Happiness with job help

Daniegirl2011

I need advice & recommendations. I don't like my job. I get really annoyed to hear that other people love their job, have always known what they wanted to do or just fell into something that turned out to be great for them. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for them but I hate that I don't have that experience. In a few years I'll be headed into my 30"s & I'm so ashamed that I don't have a "career". I like my company and wouldn't mind staying there til retirement but ultimately I'd have greater satisfaction in just being happy with my work. I'd love to know what it's like to have peace when I'm driving to work. Some days I'm near the point of tears. I've tried those tests that supposed to help you know what line of work would suit me best but they always come out inaccurate. I am completely honest when I do the test but the questions are sometimes hard to answer as sometimes I'm undecided. I want to be a good example in my family. I don't want to be unhappy til retirement. Does anyone know some way I can find the career I'd love or at least like?

dls06

Colleges have free counseling and test designed to see what your interest are. Look into that. It could be very helpful. It's never too late to go back to school. I did when I was 36 and had 4 kids.

cbear017

What is it that you're currently doing?

mleoni092708

I hear you. I am thankful I have a job, but I would really love to find something that makes me truly happy. It's on my list of things to do-find a fullfilling career.

CrazyDaisysMommy

There is nothing to be ashamed of! I didn't go back to school until I was 31 and before that I had no idea of what I wanted to do or even what types of careers were out there. Now I'm pushing 40 and I have a completely different life. The best way to find out what career you will thrive in is to talk to people. Spend time reading job descriptions online. Don't think about what you're qualified to do; think about what sounds interesting to you. You have a job already, so the pressure is off to find another "job." Research companies that you find interesting. Think about what it is that you like outside of work and see what there is to do related to that. What are your hobbies? Gardening, cooking, knitting, watching movies, exercise? Maybe you can see what companies there are that relate to those interests. Look to see if there are professional organizations related to things you're interested in, and then do some research on the members. Try to introduce yourself to as many people as possible and ask them what they do. Not just what their title is, but what they actually do on a daily basis. And what is it about their jobs that they like/don't like. People love to talk about themselves, so you'll get info about careers and make others feel good at the same time! If you are interested in certain fields and you aren't sure if they are right for you or you don't know what kind of jobs exist in those fields, ask people in your network to recommend people for you to talk to. Call those contacts and set up informational interviews or coffee dates. I already have a career, but I go on informational interviews at least once a month! You never know. Good luck. Whenever I start to get down about not being more successful or in the perfect situation, I remember: I'm not dead yet. Neither are you, so go make the life you want! :happy:

cbear017

This ^^^^ is great advice. Just know that there is no shame in going back to school or re-training for a new job. I am 35 and seriously considering returning to school and that's a tough pill for me to swallow because I already have a graduate degree and now I want another, but in order to do it I have to go back to do another undergrad.

Remember that you still have at least 30 years of work ahead of you so you might as well like what you do.