dead end jobs....what I really want to do

[gymgurl]

I've been really struggling with what I want to do for a career lately. I've considered going back to school but would like to try and find something without having to do that (I have one degree already).

Right now I"m in an assistant type position, basic desk job and i hate it. I think I need a job where I'm moving around more and interacting with people. I can't sit still for 8 hours a day, I seriously go crazy.

I've been doing a lot of thinking of what I would enjoy at this point and for some reason I think i'd enjoy serving at a restaurant (did it once for a few months between school and liked it). It's tempting too because tips can get pretty good, I know a few people who work 3-4 hours and make more than I make in 8, which seems like 12..... But at the same time, it's not like I can just be a server for the rest of my life. LIke if people ask me at 30 what I do, well I serve at such and such restaurant sounds rather pathetic. I'm not sure what kind of job to look for anymore that I would enjoy though that would offer me a bit more um, not sure on the right word but prestige I guess....

[winneythepooh7]

If you want to interact with people and move around a lot, why not look into working in a group home or as a counselor with kids or the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled. These jobs usually all have health benefits as well. And basic entry-level jobs you usually don't need a degree for this type of work. Then you could also look into waitressing on the side for extra cash. Or maybe bartending? I think the downside of the restaurant business is that it is not really a "career". And I really haven't heard of restaurant jobs offering health benefits which is something you really need to think about at this point in your life. Unless you were to go into restaurant management.........

[asm198]

If you want to interact with people and move around a lot, why not look into working in a group home or as a counselor with kids or the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled. These jobs usually all have health benefits as well. And basic entry-level jobs you usually don't need a degree for this type of work. Then you could also look into waitressing on the side for extra cash. Or maybe bartending? I think the downside of the restaurant business is that it is not really a "career". And I really haven't heard of restaurant jobs offering health benefits which is something you really need to think about at this point in your life. Unless you were to go into restaurant management.........

I disagree. You really have to be a certain type of person to enjoy/survive in a job working with mentally handicapped people. It's not easy and can be very emotionally draining. You will be earning your money and it will probably be comparable to what you are making now.

As far as restaurants and serving go, most of the people I know work as servers full time and they all have health benefits and the pay is very good, if you're good at it. And it's a good way to jump into management, because many places promote from within.

[winneythepooh7]

It's just a suggestion, what does she have to lose? She can check it out if she wants. And honestly, I don't know too many restaurant type jobs that offer health benefits unless you are actually in management.

[J-girl]

If you like working in restaurants- why dont you go back to school for hospitality and tourism management or something along those lines? I am assuming you are from Canada so you don't have to worry about health benefits even if you do want to work as a waitress for now.

[gymgurl]

Thanks for your replies!! I appreciate the suggestion of working in a group home but I don't think i could handle this type of work. Not that I don't like handicap people but I agree, it takes a certain kind of person to work with people like this everyday and I don't think I could do it.

I guess one thing that scares me the most is just what other peopel would think if I was serving...like at 25 or 26, and being a server, how big of a turn-off would that be? I was seriously considering trying to get into restaurant management though which you could have a good point about being promoted from within. I am from Canada so health coverage isn't the biggest issue, it's more i guess finding something that I can support myself with and as bad as it is to say isn't deemed as being a 'dumb' job. Like (and I do have a tendancy to put to much into what other people think of me) but in terms of finding a SO, how attracted would a guy be to a women who served for a living?

[SunDevil]

in terms of finding a SO, how attracted would a guy be to a women who served for a living?

It would only matter if you had to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Other than that, guys don't really care what job you work at. (Except porn star, escort or stripper)