rae, excellent identifying aspects that you would like to incorporate in your day to day...more problem solving, more people interaction. as an english major, i bet you have the skill to translate complex ideas into written pieces coherent to a variety of levels. can you network within your place for potential positions that make use if these skills? or go for informational mtgs, perhaps a more senior person who is doing the job or engaged in projects that you find interesting? have you talked to your supervisor for opportunities?

Random, but - sound engineering? You're musical and would be able to appreciate it from a number of perspectives. I did a sound engineering course but then decided it was too hard for me - the main things that were hard were paying the fees (!) but also the blokey culture, which I think you'd be fine in (correct me if I'm wrong); also the weird hours and sometimes heavy lifting.

There are some weird and wonderful uses for such a skill set - not just live/studio music, also foley artist for movies/television; and post grad as a number of things, such as ethnomusicologist (travel and field work!)

Fruitful, that's interesting, because my sister is pursuing sound! She is having a hard time with finding work, too. I guess you can't have it all!

BJ, perhaps I will bring that up whenever I have my next review at work. Should be coming up... I think I've been there about 6 months. I'd be surprised if there was anything for me within the company, but maybe. I definitely know I am not interested enough in wealth management to get my Series Seven. I started studying for that at my old job, and while I know I *could* do it, I could feel my brian refusing to pay attention.

Wow, amazing about your sister - yes, it would be hard to get work - I guess this is the kernel of the problem; what do you love so much that you could deal with that; alternatively, if not being under financial pressure/instability is core to what makes you happy, that helps narrow your focus when searching for a goal.

Rae- you live in the perfect city for combining your love of fashion and bargain hunting. The good thing about established marketplaces is that you don't have to have contacts already- you have a built in audience (doesn't mean they will necessarily buy, though). If you are seriously interested in that vein, I would start making contacts right away. Make regular rounds to all of the resale/vintage stores in your area. Introduce yourself to the owner and let them know that you are getting into the business- ask them their policies about buying/selling/trading with other dealers and consigning pieces. Make friends with the clerks at your favorite suppliers- see if they would be willing to set pieces aside for you, let you know when deliveries are put out, or call you when something spectacular arrives. Become a presence in the vintage clothing circuit and before long you will have tons of contacts.

I think Rachel Zoe just needs to hire you! You need to be in a creative field and you have everything you need to work there, it's just being in the right place at the right time and getting an "in". Even if you could just start as someone's personal assistant in the film industry it might lead to getting into wardrobe/costumes/shopper/stylist for TV, music videos, what have you. I could see you in the music industry as well. Finance is great, but IKWYM about it being a bit brain-dead for the creative side of your mind.

You have great energy, drive and enthusiasm, enough be a wife, have a full time job, be a fashion blogger and contribute greatly to YLF. Your people skills are as good as your ability to analyze things and solve problems. Really, you could do anything, but you will need a creative outlet or two if one isn't built into your career.

You definitely have a way with words! Something that involves writing/communication.

Rae, I'm awfully late to comment. But I know this is one of those subjects you're going to mull about; it's not like a Keep or Return or "in the dressing room right now!" post. So I will jump in, anyway.

I'm slightly awed that you would trust us enough even to ask us this question. What a gift you give us, with that trust. And what a gift YLF is to us all!

I would like to echo everything that Janet, Elizabeth, Claire, and Scarlet have said. I don't know the in-person you, but the Rae who is here on the forums is exceptionally intelligent, analytic, a superb and tactful communicator, creative—and a lot of fun!

I'm a big believer in following your passion. It may not always lead to the most money. But it will certainly lead to the greatest satisfaction.

Like Suz, I'm late to this thread but I still wanted to pop in to comment.

Wow. That's a BIG question Rae! From our YLF knowledge of you, I see someone who is undoubtedly creative (music and fashion), hard working, analytical (the way you break down outfits of your own and in critiquing others), not one to give up easy (trench coat come to mind?) and detail oriented. i love Claire's ideas of something in the fashion/entertainment field. I also think Chewy is onto a fab thought with the shopping/vintage vein.

Lots to think about for sure.

Just ready all the comments, so here I am again.
Could it be that you need to focus on moving up the corporate ladder, so to say, so that you are dealing with more complex situations, more people, more responsibility? You said you don't feel challenged enough, and it seems to me that taking on more responsibility could be a solution there. For what it's worth I am someone who chose passion/stimulation over money. We make enough to enjoy our little lives, but we would make a lot more doing conventional jobs. The good thing is that in my particular field I could get a good industry job if money becomes an issue for some reason. I didn't plan it like that, but just followed my heart. I worked a lot in all different kinds of jobs as a student, and it made it clear to me that what I really wanted to avoid was boredom, so that guided my decision making more than anything. I agree with the others regarding another degree. I would be loathe to go back to school in your position unless I had a clear goal in mind.

Rae, some great advice here already !!

A couple of small suggestions. Think about volunteering somewhere in an industry that you think you might like. It gives you connections and exposure.

Coincidentally enough, I used to be in molecular biology, and since I have become a SAHM, I have done some volunteering. I found that I could NEVER be a teacher, but I really like working with at-risk youth ( like gang members ). I have, on a few occasions been asked to volunteer interpret for Catholic Charities and our local hospital, and I loved it ! Can you use your skills to interpret ? Also, good communicators are really in demand. Have you thought of learning to write grant proposals and then free lance that ? You could even start that now and see if you like it. Start small. You could put together a small proposal for a series on article on thrifting for a local paper....

I am reading a great book called " Kitchen Counter Cooking Lessons.." The author studied at the Cordon Bleu, but she writes narratives about cooking. Could you do something like that ? ( Not about cooking, but something else. )

Finally, it is ok to be all about the money for a little while. You don't have to spend it. You can save it and invest it and maybe by the time you are 50, you can stop working for pay and do something that you really love, like travel. Think long term. In the end, some times a job provides you money to fund the rest of your non-work life. And you seem to be enjoying that. Don't let your dad's ambition make you doubt yourself. ( Recently, my mom' brother, who lives in Europe, told my mom that he couldn't believe that my parents were "allowing" me to not work. He said that they had put so much into studies and that I had spent so much time studying molecular biology that it was an embarrassment to the family that I just did "nothing". I am 48, he needs to stop holding out hope, LOL !!!! Wait til he learns I like hanging out with kids who carry guns and knives ! LOL !!! It is cultural......and trust your self. One doesn't have to have a burning passion. Some of us just don't . BUT you do want to be happy !

Marketing? Event planning? I don't know your preferences and background well but you seem outgoing, creative and energetic so it seems like those areas might be a good fit.

Wow - lots to think about here for you.

Are there other opportunities within the bank that interest you? You might be interested in HR for example? Ask at your review about the opportunities for internal promotions or transfers to other depts (but make sure your boss knows it's not because you are unhappy with them or thinking of leaving - that's never good ;0 ) and see what the company has to offer. You might also check out benefits program to see if they contribute to ongoing education.

I don't know very many people who actually have careers in what they studied unless they studied a very technical or science based subject area. Sometimes for liberal arts majors (we usually have such a variety of passions and interests) you find an outlet outside of your career to explore what you love.

Going back to school right now might not be the answer - I think you came to that conclusion. I explored this recently and in California, the state universities are in such a crunch that graduate programs are being thinned down, grants impossible to get and even entry to programs is delayed. Some of the certificate programs are easier to get into and more streamlined for working students though.

I would also think about the type of environment you work best in - are you self motivated and work well alone? Do you have the discipline to drum up your own business? Starting your own company or business can be frustrating if it doesn't suit you.
My DH worked for himself but as a subcontractor for designers and artists/craftsman who needed his technical skills or an extra pair of hands/eyes on big projects. He had a few initial contacts and built up over time more and more folks who would call him for jobs.
If he had to go out and cold call though, he never would have been successful as that didn't suit his personality.

Lots to think about!

Some interesting and helpful advice here. Have you ever taken the Myers-Briggs personality test? It's a well-regarded, widely-used, generally accurate analysis of your strengths and weaknesses - and the results help steer you to ideal careers. It's quite amazing. Here's a link to the free test: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
Once you get your "type" (i.e. INFP, ENFJ, etc.), look up the suggested careers and see what you think!

From what I've observed about you, you could explore journalism (write for the Huff Po!), creative management, LA/California tourism (seriously - could be fun!), HR, fashion/retail marketing...

While I'm not the world's most practical person, the "Best Jobs of 2012" did catch my eye. Here's the link: http://money.usnews.com/career.....-best-jobs Not sure if any would appeal to you, but check it out!

What about Public Relations or Marketing in the fashion industry? Or, veterinary work since you like cats? I think the book title Parlsey recommended is a good exercise for you. You are so good and talented in so many areas and, for that reason, it can be difficult to settle on a profession. You have a passion for life and need to keep that passion.

Other thoughts: Music therapist (you love music and people), fashion buyer, school counselor (would provide good benefits), journalist, broadcasting, etc. Keep me posted!

Rae - no time to read all the responses and I'm no expert and not completely sure what you'd be good at, but I know you seem to be very passionate about your fashion and finding bargains and helping others. I don't know if you've been pursuing your business of swap shopping for others, but I read an article about Fashion Trucks (like food trucks, but with fashion inside) and thought "Rae could do that". Obviously not a stable predictable income, but choosing what you love over what will pay the bills can sometimes work if you are able to manage.