In Need of Some Help...

Parents Forum
1

<p>Well, since there isn't a board about career choices (just ones specifically for business, law, etc), I decided to post here and get some advice from parents. I would ask my own parents, but I want to get a broad range of advice. Plus my question involves where I'm going to try to go career-wise and my parents want me to go to law school (originally my idea) and although they're supportive of whatever, don't yet wanna let them know I don't think I'll want to go.</p>

<p>Anyway, just was curious where some parents, who I am assuming know much more about various careers than myself, think someone with my talents and loves (although I actually don't feel particularly passionate about anything specific) should go with my career.</p>

<p>Right now I'm at a CC (transfer from four year for financial reasons) and planning on going to a state school, but unsure of what I'll major in.</p>

<p>However, these are my interests:</p>

<p>English - I enjoy writing, but not necessarily short stories or poetry, but essays and stuff like that are fun for me. </p>

<p>Math - I really excelled in this my whole life and although I've haven't gone past calculus, it interested me--as do the sciences.</p>

<p>And lastly, I'm a people person, can be at least. I am very talkative and am generally good with people (even a decent public speaker). However, I can be introverted and very relaxed at times, so not one of those crazy out going people, I can just switch that gear on when I need it. </p>

<p>I am not exactly shallow, but I want to make money... who doesn't though? My dream is to design and build my own house somewhere with cheap (and hopefully beautiful) land and be able to relax when I can. I also would love to travel and not have to go into the office and be there 60+ hours a week for the rest of my life. I would be dedicated if I had to be, but the reason I don't want to be a lawyer now is because I realize it sucks away your life... and regardless of any amount of money, I can't do that. I enjoy law, but just not enough to pursue it. </p>

<p>So, where do you think some careers would be good for me? I've been thinking accounting--which was what I originally majored in at the 4 year I was at (got a great GPA there btw), but then thought it might be boring and repetitive. However, it can be a stable job. It also pays pretty well and involves being a people person. However, I just don't know. </p>

<p>I know I couldn't handle any really hardcore science/engineering stuff just because I'm not sure I love it enough to handle it. I love watching the science channels and enjoyed physics, astronomy, and somewhat biology (hated my ap chem class), but don't think I'd want to delve deeper into these subjects.</p>

<p>With english I would like to write, but don't think I could be a novelist or something and although I feel my writing lends itself more towards journalism or something, I don't think I could do that. There is always being a teacher of some sort, but they get paid very little and I'm not a fan of being patient with people... lol. They do get a bunch of free time though and I could always pursue some type of entrepreneur thing on the side.</p>

<p>Anyway, I know I'm being incredibly vague and really need to go to a counselor or something to talk about this and even have yet another talk with my parents, but I thought some people with more knowledge about careers might be able to help me.</p>

<p>So, please, if anyone by chance reads all of this and is kind enough to respond I'd really be grateful. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>okay, what about doing something in the line of support staff- there are lots of jobs that can give you a good income, work your brain....ie paralegal</p>

3

<p>Since you enjoy math and science, but not enough to delve deeply into them, what about technical writing and/or editing? </p>

<p>THe other things that come to mind reading your skillset are jobs that bridge the techical/people divide in corporations: business systems analyst, project analyst/manager, and financial analyst (writing, speaking, organizing presentations as well as doing the financial work are part of this job).</p>

4

<p>I was thinking teaching
very portable-
teachers get paid actually pretty well if you look at hourly rate- rather than yearly- many do spend time abroad and earn extra giving seminars etc
you can live someplace beautiful with a low cost of living and frankly work much less than many careers</p>

<p>you can pick and choose where to work with training in science/math
especially high school /middle school can be very rewarding and challenging
I would also look at technical writing- intrepreting scientific articles for those who can't /but must read them</p>

5

<p>Accounting may involve being a people person at certain levels but you'll spend a lot of time in a back office doing taxes, etc.</p>

6

<p>How about legal reporting, which can be at a "regular" paper or a legal one, or on camera as well. Lots of people interested in what's going on with the law.</p>

<p>Als, be aware that you don't have to practice law even if you go to law school. It's a credential that can be used for a whole lot of things (including the reporting I suggested above).</p>

7

<p>You might like to do something like non-profit fundraising, or working for something like a Chamber of Commerce. I second the idea that writing of some sort (science magazine, maybe a teen magazine?) might work.</p>

8

<p>Well, I hate to suggest it because it was the career choice of the "herd" when I went to business school, but I really wonder if management consulting is for you. It requires analytic skills and quantitative analsyis (your math bent), great communication skills (your writing and "people" person facets). It pays stupendously. It usually involves travel. </p>

<p>It can be very intense in the early years. Several (all?) of the big accounting firms have management consulting divisions, so you could continue with a business/accounting major and be well-positioned for either path.</p>

<p>Finally, if you are still a sophomore (which I'm guessing because you are still at cc), you don't really have to grapple with this right away. Worthwhile thinking about it, but don't feel pressured to resolve it immediately, I'm thinking.</p>