How did you know what you wanted to be?

[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.

[JenBKR]

When I was in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to be. I went to community college after graduation and took several classes that I thought might interest me to try them out, while also taking some general education courses. I found that I LOVE psychology, so I transferred to a 4 year school and got my B.S. in psychology. I would recommend the community college route to anyone; it's a LOT cheaper than universities. Transferring was really easy too, the counselors that I worked with were wonderful.

One thing to think about, did you ever take your SATs? If not, you may have to take them depending on where you decide to go. X-Ray tech might be a good field for you if you are interested, or Ultrasound, or Medical Assisting, something like that if you are interested in the medical field. I would say do some kind of school...I don't know if anyone who has ever said that they regretted going to college, but I know lots who regret NOT going.

[Cataholic]

I don't know if anyone who has ever said that they regretted going to college, but I know lots who regret NOT going.

How true, how true, how true....

[Pinot's Mom]

JenBKR & Cataholic have excellent advice. Advanced schooling is a MUST in today's society. It's too competitive not to give yourself every advantage. That being said...

I am 49 years old and do NOT have a College Degree. I graduated from High School, ended up in a Community College, took a lot of courses and ended up with a husband (who I still have ), but no degree. I never did know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told my husband 27 years ago (who has a degree), "I will always have a job, I will always support half this household, I will never have a career". He has a career. I have been in Customer Service for 25 years (the last 20 with this company, 10 or so as a Manager). It's always been a job.

When I am able to retire I will work with animals.