I really can't figure out what I want to do in my life. And it's scaring the crap out of me. At many times I really thought I knew what I wanted and then when I started working... I didn't, at all! I tried really hard to figure out what to do. I majored in political science, been involved in campaigns, and I thought I would just go to law school. But felt uneasy about the whole thing like it was just something I was supposed to do cause I would be good at it. So I decided to work a bit in a medical field, which was followed by living aboard for a few years. Now I'm dabbling in film and thinking about architecture.
All amazing experiences but no closer to a conclusion. I feel super strongly about some careers and then realize I only feel strongly about those things because I admire the people in those fields and not necessarily the field itself.
Does anyone have a similar story? Any conclusions? Can anyone help?
posted by LaceyCoffee
on May 26, 2013 -
16 answers
I have a job interview coming up on Wednesday next week. I want to ask some questions regarding working hours and money. Should I, and if so, how should I frame the questions?
[more inside]
posted by Effigy2000
on Sep 5, 2012 -
16 answers
I'm pretty sure it's not a mid-life crisis. Help me rationalize/forget about my burning desire to quit my job and change my life.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Sep 3, 2012 -
31 answers
I just graduated college and have been working full-time for one month. I really don't like my job because I think I ended up in the wrong industry/type of business. I'm hoping for any suggestions, advice, or thoughts about how I can go about figuring out what industry/type of business/job would be a better fit for me. I am talented, smart, and hard working, but I feel like I am wasting my life because I'm not interested in my company or the work we do.
[more inside]
posted by laffytaffy9000
on Aug 12, 2012 -
24 answers
Dear Mefites: help me decide what to do with my life. I know I want adventure, travel, intellectual stimulation and to be of service to others... but what does that mean for my career?
[more inside]
posted by WidgetAlley
on Feb 6, 2012 -
18 answers
In the last couple months I've come to realize that I am not alone. My personality is my problem and it is what has made this post-college thing so hard on me.
ENTPs are sort of visionaries who can be the best and innovate and succeed at anything we put our heart to but we get bored very easily if we aren't socially, creatively satisfied and doing some "analysis" or "innovation" or "problem solving". We also don't take well to being "told what to do".
(Sort of like a cross between Steve Jobs (visionary, creative, secretly self-obsessed) Calvin (from the comic), Jack Sparrow, The Joker, and Wile E. Coyote. )
[more inside]
posted by sawyerrrr
on Jan 9, 2012 -
69 answers
I'm a creative/analytical individual who thrives in an environment where I can tweak and testdrive many variables/things/ideas/etc in a creative way and put them to use for profit/critique/judgement/etc.
I have all the time in the world to figure this out, but I want to get it right and I want to find a career I will love the rest of my life.
[more inside]
posted by sawyerrrr
on Dec 19, 2011 -
15 answers
Need some life advice, I don't really know what I'm doing, I've failed so far miserably.
[more inside]
posted by sawyerrrr
on Nov 1, 2011 -
39 answers
How do I "do what I love" if I have no idea how to even figure out what the heck that is? Steve Jobs has thrown me into an existential crisis and I need the hive mind to set me on the right path.
[more inside]
posted by Elminster24
on Oct 5, 2011 -
51 answers
My life just tapped me on the shoulder and told me it's time to grow up. Questions about switching a job after years of doing it and maybe being pigeonholed in it inside!
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Sep 20, 2011 -
30 answers
I made a turn in my life about 7 years ago and it was a wrong turn. Now I need some assistance backing out, turning around and figuring out a new path. (possible tl, dr)
[more inside]
posted by Sophie1
on Feb 11, 2011 -
24 answers
QuarterLifeCrisisFilter: I've been thinking about my future career and considering going to grad school. I only have a vague idea of what I might like to study, but I know I want an advanced degree (preferably sooner rather than later). Is this a bad idea?
[more inside]
posted by funfetti
on Jul 13, 2010 -
25 answers
I'm not talented at anything useful. I'm not passionate about anything specific. And I'm getting older. What now?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 30, 2010 -
32 answers
JobFilter - The short version: I've got a job I mostly love, but the company is in a bit of financial danger. I got an [unsolicited] offer for something else, and I can't figure out what to do.
[more inside]
posted by doompuppy
on Feb 8, 2010 -
10 answers
On the receiving end of lots of business 'networking' for the first time. How to deal with it?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Nov 15, 2009 -
4 answers
Asking for my partner: What to DO if you live in a country where you speak the language quite well but it's not your mother tongue, but have 1:1 English literature degree, a fair bit of life experience and common sense, are interested in working with people but the idea of another crappy office job almost brings on a panic attack?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Mar 1, 2009 -
6 answers
I want to read fictional and/or true stories about people being put into positions of responsibility unexpectedly for extended periods of time and how they deal with it.
[more inside]
posted by reenum
on Jan 27, 2009 -
37 answers
[Job Advice Filter] I applied and interviewed for an out-of-state job 8 months ago. Eventually I was offered the position, but I declined due to life circumstances that arose at the time. That same position is still open, and I'm interested. How should I proceed?
[more inside]
posted by karizma
on Oct 10, 2008 -
7 answers
Help finding the right career. This is not looking for a job I have one of those but I want to know what careers I should be looking at.
[more inside]
posted by CollegeNelson
on Sep 22, 2008 -
5 answers
Do you have a career that allows a great deal of flexibility? What is it? How do you get it?
[more inside]
posted by btkuhn
on Sep 7, 2008 -
17 answers
I have been working steadily and consistently for the last three years but not at jobs that show growth or project development (which everyone seems to want to know about). How do I find a new (better) job now?
[more inside]
posted by project 2501
on Apr 2, 2008 -
1 answer
I am 28. I have a wife and an 11 year old daughter. I am going through a minor, yet stubborn crisis. Can you help?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Oct 18, 2007 -
32 answers
How do I work as little and as flexibly as possible, and yet earn enough money to live?
[more inside]
posted by 6am
on Jun 23, 2007 -
27 answers
I'm unhappy with my job, it's affect on my life, and where it's taking me. How do I find out what it is I really want in life and start doing it?
[more inside]
posted by Waffle_King
on Apr 24, 2007 -
21 answers
Leave your job, your girlfriend, drive across the United States... done it?
[more inside]
posted by bizack
on Mar 12, 2007 -
25 answers
How much will my overambition clash with my fiancé's underambition? And is his underachieving a symptom of something larger?
I firmly believe that it is possible to find a job that I love to do, while my fiancé seems to be more of the mindset that he is content to work a job he doesn't really care about in order to fund his recreational activities that he does care about. I'm worried that he is aspiring towards mediocrity, and I'm worried that I will quickly tire of that.
How do I motivate him to achieve more, or how do I stop stressing about that, because it is none of my business?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Feb 18, 2007 -
33 answers
What is my life purpose? Am I currently living it but am too ungrateful to realize it? More inside... [LONG]...
[more inside]
posted by workinprogress
on Nov 14, 2006 -
15 answers
I may have an opportunity to move out west from my native New Jersey to California. A friend of my father's may offer me a position with his company in supply chain out there where I could but my Information Science/Management degree to good use. It's a scary proposition to pick up and move out...has anyone out there done this? More details inside.
[more inside]
posted by PetiePal
on Nov 3, 2006 -
24 answers
I'm a high school senior trying to plan the next few years of my life. I'll definitely take a year off before college, but everything else is still up in the air.
[more inside]
posted by jbb7
on Jan 14, 2006 -
30 answers
EndofCollegeLifeFilter: I will be graduating from college in the spring of next year. I am putting off graduate school for a year or two. Summer 2006 will be spent interning in Washington D.C. but what do I do after that? More below.
[more inside]
posted by nosophoros
on Nov 12, 2005 -
12 answers
Would you quit a job if it meant you had a better chance of
pursuing life goals? Even if it was financially risky and
the economy was tough? Have you taken risks to avoid selling out? Did it work? Why or why not?
[more inside]
posted by weston
on Sep 1, 2004 -
10 answers
