What to do with my life

[instinct]

Hi guys

I'm looking for some advice.. I guess on finding a career. Here's my situation:

I'm recently married. My husband is a US soldier and we're over in Germany until March next year, then we'll be in the States (Washington DC area) until August 2010, at which time we plan to move to New Zealand together (where I've been living for the last 8 years).

Now.. I'm only 21 and so far my highest education is highschool. Although I did start 2 different (and I mean different) bachelors degrees, neither of which i finished. I got through half a year of a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Bioscience (2004), then dropped out because I decided it was boring and there was too much organic chemistry in that degree (I hate organic chem), and I couldn't see a worthwhile career at the end.
In 2005 (note that in New Zealand our education year starts in Febuary, not September) I was accepted into the top Design school in the country. It was a 4 year degree with the first year being a general foundation year after which you pick your major from things like Interior Design (I was planning on that, although technically I spend more time painting and doing digital art), Media Design, Painting, Jewelry Design, Architecture, various Animation things.. blah blah.

heh. that degree didn't go well either. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I'd still been busy with one of these when the time came that I needed to be with the man I loved on the other side of the world.. so twist of fate? maybe.

I guess one of the biggest issues I have is I've got Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (yeah I went to a specialist. it's not just an excuse). and a sleeping disorder. So basically I'm always tired with the added issue of not being able to sleep like a normal person.

But dammit. I need to do something with my life. I've always had high expectations of myself. I was going to go to med school or become a pharmacist before my 2nd to last year in high school when I got hit really hard by Glandular Fever (Mono) which attacked my liver, turning into a type of Hepatitis. That's all cleared up now, but I had CFS as a result and things just went down from there.

Maybe I should have posted this in the Helping Hands forum. I guess it can be moved if necessary.

I would like to get some sort of degree while I'm in the States. I just have no idea what to do.

I'd so at loss and so disappointed in myself.

Sorry about the ramble.
OK. Go on. Rip me apart.

[TaysatWesir]

:hugz: I know how you feel I have yet to have a college degree or career that sucks big time for me. I have many medical problems that keep me down and limited to what I can do as far as work or activities. Surprised that I'm not already on SSD Social Security Disability I'm currenty on Welfare. I wanted to learn graphic arts but I got the feeling that it won't pay my bills or pass student loans. I chose a medical billing and coding course mom says it's a good job and I can work in any hospital or doctor's office. I going to register this summer for the fall classes I'm hoping to get part time but financial aid only pays for full time. I can't wait to you come over to the States be nice to meet at the next HoN Wep Ronpet Retreat.


I would like to get some sort of degree while I'm in the States. I just have no idea what to do.

It depends on what you are passionate about or if you want a degree that will get you a career with good pay and benefits.

[Yvonne Belisle]

As a military wife you want a field that will travel with you. There are military resourses that can help you with all of this as well. I think one of the first things is to write out a list of the things you enjoy doing. Then start looking at fields that incorperate some of those things.

[instinct]

As a military wife you want a field that will travel with you. There are military resourses that can help you with all of this as well. I think one of the first things is to write out a list of the things you enjoy doing. Then start looking at fields that incorperate some of those things.
From 2010, I'll no longer be a military wife.. That's when he's out of the army :)

Things I'm most interested in are art (digital and traditional), biology (as a whole but mainly genetics, human/animal biology), health related fields..

:wth:



It depends on what you are passionate about or if you want a degree that will get you a career with good pay and benefits.
bah. can never get payed well for something you enjoy can you? :lol:

I'm looking forward to meeting you too :smile:

[Pesha]

Ok this is what I am going to tell you. What makes you happy. When you think of doing something and consider doing it for a large portion of your life, does it make you happy to think about it. Do what makes you happy. Also you would make a smashing illustrator. Ok that is my 2 cents.

[SSanf]

Choose something that is flexible, transportable and secure.

You may live a very long time. You may, actually, have another hundred years ahead of you. What your interests are will change dramatically as you get more living under your belt. And, what finally end up doing may be very dissimilar to what you start out doing. Therefore, choose something that leaves as many doors open as you can, not something that locks you into a narrow field of opportunity. Choose something that can be changed with a few post grad courses just in case when you get into the real working world, you find that you don't like it so much as you thought you would or you find after a few years it comes to bore you half to death.

Learn a marketable skill that will be in demand through all economic climates. You may live through a depression in your life time. Therefore, choose something which people must pay for even if times get tough. You may have a family to feed.

Look for a field not likely to be obsolete in 40 years. You may be working when you are 85. Plan on at least 10 more years of education over your life time. You will need to update your skills.

Choose something that will enable you to find work no matter where you go. This is a big world. Who knows where you will end up or what circumstances will take you there.

It is nice if you like your job but remember that your end goal is to make money. Nothing can cast a cloud on your over all happiness with life more than the degradation of poverty. You must have money even to be free from life destroying pain such as poor teeth can cause. Therefore, choose something that pays well enough and with enough certainty that you and those who may depend on you can live in health and dignity.

It is all very well and good to be passionate about work when you start. But, like love, the passion wears off after a few years. Then, not unlike love, the thing of real importance is whether or not what you do can meet your basic human needs.

[oceandreams]

Do you know roughly where abouts you'll be living when you shift over to DC?
If you do, start contacting the colleges in the area, give them your interests and what you're good at and see what they come up with. Get a ton of course guides sent over too!

I'm not a military wife but my hubby works for British Defence and we have the travel lifestyle too! I've been back in the UK for 2 weeks after living in TX for 3 years :) I can sympthise with needing something flexible!

[Morr]

I agree with what was said --

I suggest you look online for schools in the DC area and see what they offer. Look into something you enjoy doing, look and read through their lesson plans, etc.

Look into something you are interested in, that makes you want to learn.

Good luck!!

And yay, I cant wait to see you in the US next year! You guys will only be a couple of hours away :D

[Scarlettvixen]

why wait till 2010 to study hun?
surely its possible now even if its distance education?

[Silvertongue]

I may not be the best one for advice, since I only took a few college courses, but here goes anyway.

I would look into online classes. This may help with your medical issues, since it wouldn't be such a strict schedule and you could do it from home. If you can't sleep at 2am, you can work on your classes. I would think this would also help with the whole moving around thing.

I agree you should look into degrees in areas you enjoy, such as art (of all kinds). That sort of thing is flexible, and can move with you, and you're already so good at it.

You can't be disappointed in yourself. You have some things in your life that can't be changed (medical issues), that's not your fault. You are very talented, and you know what you want. It'll be hard work, but you can do it, if you really want to. I think that motivation is an issue for a lot of people, and may be part of your "problem" (I don't see it as a problem, couldn't come up with a better word). If you find something you are really excited about, that will help with the motivation part of it.

I hope at least part of that rambling helped...and good luck :hugz:

[MoonDragn]

Heres some advice from someone who's been through the confusion. Forget planning what you want. Pick a degree you think you would enjoy in college which you think would keep your interest enough for you to get good grades in.

Why? because it doesn't matter what your undergraduate degree is really, as long as you get one. College is really about learning how to learn. This is reiterated by the professors all the time. You're there to learn how to cope with the real work enviornment, to socialize with people, learn how to cut through the nitty gritty to get at the real information etc.

Employers only care that you have a degree, if you can, try to get a masters, that really would open the door wide for your career.

Take advantage of your husband being in the military. I believe they offer programs to help with your tuition.

Btw, I am moving to about 1 hour away from DC. If you and your hubby ever wanna shoot the breeze we could go for lunch or something sometime.

[Ahautenites]

**hugs** Sis, what do you love to do? Do that for a living. Another thing to consider is that you should do what you love, and what you love should be of use to others in some way as well as serving yourself. (That leads to fulfillment, which is so often absent from people's lives.) Another thing to do would be to ask Dad. He's got that whole Guide thing goin' on. He can help. He's who helped me decide that I want to be a teacher (and that if that doesn't pan out, I'm going into Mortuary Science).

[MysticWitch]

I think you should become a support worker. That way you can choose your own hours and you can make a difference by helping people. Home care is the most flexable way to work but the less hours you do, the less money you make but you can make up to $19.oo/hour as a PSW. You can move as many times as you need to and still find employment in that field. Good luck hun! :wave:

[debnmike]

Just an opinion, but if you have a digital art background (web design?), then you could freelance without a degree.

This option would allow you to work from home, thus helping out with the Fatigue and stuff that you suffer from. Working from home gives you the freedom to be extremely flexible with the hours, and you can make serious money because you have no overhead (plus, the boss is usually pretty cool about taking time off :lol:).

I work from home and it's terrific....'specially because there's no overhead, so the money from my clients is free and clear (gas, clothes, etc).

Hope this helps!

[SSanf]

it doesn't matter what your undergraduate degree is really, as long as you get one. That is true for those seeking a liberal arts type education but not for the "professions" such as law, engineering, or medicine which are the higher paying fields. For those, you need the correct undergraduate prerequisites and you need to decide early if you are going into those fields.

Liberal Arts is pretty much an extension of high school and it usually qualifies you for low paying entry level jobs. Some graduates are even forced to start at minimum wage. You find a lot of college grads stocking shelves at Wal-Mart.

To better your chances of good employment, you need to learn to do something specific and in demand. You also need to learn how to market yourself.

Follow the money. They tell you that at colleges because they KNOW that if you get a valueless, unmarketable degree, you will be forced to return for your masters!

College is expensive. If you are looking for it to provide you an entry into the market place instead of for self edification, be sure you get what you pay for.

(I am for self edification. Just don't depend on it to earn a living)

[MoonDragn]

That is true for those seeking a liberal arts type education but not for the "professions" such as law, engineering, or medicine which are the higher paying fields. For those, you need the correct undergraduate prerequisites and you need to decide early if you are going into those fields. Liberal Arts is pretty much an extension of high school.

Yes and no. If you are going into graduate school, there are certain required courses you must take. However going into those professions do not require those degrees believe it or not. If you are going for an internship, they don't care about your degree though it helps. They mainly only look for a good grade.

A company who hires for certain positions often do not require a specific degree. Even though they say blah blah related degree.

People who take liberal arts degrees usually go into medical school or similar professions. That is also a choice of thats what you want to do.

Of course, if you are interested in engineering, get an engineering degree. Often they are interchangable when getting a job. I have a Bachelors in EE and have been working in everything BUT engineering.

[SSanf]

Then, you still have to get your pre-law....etc. courses.

But, that is not the point.

The point is that you need to be able to market yourself when you get out. That requires a marketable education. Way too many college grads do not have that and find themselves "flipping burgers". It is a competitive world. Of course, good grades help but you still need marketable skills.

If you are going to college for job skills, be sure you get some. A too liberal education qualifies you to do nothing. Be sure there is a demand for your major and that you have real prospects of being where the demand is or you, too, can "flip burgers". Try paying off school loans on that!

My daughter focused. She got her EE. Followed with her masters. Has her PE in two states and is starting her own company this year. If I told you what she earns, you wouldn't believe me. Focus pays well.

[MoonDragn]

Things are different than when you were in college SS. The modern job market looks for people with good grades for internship. All that is required is a degree, non specific. Same with the banking business too. Of course if you want to go into math related fields, a good math foundation is necessary. Same with the medical profession and biology.

However if you want to be a Lawyer, just cheat on your taxes.

[SSanf]

Then, why are so many college grads working at Wal-Mart stocking shelves and doing other dead end jobs? I know for a fact that they are there doing that kind of work because I have known a whole bunch of grads who barely make $8 an hour.

I don't want instinct to fall into that disappointing trap, especially since she has enough foresight to ask for advice.

[MoonDragn]

Then, why are so many college grads working at Wal-Mart stocking shelves and doing other dead end jobs? I know for a fact that they are there doing that kind of work because I have known a whole bunch of grads who barely make $8 an hour.

I don't want instinct to fall into that disappointing trap, especially since she has enough foresight to ask for advice.

Ask them what they got for their GPAs... The sad truth is alot of college grads don't do well in college. They end up with low GPAs and thats the reason they are working at walmart.

Trust me, I worked at Sears for a few years with my Electrical Engineering Degree.

[SSanf]

?? Why did you do that? Low grades?

[Deranged Hermit]

Well I'm just going to ignore the debate within the thread, if that's okay. I just wanted to mention that you don't necessarily have to get a Bachelor's degree or higher. It sounds like you did fine in school for awhile. Maybe you could go for some sort of shorter-term degree, or some kind of trade school or something. I don't know what all is available in the arts, as I've never looked into it, but just something to consider. Good luck with all of this. :hugz: By the way, I happen to think :yourock: :)

[Piney Boy]

Well, school is certainly not for everyone, and when you add the monetary distractions into the equation it can be downright ugly. I would say not to jump into more schooling if you aren't positive about where you want it to lead you.
Find the most special important thing in your life, outside of your relationship, study it and chase it down. While certain problems and diablities can make getting to were you want to be much harder perserverance makes evrything that much sweeter.
At times in my life school and work just didn't jive well, but I stuck it out, and in the end no one can take away my accomplishment's in my field or education. Stay strong and do your best to focus, postive thoughts for your future endeavors.

[instinct]

why wait till 2010 to study hun?
surely its possible now even if its distance education?
I think you misunderstood me. We're moving to the States in March next year, I'd like to study there so that I'll be able to find a good job when we move to New Zealand in 2010.

We want to start a family at some stage after we get to NZ, so I'd like to work and try and save up for that.. also, the husband may need to study a bit when we get there so that he can get a job.

so I need to study something that I'll then be able to take back to New Zealand with me and find a job


To better your chances of good employment, you need to learn to do something specific and in demand. You also need to learn how to market yourself.

Follow the money. They tell you that at colleges because they KNOW that if you get a valueless, unmarketable degree, you will be forced to return for your masters!

College is expensive. If you are looking for it to provide you an entry into the market place instead of for self edification, be sure you get what you pay for.

(I am for self edification. Just don't depend on it to earn a living)
I agree with you. I started off studying something and not being able to see where I'd end up, and that made me uncomfortable. I think I'd rather focus on a career.. a job at the end.. and work towards that. "what do I want to be? ok.. how do I get there?"

unfortunately, I don't know what I want to be


**hugs** Sis, what do you love to do? Do that for a living. Another thing to consider is that you should do what you love, and what you love should be of use to others in some way as well as serving yourself. (That leads to fulfillment, which is so often absent from people's lives.) Another thing to do would be to ask Dad. He's got that whole Guide thing goin' on. He can help. He's who helped me decide that I want to be a teacher (and that if that doesn't pan out, I'm going into Mortuary Science).
I definitely would like to be able to serve other people somehow.. this is why I've always been interested in various medical/health fields.

and what exactly is involved in Mortuary Science? I considered becoming a Mortician for a while :hehehehe:

------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. This is all helping :smile: :hugz:

[Ishtara]

First of all, please please do not be disappointed in yourself! :hugz:

Of course I do not know you personally, but you always came across through your posts as a very smart, well-balanced person with quite a bit of energy and drive. I would never have guessed that you had medical problems from your posts and I am sorry to hear about that :hugz:

I think you summed up the problem when you said "I don't know what I want to be". It probably made it hard for you to focus on what you used to study if you could not see the payoff and the practical applications once you were going to graduate.

Is there anywhere near you where you could get a skill assessment or carreer counselling? I know that some are all fluff and basically useless, but I had an assessment done in 2004 by a psychologist and a HR professional that turned this skeptic into a believer!
If that can help, I can dig up the documents they gave me and see if there is any standardized name for the set of tests I underwent. One was based on the Meyer-Briggs, another was an IQ test and the third one was to determine my preferred work environment.
It was very thorough and I left with a list of ten possible careers, some of which I would never have thought of myself.

You are still quite young and (I think) a great person, so please do not panic and/or beat yourself up! Take time to objectively assess your situation, set your own goals, find out the kind of position you would like to have and then pursue it until you get it!!!

Best of luck, I am sending all kinds of positive energy your way. I find that Djehuty and Yinepu always have good advice for me when it comes to my career, so I will say a prayer for you to Them :smile:

[TaysatWesir]

(I am for self edification. Just don't depend on it to earn a living)


I agree!

[TaysatWesir]

Is there anywhere near you where you could get a skill assessment or carreer counselling? I know that some are all fluff and basically useless, but I had an assessment done in 2004 by a psychologist and a HR professional that turned this skeptic into a believer!
If that can help, I can dig up the documents they gave me and see if there is any standardized name for the set of tests I underwent. One was based on the Meyer-Briggs, another was an IQ test and the third one was to determine my preferred work environment.
It was very thorough and I left with a list of ten possible careers, some of which I would never have thought of myself.


I've had that done before can't remember the results but it work pretty good.

[maiem]

Unfortunatly I have no advice, as I don't know what the hell I'm going to do with my life if I don't stay with the company I work for now....but we will definatly have to hang out, as I live about 25 minutes from DC. Do you know if your hubby is going to be stationed at Ft. Belvoir? They have housing there as well as the other regular base stuff, so you could save some money by living on-base. If you ended up going to GMU, you could work at the bookstore part time as you take classes, which is what I'm doing. It's not the best company, but they do provide manager training (the prog that I'm in) which could give you some good skills and experience even if its not a feild you are going to pursue later.

::hugs::

[instinct]

Unfortunatly I have no advice, as I don't know what the hell I'm going to do with my life if I don't stay with the company I work for now....but we will definatly have to hang out, as I live about 25 minutes from DC. Do you know if your hubby is going to be stationed at Ft. Belvoir? They have housing there as well as the other regular base stuff, so you could save some money by living on-base. If you ended up going to GMU, you could work at the bookstore part time as you take classes, which is what I'm doing. It's not the best company, but they do provide manager training (the prog that I'm in) which could give you some good skills and experience even if its not a feild you are going to pursue later.

::hugs::
heya Weshebut :smile: yes, we're headed for Ft. Belvoir in March. It doesn't help that I don't know anything about the schools around that area..? What's GMU? _inabox_

and it will be great to hang out. also, being in the states, it'll be a great deal easier to get to retreat (and maybe other things!) each year :yayhawaii

[Scarlettvixen]

sorry hun yes i did misunderstand
if u want to do some study make sure its transportable back to NZ
good luck

[maiem]

GMU is the uni I go to...I hate it personally, but lots of other folks like it. Squee, Ft. Belvoir is even closer to me than DC. OMG I'll actually have a KO person near me for once in my life! AHHHHH!.

I don't know what other schools are around here besides the community colleges though. :\

For info: http://www.gmu.edu and http://www.nvcc.edu

[instinct]

you'll have to show me around Weshebut. it'll be so awesome having someone there that I know :smile:

other than wep ronpet last year, this'll be the most time i've ever spent in the states :foh:

[Cynyr]

Become a bartender - - think about it.

Edit: Tips out the ass. Bring home cash.... $$$$$

[Brónach Druid]

Have you considered becoming a CNA, LPN or any other medical type career? There are so many programs here for these fields that can be completed in a year or less and most have decent paying jobs. I would think any of those would be easily transportable, you would probably just have to re-certify when you moved back home. At least it would give you something to do and an income while you decide what you really want to do. Also many of the places you could work with these certifications will offer tuition reimbursment for further education. Just something to consider.

[Scarlettvixen]

We dont have LPNs over here Bronach - and i think NZ runs on the same system, we have something that is called an enrolled nurse, or assitant in nursing - crap pay and all the yuck work
Registered nurse is directly transportable instinct to oz, so i presume NZ (as i can go to NZ and just register, dont have to do anything else)
but its hard physical work - and with the CF you have that might be hard

[instinct]

i've considered nursing.. but i don't really know much about it.

:hmmmmm:

[Scarlettvixen]

well ask away
there are a number of nurses on here i bet most of us would answer yr questions

[Brónach Druid]

We dont have LPNs over here Bronach - and i think NZ runs on the same system, we have something that is called an enrolled nurse, or assitant in nursing - crap pay and all the yuck work
Registered nurse is directly transportable instinct to oz, so i presume NZ (as i can go to NZ and just register, dont have to do anything else)
but its hard physical work - and with the CF you have that might be hard
That is interesting. What about ultrasound tech, cardiovascular tech or phlebotomist? Do they break down all the specialities there? Those are also fairly fast degrees/certificate programs here. Maybe they would be better for her, a little less physically demanding.

[Scarlettvixen]

as far as i know in australia (so NZ may be different) they study radiography and then specialise
phelebotomist - u mean a blood collector? that is crap money here and is about a 6 week course
i would suggest searching through the NZ jobs guide instinct in health and see what qualifications they are after

[instinct]

i've always been interested in becoming a sonographer :hmmmmm:

[Scarlettvixen]

well it would be lest physical than nursing hun