Need career advice

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I need some advice regarding a career, I would appreciate only serious replies only. </p>

<p>I am a 23 year old University student who lives at home with parents. I've only held one job and that was at sears making minimum wage working minimum hours. I do not have a job now (lame, I know) strictly because my semester schedule is keeps me busy enough. My parents are immigrants and so I am pretty much a first generation college student. I study philosophy in college (only that remotely catches my interest) and I know it will be extremely difficult to find a career with this. My parents have had the American Dream and are living a nice lifestyle, we are pretty much in poverty. My father is a hard worker who easily works 12 hours a day but with his skill-set and lack of education he won't be making any decent money in his lifetime.</p>

<p>I want to break out of that and actually live comfortably myself. Problem is, I am not sure what I really want to do. For the longest time I wanted to be a doctor but I don't feel like I have what it takes (or rather I am not dedicating myself enough to study for example to get the grades for such a prestige level). I could get a part-time job in the summer and next semester but where the hell will that lead me to? </p>

<p>There are people my age and just above my age with careers who make decent pay and have their own homes. I want that. I'm not looking to be a millionaire or anything... but I want to be independent and live a life above what my parents had to go through.</p>

<p>Where the **** do I begin? I don't even know what career to get into, or even how to find a career I will enjoy and is possible for me to get into.</p>

<p>Sorry this was a bit long, I just want some advice. Thanks for reading...</p>

2

<p>The best time to explore your interests and find a job you like is right now. If you have room to do so in your schedule, start throwing in elective courses in topics you haven’t explored before, or don’t know much about. Also start looking at internship opportunities; with a general degree like philosophy you will need some work experience to help you find a good job after graduation.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that while some people your age already have the things you want, there is nothing wrong with taking some time to get there yourself. I graduated with a degree in psychology and wasn’t paid very well for 2.5 years; but I worked my way up and landed a great position and now I live rather comfortably. The important thing is to keep focused and motivated. Sometimes you have to start at the bottom - but if you are able to adapt quickly, get along well with others, and go above and beyond what is expected, you will see results. Seek constant feedback from your professors and future employers on your performance and what you can do to improve. In my line of work, I promote a lot more employees who have that special drive rather than years of experience. That drive produces results, while experience in other companies doesn’t necessarily mean guaranteed success in this one.</p>

<p>To help you now: What is it about philosophy that you like? Why did you choose that as your major? Do you find the historical topics interesting, or is it the thought process in general that you like? Do you enjoy writing? Presenting? </p>