My point is that OP could do a lot of the exploration you suggest without dropping out. They could get a job, volunteer, study abroad, get an internship — all while pursuing a degree. This student feels lost and leaving school, in my opinion, will exacerbate the problem.
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Part time attendance is fine. Leaving school for a period of time is fine. A change to vocational certificate/degree is fine. Continued pursuit of traditional BA is fine. Fifteen years online to finish is fine. Never finishing college is fine too if a career path happens without. People can go back later and many many do.
The point is the family appears to think continued full-time attendance is the only path. There are many options that can work out. I am just trying to loosen the perspective up a little.
So I don’t disagree with you on one option, but full-time school when not interested or motivated while also working is not a good option in my view.
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- I’m pretty close to 60 credits, 30 in CSULB, while 19 credits at LBCC currently. None of them have a specific major in mind as their all general ed classes (Religion studies, Economics, Kinesology, a general math class, modern history, 3 different career exploration classes which I think personally didn’t help me all that much, etc) Yes I have taken most gen ed classes, I’m still missing a few because the other classes got waitlisted and I didn’t make it in.
- I don’t think so at this point. I’m just tired of school and I would be more open to it if I had a better idea of what I wanted to do. I’m still going to school full-time, but I got unlucky this semester, so I’m a part-time student.
- I checked all the AA degree programs they had twice and the closest that I’ve had interest in was radiology (I believe) but I’m still on the fence/unsure on whether I actually want to purse it or not.
I wish I could tell what my passion is. I would say video games, but I’ve heard stories of being a game developer to be pretty tiring and grueling (like having to deal with crunch hours). The exploring portion is something I still struggle as what I become interest in are mostly passing interests at best. If I had taken a gap year, I would just get a job and give myself think out what my plan is for a career.
Sorry for the delayed response.
I would like to live peacefully somewhere in the mountain areas of the U.S (like Idaho, Montana, Utah) and maybe travel to other places.
It might be helpful to read the course descriptions in your college catalog (or in the catalog of 4-year schools in your state if your college doesn’t offer much) to see what kind of classes they offer. Make a list of any that seem interesting to you. One of my siblings did that her 2nd year of college. Turned out there were a lot of engineering courses on her list so that’s what she majored in. She ended up loving it and has done really well.
I agree with those who recommend getting a degree. I think it can be difficult to get interviews without one. You might want to look through the want ads for your region to see what types of jobs are available, what seems interesting to you, and what type of education they require.
It sounds like you’re at a cc. Is that true? Not all community colleges are equal. Some have more limited options than others so it can be difficult to choose a degree path. How are you paying for school? We’re in NYS and our biggest grant is available only to students who just graduated from high school, and continued eligibility is tied to timely completion of the degree. If your state funding is like that I can understand why your mom wanted you to attend right away.
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There are colleges out there where you can get a degree in E-sports, not game development. I don’t know how that translates into a career, but it might be something you’d be interested in learning more about.
If you like the mountains, are you interested in a job/career in outdoor recreation, forest management, or conservation? Since you do pretty well in math, how about accounting? You can get a job pretty much anywhere (just throwing it out there).
Some people find their passion in their jobs. Others work in a job so they can pursue their passion elsewhere.
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Your major is not your career. Few math majors become mathematicians but many companies want employees who can set a goal and complete it. They want employees with degrees because it shows that they have learned problem solving, communication, teamwork, etc.
If you aren’t interested in school, stop taking random courses that don’t apply towards either CSULB GE requirements or a specific major. Note that CSULB GE requirements changed this year. If you started at CSULB then withdrew to take courses at LBCC, you might need to fulfil the new GE requirements. The LBCC academic advisors should be able to help you.
I would start here. Talk to someone in person who can look at the courses you have completed and advise you on the major you are closest to completing. They should be able to help you set up a plan to get back into CSULB and complete a degree.
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lots of great ideas already shared.
I’d add mine to the voices suggesting you should continue to pursue your BS/BA.
As far as major, if you are lucky enough to have a passion, seedy that. It doesn’t sound like you do. I’d suggest business as something that covers many different aspects and it is unquestionably useful no matter where your career takes you.
Stick with it and good luck
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Check out National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
If you are even marginally interested in radiology tech., maybe you could shadow someone. I know a young person (previously a professional dancer) who is so happy with her community college program for this. She works at the desk while taking classes. The pay is good and you can work anywhere where there is a hospital.
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So my husband and I are both community college graduates. Him in radiology and I’m a respiratory therapist. We can live nearly anywhere in the US and find gainful employment. I’ve traveled and worked in 4 different states before meeting my husband. He’s worked in 3. Neither one of us are passionately in love with our jobs. He does cat scans and it suits him. I work in pediatrics and it suits me. We make enough money to enjoy our actual passions outside of work. That’s something I recommend you consider. Your profession doesn’t have to be your love, it needs to support your ability to live and not be detrimental to your health. (Although health care IS a physically and mentally challenging field)
Think about how you want to spend your days. Accounting jobs are the typical M-F 8-5 and maybe remote for much of it now. Healthcare is often 12 hour shifts 3 per week. We work holidays and weekends where many other jobs don’t. I like having 4 days off every week and feel it’s a good trade. My teacher friend likes having her summer mostly off and all holidays. Perhaps look up YouTube videos for a “day in the life” kind of thing for different professions. If you have any health care questions, I’m here to help.
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Great post @MistySteel27.
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Thanks 
Thanks for the advice, I’ll take some of those healthcare careers into consideration.
I don’t necessarily agree with having a college degree is better for you. There are places where it is useful, undoubtedly, but I’ve seen several people online and some studies that a bachelors didn’t help them get into better jobs, even if it wasn’t directed towards their major.
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