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How to choose a career path?
So I really need some unbiased advice here. I am currently attending a community college. I enrolled here with the intent of getting in my basic classes at a cheaper cost and transferring to a 4 year university after my second year of community college. I didn't do well in high school (averaged a 2.6), didn't graduate and had to finish via night school. I've changed my ways and am now a straight A student. It's definitely crunch time, I need to pick a major/school in the very near future but in order to choose what college or university to transfer to, I first need to choose my career path and choose the school based off that.
I have NO idea what career I want to go into. I love art. I love drawing and painting and designing things and I'm really good at it. If the economy and money was not a factor honestly my dream job would be buying, redesigning, renovating, and selling homes. HOWEVER, living comfortably is definitely important to me, my dad struggled with money when I was young and I don't want to deal with that. The economy isn't in a place to foster that kind of home buying profit anymore and I realize that....so I'm looking into other areas.
I would also love interior design, but I live with my dad and he has nothing but negative things to say about the entire art/design field because "it's completely dependent on the economy, and you'll always be moving around chasing the jobs that will never be there".
For a brief, and I do mean BRIEF time, I considered becoming an orthodontist. Mainly because it's one of the highest paying careers in America. Also I could complete my schooling through the US Army and get most of my school paid for in exchange for dental service to US troops after graduation. HA! looked into it, only credible dental school in Michigan (where I live) is University of Michigan....I would first have to transfer to UofM, once enrolled complete the prerequisites for admission to their dental school (They do not take dental admissions if you did your prerequisites at a community college), [ALL OF THIS WITH NO GUARANTEE OF EVEN GETTING INTO UofM DENTAL], then apply to UofM Dental...which, if I didn't get in the whole thing would have been a waste of time and a whole lot of money. Then once completing the dental program apply to the orthodontics program, which accepts 104 applicants out of 1400-2000 a year. With my high school record I doubt I'd ever see the inside of the door to the dental school.
Needless to say.....that idea is out.
So now I have no idea what to do. I would love to go to school out of state somewhere warm...maybe California or Texas...but I have two dogs that my family hardly pays attention to so I can't leave them and it would be really hard to take them with me to school out of state. So for their sake I need to stay in Michigan.
The only general school subject that I really enjoy is art. I don't hate English, but I certainly don't enjoy it. I'm not a science fan. Not good at math. History bores me to death.
I know a lot about computers because my dad has taught me a lot, but I don't enjoy working with them.
I speak and understand some Spanish, and I would like to minor in it and become a fluent speaker, but I wouldn't necessarily want that to be the highlight of my career.
I'm a good college student and I'm willing to put in the time and effort to get to a goal for whatever career I choose, I just have no idea what to do.
Law, medical, and science fields are definitely out.
I feel so lost. Every one of my classmates in high school seemed to know exactly what they wanted to do, or at least had a good idea....the whole time I just took classes to take classes. I really wish I had more direction for this...please help me.
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If you're ready for a career change but haven't yet figured out how to get there, follow these tips from Harvard's Dr. Timothy Butler and life coach C.J. Liu. Before you know it, you'll be on your way to a new career.
1. Look at the issues that make you crave change and outline your goals.
What are you satisfied with about your current situation? What are you dissatisfied with? Is it your boss or the culture of your organization? Or do you really want to change careers? Outline your goals - for example, more money, more time off or more flexibility. Write it all down.
2. Work to understand your inner critic
Observe thoughts that trap you with fear and prevent you from achieving your objectives. Write these down on a piece of paper, then crumple it up and throw it away to symbolize your freedom from thoughts that interfere with your goals and dreams.
3. Recognize recurring patterns in your life
What makes you happy? What are your recurring interests and social needs? What makes a work environment feel or not so good to you? Write it down.
4. Network and investigate career interests that map to your goals and needs
Once you've identified your patterns and desires, start thinking about careers that make sense for you. Give yourself one to three months to explore your curiosity by finding people who do these jobs and talking about the pros and cons of their work. Explore anything and everything until you're satisfied - or until your time runs out.
5. Make a plan that takes your financial situation into account.
Change is never simple, but having a plan that outlines your steps and financial requirements makes it doable. Will your new career require additional education, a small business loan, time off from work or relocation? Make a plan with financial considerations and a realistic timeline and that you can follow through on.
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Well you're good at computers but you love art and every other subject is generally a no? Well my brother is currently in school majoring in Graphic design? Maybe you can try that. Although a lot of it is on the computer you get to do art as well because your "designing" logos, advertisements, etc and everyone will see your designs. If you're good at art and good at computers then you'll be good at graphic design and they make a lot of money and it's a pretty secure job. You will most definitely find a job when you get out of university if you're good with computers. Companies are constantly looking for designs like Nike has the tick and Adidas has the stripes. It can simple like that or complicated. You can look up graphic design because I really don't know THAT much about it but you can just about design anything like clothes, packaging or cartoons, etc. Hope I helped? :/ Good luck! xxx
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