<p>Careers are defined on the basis of transferable skills, right? Someone discovers a talent they feel passionate aboutengineering, directing films, solving relationship problemsand college develops it. The skill can be taken from company to company. But so long as the skill is able to be performed, (I'm generally assuming) that person will be content wherever they are.</p>
<p>At 17, I'm not willing to forge a career path on the sole basis of my transferable skills. I dont feel passionate enough about them. What I am passionate about is cinema, novels, television series but only certain ones. </p>
<p>Right now, for instance, Im especially connected to a television series. Ask me to write within the constraints of that universe and those characters? Wont hesitate. (If I may be so bold, the results are <em>good</em>. Maybe not publishable yet, but ready to be primed for a career.) </p>
<p>Ask me to become a television series writer? Wont accept. </p>
<p>See, Im not passionate about writing itself. Im passionate about the show. Writing happens to be the creative endeavor Ive chosen to express that. This happens with nearly each field I consider. Once, I studied to become a CEO but I only wanted to manage Disney. I dreamed of becoming an actress but I only wanted to star in films connected to particular subjects, characters, or actors. </p>
<p>I set impractical goals due to my apathy of transferable skills, such as engineering or directing films or solving relationship problems. Unless it directly relates to whatever film or novel (or anything else besides a transferable skill) Im passionate about, I dont feel strongly enough to carve a career path from one talent. Basically, my skills are not transferable. </p>
<p>Very confused and very conflicted. I would really appreciate any advice you can offer. </p>
<p>Nearly ALL fields and jobs require many of the same basic skills–ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally, some mathematical and reasoning skills, some knowledge of science and history. Why not get some of these basics and intern or take a few jobs to get a better idea of a job that you might enjoy and be able to develp into a career? You’d be surprised how transferable skills actually are if you don’t see them in a “tunnel vision” way. </p>
<p>I have skills I have acquired throughout my life, from being in various programs, to developing and leading programs, to courses taken, working in may different fields, etc. that have all been useful in other jobs I’ve done over my lifetime. Most people have to earn a living doing SOMETHING. You can search your local community college and see what programs they offer–many of them are more directly applicable than the more nebulous majors colleges offer. Working at different jobs, paying bills helps more quickly bring into focus what you are good and and can make money doing.</p>
<p>“Nearly ALL fields and jobs require many of the same basic skills–ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally, some mathematical and reasoning skills, some knowledge of science and history.”</p>
<p>No, I absolutely concur. And I already have those skills, plus a few extra. Again – I just don’t feel passionate enough about them to develop a career. The tunnel vision, as you perfectly coined, is my problem. I’m just not certain how to rid myself of that so I can come to love the act of writing itself, and not what I’m writing for.</p>
<p>I kind of feel the same way about writing… I’m good at it, but I don’t really enjoy writing… I enjoy editing and proofreading other people’s essays. I’m great at it, and essays I’ve looked over, by written by non-native speakers, have gotten them into top schools… However, everyone my age can’t understand how editing can give me enjoyment but not writing. But editing is a transferable skill, and I do want to be a lawyer, so editing and proofreading help me with that… So while I don’t have the same problem as you, I understand it. </p>
<p>Anyway, keep trying things until you find something you like that you could turn into a career… That’s what lots of entrepreneurs do, so why can’t you do it!?</p>
<p>There is nothing that says you have to LOVE your career. If you honestly have no idea what you want to do, try volunteering and/or interning and/or various jobs to see what they are like and what they entail. I have been a switchboard operator, salesclerk of fine jewelry/shoes/clothing, summer recreational aide, administrative assistant, library resource person, cafeteria assistant, law clerk, attorney, PTA president, hearing officer, judge and now non-profit executive director. All of these jobs used different proportions of the skills I developed over the years.</p>
<p>Unless one is fortunate enough to have tons of money, most folks have to work. It is a good idea to try out a few different jobs via volunteering, interning, or trying different summer and/or part time jobs to find which ones fit better or worse. Having to pay bills is a STRONG motivator. </p>
<p>Not EVERYONE can do what they LOVE, but it is best not trying to make a living doing something one HATES and has no skills to succeed at. Many people are somewhere in the middle–find their work OK (or better), and hopefully can make more than their expenses. Find out what your strengths are and what you enjoy–career counseling or similar can help with this, as well as “What Color is Your Parachute?” and similar books. It is very unrealistic to expect to become CEO without doing a lot of things before then–sounds like you’re starting at the wrong end. Get out in the field and work so you KNOW what the field and jobs for young people are like.</p>