I've Lost All Direction

[kiddiesunshine]

I know what I need to do. The problem is finding the right course of action. Allow me to explain.
Back in 2001, I graduated from high school and went right into college. I didn't take a full load of classes though. After those classes ended I just stopped going and I haven't been back since. Inbetween time I was working steady. during those few years of work, I decided I should get back into school, but I didn't know what I wanted to study anymore. I was also not sure if I could handle the stress of being on my own, left to take care of finances and other things that one would have to tend to while in college.
Fast forward to this year. I got fired from my job last month for something really ridiculous and have not been able to find another job. Now, I'm seriously considering getting back into school, but I still don't have a plan. I don't know what I want to study and i don't know what I'm good at anymore. At first, I wanted to get into art, but now I have no idea. Any kind of help would be appreciated.

[FredNash]

School is good, but if you don't know why you're there, it can seem like a waste of time and money. I had almost 100 hours before I declared my major. If you have the time to take lots of classes, you'll probably find something you like enough to get a degree in it.

Just remember, regardless of what you get your degree in, the important thing is having one. Most college grads don't go into the field they got their degree in, or at least don't stay in that field exclusively. Employers want to know that you can complete something that takes the ability and commitment that college does, not that you know amortization tables or how to speak Russian (though foreign language is almost always a plus to employers).

Best thing to do if you really have not idea at all is to talk to a career councelor. I know it sounds stupid, but hey, they do this for a living, and you have no idea what you want to do, right? At the very least, they can tell you what kind of opportunities are out there, and especially what's available in your area, and that's a start.

[TimTwoFace]

I know plenty of people that have been or are in your position - people that WANT to do something with themselves, and aren't being lazy about it - but, at the same time, don't know what exactly to do and how to get there.

Hmmm...well, for starters, why not live at home again, so at least the financial aspects of things are settled. I'm guessing that, if you graduated high school in 2001, you're about 20 now, and there's no reason why a 20 year old HAS to live on their own (unless they want to). If money's an issue, you should be able to go on home and work things out financially. And then, start looking for a job to work on some savings.

In this time, take a long, hard look at what you both want to do, what you're already good at, and other areas you can improve in. I was never fully sure, either; what I did when I was in university was: A) first get a degree in something that you can back yourself up with, and then B) go after a degree or career in something that will not only be financially successful, but something that you'd WANT to do.

Then, even if you're still unsure, take some part time classes for half a year to get your feet wet, and if you figure anything out from that, go full throttle as soon as possible. Doing all this at age 20 doesn't mean you're way behind or anything, so don't think you're already too old to get started.

Good luck, man!

-Tim

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

I did one semester of college when I graduated back in 1998 (I went to college that September). They didn't have what I wanted. I am now working on becoming a full fledged writer. I also have three part time jobs and am looking for a full time job. I'm also looking into acting.

[RZetlin]

1) Get finanical support.

Think about going back to live with your parent's house. I know a lot of people who still live with their parents even though they are in their 20s.

Living alone is very tough. I have met one person who had left home and now is regretting it.

2) Get an education.

I have met people in their 40s and 50s who are still going to school. So no matter how old you are, you can never stop going to school.

What was your area of study when you were in college?

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

Think about going back to live with your parent's house. I know a lot of people who still live with their parents even though they are in their 20s.

That would be me..

2) Get an education.

I agree but not every college has what people are looking for. :sad: The college I went to is pretty much for people who want to go into the fields of science/medicine.

[RZetlin]

That would be me..

I agree but not every college has what people are looking for. :sad: The college I went to is pretty much for people who want to go into the fields of science/medicine.
Then go to another college.

There has to be more than one college in your area.

For me, there's about four colleges within driving distance.

[kiddiesunshine]

I'd like to thank everyone here for their input. It means a lot to me.
Backtracking a bit, I do live at home, that is to say I live with my grandmother. Sadly, I inherited my mother's money management skills. I squandered a lot of the money I earned. I've been looking for work since March. I don't get how I got the one job I had if I can't get another. I just don't know what i'm doing.

On another subject, I went into college with the impression of getting an art degree. Now I'm thinking I want to get into computers moreso than art. I've always been told I have a knack for both. Then there's writing. I like to think that I'm a pretty good writer. In my junior year of high school, my English teacher suggested I get a career in jounalism.

I'm pretty sure I'm just terribly lazy and don't know how to get out of it.
*sigh* I was ambitious once...What happened?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I'm pretty sure I'm just terribly lazy and don't know how to get out of it.
*sigh* I was ambitious once...What happened?
I feel the same way. Sucks, eh?

It's like a one way road to limbo.

[RZetlin]

On another subject, I went into college with the impression of getting an art degree. Now I'm thinking I want to get into computers moreso than art. I've always been told I have a knack for both. Then there's writing. I like to think that I'm a pretty good writer. In my junior year of high school, my English teacher suggested I get a career in jounalism.

Don't get into the computer industry. It's still a desert after the year 2000.

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

Then go to another college.

There has to be more than one college in your area.

Oh, there are plenty of colleges in the Quebec City region, but I need to get my French back up to par. There's only one English college in the Quebec City region; all the rest are in French.

[kiddiesunshine]

Don't get into the computer industry. It's still a desert after the year 2000.That's what I was afraid of. I read a report a while back that said that computers aren't the way to go anymore and that many of the available jobs were going overseas.

[FredNash]

Don't get into the computer industry. It's still a desert after the year 2000.
Well, it's not 1999 anymore, but it's not exaclty dead. There's still jobs, but you have to go to them, unfortunatly.


On another subject, I went into college with the impression of getting an art degree. Now I'm thinking I want to get into computers moreso than art. I've always been told I have a knack for both.

If you have artistic talent and skill with computers, you can make a killing designing pretty pictures or flash movies for websites. Most programmers have ZERO artistic talent, so there's a premium on people with both skills, since most 'artistic' types prefer non-digital media. You can usually make around $30 an hour if your designs are good. The down side is that you'll probably need to do contract labor, which means that the paychecks aren't steady, but it's a nice side job to help you through school...

[True Noir]

You should definately get back into college. It might seem like a tough four years, but eventually you will succeed and be able to do what you want to. Find what you're good at and try to make something of it.

[CookieS]

I say stop feeling bad and just take action. The whole point of college is to discover what you're good at and what you're not. I'm a college senior, and have discovered that while I like graphic design and computers, painting, drawing, and the fine arts are not for me. I'm interested in film, computers, and psychology...but I can't (and I'm not) persuring a career in them. I will probably switch careers many times, but I'm open to that idea. I know that the degree I'll be holding in my hand in a year isn't a life sentence, it's simply the key to getting into the workforce.

You sound like me regarding jobs. For a while I had 2 jobs, doing 12 credit hours per semester, did stuff here at Toon Zone, and had an eBay business going, all at the same time. I found that all the money I was making was doing nothing, and my grades were suffering. Simply having a job these days isn't the key. Even if you're given a job with family, it's a future you didn't have a hand in creating. I always feel that the self-made millionaires are the happiest ones, because they know they earned and deserved it.

So take your doubt, go back to school, and just jump right in. Since you're only beginning you'll have a lot of pre-recs to finish before you declare a major. My suggestion is to take all of those English, Math, and other general things (kind of like high school deja-vu) and keep doing things that keep you interested. A dream job is being able to do something you love and to make money off of it. Start thinking about what you enjoy doing....then see if you can make that into a job. You might find out it's not possible. You might find people that share the dream. The point is that no matter what you find, you're putting time in and your brain will be much more active when you're working.

I have met some lucky people that landed great jobs that bloomed into careers without college, but those are few and far between. Besides, while you're trying to figure things out, earning a degree in liberal arts won't hurt you. Employers always love college degrees, even if they're not in a field they're looking for, because a degree shows that you're dedicated and a hard worker. Just don't give up.

"There is no failure except in no longer trying." --Elbert Hubbard

[Romanesque]

Don't get into the computer industry. It's still a desert after the year 2000.

A rather vague (and misleading) statement...

That's what I was afraid of. I read a report a while back that said that computers aren't the way to go anymore and that many of the available jobs were going overseas.

Particularly India... Yeah, it's a lot harder to find a job in computing these days. The average job search for Computer Science / Computer Engineering graduates is now at least six months. However, anyone saying that "computers aren't the way to go anymore" is speaking a half-truth.

It all depends what area in computing interests you. Computers are still in their infancy, and the need for research, experimentation, and development is limitless. The down-side is that if you're not interested in the whole heavy science aspect (which isn't nearly as fun as being a hotshot programmer), then employment will probably be hard to come by.

--Romey

[Aquadementia]

The terrific thing about America is that nobody can tell you what you can or can't do with your life.
But I think it's vary common for people to graduate form high school or collage wishing someone would atleast give them a clue.
So, congratulations, you can make any thing of yourself that you want, unfortunately, nobody's going to make it too easy.
It's probably a good time to really consider what your greatest passions and talents are. And it's no crime to try out different things. Who do you have to apologize to if something doesn't work out? Do you read many biographies? They're the cleaned up stories of successful peoples lives, and how they are usualy clueless as to how things will work out. Check out the bio of someone you admire, it may give you some ideas.
Of course, most jobs don't have anything to do with anyones dreams or aspirations. Just consider yourself lucky if you like the people you work with, and you'll still have half your time to do something you really want.
What ever you do, whether it's getting school credits or a few bucks, you'll be just that much better off for every day you've worked at it.

[Barb Gordon]

Just be undeclared. You don't HAVE to know what the heck you want to do in life or in college. I know so many people who are taking liberal arts courses because they can't decide what they want to do. There's no harm in that. It can be hard to go back into school, it takes work and discipline and desire, but I really encourage you to do it! Don't let not knowing what you want to focus on be the thing to hold you back from it, just go and do it. You'll figure out your desires at some point, and taking different classes will help you figure it out.

~Barb

[Griever]

I know what I need to do. The problem is finding the right course of action. Allow me to explain.
Back in 2001, I graduated from high school and went right into college. I didn't take a full load of classes though. After those classes ended I just stopped going and I haven't been back since. Inbetween time I was working steady. during those few years of work, I decided I should get back into school, but I didn't know what I wanted to study anymore. I was also not sure if I could handle the stress of being on my own, left to take care of finances and other things that one would have to tend to while in college.
Fast forward to this year. I got fired from my job last month for something really ridiculous and have not been able to find another job. Now, I'm seriously considering getting back into school, but I still don't have a plan. I don't know what I want to study and i don't know what I'm good at anymore. At first, I wanted to get into art, but now I have no idea. Any kind of help would be appreciated.
I'd suggest you join the military. If you don't have the drive to perform in college, you probably won't be able to coast.

Some branches of the military can give you that drive.

Or you may need some epiphany that inspires you.

Take it from me, it's a lot harder to coast in college. If your not motivated, you either just get by, or don't.

[RZetlin]

I would also add choose your education carefully.

You're investing time and money into the courses so you don't want to end up with the wrong skills when you finish.

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

The terrific thing about America is that nobody can tell you what you can or can't do with your life.

Thanks for excluding us with that. :rolleyes: It's the same up here.