How did you know what you wanted to be?

[k9krazee]

I've always wanted to do something with animals. Always. I always thought I'd be a Vet and everything would be just like I imagined. Well...first year of college ruined that dream for me. There was no way to recover my GPA and if I could go back and do it all over again I definitely wouldn't make the same mistakes. I'm still graduating in May with a pre-vet bachelors degree and vet school is still an option down the road if I choose to pursue it.

That said, I do believe through this I have found my true calling, but I'll let you know at the end of next year if I still think that Next year I'll be going to school to be a funeral director. I joked about how neat it would be to be a medical examiner, and while a mortician isn't quite the same, I could always work toward that goal as well (if I'm not happy with my mortician life).

I agree with searching until you find something you enjoy. Pick out classes and see what you enjoy. I have found that I REALLY love psychology and would have loved to maybe even pursue that. It's not something I really knew I had an interest in until I took a few classes. I also think it's really hard and overwhelming to pick out what you want to do for the rest of your life when you're young.

If I could pick any job in the entire world, I would love to train dogs or teach classes. My Aunt teaches agility and I don't think it's an unrealistic goal to take over for her one day as a side thing.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I've wanted to work with animals since I could talk. First it was a vet, but like most children, they haven't a clue as to what a veterinarian actually does, and they know it as the only job working with animals, lol.
Then it was working with marine mammals, training guide dogs, police dogs, anything dogs. Now I'm in school to become an RVT.

I actually am taking finals all this week, and the last one is on thursday.
I need PT prayers, guys! I HAVE to pass!!

[kokopup]

I'm Retired and I don't think I ever knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. I became a Electronics Technician in the Navy later became an Electrical Engineer and still didn't know what I wanted to do. I guess that is because I never really had a job I truly enjoyed.

I think I should have done something in the Automotive industry because Cars have alway been my hobby and I love working with Rod's and antique cars.

I would say what ever you decide to do, love your job, because if you dont it can rob you of health and wellbeing.

I don't know if they still have the peace corp or if there are volunteer ORG's that will allow you to see some of the world before you have to decide. It will require you having some college credit but the Air force or Navy will give you an opportunity to grow some and also give you an education.

[Laura's Babies]

As a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse but as an adult, I was always happiest when working in any type of food service. I never intended to be a food service manager or a cook, it just sort of fell in my lap, I enjoyed it and was good at it so that is what I do.. and how I have supported myself for over 30 years.

[Taz_Zoee]

In high school I decided to become a teacher, or day care teacher. I didn't want to be a teacher in a "real" school. So day care it was. I actually got into it because my sister-in-law was a day care teacher/director. So I went to college and got my Early Childhood Education credits. I worked in child care for 12 years. In those years I was an office manager (handling tuition and balancing the books) and assistant director (with pretty much the same duties as the office manager). That's when I discovered I liked accounting. It's actually kinda funny because my mom always told me I should take bookkeeping. But I thought that was boring. And now I am an "accountant" (not really, but that's what my title is at work) and have been for over 4 years and I finally went back to school to take accounting courses. After the fact.
I do like my job. I don't like how the company is ran or some of the people there, but I like what I do.

Take your time, it will come to you. But definitely take some classes. I think I will take more classes even after I get my accounting certificate. Not sure what courses, but I'll find something that intrests me.

My niece is 18 and just started college. Originally she wanted to be an interior designer when she was a senior. Now she doesn't know what she wants to be. Guess what she's taking in college?? Yup, Early Childhood Education courses. But that's because she works at the after school program and she can get more money with more ECE credits. But she isn't sure what her major is yet. And she has time to figure it out.

Good luck in what ever you do. You might have several different jobs until you find what you truly enjoy.

[caseysmom]

Nursing school is pretty competitive. I know around here the junior colleges have many two year programs, for instance xray tech. That would get you in the medical field but wouldn't be as intense as nursing school, or as long.

[Cataholic]

For any younger person, I would advise you get into a 4 year college, working towards some sort of general degree. You can spend the same 4 years pondering what you want to be when you grow up in college the same way you can while working at a fast food restaurant. The only difference will be that you have a four year degree to fall back on in the first instance.

Life only gets harder as you grow older in that you pick up commitments and responsibilities (like rent, car payments, babies, etc) that could keep you from furthering your education.

For every formal education naysayer I know- I can generally find at least 3 people with a much easier lifestyle because of a college degree. College opens up doors that often remain closed to those without a degree. At 17, 19, 21 or even 30, I would never allow myself or my child to be that limiting in life choices.

I had a Political Science degree, worked in insurance for years, and then decided I really did want to explore my high school desires of law school. Thankfully, that meant only 3 more years of school, rather than 7, at 29.

Get your schooling done early. While we all know someone that made it rich without a degree- that is the exception rather than the rule.