What should I do with my life? (career suggestions?)

[CaliTerp07]

However, I disagree with the suggestion about transferring immediately to a 4 year school. I actually think that, since you really don't know what you want to do, it makes sense to take some time off from school, get a job, and think about it. I say this largely because I've seen people really struggle to get through because, IMO, they went before they were ready.

Yeah, I wouldn't apply to the 4 year school until you have an idea of what you want to do for a career, you're right.

Do junior colleges have career fairs? I'm guessing you're at AACC, which is a fairly large campus. Or do you have access to any of them at a local 4 year school? It might help to go talk to employers at companies or jobs you're interested in, and find out what majors they hire. Or heck, just wander around and pick up free pens/magnets, and get an idea of what kind of positions are out there that you never knew existed. It might spark some ideas in you.

 

[JacksonsMom]

Get your associates in business, since you're so close. Finish it up. Transfer to a 4 year school, and you don't have to FINISH the business degree. 80% of what you've taken will cover pre-reqs and gen ed requirements for any other degree you want at a state 4 year university. I know at Maryland, people transferred regularly in/out of the business school after sophomore year. Junior year is when the actual business classes started--before that it was just "business statistics" and "intro to computers" and "accounting 101", but nothing that was so specific it couldn't fulfill a gen ed req in another department.

Classes shouldn't make you want to stab your eyes out every day, but I think you're shooting for the stars when you say you want the majority to be enjoyable. For some reason college students have this rosy picture of what their 4 years should be like, and then are immensely disappointed when it's not as easy/fun/social/exciting as they think it's going to be. (I actually just wrote a paper on that for grad school--how we can better prepare our high school students for the realities of what college is).

I know I mentioned this in another thread, but I'd look at how you could apply a business degree in another setting. Enterprise training? Corporate psychology? A business degree doesn't mean you're going to tally balance sheets all day. The vast majority of people with English, psych, history, etc degrees end up working in some sort of business environment after graduation anyway (or they go to grad school/professional school), so going into another major isn't necessarily going to prevent you from ever seeing another computer program again.

If you hate business and hate your life because of it, then by all means, get out. I had to leave engineering for that reason. But "business" is very vague and very broad (and also VERY employable) so if you don't like it because you're feeling cornered, then it might benefit you to research all your options with a business degree.

Thanks for the encouraging post! I was really down this morning and I think I stress myself out way too much over it. Plus I've been sick so my head is all, not there. lol. But your post honestly makes total sense. I think you're right -- I think high school students expect college to be this awesome thing that is oh so much better than high school. Maybe I'm just still dragging since I'm still in my pre-req's which are pretty boring.


I just wish I was one of those people (like the OP) that KNEW what I wanted to do. I wish I had found my passion and had a goal to aim for. I hate just kind of just... being there. Yeah, I'm in school, but I feel like I have no ultimate goals for myself.

Edit--
Well, I do think dogs are a passion of mine. I can honestly see myself working with them. Well, I mean, I do right now. Just to get me through college, I am a dogwalker right now and I've had a few people tell me to turn it into a business if I were to promote myself more and get more clients. Right now, it's just a getting paid under the table type job. But I truly enjoy myself. We do have a few nice boarding/kennel/training places in the area that I was going to try and interview for but right now, I'm happy doing my thing and making enough to support myself (but of course I am still living at home, so only bills are car, cell phone, gas and groceries, etc, now). But it's the only thing that I can truly see myself doing right now.

I generally agree with Cali. I really think you should suck it up and finish the associate's degree -- and agree that all classes aren't always fun (nor is your resulting job going to be ).

However, I disagree with the suggestion about transferring immediately to a 4 year school. I actually think that, since you really don't know what you want to do, it makes sense to take some time off from school, get a job, and think about it. I say this largely because I've seen people really struggle to get through because, IMO, they went before they were ready.

I agree, too, with Cali that many people who have degrees in things that interest them end up doing something else. I double majored in english and poli sci with the knowledge that I was going to end up going to grad school and graduate with a job in hand (different economy, too, of course).

Also, for what it's worth, just because people get there faster doesn't mean they're any happier in their careers once they arrive. Which is why I think it makes sense to take time off, save your resources, and take some time to think about what you want to do.

Yeah, very true. I took one class at the college while still in high school for jump start program and then my first semester there (Fall 2008), I took 4 classes. I then did another semester, and another, and then I took off a semester. But I ended up dropping a few classes here and there. I think I'm at 36 credits right now including the classes this semester, and 60 is needed for an associates.

Yeah, I wouldn't apply to the 4 year school until you have an idea of what you want to do for a career, you're right.

Do junior colleges have career fairs? I'm guessing you're at AACC, which is a fairly large campus. Or do you have access to any of them at a local 4 year school? It might help to go talk to employers at companies or jobs you're interested in, and find out what majors they hire. Or heck, just wander around and pick up free pens/magnets, and get an idea of what kind of positions are out there that you never knew existed. It might spark some ideas in you.

Yep, it's AACC. It's definitely got a lot to offer! Which is why I feel like I should take advantage. I do see signs occasionally for career fairs, I probably should check those out. It may definitely help me.

I think I've always been real interested in communications/advertising/graphics, that sort of thing the most.