Lost In Life

Many job assistance places have interests tests, ability tests, and personality tests. After the testing, they tell you what jobs go best with your interests, abilities, and personality traits. In NY State, our One Worksource often provides those tests for free. They often help people get into free GED classes and take the tests, too. Restaurants are many hours a day, many days a week. Unless you can find cooks, waitresses, etc. very hard profession, plus you should have either a business background or cooking for large groups of people or both. I know a few people who got into that while their children were young and wish they hadn't started it then. I know some that did start one when the children had grown and had them help with the restaurant and were glad they did it then. A career that is best for you is one that you don't mind doing for many hours a day. You may have an interest in something, but for 8 or more hours, some of them might become tedious. Also social work and psychology, while interesting, can be heart-breaking or even dangerous, depends on what you get into, but I know people who quit both of those professions to do something else. I would start with getting the GED. Getting the above tests. Sometimes there are classes or guest speakers for career exploration. There are many books in our local high school libraries with the pros and cons of different jobs, plus the education and/or licenses you migh need. Here, most social workers work for the county, our county is cutting back. When they weren't, people took very competitive tests and the highest were hired. Social workers only had a 2 year degree years ago, now 4 years is preferred. Psych depends on what you want to do with it. There are 4 year, but most people need a doctorate for many of the professions. There are many ways to help people. Most don't pay a lot of money. So how much you want to make is also a consideration. I would check each job you're interested in by reading up on each career and discussing them with job counselors. Sometimes you can volunteer somewhere for a short period of time and find out what's out there that way, but that costs $ in transportation. I'm sure you will find something really cool that's just right for you. You sound excited and once you get your GED, many doors will open for you, good luck.

Hi natnickeep! i"m almost 28 and i have many friends in that age and even older that are in that same situation in life, and so am i. the problem today is that there are so many options for us and that's why we're so confused. you''ll have the time to learn everything you want. you don't have to study for 4 years and make a dagree in order to learn a subject you love. my recommendation to you is to study by taking small courses or by using the internet in order to enrich your knowledge (take your time while doing that) and during this experience you will probably find out what you love doing more and what could make you more money) if you won't try you won't know....

Personally I think you are not the only one who has faced this dilema and not sure where to go or do in your life. Many times many of us have faced this, and personally I think you just need to write down your goals and thoughts and find out what one is the one you want most as well. Being your own Boss like with a restaurant could be rewarding for sure, or like around here people who like to cook do it at festivals, etc. as well.

Get a degree that you love that will assure of a well paying job in the future. That doesn't mean you'll give up the other interests. You could still do them on the side. Like a hobby. I guess it's pretty hard to do, especially for mothers, but, cliche as it sounds, it's really about time management. When I was still in school, I've given up a lot of hobbies to concentrate. Now, I'm working and have gone back to the things that I used to do - music, languages, travel. It could get a little exhausting, but, you just rest once in a while, and you'll be back to enjoying all these again. Listen to inspiring stories of other people, and you'll see that we can have a life in spite of the pressures of work and family life.

Sounds like you have a great deal of interests. I can suggest one of two things and that is to research online as to what the paying rates and what is involved in achieving formal training in each of the fields. The other to do is to schedule an appointment with a campus counselor as they do not charge and can sit with you and break down each area and that will give you an idea. Best before you begin to research is write down all the pros and cons of each field and determine which ones you are most passionate with.

It sounds very good that you have more goals and interest in your life first finish your education and think where you have more interest and profit and then after earning money you can start all your dreams one by one.

Well, definitely the first step for you will be to get your GED. After that, you have the opportunity to take some general classes in college which will give you a little bit more time to think about what you want to be when you grow up. Some of the options that you've mentioned are more condusive to being a mother as well and I believe that if it was I that was in your position, I would lean more heavily toward those options.

hmmmm... let make it very simple. first, what is important to you right now? your family or your career? or both? what is needed? Maybe you are bored with what you are doing in your life. Pursuing your goal is good sign that you never give up on it. but always remember your life before and now is not the same. So Balancing is very important between your Goal and your family. if you know you can make it, then, go on step by step. don't rush things. Try this... get a pen and write down all your thoughts and separate them one by one and eliminate the least important and arrange the remaining according to your plan and deadline. You will see, it will work.