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OT: Careers

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

I'm being very nosy here so no probs if no one wants to answer!!

But I'm curious as to what you all do/did/will do once qualified etc?

In Feb 2011 my littlest cherub starts school 5 days/week and I really want to rejoin the workforce in some capacity... but I have NO IDEA what I want to do "when I grow up".

I've done loads of admin and also a stint vet nursing. Absolutely HATE admin and really don't want to do it ever again, and vet nursing, whilst I enjoyed the work I don't want to do it again...

So I guess I'm just after some inspiration - I have lots of things I'd like to do, but nothing that I'm super passionate about and have a deep yearning to do. All I know is that I want to be able to dress nicely at work every day, be able to act professionally, have lots of variety and do something meaningful for those I work for/with.

Thanks for humouring me and you never know... maybe one of you will say something that will spark something in me LOL

General

46 replies

Latest reply was from Katja

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Well you know what I do :0)

What are you qualified to do, Theresa? You seem passionate about fitness and sport. Am I right?

marianna

Veteran

I'm in the same boat as you, Theresa. I look forward to following this thread.

Beth

Veteran

I've been a school psychologist for the past 13 years. It's time for a career change.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's posts, too:)

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, this is a tough one. However even if you are not passionate about anything you still have interests. Do you like to work with people or with numbers or solve problems or do something with your hands? There are some tests online you can try to identify what areas are more appropriate for you. Have you tried them? They can give you some ideas...

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

LOL Angie - yes I do know what you do!!!

And I'm glad I'm not the only one in this situation here! Hopefully we can all get some inspiration.

I actually have no "real" qualifications as I finished high school and went straight to work - just lots of work experience and of course not even working for just over 6 years now... (although being a mum to kids with special needs has certainly given me life experiences that I know count).

I've done heaps of online quizzes and I know I'm an INFJ but I'm such a hopeless decision maker and I quite like lots of potential careers based on those suggestions LOL

Angie I am fairly passionate about fitness & exercise - its probably the one thing in my life I want to be addicted to (besides YLF!) but can't seem to get a start on... I have very limited natural sporting ability LOL.

I think I want to inspire people - maybe even kids/teenagers - but at the same time, I know that 2 hours in a classroom of 22 x 5yr olds is WAY too much for me - I need to retreat to lots of quiet time after that! Hmm maybe I want to be a Phys Ed teacher so at least we'd be outside and the noise wouldn't be so overpowering.

My big girl is currently having some confidence crises at the moment because she never wins any of the sports things they do at school, so we've just started a training regime for her so she can get used to the distance she needs to run for her cross country next month - except now she's sick so not up to anything.

OK I'm rambling again LOL

Steph

Veteran

I am an attorney. I worked at a huge law firm (one of the 20 biggest in the country) for six years, then left to work at a consulting firm for a year. Then I left and took a year off to really think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. One year later and...I'm still not sure. I applied to business school, thinking that exposure to different functions could help me figure out what I wanted to do, but when it came time to actually accept an offer, it didn't feel like the right choice, so I said no. I envy people who know what they want to do and can go after it.

I am currently reading a book that tries to create a framework to help you figure out what you want to do. The author is an alum of my college and I saw him speak at a reunion last year. He was really compelling. When I'm done with that, I think I might try to find other books that can help guide me through a decision-making framework.

Steph

Veteran

I meant to add: Theresa, maybe being a PE teacher would be a good position for you! Alternatively, have you considered being a personal trainer? One other thing I do is that when I think of a career that might be interesting, I talk with people who are in that career. I ask them what they do and don't like about their job, and I ask them specific questions, based on things I think I do or don't want in a job. Perhaps you could seek out some PE teachers to talk with?

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Well, I've had six very different careers in the last 20 years, and what I have learned is that it's not WHAT you do, it's HOW you do it. How do you like to work? How do you like to think? What do you like to do when you are bored? At a party? With friends?

I like solving problems, figuring out puzzles, telling stories and jokes, and making people feel good about themselves. So I've worked in recruiting (telling stories and helping people improve themselves), as a Weight Watchers leader (ditto), and now in my current job I solve problems and "puzzles" so to speak: I work in a quality department for a hospital group, and I teach people how to integrate the software programs into their jobs, and I solve problems in the software. I love my job, but it's not at all what I expected I would be doing!

Figure out what kind of thinker you are, what kind of chores/fun things, etc you like to do, and you will find the right next thing for you. It usually isn't as obvious as Likes Art = Work in Museum, but you will find ways to integrate your strengths and passions into your job.

Frances

Theresa, I'm not sure what the nonprofit sector is like in Australia or if you can find career opportunities in something as specific as what I'm going to suggest, but here's what occurred to me as I read your posts about loving sports and fitness and wanting to do meaningful work. I work in the nonprofit sector, and I know there are a lot of organizations out there geared toward helping children and youth--especially young girls going through the difficult teenage years--gain confidence and leadership skills through sports & fitness or outdoor hiking/camping types of programs. In the U.S., for instance, one that comes to mind is Girls on the Run. Would something like that interest you?

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

This is so hard isn't it? I'm still trying to work out what I want to be when I grow up!

Teaching is a good career and is certainly one of the more "family friendly" type jobs you could do. You just need to be really aware that school holidays are often spent marking & prepping for the future & your workdays are a lot longer than 9 - 3 (at least they are when you start out). Of course you also have the issue of classroom management (I taught highschool 7 - 12 for three(ish) years) which can sometimes be pretty draining to be honest, but also the interpersonal relationships amongst staff, which can be a whole other kettle of fish.

Now before I've totally turned you off the idea, I really have to say that teaching of any type (whether as a personal trainer, a music teacher, a PE teacher, a typing teacher, a cooking teacher etc etc) IS a really rewarding profession. Let me share a true little story with you to illustrate my point as to my no #1 reason I love it and still do it to see if it resonates with you and your career goals:

I taught this little girl piano to from the ages of 5 - 10 many years ago (I stopped teaching her around 1998 when I left the music school I was working at). Out of the blue, she rang my father's home phone twelve months ago (my maiden name was very unusual and dad's name was the only one in the phone book).

Through absolute sheer coincidence I just happened to be visiting from interstate so got to talk to her. She told me that she was now at uni studying dentistry, but wanted to call me and thank me for inspiring her love of music. She told me that she had never forgotten me and just wanted to tell me how much she loved playing piano because of my influence.

I was so absolutely touched that I could have such a huge impact on somebody else! I'll never forget that moment, as it made all my training and hard work worthwhile! This would have to be (for me at least) one of the absolute BEST things about teaching - the opportunity to inspire others and have a positive impact on their life.

(Now on another career topic, I just thought I'd say that I've read a lot in your posts that you seem to do a lot of baking. If you really enjoy baking, I just thought I'd mention that one of the mum's at my school did a professional cake baking and decorating course and is now making an absolutely KILLING(!) making cakes for a living. I mean serious, serious money! She loves the creativity of it and loves baking - it also fits in perfectly with caring for her children. Just thought I'd menton it to you.)

Good luck with it sweety!

Scarlet

Veteran

What subjects did you enjoy or excel at in school? I was always oriented toward science and I am very passionate about what I do, but there are serious down sides. And the difficulty in dressing well is probably the least of it (all though that one does bug me a lot). I will be reading this thread too--I love hearing about people's career choices.

NK

Theresa, I feel a lot of the same way as you! My youngest starts all day school this fall, and I always felt that once that occured, I'd be ready to go back and complete my degree. I have some college credit from right after high school, and even went back for a few semesters years ago, but I've never quite figured out what I'd like to do. In fact, I felt that taking classes just made me realize more subjects that I wasn't interested in!

My last job was 10 years ago as an assistant for a buyer over health and beauty products and general merchandise for a grocery store chain. (My favorite part of that job was being able to dress nicely. Oh, and the free samples!)

And now, I've been out of the workforce for 10 years! I was just talking to my husband today about how difficult it would be to create any sort of resume at this point. And I feel so clueless about most computer programs in use right now...

I was always a little envious of my sister who knew from a very young age that she wanted to become a teacher. And of course, she is.

I wish I had some advice, but I can definitely sympathize...

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

This is a question I have always wanted to ask - and only because I am nosy!

For the last four years I have been working as a fundraiser (my official title is Development Manager) for a smallish arts charity in London. We have been fundraising for a major capital expansion project, but we are also responsible for the membership marketing and public relations for the organisation. This is a completely new field for me, my background is in politics and before coming to the UK I worked in the public sector as a policy adviser and also in the NZ Parliament as an assistant to a Member of Parliament.

Have you considered any career counselling? About 6 years ago I was having a few issues at work and a couple of sessions with a counsellor helped me resolove these and gave me more direction at work.

Another question - qualifications and experience aside - what would be your dream job/s?

Rosie

Veteran

Kristen gave some really exceptional advice. I also think you'd excel at something like Frances has mentioned.

The fact is, a lot of us don't know what we want to do "when we grow up." Like Steph, I'm an attorney, but I've been in and out of full-time law practice the past six years. Right now my full-time job is at a small company and I do pretty much everything, with a little bit of law. As some might recall, I am just starting a solo practice in the areas that really interest me. I'm nervous I won't get any clients or that it will take a long time to build the practice so that I can do it full time, but I am just plugging a long.

But frankly, I have so many other ideas of things I'd like to do, and I go back and forth about what really, really drives me. I'm worried that while I think I'll love the areas of law I've chosen the reality will be totally different.

You are such a genuine, spunky, relatable person. I really can see you working with people or kids in such a positive way. I also think that the strength you have gained from your relationship is something young women would be blessed to see.

stringy

Veteran

As someone on her third career choice, and who feels like she's found the right one this time, I heartily endore KristenKP's advice above.

I like knitting and photography and writing and reading, but doing them for a living and having to make it pay the bills would suck all the joy out of it for me. What I'm good at is problem solving and making things. So I'm currently a web developer for educational websites, helping teachers find a way to engage students.

But here's the key: any job where I got to make things that solved people's problems would work for me. If the internet went away tomorrow, I would have no hesitation in striking out again in another career (architect? carpenter? writing instruction manuals?), as long as I get to solve problems by making stuff. It's just what I find most satisfying even when the individual days are just as crappy as at any other job.

If you can figure out the sweet spot between things you do well and things that energise you, that's where you'll find the job you want.

stringy

Veteran

Ok, that was meant to be 'endorse' not 'endore'. I don't even know what endore means

Scarlet

Veteran

Londonkiwi - how did you go about finding a career counselor?

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Wow - Thank You all for your input - I really appreciate it and feel comforted by the fact that so many of us are in similar boats. We are also a very divers group of ladies and I really like that - I have enjoyed reading about what some of you do.

Steph - if you find the book you are reading helpful, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me the details and I'll see if I can track it down to read as well.

Kristen - thank you so very much for your input and wisdom. This process is actually really helping me learn more and more about myself and I like the way of looking at it more from the "how" perspective.

Frances - that organisation looks FABULOUS! I have never heard of anything like that in Aus (fellow Aussies let me know if you know of something like this - it just may not be around up here).

KP - that is a beautiful story about your former student! I didn't have any inspirational teachers and I can already see how much of a difference having a wonderful teacher is making to my eldest daughter. And you know, its funny I used to love to bake and that would have been right up my alley a few years ago - since having the girls and having to cook every single thing they eat myself due to their many allergies I'm now officially over cooking!

Scarlet - you know that is a good question - I actually started my accounting degree because I was top student in accounting in senior but after 1 semester worked out that I HATED it (phew!). So I was really good at accounting and computing, but didn't enjoy either. I loved and was good at Legal Studies and Home Ec, hated and failed at Maths, and did well and kinda enjoyed English. I'm glad I worked out that just because I was good at accounting didn't mean I had to do it though - I would be so miserable now if I'd done that.

Natalie - very similar situation!! I haven't even thought about doing a resume and that actually scared the heck out of me now I do think about it... I have 3 younger brothers and 2 of them have always known what they wanted to be and are super happy at it too...

Fi - hehe we can be nosy together then! Did you ever get to meet Helen Clark (that was her name wasn't it?) I always admired her whenever I saw her on the news. Career Counselling is probably a good idea actually - will look into that next week.

Rosie - thank you for your kind words - I do feel like I need to empower the younger generation... Your going back and forth sounds a lot like me too.

Stringy - the point about doing what you love to the point that it sucks the enjoyment out is a really good point - I know a few people who have done that and ended up hating it...

I've been thinking about this all day and a few things I've realised that will be significant are:

* I learn best by doing rather than studying - so if I were to have to complete a university degree to be qualified, I doubt I would actually succeed - especially because I would have to do it part time and that would draw the process out to 8-odd years...
* I HATE anything that I find monotonous and repetitive - I am far too easily distracted so I need to be constantly engaged and provided lots of variety.
*I'm good at researching or providing options but do not want to be the decision maker

I'm sure this list will grow as I delve deeper though!

Oooops that ended up like a novel!! (hmm definitely need to add "ability to waffle" to my list of abilities LOL).

Thanks for bearing with me and I'm still curious as to what we all do!

Sharon

Veteran

Well, I'm another one who's career continues to evolve. I started out as a technical officer, then went back to university 10 years ago and did my medical degree.
I worked rurally for a while and have been working in women's health for the past 3 years. At the beginning of the year I got very burnt out and became ill and left work, planning to have a year off, but I have started working casually as a surgical assistant over the last month and am really enjoying it.
I guess my 2 cents is that you never "arrive" at what you are going to be - there is a continuous evolution. The trick is just to start doing something you like and see where it leads you.

Louise

Veteran

Since 17 I've worked with children mostly in out of school clubs but with occassional classroom stints x

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Theresa- what about becoming a fitness instructor at a gym?

Anonymous

Theresa, have you thought of doing physical therapy? With all of us aging baby boomers they will continue to being demand. You would be helping people, (although sometimes they may feel you are causing them pain), and it seems to be a job one can do part time. If you do home visits, you could schedule them when the kids are in school. The down side is going back for more education.

rute

Veteran

I took a bussiness degree and now I work in Marketing but I've done other things: accounts, finances, bussiness consulting..
I love my work! Love can't imagine get up everyday to do something I don't like!

Queen Mum

Veteran

what about trying to get a job as an assistant to a special needs teacher. I know you said time in the classroom would be overwhelming, but with your experience as a mum of a special needs child you would be a wonderful asset.

As for me, I spent 6 years teaching first grade and loved it. I'm not quite ready to go back into such a energy consuming job at the moment, but I've been tossing ideas around. I have toyed with the idea of getting my special ed certification. I"ve also been thinking about getting certified as a personal trainer. I love the idea of inspiring other middle age gals like myself to get into shape, plus it's something that should not get in the way of my family. My gifting is in teaching so as much as sitting in an office looking pretty sounds really nice, I do think I'll end up back into some form of teaching one of these years.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Scarlet - my workplace at the time actually paid for it as part of the employee wellness programme.

Theresa - yes, I met Helen Clark (or just plain Helen as she liked to be called) a number of times. One of the nice things about my job at the moment is that I get to meet very interesting (and sometimes famous) people on a regular basis.

I did just have a thought - can you swim well? What about working as a swimming teacher? I did that for 3 years all the way through university and taught children aged 3 - 13. Lot's of fun - one lesson is never the same as the other so you don't get bored, the training is hands-on and doesn't take a particularly long time and who knows you could be the teacher who inspires the next Ian Thorpe or Leisel Jones!

Kristine

Veteran

I'm a museum registrar and have been in the museum/historical field for about 13 years. I'm in Collections but there are a variety of jobs in museums, maybe you'd be interested in something like education or special events.

One nice thing about museum work is that it's diverse, almost every day is different. And most museums are non-profit so you also feel like you're doing something reasonably meaningful. But you would probably need a degree for anything beyond a part time or temporary job (which might be a good way to explore it).

Rosie

Veteran

Theresa, are you overwhelmed with ideas yet? I've also worked in non-profits in school Development/Communications and as a volunteer at a museum. Both are very fun environments with positive purposes.

MsJournalista

I love this community because if I've been thinking something for awhile, I realize someone else has been thinking it too. Just today I bought Strengths Finder 2.0:

http://strengths.gallup.com/11.....der-2.aspx

I took the online assessment (must open the packet inside for online access code) and my results energized me. There are 34 different "themes." The assessment found that my top 5 themes are futuristic, ideation, intellection, maximizer and strategic. The test confirmed what I've suspected.

It's a good place to start. I found Strengths Finder 2.0 described me better than Myers-Briggs. Good luck!

Kari

Veteran

I'm in Human Resources. It's kind of an area that I fell into when I got a job recruiting for a temporary staffing company. (I don't do that now, though.) I ended up loving the work, especially when I got into a non-sales role, and am thinking about working my way towards a generalist career path.

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