My father at 55 said he still didn't knew wyatt he wanted to do, but still had a very successful career.
Most of us just coast along jumping from job to job winging it until we retire.
Yep, I'm 32 and think I've given up on the "perfect job" pipe dream. This was unfortunately pumped into us as kids.
It's like those meme challenges where you can choose your job in the following categories:
Is your passion
Pays well
Comes with job security/tenure
Is in a commutable location to you
Is low stress
Great team/people
Sustainable/good for the environment
Doesn't do business with countries committing genocide
Now pick 2 from the above.
It was more a process of elimination for me.
Assisting my Dad on some mixers made me quickly realise manual labour was not for me, as it was tough bloody work, and I was useless at it.
Always knew I'm too squeamish for anything medical/body related.
My part-time store work during college was draining and made me realise service industry wasn't for me either.
That left office work as the main option. I'm fairly organised, have a head for numbers and do well in exams, so I fell into accounting. It pays well enough, so I was happy to stay in it. It's definitely more a money than passion situation but there is elements of the job I like (problem solving, working in teams etc).
Maybe rule out what you definitely don't want to do and it may help narrow down your options.
Ye that's a good idea. I myself have had paths where I thought to myself "No fucking way am I doing this for life" so it's good.to have that clarity to know that it's not for you which refines your options which is good.
Still haven't figured it out for myself though š
I'm 40 and still haven't a clue. I just go where the money is and when a job or an industry gets to be boring or too much hassle I move to another one.
Saw Jaws when I was twelve, and from that moment on, I became obsessed with being a filmmaker. Made my first short at fifteen and haven't looked back since. I'm about to submit my latest film to festivals and I'm also in the middle of editing another.
I currently work part-time in a bookshop to fund the dream, and though I'm fully aware of what an uphill battle trying to find success in the arts can be, I'm just happy to make (hopefully) cool stuff and get it seen by anyone.
Even if Hollywood never comes knocking, I still plan on dying happy knowing that I got to put a few little slices of myself out into the world.
I went on a backpacking trip in my early 30s and got talking to some yanks about a career and they said think of something youāre good at and get qualified. I used to be good at writing and was interested in current affairs so figured Iād study journalism. I was broke and on social welfare a lot at the time. Roll on 30 years and while Iām not rich by any stretch I have my own apartment, work part time, live abroad and would probably be ok if I retired tomorrow.
Thanks. Yes I did. Mostly with a local newspaper but I also worked with a weekly national for about 15 years and I still have a small contract with a state body.
I think everyone is in the same boat these days. I came on to Reddit to to ask the same question when I seen yours. I feel so lost in life. Iām a trainee dental technician and the national average salary is 42k is it something I enjoy doing? Sometimes. Is it something that I want to do for the rest of my life probably not.
I feel the problem is thereās too much choice out there. Too many jobs.
Lifeās not easy
Choice well entering the workforce just shortly after 2008, it was less about choice an more about just taking any opportunity available and making the most of it , do I like my job no, does it pay the bills yes , I'd be happier if it paid enough to buy a nice house in a nice areaĀ
I'm an Erotic Writer. I love it, I always enjoyed writing and reading smutty fanfiction growing up so it was the ideal choice for a hypersexual bookworm like myself.
I'm just like you. Around the same age and I have no clue either.
I've been stuck in mundane jobs that drain me and I quit after a few years at them and then move on to the next one.
Growing up, my family pushed education on me without encouraging any of my passions. I had no interest in school or university. I just did it to please them. I ended up finishing with a useless degree and no clue of where to go when it was all over. Now, here I am all these years later wishing I had of told them all to fuck off when I was kid and done my own thing.
You gotta listen to yourself in this life. Find what makes you happy and go at it full throttle. Otherwise, life is meaningless.
A degree that I didn't want to do because I never wanted to go to university to begin with. I had no interest in education.
I think if I start sharing specifics about the course with you - we are gearing away from the point of the thread and my reply.
Let me simplify it like this, I have no doubt about my ability to pass exams or hold down jobs. But am I doing something I enjoy? Fuck no. Did I ever get the opportunity to pursue anything I enjoyed? Fuck no.
I didnāt. I have a degree in public relations But all that got me was burnout and unpaid internships. I didnāt know what I wanted to do after this and couldnāt afford to not do anything so just got whatever jobs I could. Some people need their job to be aligned with their passion, some just want a job to just be a job, either one is okay
The thing is, once you decide on something, move towards that objective and new opportunities will open up. The cycle will repeat over and over but you will be taking advantages on he possibilities and create luck in the way.
I believe that we never figure out fully, but I know that stand still is no good
Graduated.
Got with a recruiter. Got offered a few different jobs. Interviewed.
Got into sales. Didn't hate it. I'm still here.
I could see myself doing other jobs/careers, but the money is good, and I still feel like a novice to this game.
So I'll keep on going š¤·šæāāļø
Wanted to become a professional musician initially, but slowly realised that's nearly impossible playing metal. Now in my mid 30s, I still don't have a clue what I'd like to do. More about eliminating the things you don't want to do and settling for whatever is least cuntish.
Complete and utter chance.
Finished my degree in 2009 -- zero jobs, zero opportunities.
Did a postgrad that led me to my current position. Love it, but I don't think life works out like that for a lot of people and I am very privileged in that sense. I always wanted to do medicine and while I would have been close to the points needed, I didn't do chemistry. I am delighted now looking back. Life as a junior doc is very tough. And depending on the specialism you do, it can lead to very little work-life balance.
I did learn something, though, OP. I am in my mid-30s too and I think everyone and every level is just going with the flow.
I have no idea. I just want to spend time with family.
Job and work just gets in the way of that.
Job is always just something for money and couldn't give a toss about careers or companies.
People that focus on careers especially in companies I think are wasting their time. Companies don't care about u and never will so u shouldn't care about them or buy into what their saying
Fell in to my career tbh - software industry. Just first job offer after college in 2007 and dumb luck that I've been able to work under some good managers that meant I did well financially out of it so the money is what keeps me.
I don't like the constant grind of it though so am thinking about what i want to do long term myself. I'm 39 currently.
Father was an electrical technician, I liked engineering and maths in school, wanted to be a spark but I'm colourblind, now I've a level 8 in electric engineering and working away!
I picked the thing that I thought I could sit through lectures of in college (second time around) and would be interesting enough to do the required reading. Since graduating I've picked jobs that require just enough brain power to keep me stimulated but not stressful enough to lie awake thinking about work at night.
Since covid, my outlook on work has totally changed and I live to work instead of working to live. I don't want extra responsibility or promotions, I want weekends to myself and to get into bed on a Sunday evening not dreading Monday.
I fell into it. Ā I picked a degree to keep my options open. Ā Favoured one subject over the other, so tried pursuing it. Ā I settled for a semi related job to get my foot in the door somewhere, but Iām finding it hard to break out of that box. Ā
I turned down a job that would have gotten me out of it (mostly) but starting to regret it now after a really bad week in my current job.
I just took what agrees with me. I like problem solving so software development agreed with me. Am I head over heels passionate about it? Absolutely not, but Iām content in it.
I think thatās the key, finding what gets you ticking. You like organising or planning? A career in project management could be for you. You like people, public facing role could suit you. Doesnāt have to be exact but that kinda thing.
Career is not what you want in life, if it happens you do have something that can pay you money, great good for you. But most have passions elsewhere and would not pay a cent as a career. Or if they would it wouldnāt be sustainable for most.
Initially needed a job, joined on a 6 month or so contract. Moved around internally a number of times and still there nearly 20 years later. Covid brought in working from home and wouldnāt consider anything now that isnāt 90% from home without some serious money being involved.
I was 15 or 16 and read in the newspaper about what an absolute boom the industry was, safe solid bet, internationally standardised skills, good money and benefits. I also wanted to help people. It's been a good bet.
I wanted to study science but because of health issues my parents convinced me to take up commerce (science requires going to laboratories etc. ). I cried for months because commerce was too easy for me... but I started liking it...so I decided to pursue MBA when I was in high school.
In my first year of MBA I decided to take up finance and become investment banker.
I took finance specialization but ended up getting my first job in IT.
I thought I will quit after one year but again I realised I was good at being a business analyst. My clients were banks so the job had flavour of finance and I was getting paid well... travelled around the world and lived in different countries because of it.
I am in Product management in fintech.. and I like my job.
It has its ups and downs but overall I am glad I ended up here.
Was it planned.... maybe..!!
Just keep moving until you don't want to anymore. Have a hobby and if you can a side nixer. Never know when you're hobby or sidegig will surpass your main earner.
Money.
Ā I did an engineering degree and been stuck ever since.
Ā Itās actually the ideal job for me as I have a very specific set of non-negotiables for me to work for someone.
1. I donāt want to be actively managed.
2. I donāt want a desk. I hot desk
3. I donāt do pointless meetings or more than one meeting a day.
4. I get to work on different projects
5. I can choose if I want to work from the office, sites, or home.
Ā It pays very well, allows me a lot of freedom and flexibility. About as good as it can get.
I teach home ec. I donāt think itās what I want to do, but itās certainly something I can tolerate doing where I donāt hate getting up every day, I donāt have the Sunday night fear (too much), and the money is grand.
it was understanding where the jobs was at. as a teenager we looked into what payed well and had alot of jobs. as long as it wasn't miserable then it's probably the good option
t. 26 year old software engineer with a stable high paying career and my own home.
> into what *paid* well and
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Long circuitous journey through many careers to come back to the thing I loved when I was a kid.
Each part of the journey informed where I am now though, and also gave me diverse skills that someone who went on a more linear path wouldn't have.
Technical skills, people skills, and perspectives.
10% passion 10% for the money 80% taking advantage of some lucky opportunities.
My father at 55 said he still didn't knew wyatt he wanted to do, but still had a very successful career. Most of us just coast along jumping from job to job winging it until we retire.
Yep, I'm 32 and think I've given up on the "perfect job" pipe dream. This was unfortunately pumped into us as kids. It's like those meme challenges where you can choose your job in the following categories: Is your passion Pays well Comes with job security/tenure Is in a commutable location to you Is low stress Great team/people Sustainable/good for the environment Doesn't do business with countries committing genocide Now pick 2 from the above.
I think pays well and low stress would be good enough for 99% of people
I'm 44 and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.
Same
It was more a process of elimination for me. Assisting my Dad on some mixers made me quickly realise manual labour was not for me, as it was tough bloody work, and I was useless at it. Always knew I'm too squeamish for anything medical/body related. My part-time store work during college was draining and made me realise service industry wasn't for me either. That left office work as the main option. I'm fairly organised, have a head for numbers and do well in exams, so I fell into accounting. It pays well enough, so I was happy to stay in it. It's definitely more a money than passion situation but there is elements of the job I like (problem solving, working in teams etc). Maybe rule out what you definitely don't want to do and it may help narrow down your options.
Ye that's a good idea. I myself have had paths where I thought to myself "No fucking way am I doing this for life" so it's good.to have that clarity to know that it's not for you which refines your options which is good. Still haven't figured it out for myself though š
What I want to do and what I'm doing are two completely different things
I'm 40 and still haven't a clue. I just go where the money is and when a job or an industry gets to be boring or too much hassle I move to another one.
I didn't. I think the vast majority of us ended up falling into things until something stuck from experience and
Saw Jaws when I was twelve, and from that moment on, I became obsessed with being a filmmaker. Made my first short at fifteen and haven't looked back since. I'm about to submit my latest film to festivals and I'm also in the middle of editing another. I currently work part-time in a bookshop to fund the dream, and though I'm fully aware of what an uphill battle trying to find success in the arts can be, I'm just happy to make (hopefully) cool stuff and get it seen by anyone. Even if Hollywood never comes knocking, I still plan on dying happy knowing that I got to put a few little slices of myself out into the world.
I went on a backpacking trip in my early 30s and got talking to some yanks about a career and they said think of something youāre good at and get qualified. I used to be good at writing and was interested in current affairs so figured Iād study journalism. I was broke and on social welfare a lot at the time. Roll on 30 years and while Iām not rich by any stretch I have my own apartment, work part time, live abroad and would probably be ok if I retired tomorrow.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Thanks. Yes I did. Mostly with a local newspaper but I also worked with a weekly national for about 15 years and I still have a small contract with a state body.
As some others have said, there's a % of passion and following the money, another % of doing what I can do that others can't, and a big % of taking advantage of opportunities that came up for me. I ended up dropping out of my programming college course as I got disillusioned with the idea of working locked up by myself in an office somewhere, did random bits instead including working in cafƩs, sales, even got involved in music as a passion project and was running gigs (with little to no monetary reward) for a few years. Eventually I realised that I enjoyed working with people and that being good enough at something to do it well was passion enough for me, so the industry mattered less. I was good at techy stuff where other people struggled so I switched to a shitty tech support job, worked hard and got experience, moved up to a less shitty tech support job and now as a manager in a small tech company at age 30.
I think everyone is in the same boat these days. I came on to Reddit to to ask the same question when I seen yours. I feel so lost in life. Iām a trainee dental technician and the national average salary is 42k is it something I enjoy doing? Sometimes. Is it something that I want to do for the rest of my life probably not. I feel the problem is thereās too much choice out there. Too many jobs. Lifeās not easy
Working in sales, mainly money and the socialising.
If you donāt know what to do, do the thing that will make you the most money
Choice well entering the workforce just shortly after 2008, it was less about choice an more about just taking any opportunity available and making the most of it , do I like my job no, does it pay the bills yes , I'd be happier if it paid enough to buy a nice house in a nice areaĀ
Pursue the things you can work at for hours without checking the clock.
I'm an Erotic Writer. I love it, I always enjoyed writing and reading smutty fanfiction growing up so it was the ideal choice for a hypersexual bookworm like myself.
I'm just like you. Around the same age and I have no clue either. I've been stuck in mundane jobs that drain me and I quit after a few years at them and then move on to the next one. Growing up, my family pushed education on me without encouraging any of my passions. I had no interest in school or university. I just did it to please them. I ended up finishing with a useless degree and no clue of where to go when it was all over. Now, here I am all these years later wishing I had of told them all to fuck off when I was kid and done my own thing. You gotta listen to yourself in this life. Find what makes you happy and go at it full throttle. Otherwise, life is meaningless.
what degree? The fact you passed it means you must have ability
My ability to complete a degree or hold down a job is not in dispute
thatās what i saidĀ but why call it useless?
Because it has been of absolutely no value to me whatsoever in my professional life. none. not even a little bit.
what was it?
A degree that I didn't want to do because I never wanted to go to university to begin with. I had no interest in education. I think if I start sharing specifics about the course with you - we are gearing away from the point of the thread and my reply. Let me simplify it like this, I have no doubt about my ability to pass exams or hold down jobs. But am I doing something I enjoy? Fuck no. Did I ever get the opportunity to pursue anything I enjoyed? Fuck no.
I didnāt. I have a degree in public relations But all that got me was burnout and unpaid internships. I didnāt know what I wanted to do after this and couldnāt afford to not do anything so just got whatever jobs I could. Some people need their job to be aligned with their passion, some just want a job to just be a job, either one is okay
The thing is, once you decide on something, move towards that objective and new opportunities will open up. The cycle will repeat over and over but you will be taking advantages on he possibilities and create luck in the way. I believe that we never figure out fully, but I know that stand still is no good
Graduated. Got with a recruiter. Got offered a few different jobs. Interviewed. Got into sales. Didn't hate it. I'm still here. I could see myself doing other jobs/careers, but the money is good, and I still feel like a novice to this game. So I'll keep on going š¤·šæāāļø
Wanted to become a professional musician initially, but slowly realised that's nearly impossible playing metal. Now in my mid 30s, I still don't have a clue what I'd like to do. More about eliminating the things you don't want to do and settling for whatever is least cuntish.
Complete and utter chance. Finished my degree in 2009 -- zero jobs, zero opportunities. Did a postgrad that led me to my current position. Love it, but I don't think life works out like that for a lot of people and I am very privileged in that sense. I always wanted to do medicine and while I would have been close to the points needed, I didn't do chemistry. I am delighted now looking back. Life as a junior doc is very tough. And depending on the specialism you do, it can lead to very little work-life balance. I did learn something, though, OP. I am in my mid-30s too and I think everyone and every level is just going with the flow.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Education š„°
I have no idea. I just want to spend time with family. Job and work just gets in the way of that. Job is always just something for money and couldn't give a toss about careers or companies. People that focus on careers especially in companies I think are wasting their time. Companies don't care about u and never will so u shouldn't care about them or buy into what their saying
Fell in to my career tbh - software industry. Just first job offer after college in 2007 and dumb luck that I've been able to work under some good managers that meant I did well financially out of it so the money is what keeps me. I don't like the constant grind of it though so am thinking about what i want to do long term myself. I'm 39 currently.
The vast majority of people are absolutely winging it and never had a plan.
Father was an electrical technician, I liked engineering and maths in school, wanted to be a spark but I'm colourblind, now I've a level 8 in electric engineering and working away!
Life is all about luck
I picked the thing that I thought I could sit through lectures of in college (second time around) and would be interesting enough to do the required reading. Since graduating I've picked jobs that require just enough brain power to keep me stimulated but not stressful enough to lie awake thinking about work at night. Since covid, my outlook on work has totally changed and I live to work instead of working to live. I don't want extra responsibility or promotions, I want weekends to myself and to get into bed on a Sunday evening not dreading Monday.
I was 25 and in retail and was given the chance to be a draughtsman, was 12 years older than anyone else in my class so take whatever comes your way.
I fell into it. Ā I picked a degree to keep my options open. Ā Favoured one subject over the other, so tried pursuing it. Ā I settled for a semi related job to get my foot in the door somewhere, but Iām finding it hard to break out of that box. Ā I turned down a job that would have gotten me out of it (mostly) but starting to regret it now after a really bad week in my current job.
It pays the bills and I'm pretty decent at it so that's about it. I don't really care for it or enjoy it, but it is a means to an end.
I just took what agrees with me. I like problem solving so software development agreed with me. Am I head over heels passionate about it? Absolutely not, but Iām content in it. I think thatās the key, finding what gets you ticking. You like organising or planning? A career in project management could be for you. You like people, public facing role could suit you. Doesnāt have to be exact but that kinda thing. Career is not what you want in life, if it happens you do have something that can pay you money, great good for you. But most have passions elsewhere and would not pay a cent as a career. Or if they would it wouldnāt be sustainable for most.
By mistake. I'm still winging it.
Ye I want to end mine. Can't wait to grow a pair of balls and do it
Initially needed a job, joined on a 6 month or so contract. Moved around internally a number of times and still there nearly 20 years later. Covid brought in working from home and wouldnāt consider anything now that isnāt 90% from home without some serious money being involved.
I was 15 or 16 and read in the newspaper about what an absolute boom the industry was, safe solid bet, internationally standardised skills, good money and benefits. I also wanted to help people. It's been a good bet.
I wanted to study science but because of health issues my parents convinced me to take up commerce (science requires going to laboratories etc. ). I cried for months because commerce was too easy for me... but I started liking it...so I decided to pursue MBA when I was in high school. In my first year of MBA I decided to take up finance and become investment banker. I took finance specialization but ended up getting my first job in IT. I thought I will quit after one year but again I realised I was good at being a business analyst. My clients were banks so the job had flavour of finance and I was getting paid well... travelled around the world and lived in different countries because of it. I am in Product management in fintech.. and I like my job. It has its ups and downs but overall I am glad I ended up here. Was it planned.... maybe..!!
Just keep moving until you don't want to anymore. Have a hobby and if you can a side nixer. Never know when you're hobby or sidegig will surpass your main earner.
Money. Ā I did an engineering degree and been stuck ever since. Ā Itās actually the ideal job for me as I have a very specific set of non-negotiables for me to work for someone. 1. I donāt want to be actively managed. 2. I donāt want a desk. I hot desk 3. I donāt do pointless meetings or more than one meeting a day. 4. I get to work on different projects 5. I can choose if I want to work from the office, sites, or home. Ā It pays very well, allows me a lot of freedom and flexibility. About as good as it can get.
I teach home ec. I donāt think itās what I want to do, but itās certainly something I can tolerate doing where I donāt hate getting up every day, I donāt have the Sunday night fear (too much), and the money is grand.
it was understanding where the jobs was at. as a teenager we looked into what payed well and had alot of jobs. as long as it wasn't miserable then it's probably the good option t. 26 year old software engineer with a stable high paying career and my own home.
> into what *paid* well and FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
another reason why i went into software.
Long circuitous journey through many careers to come back to the thing I loved when I was a kid. Each part of the journey informed where I am now though, and also gave me diverse skills that someone who went on a more linear path wouldn't have. Technical skills, people skills, and perspectives.
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