Help with picking a major/career?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Hello all, I'm a 21 year old student in a community college getting my core classes out of the way. I'll be ready to transfer to a community college in the Fall.</p>

<p>What I want in my career is leisure time to pursue my hobbies (animals, dog training, dog behavior, learning theory, dog cognition, and writing) and a very nice pay. I want to build a nice home on a large piece of land one day. I collect pictures for ideas for my dream house in fact. And animal expenses and dog sports aren't cheap.</p>

<p>However, I feel like I'm being unrealistic. I have medical conditions that easily give me head, jaw and neck pain under stress. I'm also an introvert who values and needs alone time. Yesterday, after a full day of classes, a test, and an errand I came home mentally, emotionally spent with a neck/jaw ache to boot. Ive been homeschooled most of my life so college has been an adjustment to tkae into account, this is my second year as a full-time community college student.</p>

<p>My strong suits are in writing but I have an interest in the medical field. Specifically I'm interested in becoming a Physician Assistant. I like the pay, the medical field, and opportunities to go into any field. Am I being naive in thinking that I could make a good living working 32-40 hours a week? I'd probably want to go into an OB/Gyn womens clinic because I have a special interest in that and I think I could handle the stress level there. But another concern is the required 100 hours of continuing education every two years. Isn't that alot? I guess I don't kow what that entails.</p>

<p>Ive thought about computers (web development specifically) but cubicle living sounds like a real drag plus I haven't found any reputable web development program close to me. I've seriously considered graphic design but I don't think I love art enough. Psychology and counseling is interesting and all but it doesn't make me excited. I've thought about occupational therapy and a masters social working. I like the idea of bringing my knowledge of tagteach to occupational therapy and doing animal assisted therapy in both. But again... I'm not really excited about it?</p>

<p>Should I go with something lower stress for my health such as computers? Or go logically into what suits me such as counseling, occupational therapy even though it doesn't make me excited? Or does a PA lifestyle a good choice?</p>

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<p>It’s good your thinking this through. I suggest getting a book on career planning like “What Color is My Parachute” and also seeking advice from your placement office.</p>

<p>You mention a PA but that’s not an easy job if you have health issues. You’re dealing with sick people all day and that takes a lot of energy. It is a good pathway but you need to also realize that we’re heading to socialized medicine.</p>

<p>I don’t know how strong web development specifically is. Seems to me there are a ton of folks with their web development shingle hung out. Have you discussed this with recent grads of your CC?</p>

3

<p>I faced a similar problem going into college, but my guidance counselor showed me the website choosingmycareer.com and it really helped. I found a lot of info on prospective careers, future earnings, costs and a lot more.</p>