Please help be decide what to do with my life!

[Kurry]

I feel like I'm going crazy or something because I cannot figure out what I want to do with my life. I am sophmore/ almost a junior in college and I don't know which direction to go in. My college doesn't have a lot of choices and I don't really feel comfortable going elsewhere. My options are BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Management or a Teaching Degree or a Degree in Human Services. They have other things but none I would be in the slightest interesting in.

I'm literally in tears because I am so stressed over this. I feel like none of my options fit my personality. Basically, here is what I like and enjoy doing. Photography, Planning Vacations, Scrapbooking, Working with Kids aged 0-5.

I know everyone will say well do those things BUT Can you really make a living planning other people's vacations or being a photographer? I'm pretty sure you can't make a living putting together Scrapbooks. And I work with little kids now and one day I love it and the next day I hate it. People abuse you and the pay sucks! Especially in this rinky, dinky town.

I just don't know where to begin! I don't strive to be a millionaire(although it would be nice) but I would like to be able to support myself. I would just love to get by until I find the man I want to marry and settle down, have some kids, and then life would be they way I always dreamed. But until then, I need a plan.

Help, anyone? Actually this post has helped me by just letting it all out. I just feel so hopeless. Thanks.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi Kurry. I don't think I have any real advice for you, but I can say you will get a bunch tomorrow morning. If this thread slides off page one over night, bump it up mid morning.

I think you are starting to feel the reality of growing up and life's responsibilities, frightening at times for sure, even for an old guy like me. Nothing wrong with trepidations. Based on what you are telling us, I think I would lean towards the teaching side, with many avenues available to you once you get there, to hopefully maybe apply those other talents you so luckily possess.

My very best to you, Kurry, you'll do great. You know why? Cuz you care and you are a good person.

Blessings of the season to you.

{{Hugs}},

Dan

 

[poohandwendy]

It sounds like the teaching degree would make be the most sensible decision, IMO. Try not to be too hard on yourself, it isn't easy deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life. Good luck to you!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Heck Kurry, I'm over 40 and I STILL haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up!!! I started out in college as an engineering major and ended up graduating with a degree in Adminstration of justice.. neither of which I have ever really used!!
You can make a living in any of those things. Scrapbooks? What about a craft store. Photography is obvious. With a little creativity you can make a living in any of those fields.
If you really don't know that you want to be a teacher I would think the finance/management degree makes the most sense as it is portable to any field.
If you really want to work with kids then the teaching degree is a neccesity.

 

[AngieBelle]

Well, you could try spending a semester on the Disney college program while you're still in school. One of the jobs you can do on the program is vacation planner, and there are tons of networking opportunies. Just a thought. www.wdwcollegeprogram.com

 

[dandave]

I had a French teacher in HS, who was also a travel agent. He set up the class trips to Paris and Quebec. During the summer, he who would lead guided tours of western Europe as a TA.
Good luck to you!

 

[Planogirl]

I just wanted to add that you shouldn't worry too much about not knowing exactly what you want to do. After all, who does when they're young or even when they're older in a lot of cases? Just go with your gut feeling and then if you're still not sure, take a deep breath and don't think about it for a while. Possibly, you'll never be totally sure but I think we all tend to question our choices as time goes on.

By the way, you can make a living through photography or as a travel agent or teaching pre-kindergarten. And you may even notice other possibilities. Just realize all of this is really normal.

 

[Sugarbaby]

One thing to consider is the future marketability of your degree. With travel being down since 9-11,a travel agent might not be too stable.How about a preschool or kindergarten teacher? A business degree can get you in the door at many places. Just remember that even those of us who have been out of college for a while sometimes wonder "is this really what I want to do?".I know that I have had a tough time finding a use for my BS in Underwater Basketweaving.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................................I would go teaching, you'll never be without a job. It also gives you time to poke around and tinker with what you like.
I'm 43 and still haven't figured it out! I've been on my last "temporary" (so I thought!) job for 19 years.
Explore while you can.

 

[snoopy]

You can absolutely make a living as a photographer.

If that is what you want to study, I say go for it. I was told growing up that no one ever makes a living as an artist, and I have made a very comfortable living working in the arts over the years. You have to have the attitude that this is what you want to do and you will succeed no matter what, but it doesn't hurt to have something else to fall back on should business become slow. Still, if you want to be a photographer, I have no doubt you could find work doing so! I also think you could do something with the scrapbooking, you just need to figure out how to market your skills in a way that no one else has ever figured out how to do - be creative!

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

Photography would be great...especially since you could incorporate working with kids depending on the photography you do. Of course the equipment can be expensive, but once you make the investment you'll be set for awhile. My former BIL started out working for a photo shop and networked with people there. He ended up doing weddings, family portraits, and other special occasions. He was doing really well but he and my SIL got divorced so I'm not sure how he's doing now. He really enjoyed it though.

Good luck with your decision, remember, you're young and have a whole lifetime ahead of you. I say go for the teaching degree so you always have it and then you can also pursue the photography.

 

[annemariec]

Hi Kurry,

I've been where you are!! It can be mind boggling. Looking back, I would have approached my college education differently. I am happy with my choices, but I could have made them sooner had I researched the services available (free!) for students.

Check out student services at your college. They should have a number of tests that you can take on-line (interests, aptitude) that can help you to determine exactly what would be your best fit. Talk to a counselor at the student services office. They have a wealth of information to share. Reading the book, "What color is your parachute?" was a big help to me. It is a workbook of sorts to help you discover things about yourself that can lead to a breakthrough on career decisions. Interviewing people that are in the fields you are interested in can help you narrow down what is best for you.

If you find your heart is in a major that is not offerred at your college, you might want to rethink transferring if it's feasible. It would be worth it to transfer to get what you really want.

As others have stated, you can make a living working in the arts. It would most likely require entrepreneurial skills. Great for someone that has those all inclusive business skills. Murder for someone that doesn't have that sort of disposition.

Something else to consider is statistics reveal that most adults will change their careers 5-6 times in their lifetime. (I don't have a source, just memory.) So don't stress out over it too much. But do go for what you want!

Just some thoughts,
Annemarie

 

[Disney Ella]

Do you plan on living on your own or with your parents after you graduate? If you plan on living with your parents, then how much you make may not be as important and you can be more flexible with the kind of job you take. In either case, you'll need to find a job that offers health insurance.

Everyone is right. No matter what you choose, you won't be stuck in it for the rest of your life if you don't like it. I don't know too many people who pick a job and love it for the rest of their life. When I was in college, I really had no idea what the day-to-day routine would be like for many jobs. You only really find out by doing it.

Teaching offers you a lot of flexibility to explore your other interests and see if you can make a living at one of those if you absolutely hate teaching.

 

[apagano]

I have some good news for you. Our world is changing very rapidly. People change careers all the time. It's not like the old days when people held the same job in the same company for their entire career. So the choice of degree is not nearly as critical as it looks to you right now. You might want to see a school advisor who can help you pick the degree path that will give you the most employment options after you graduate. In 10 years you could be in a job that has nothing to do with your degree and you will look back at this confused time and laugh about how stressed out you were.

I got a degree in Communications, worked 8 years as a radio personality and am now in graduate school planning a drastic career change. When I got my bachelors degree in 1994 I could never have predicted what I would be doing today. So do the best you can, enjoy your college years and don't sweat it!

 

[Cinderellafifi]

I want to reiterate what others have said: what you are feeling is VERY normal and don't worry about not having a "plan"! Even the best laid plans have a way of turning out much different than we thought.

Although you are asking the right questions, maybe what you need to do is to spend a few weeks testing out these areas of interest to you. Possibly see if you can get into a classroom to observe or assist for a while. Maybe do the same with the other careers that you seem interested in.

Finally, remember that just because you decide to "be" one thing, does not preclude you from doing something else!

I am sure you are going to be a great success no matter what just from your dedication to studying and knowing yourself so well.

 

[Disney845]

Kurry-

Hey I just wanted to give you a little info from a fellow college student. I can totally understand your confusion and fear of what is ahead. I am currently a Senior. I was planning on graduating in Dec 2003 with a degree in Poly Sci-International Relations, but I decided to add another major (Criminal Justice) so I have added at least one more semester. When I was in High School I had HUGE plans on where I wanted to go to college. None of that ended up working out however. During my Senior year in HS my grandmother, who lived with us, was diagnosed with cancer. She had to regularly go to chemo and radiation. I was the only one who could drive her to the appointments (as other family members had work to go to), so I ended up having to go to a state school so that I could be close. She ended up passing away by November of my first semester in college. I thought about transfering somewhere else immediately starting in the spring semester, but because of this special agreement that FL state schools have with HS students who meet certain academic criterion, I had received a full scholarship. I decided to stick it out in the state schools. I actually really like the University I attend, although I currently do it from afar. The moral of my longwinded spiel? Things don't always have to work out just like you planned, and you can still be happy. After I graduate I will no doubt go to one of "those" schools I had my eye on originally for my masters or my law degree. I have not yet decided on which I want to really get, and I am almost finished.

It isn't the biggest deal in the world if you don't know yet what you want to do. That is very understandable, and I am sure most, if not all, college students go through that. I know I did, as did all of my friends. I never changed my major, but many of my friends have made DRASTIC changes in their majors.

The only thing I am concerned about for you is your desire to not transfer to another college, even though the one you attend offers no majors that interest you. A college education is far to expensive and long of a thing to knowingly waste. I urge you to reconsider transfering to another school that will offer you whatever it is you "really" want to do. You might be scared about leaving your friends or family or boyfriend, but this is about the rest of your life. You are really at the age now when you have to start planning for the future. Getting a wasted degree will do you no good. I suggest that you check out options of other colleges in your area, or even check out colleges that offer courses online. In that case you would not have to move, but could attend a college anywhere (so long as you got accepted )

 

[minniecarousel]

See - ask on the DIS - you get responses!

I have a friend whose son graduated from college with a degree in history and minors in art & photography. He's now teaching photography in HS. He loves it.

DS is graduating from college next month with a degree in Political Science, but he's not sure what to do with it.

Take to heart the advise you've gotten here - you'll be OK. Remember that most people go into college not knowing what they want to major in, and end up changing their majors! Very normal.

 

[Kurry]

I just want to say a BIG Thank You to all who responded. When I posted this message last night I was having a really hard time. Things are much better today, especially with the help of everyone's kind words. You made me see other points of view and for that I am grateful.

I think I've decided to take a full semester of classes in the Fall, work on becoming more educated in the travel industry, and audition for WDWCP next Fall(as per someone suggested). And also by suggestion, maybe experience will help me decide or come a little bit closer to deciding what to do with my life.

Again, Thank you to everyone! I really, really appreciate it.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by WebmasterAlex
Heck Kurry, I'm over 40 and I STILL haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up!!!

This is me also. I've been a hairdresser, worked in accounts receivable, been a secretary, a credentialing coordinator. Now I'm in college in my 40's! I still don't know what I want to do. I've been headed in the direction of teaching because I don't want accounting or business. But they would pay more. On the other hand, my sister got her degree at 40. She went to schools in VA. She actually met with an advisor of some sort and let him know what she had planned to do. They aren't your standard choices of degrees. She got to put things together to come up with a unique degree! She had to let the advisor/dean know what her plans were, how to do it, and they had to approve it. She loves her work now!! Hmmm...maybe I should move. But I still don't know what I want to do.

 

[Serena]

I'm 39 and still don't know what I want to do. I've spent the last 17 years being a mom to my kids and others. I've had a part time job here and there, but now, my life is totally different.
I wish I had a college education to fall back on, I wish I had a better idea of what I could do.

Take advantage of your college education, make sure you don't waste it. Your life may change several times over and you never really know what you will end up doing.
It is scary out there, and you along with everyone else gets scared sometimes. It's okay.