Question ~ How many of you know and/or are currently doing what you wanted to do in your career? and if so what and how long did it take to get there?

curious...

Are you looking into going back to school?? Have you contacted a career counsellor to investigate possible career changes?

luv4u said:

no this is not about me, hon, I'm curious how many people actually know and are doing what they want to do...

I think so.
I never thought to do anything else.

ZombieKitten said:

Hi Charlotte, what is it that you're doing?

I'm on my fourth career...and fell backassward into all except the first.

Natisse said:

Graphic design.
Since I was in year 10 it is the only thing that sounded good to me. So I did it.

Genesia said:

lol fair enough... and have you found that you've found 'where you belong' now?

ZombieKitten said:

cool. that's great you knew what you wanted and went for it

Natisse said:

Honestly, I'm not sure I "belong" anywhere. I just am where I am.

What I do for a living doesn't really inform my identity. The blessing of being good at a lot of different things is...that you can do a lot of different things. The curse is that you're never sure if what you're doing is what you were meant to do.

Sometimes, I envy people who have a more focused sort of talent. But then, I think that if I were denied the chance to do something I felt I was "born" to do, I'd be miserable.

I can do any number of things and be happy.

Genesia said:

agree with all you just said thank you

I made a career move almost four years ago, when I was 31 years old. Now I'm a
teacher. It is my fourth job, but it is the first one that provides more energy
than it requires.

Jochem said:

you get a buzz from it? I think any job where you really think it is worthwhile and challenges you instead of taxes you (I don't mean literal taxes ) is energising

ZombieKitten said:

Exactly!
I do get a buzz from it.

My former jobs were jobs I settled for but didn't realy want.
The best part is that I can still use the work experience from my other jobs while being a teacher.

Jochem said:

there are some people who should be teachers if they could be teachers, I hope where you live you are paid well I know here teachers and nurses are so poorly paid a great many people who could potentially be fantastic teachers, do something else because of it and our kids are the ones who suffer.

Nope. I still want to be a musician, but I've decided thats ridiculous and I'm settling for doing a decent job in the places I wanted to be in anyway....well almost.

Tisse

susannah said:

hey beautiful

ZombieKitten said:

I'm doing ok, as I'm a teacher in University.
Salaries are not like those of commercial jobs but still ok.

But it is a problem in the Netherlands. Especially for high schools. They are
hiring retired teachers at the moment. I think it is starting to change now
(salaries will increase), but I'm happy my kids aren't in high school jet.

The problem is that everybody wants to make a career and become a manager, they
go for the big bucks.

People think you are stipid to want to become a teacher in high school, or a
carpenter, or a plummer etc.

I work to live, I don't live to work.....I'll get where I want to be, for sure!

abierman said:

exactly

abierman said:

I'm glad you found a healthy balance. I don't function unless I'm working, I'm sure to be headed for a burn out before I'm 30.

abierman said:

I think everyone should.
Work to live.
Have a home to live in.
Have a car to drive.

I do not beleive in increased status as a result of big-bucks-jobs, big homes or fancy cars.

I say: Be happy with what you need and share everything else you've got.

Jochem said:

at least carpenters and plumbers can make a good living!!!
so it is a worldwide problem teachers are undervalued?
now THAT is stupid!!!

GaryTheNoTrashCougar said:

take it easy, bro.....those are no joke! Work is important, but do set priorities!

abierman said:

partying is more important than working
I'm not really being a smartarse here either
those feel good moments with good friends do a hell of a lot for the soul

ZombieKitten said:

Carpenters and plummers cannot make a good living over here.
They are undervalued as well.

Jochem said:

If my kid said I want to be a plumber, they would have my blessing, they might have to deal with shit, but at least they won't have to struggle through life

ZombieKitten said:

I went to a party a couple of weekends ago, not work related. I never felt so out of place Maybe I need to take a sabbatical and get in touch with people on a personal level once again.

ZombieKitten said:

I agree
It's a blessing to have a job you like, but it's no where near as important as having a good time with your friends.

GaryTheNoTrashCougar said:

why is that though? just don't know how to relate?
or forgot how to relax?
I'm way past 30 now, and I think only this year I realised how much I need my friends to keep me company and keep me sane.
They make me feel good about myself and we can laugh about everything and anything. The best thing is connecting with another soul and knowing that nothing can mean everything, and somehow those things put trivial things (often work related) into perspective again.