<p>I hope for productive answers and help - please advise honestly!</p>
<p>Very quickly -
I graduated high school in Greece. My parents had moved us there from US. I was not one of those kids who 'knew' what they wanted to do with their lives. Living in Greece, we basically had 3 career options - teacher, doctor, lawyer. Sadly, I had no interest in all three.</p>
<p>Moved back to US for college. I started off as a psychology major. I dropped it quickly because I didn't think I could do anything with it. My father told me stick with business and that I "could do anything with it." So that's what I did. Graduated in 2001 with a degree in business mgmt, months before 9/11. At the time, the economy was already on a downhill, and then 9/11 made job opportunities scarce. Needless to say, I hadn't any job experience. What I did was, I started an online desktop publishing company for three years, which didn't go anywhere, turned it into a gift shop-type online shop, that did better but not profitable whatsoever. I gave it up and went to work at the family business.</p>
<p>Side note: I have a slight physical disability. I suffered a hypoxic episode after birth due to negligence of a nurse. I don't need aids or any help getting around. I just have minimum dexterity in my right hand, meaning I don't have a strong grip when it comes to shaking hands or holding a cup. So dealing with this all my life made me overly self-conscious. I really wanted to be a physical therapist but I felt reluctant to study it since I felt I'd always be judged and second guessed on my ability. I lack a bit of self-confidence, which is something I'm working on daily.</p>
<p>Fast forward to today: I currently work in the family business for about 6 years. Not happy for many reasons, basically all of which involve the nature of the job. It's a seasonal one (April - November) I went from secretary to Acc. Manager to currently Assistant Manager. My position involves everything from customer service, purchasing, acc payable/receivable to sales. It's a hectic position for about 5 months straight and dies down quickly. I've noticed that I find it difficult to work in a fast-paced environment, in sales, as well as customer service. It is not worth it for me because I do not like the nature of the job. There isn't anything appealing to me whatsoever. As a result, a have come to hate everything about business. So I decided to go back to school.</p>
<p>I decided to go back to study Graphic Design. I was accepted into the school and took a class this past spring. My general requirement courses were all accepted, so the graphic design degree requires about 60 credits. The thing is, I'm doing it part-time and I can't take more than two classes, which means it could take up to three years to complete. I'm in my mid-thirties. On top of that, I understand that graphic design is very competitive and job opportunities for entry-level positions are very scarce because of competition. I feel I’m a creative person. I had submitted works to a popular greeting cards company and I illustrated a 12-pg children’s book that I tried to get published, but to no avail.
However, I don’t know how to even look for a job in g.design!! I’m not quite sure where my talents lay. I have a great eye for color and coordination. But I don’t know what to look for.
I’m meeting up with a career advisor next week for more advise and I want to be prepared.
Truth is, I was hoping to try to enter something in physical therapy dept, working with children for example since I have some personal experience in what I’ve dealt with, but everything involves higher education (rightfully so,) and I don’t think I have the ‘time’ to put into it.
I just want a satisfying career that I can do well, that I’ll love to do it and look forward to, while also giving me some sort of financial comfort and job security.
Could someone give me some advise?</p>