Okay, so today is August 2nd, 2005. I'll be 23 years old on 17th the week after the next. I know Im still young, but I feel like Im having an early mid-life crisis.

I dont know what I want to do with my life. Even ever since I was younger growing up, I never really had any real goals although I always wanted some kind of great-paying career. I graduated in the year 2000 and since then I've been attending a community college trying to get my associates degree in something, but the problem is I dont know what I want to major in. So Im just taking all of the basic courses required to obtain a associates degree (in addition to other classes that might spark my interests) so when I figure out what I want to major in, I'll have all of that out of the way. I mastered reading and writing the first time I took it, but Ive been struggling with a few classes (particularly algebra and government) thus prolonging my stay there longer than I intended, but regardless of that, I still dont have a major...so why the hell Im I even still there? I dont know. Ive looked in college catalogues and I cant really find anything that suits me. So far, I even even registered for any classes for the upocming fall season.

I understand that college aint for everybody, but then again, I dont really want to work a regular 9 to 5 job either - I just feel like I want some sort of career doing something....I just dont know what. I guess havent found my niche yet. I always wanted to get a trade in something, but I never knew what.

I watch TV and I be seeing these ITT Tech commercials with "happy people" who have had similar stories that I can relate to and went to ITT and now have the career of their dreams and etc etc etc. But thats just TV - I know alot people have acutally gone to ITT and have either dropped out or still havent found a job and are still paying finacial aid. And its not just ITT, but also these big universities too. My cousin got masters degree with something (I forget what it was) years ago and still this day hasnt gotten job in that field - he's works a hot warehouse loading trucks - LOL! We both agree that its both funny and sad at the sametime.

Anyway, for some reason, I just feel like time is running out. I guess cause I feel like Im not gettin any younger and that I should be pursuing a career or already having a career. In fact, this is the reason Im not looking for a girlfriend right now - I know great women want a man with a goals...but unfortunately I dont seem to have one. I just know that my life should always be my first priority.

I dont know what to do - at times this gets me down and makes me depressed. And to think I had the nerve to choose "Prospect" as a username. How ironic.

time is a trick.
you have MORE than enough time in your life...
i think u might need some time away from school...travel (if u can afford it) or just take a step back from life...do something lowkey...volunteer somewhere you never would have before...

take chances...find out what your passion is..what totally drives you
if you're driven enough, you can build your career that way


i totally don't mean 2 romanticize the idea..but thats the best way i can put it..

here's a great book you may want to read. i especially like the concept of the "success team" - we started one about 4 years ago, and since then, two of us have started their own business, and one got a master's degree. good luck to you!

WOW that was a lot!

I say get your Associates definitley. Otherwise you have wasted all that time and money. Get something out of it. To go further is up to you. I would. Getting a degree is a good thing. It's an achievement if anything else. And do it now while it's in your head to do so. Stay with Lib Arts and take what you want to get through that. MANY people don't know what they want to do after college nor know what thier calling is. It is NEVER the high paying job. Well maybe not never, most oft times. And who wants to work in ITT? Yuck-a doo!

I don't think a degree helps you in your career that much. I'd say that mostly a degree will get you in the door and will let you get promoted and will increase your earning potential. The only degrees that really help you land a job are masters. And then you really have to love what you are getting yourself into.

My lack of a degree will mean I will only earn so much here. It will also keep me at a ceiling in terms of getting promoted. Luckily my boss now will promote me without a degree...however my previous boss would never have done so, even though a degree is not required.

You are young still. Your calling may be a bit aways. Stay and stick to what you like. The best jobs are the ones where you enjoy what you do. Or work for yourself.

I don't think any one can properly advise you on this one except yourself. I've been having such difficulties over the past year and a half.

I think I orgnoted this to retina, and if not, I meant to. Have you ever thought about how entirely ludicrous it is to sit down and think of what it is you want to do with the rest of your life? It's scary enough, truely. What if one picks the wrong thing?

And the idea that people as young as us are supposed to be able to answer those questions is even more insane. In Amerikkka, one goes from living in the comfort of the house of their parents (at least most people) to being thrust out into society without so much as a helmet. Nothing you do in those eighteen years particularly prepare you for what you're about to have to do.

I wouldn't feel too bad about not knowing what direction to go in. You're hardly alone.

You're definitely not alone. I am going through the same thing. I graduate in December with two degrees - one in English, and one in Film Studies - and I suddenly feel as if I should have majored in something more practical. At the same time, I know I would have been miserable or even flunked out if I had chosen to get my degree in Business Administration or Accounting or something. Talking to a friend the other day at lunch, I was going on about how I should have majored in Business...and then, without realizing I was saying it, I added on..."but if I'd done that, I would probably want to kill myself every day..." And it became clear to me that yeah, I did major in what I love and what I'm good at...but still, I don't know if my degrees will land me a job. I'm an honors student, and I will be graduating with a near-perfect GPA, which has all landed me numerous scholarships. This is great in the academic world, but in the professional world, I have the feeling it's hardly going to help me. Now, I'm faced with deciding on grad schools - but I don't even know what I want to study. It's all very frustrating. I would give anything to know where I will be in a year, and if I'll be happy. Meanwhile, I've started researching technical degrees at the community college nearby as a backup, because at least a technical degree is more "useful" and "practical" when compared to a B.A. in English Literature and Film Studies.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice. I'm just posting to let you know you're not the only one going through this uncertain time.