Does anyone else second guess their choice of career? *UPDATE 9/26*

[Wonders10]

Hey everyone!

I went to college. I went to grad school and spent a good 3 years getting my M.S. so I could be a speech pathologist. I'm 30 now and starting my 3rd year in the "business". Sometimes, okay rather often, I have moments where I wonder if I am in the right profession. I see other SLPs that I work with or have known and I don't feel like I have the passion that they do. And I get envious of other people's jobs, even though I'm sure they have their bad moments as well. I love Disney and would love to make a career out of it somehow - travel agent? Trip planner? I love to bake and have sold batches of decorated cookies a few times to family friends for special events. I'd love to own a bakery but I don't think I have the business-sense to do it on my own to get it started. Not to mention the financial means. Speaking of which, I make decent money where I am now but not so much that its worth staying if I'm miserable, although it is steady with great hours and benefits (school system). I could probably find many other jobs paying similar or more to be honest - compared to my current salary, not the salary of all SLPs. I'm single and don't have kids yet and I still think I'm young enough to make a career change, but how do I know if I need to make an entire career change? A change in my setting? A move to a different area but still doing what I'm doing now? It's just so frustrating. I'm too young in my career to already have these feelings. Advice?

 

[Handbag Lady]

Hey everyone!

I went to college. I went to grad school and spent a good 3 years getting my M.S. so I could be a speech pathologist. I'm 30 now and starting my 3rd year in the "business". Sometimes, okay rather often, I have moments where I wonder if I am in the right profession. I see other SLPs that I work with or have known and I don't feel like I have the passion that they do. And I get envious of other people's jobs, even though I'm sure they have their bad moments as well. I love Disney and would love to make a career out of it somehow - travel agent? Trip planner? I love to bake and have sold batches of decorated cookies a few times to family friends for special events. I'd love to own a bakery but I don't think I have the business-sense to do it on my own to get it started. Not to mention the financial means. Speaking of which, I make decent money where I am now but not so much that its worth staying if I'm miserable, although it is steady with great hours and benefits (school system). I could probably find many other jobs paying similar or more to be honest - compared to my current salary, not the salary of all SLPs. I'm single and don't have kids yet and I still think I'm young enough to make a career change, but how do I know if I need to make an entire career change? A change in my setting? A move to a different area but still doing what I'm doing now? It's just so frustrating. I'm too young in my career to already have these feelings. Advice?

I should have followed my dream at age 5: I wanted to be a horse.



I'm going through the same thing. I don't kow what to tell you. All I know is that after you stick it out for a few years, DON'T stay unhappy. I've seen too many people get bitter in their jobs and you don't want to be that person. Neither do I so there is a lot of thinking to do.

But, it isn't anything to work for something and then find it isn't for you. That happens more than you think.

 

[horseshowmom]

I should have followed my dream at age 5: I wanted to be a horse.

I can honestly say that the 5 horses at my house pretty well have it made!


OP, you're not alone. Most of my adult life I've wished I had gone to law school. Over the years I've had may people tell me that I should have been a lawyer (the way my mind works, I think). DH encouraged me to go many times, but I just didn't think we could afford it.

I had to be a witness in a case several years ago, and I really dreaded it. The lawyer on the other side had a pretty big reputation and was known to be a real bulldog who was hard on witnesses (when they weren't saying what he wanted to hear). I had no choice and took the stand (about half sick at my stomach).

After about 5 minutes, I actually started to enjoy matching wits with him. He would try to twist my words and confuse me, and I would respond in kind. Finally, the judge looked at the attorney and told him that I had answered his question the same no matter how many times he asked it, and it was time for him to move on. The attorney was red in the face and said he was done. I thought then that I could love this as a job.

I haven't been unhappy in my job at all, but I do still wonder "what if" (like you said).

 

[disneyfans95]

Not being mean, but 3 years doing your craft does not mean you are going to reach the top of the mountain.

You sound like you are expecting to be making top money, perks etc for a field and time in it, that would not be coming so quick.

I am a hotel GM and been so for 15 years. But it took me over 7 years doing all the positions, from line staff to various management jobs in the hotel industry to become a GM. Even now, I work hard to maintain my position and earn my salary.

You are 30 years old with 3 years in the field. You got awhile to go before you should be hand wringing about your job choice and/or salary

 

[Kellydelly]

I just became an RN after being a stay at home mom for 10+ years. I know that if I get a chance to work in an area I really like I might feel different and be less stressed, but currently I feel like I'm in hell (or should I say nursing boot camp?), so yes I really am wishing I had never thought of this career choice. I want to go back to doing laundry and cooking and cleaning .

 

[Art 1]

Every day.

 

[Pakey]

Hi Shannon.

I'm an accountant. I have an MBA and I hated studying accounting/business in school. I had doubts in school about it being the right choice and I also wasn't thrilled with it during my first few years of working in the field. I didn't want to be a horse but I certainly thought I should have went into another field.

Fast forward 30 years. I can't imagine now being in another career field. I'm so glad I didn't give it up during those first 5 years after I got out of school when I was sure it was the worst career possible.

 

[Wonders10]

Not being mean, but 3 years doing your craft does not mean you are going to reach the top of the mountain.

You sound like you are expecting to be making top money, perks etc for a field and time in it, that would not be coming so quick.

I am a hotel GM and been so for 15 years. But it took me over 7 years doing all the positions, from line staff to various management jobs in the hotel industry to become a GM. Even now, I work hard to maintain my position and earn my salary.

You are 30 years old with 3 years in the field. You got awhile to go before you should be hand wringing about your job choice and/or salary

Umm, I never said I was "at the top of the mountain" - if it was implied, then I made a huge error in my writing. I know what I do and I know why my salary will be like for the rest of my life if I chose to stay doing what I'm doing. I'm not going to ever be making a huge salary - even in 30 years. Yes, salary is important to me - I have bills and loans to pay back, like many people, but my point in mentioning salary was to just let everyone know that I wasn't going to stay in a job I didn't enjoy just "because the money is good", which I think a lot of people do. I'm hardly in an entry level position - I will constantly be gaining knowledge in my field, I'm state licensed and nationally certified. Speech-Language Pathology is a demanding field. And to reiterate again, salary has nothing to do AT ALL with my thoughts in my original post.

I think that its totally okay to feel a little unhappy in your career, no matter how long you have worked there - sorry you feel differently. My career allows me to work in many different settings - currently I'm in a school setting and think it is probably the best setting for me at the moment. But there are days I love it and days I hate it. Which will be true of many people and their careers. I can't help but wonder "if", that's all. I don't ever want to settle - even though I hardly think being an SLP is settling, not even close. I think I'm more second guessing myself being successful in this field more than me thinking I'm too good for this career, or whatever it is you are implying.

To everyone else - thank you for your kind thoughts, opinions and advice.

 

[FergieTCat]

I've been second guessing my entire life lately. But nothing I can do about it now but go forward and try harder.

 

[Planogirl]

I haven't worked in my field since I got my degree. It's ironic because I did so before I went to school and I'd love to have done something in the field. I just couldn't find anything.

Now it's deadend city. It's a shame but you take what you can get.

Good luck sorting it out!

 

[disneyfans95]

Umm, I never said I was "at the top of the mountain" - if it was implied, then I made a huge error in my writing. I know what I do and I know why my salary will be like for the rest of my life if I chose to stay doing what I'm doing. I'm not going to ever be making a huge salary - even in 30 years. Yes, salary is important to me - I have bills and loans to pay back, like many people, but my point in mentioning salary was to just let everyone know that I wasn't going to stay in a job I didn't enjoy just "because the money is good", which I think a lot of people do. I'm hardly in an entry level position - I will constantly be gaining knowledge in my field, I'm state licensed and nationally certified. Speech-Language Pathology is a demanding field. And to reiterate again, salary has nothing to do AT ALL with my thoughts in my original post.

I think that its totally okay to feel a little unhappy in your career, no matter how long you have worked there - sorry you feel differently. My career allows me to work in many different settings - currently I'm in a school setting and think it is probably the best setting for me at the moment. But there are days I love it and days I hate it. Which will be true of many people and their careers. I can't help but wonder "if", that's all. I don't ever want to settle - even though I hardly think being an SLP is settling, not even close. I think I'm more second guessing myself being successful in this field more than me thinking I'm too good for this career, or whatever it is you are implying.

To everyone else - thank you for your kind thoughts, opinions and advice.

3 years is nothing though. that is the point and you ignored it.

But at the end of the day, if you don't like it, move I guess you can try something else.. But you might end up jumping around, many jobs, never getting ahead and always having that "grass is always greener" feeling to your career(s).

Sorry if someone telling you to stick it out, is offensive to you.

 

[Wonders10]

3 years is nothing though. that is the point and you ignored it.

But at the end of the day, if you don't like it, move I guess you can try something else.. But you might end up jumping around, many jobs, never getting ahead and always having that "grass is always greener" feeling to your career(s).

Sorry if someone telling you to stick it out, is offensive to you.

I completely understand what you are saying...3 years is not a long time to be working somewhere and I should work a little longer before moving on to something else potentially. I wasn't offended by then...I was somewhat offended by your assumption that all I cared about in my job choice was making a huge salary and being at the top of the mountain. Thats not the type of job I have-you don't work your way up to different positions. My first day I was doing and expected to do the same thing as SLPs with 20+ years experience.

 

[KristaTX]

I graduated with my BSN in 1995 and have worked as an RN full and part-time for 15 years now. I , like you, also worked in the schools but for 7 years. Nursing has served me well, but I have no passion for it. I would not do it again if I was somehow sent back in time. I would go into either architecture or interior design. I've had a passion for those areas ever since I was a child. I know it's "never too late", but I just don't think I want to go back to school right plus do the required internships. I do occasionally investigate the local college programs, though . Maybe someday.

I didn't at all read your post as you complaining that you hadn't climbed far enough up on the ladder in three years. I read it as that you just don't have a passion for what you are doing.

It's too bad that more young people are not given more help with identifying their passion in life and discovering how to pursue it career-wise.

 

[disneyfans95]

It's too bad that more young people are not given more help with identifying their passion in life and discovering how to pursue it career-wise.

More help? Sorry but there are few things more personal then picking what YOU want to do for a living. That could be a stay at home mom to someone working for NASA.. There are a ton of tools out there to give direction, plus the ability to intern, entry level jobs etc to find your path..

But if someone is sitting back and waiting for their passion in life to hit them (as you say) they will never find it.. You need to get of your duff and do that yourself.

 

[KristaTX]

 

[Wonders10]

More help? Sorry but there are few things more personal then picking what YOU want to do for a living. That could be a stay at home mom to someone working for NASA.. There are a ton of tools out there to give direction, plus the ability to intern, entry level jobs etc to find your path..

But if someone is sitting back and waiting for their passion in life to hit them (as you say) they will never find it.. You need to get of your duff and do that yourself.

Or one may think they found their passion and it turns out that its not what you expected once you've been working in the field for awhile. What did you want to be "when you grew up?" What did you go to college for? Also, not everyone has the opportunities to do internships, etc. They need to get a job to pay bills, have benefits, etc.

 

[brenalexacamp]

maybe being a slp is not the problem, but the environment you work in is giving you the troubles. I am a dental hygienist and still love what I do. Older now I definetely know what settings I like working in, types of practices, populations. It has changed over the years. At one point I wanted a total career change- being 40 and kids ready to go to college, how could I afford to go too? I couldn't. Instead of seeing adults I tried children. Now that is all I see- little ones! And kids with special needs. They are my most favorite. I am thinking when I am old-going into nutrition.
So maybe the school system is not for you. Have you looked into augmentative communication? Huge growth for this- my child uses a Dynavox V. Had I had the time, and the money- I would have started this path 5 yrs ago.
Private practice is where the money is. I was paying a slp 120.00 an hour for aac services in my home. Worth her weight in GOLD! Then you can go to a school district as a private consultant/direct service and make some money.
Not that there is all to life but it helps! When you make enough money in a few days to support yourself, you can spend the other days doing something fun! Good luck, it's a process.

 

[disneyfans95]

Or one may think they found their passion and it turns out that its not what you expected once you've been working in the field for awhile. What did you want to be "when you grew up?" What did you go to college for? Also, not everyone has the opportunities to do internships, etc. They need to get a job to pay bills, have benefits, etc.

I worked through school. Two jobs and ones that paid the bills but would not be in my career path.

Sorry Wonder but you are acting like you want something handed to you or something? What are you really looking for here? If you don't like you career and think that after 3 years you hit the wall, so be it. Move on, and pick something else. No harm, no foul. Clearly you don't need random folks from the 'net to justify it for you.

 

[epcotprincess]

Yes, I know just how you feel.

I'm a teacher, but I wish I would have followed my dream to work with large exotic animals in a zoo setting (or AK! ) But, I was the first person in my family to ever attend college, and I came from a blue collar town where most of my generation were either heading to work for the Big 3 or were also the first to go... and so our teachers, counselors, and parents really encouraged us to go with "safe" choices.

Kind of horrible actually, because at the time of my hs graduation, teachers were desperately needed. By the time I graduated college, there were no teaching jobs (or any jobs here in Michigan) and everyone was bailing out on the state.

So... I busted my behind to get a degree in something "safe," and now I'm laid off. (Although I love being a SAHM now, so that's actually fine by me!)

Sorry you are going through this, but maybe it's just a phase or the time of year or something. If you continue to feel this way, you should figure out what your favorite thing to do is, and see if you can capitalize on it as a career. Good luck to you!

 

[Acklander]

OP-

I'm the biggest supporter of you spend half your life at work so you damn well better be enjoying it. And while I'm sure there are jobs out there that pay better than what you're making now, unfortunately the ones you mentioned (baker, travel planner) aren't it. Are you still paying off school loans? Would you be able to afford to live on $25K a year? (this is the average income for the jobs you talked about). You invested a lot into your education and while this may not be the path your supposed to be travelling, you might want to give it a bit more time, or do some adjustments in your field before ditching it all, and starting from scratch.