list:
- I don’t want to teach anything
- I don’t want to plan anything
- I don’t want to count anything
- I don’t want to organize anything
- I don’t want to clean anything
Ok, so what is left?
I have a degree in Elementary Education, four years of teaching experience, and eight years of domestic engineering/ parenting experience. What am I qualified for that doesn’t involve people shorter than me? I just need a break from kids.
Please, someone help me figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Oh, and kickboxing is NOT an option.
I’m thinking about getting this book.
Have you read it? Did it help?
I can’t believe I’m 34 years old and still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Please tell me that I’m not the only one.
Are you doing your dream job? If not, what is it? What are your career aspirations?
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23 Responses to “Career Aspirations”
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I’m a stay at home mom at the moment. For five years before I had kids, I worked in a bookstore. In February, I will go back to university parttime (along with looking after my two boys) to study psychology. I’d love to finish my degree (6 years) and follow it with a postgraduate course in clinical psychology to become a clinical psychologist – but of course I’m making all of these plans before I’ve even begun studying the subject. Who knows what will happen. Good luck finding a career for you – my dad used to always recommend that parachute book but I’ve never read it!
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You are not the only one. I’m in the same boat, almost. I have 2 or 3 more years to go, but it’s already been 8 years out of the work force (almost). I’m scared. I’m confused, I don’t know what to do with myself. i’m considering law school. I’d love to be a judge in family court. I’d also love to be a famous singer/dancer/gymnast, but, heh, don’t see that happening…
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If it makes you feel any better… I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up either. Right now I’m a work at home mom doing data entry for a large computer company. Unfortunately who knows how long that will last for. Especially with the economy the way it is. Bah humbug.
The only thing I’m good at is customer service. And I hate it . I’m actually using my current connections to look into getting more skilled. Thank goodness for company provided training. But it doesn’t help when I have no idea what I want to do.
I can’t afford to go back to school so that’s not an option.
What is this parachute book? Will it help me figure out who I am and what I want to be? If so, I’m game. If it’s just like all the other quizzes out there that tell me to become a vet or something (yuck!) then no thank you.
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I might have to pick up that book someday – it sounds intriguing. I don’t know what I’ll do if and when I decide to get back in the workforce – thus far I’ve worked at various retail stores (and I’m surprisingly good at it, but if you don’t go for management the pay is pretty crappy) and editing for my college newspaper, but if I wanted to work for a real paper or magazine I’d have to start with the grunt work all over again and I don’t think I have that in me – how do you start out as a lowly little writer when you’ve been the Editor-in-Chief? I suppose I could get over myself, but I’d rather just go work at a bookstore – lol
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I don’t look forward to having to make this decision in a few years myself.
Maybe turn your blog into the next Perez Hilton-type spot?? I hear there’s big money there. Why else would someone like him be famous? And hey, you’re MUCH prettier! ; )
Good luck in your search and thanks for the video. Hubs and I were just talking about that EXACT scene the other day! I so LOVE that movie!
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I had the “What Color Is Your Parachute” book when I graduated college to make use of and found it not remotely helpful. I know myself much better now than I did then (ten years ago now), so perhaps the same book in revised form might be of help now.
I am definitely NOT doing what I want to be doing. Every day I enter my office building and sigh and hate myself a little more for giving in to this rat race, working for a boss who is more negative than just about any other human being I have ever met, doing things a monkey could do and getting paid about as much.
If I could do anything (and get paid enough to survive), I would do any of the following:
1) Write full-time, from home.
2) Work in a bookstore.
3) Freelance photography.
4) All of the above in any combination thereof.
Unfortunately, without a dual income household allowing me the luxury of the above, I am in the rat race wishing I was anywhere else. The economy is rough right now, so few options outside of this exist (look at Monster.com and tell me differently). So… In the meantime, I seek any freelance writing positions available to me (know of any?) and submit my photography to shows (won an award a week ago, actually!).
Here’s hoping we both find what we seek.
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Nope I have no idea either, I enjoyed my pre-kids job, but I certainly couldn’t go back to that ever, my career aspirations change daily, one day I want to be a graphic designer, the next I want to be Ellens PA, and the thought of being an astronaut has always appealed to me
Let us know if the book was helpful, if you decide to pick it up and remember Jen, You Have To Live Your Best Life. (infinite wisdom, that O, infinite)
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dear God! You’re not the only one- I can’t answer any of your questions because I AM CLUELESS! I could have written this- maybe not quite as well, but I feel EXACTLY the same way. I can’t believe I’m 36 and STILL don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!!!
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i’m planning on going back to work after odessa is weaned. brad will be the at-home parent. my background is in hospitality management. i am with you on the no kids thing. i don’t understand the moms that do in-home daycare. they must be insane! i can’t wait to go back to work, but it will be at least another 1.5 years.
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I wanted to be a teacher, a math teacher. One day I announced that to my parents and they just laughed… yes, they laughed. Then my overbearing dad looked at me and said, “Pick something else, you’re not patient enough to teach.. I won’t pay for that degree.” So, I picked marketing and have NEVER used my degree. Now, I work as a School Nurse (because at our school they let anyone do it, it’s a private Catholic school with no real major health issues with kids, and a mom is the best to do it any way, I send kids back to class all the time that fake it). Yes, I’m now patient and help the kids that need my help. Take that my overbearing dad- you paid for a degree I NEVER used and I still work in a school. Hmmmm, thinking I got him, huh?
Now back to you, I think most of us don’t know what we want to do when we grow up. I think we just pick something and go with it. Most of us have so many callings that it’s hard to pick one thing.
Yes, it’s hard taking care of everyone else’s kids all day long then come home and take care of my kid, my hubby, my house, but I LOVE being on the same schedule my kid is on and like today, they understand when I’m sick… perhaps being a teacher’s aide would be good, or what about subbing for a little while, until you decide what you want to do.
Good luck in finding yourself… perhaps you should go away for a month or two and “find yourself”! Call me, I’ll go with you!!!! We can find ourselves together!!!
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I’m going to raise my hand too and say, “I have no idea what I want to do either.” I read that Parachute book a long while back — I don’t remember much about it, but it obviously couldn’t have helped much because I still don’t know what color my parachute is (so to speak).
Honestly, I don’t know that I could ever go back to the 9-5 grind now that I’ve been home with my kids. I want to work on my terms, my schedule, without someone micro-managing me every two seconds. Maybe there’s some great skill you have that you can dovetail into your own business? I’ve seen a lot of women take their strengths/hobbies (jewelery making, knitting, heck even something as mundane as menu planning) and turn them into viable businesses.
I don’t know. Wish I could be more help, but I’m just as lost as you.
Oh, and btw, I haven’t seen Say Anything in years! I LOVE that movie — the clip cracked me up and brought me back to the day.
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Yeah, I like my job but have been looking to move on for about two years. I bought that book in 07 I think.
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I wish I could help you honey, but I have NO idea what I want to be when i grow up. I keep taking classes, but I have no direction. Nothing appeals to me. If I could get paid to read or watch movies that would be AWESOME.
Let me know how the book is and if it’s helpful. I could use some guidance too.
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I know what you mean. I’m a school administrator at the central office and like it alright but would LOVE to own my own little boutique…unique clothing, gifts…that kinds of thing. NOT a good time to lark out right now with two kids in higher ed.
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I would like to be a librarian. I am VERY good at shhhh-ing people and I like books.
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I don’t know either! I’ve been working at the same restuatant as a bartender/training manager for NINE years- minus my three maternity leaves- and although I make pretty good money, it’s getting kind of embarrassing. I would really die for a “real-person” job, but since I don’t have a degree, I couldn’t leave my job for anything that would give me as much, not to mention more, than I’m making now. (Not to mention the benefits I’ve accrued by working there for so long- I choose how much/little I want to work and leave with cash in my pocket every day.) I’m trapped! And I think my parachute is hot pink with polka dots, but I should probably read the book to double-check.
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I feel like I’m at a meeting with others who have the same ‘problem’ as I do. Should I light my candle and say, “Hi, my name is Tonya and I’m undecided.” Everyday I have a new ‘idea’. But whatever I do, I have to be off ALL summer, Christmas break and spring break. Also, I want a paycheck twice a month and I want to know how much I can count on in that paycheck. Is that too much to ask for? Hum, this leave me with…..school. Except it’s really hard to get in to without a teaching degree…be thankful for what you have. I say stick with the blog and push it, you’re good at it
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Ugh, I am currently looking for a new career myself. I know what I want to be (a psychologist) but can’t afford and don’t have the time to go back to school right now. I like my job, but it is very high-stress and I am periliously close to burnout some days. I don’t know. I wish I would have been more focused in college, instead of ending up with a rather useless degree in Sociology. You can’t do ANYTHING with that unless you have at least a Master’s. Which I do not, and wouldn’t want one in that field anyway.
So, in short (TOO LATE), I know totally how you feel.
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It is hard to go back to work when you are not sure where to even start. I wored with kids and studied education too and I just don’t see myself in that role anymore either. I totally understand the need for something “adult” and not involving children.
I have read some of that book. I checked out a huge stack of career/interest books recently. I think that they were helpful but I am not sure that I got a true answer out of any of them. I did learn more about myself by taking all the tests that were in the books though
Keep us updated on what you decide to do.
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Honestly I am doing my dream job… Or maybe my dream job was when I had my press pass with Allied, which isn’t an option in Idaho. But even so- it’s a dream job. ALTHOUGH, maybe a little dreamier would include an agent… yes. THAT would be my dream job, to HAVE an agent too… and a publisher… with frequent trips to NYC for business…
but anyway… My advice to you, would be to evaluate WHY you are going back to work- and start there. and are you wanting full or part time? And, what about working in a school, (probably have good shot of getting in, with your background, plus you’d have the same breaks as your kids) but NOT as a teacher. Perhaps office staff, or librarian, or some other invisible position…
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I’m in the same boat! Right now, I love and enjoy being a SAHM. I actually have a degree in Justice Studies and worked in the court system for years. It’s so hard to figure out what I want to do with myself! I hope that your plans work out and that you can find something you’ll enjoy doing. You should do a book review on What Color is Your Parachute! I’m interested to know what you think!
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You sound like me – or very similar! I taught, and now that I am looking to do something (in a year or two) — I have no idea what I want to do. Well, write, but I don’t have an area of expertise except myself. That probably won’t pay any bills…
I wish I could suggest something… I think I keep watching to see what pans out for you
If I think of anything…
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You are definitely not the only one that doesn’t know what you want to be when you grow up. I’ve been in my profession (and have a degree in it) for 11 years and I’m totally burnt out. I’d love to start over in a new career path but I can’t afford it. Make sure you do something you love, then it’ll never feel like work.
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