and the OLC continues....

[Musicvixen24]

even though i am gonna be 26 in 2 weeks...:eek:

i hear the song "live like you are dying" and I ask myself what I am doing with my life...(if i lived like i was dying career-wise, i'd quit my job immediately, get a part time job in a retail store where i could get a clothing discount, volunteer as a case manager and I'd send out my grad school applications....seriously)

I just got a new job, that got me out of the hell hole that I was at before, which is good. BUT its not enough for me....I really want to be happy and proud of what I do (which i am not)..and I feel that I won't feel that way until I am a social worker...or working in a similar job

I read this sign on the subway that said "we put the limits that are in our minds on the the world"...and it is true...I am scared shitless of applying to grad school b/c i don't think that i will get in.....but this year i am going to do it anyway.....but now i am worrying about where i will get recommendations from..there is always something that is blocking me....i feel like if i had a job that is in my field, i'd be better off, but that isn't happening....i am going to resume applying for a job in my field now that i am settled in this new job

i am a bit depressed, just seeing things the way they are..i just feel that i would be better off working at a job that will give me time to volunteer or leave me with energy to search for a job in my field, and go to the gym and live a full life...i've been trying to build a savings and budgeting to see how much money i actually need to live, just in case i get that urge to quit.....i'm just tired of working in bullshit jobs (full time jobs unrelated to my field)...i give 100% it is never enough, i've done this song and dance before..this time may be different, but i don't want to find out. i'd rather quit and work at a restaurant and volunteer on the side, but I am no longer at that age where that is cute...i just feel that my all is never enough..and with this new job, whenever i make a mistake i feel like it is a jab at my self esteem...i know that everyone makes mistakes, but when I put in 100% and make a mistake, it makes me feel like shit...at least if it was in my field, I'd want to grow and be better at it, but here i could care less...i've done a similar job for 1.5 yrs in the same hospital, i don't want to grow, i don't want to try.........i only chose this job b/c i knew that they would hire me and that it would get me out of my office with the crazy coworkers...maybe that was the mistake..maybe i should have waited until i found a case manager or aide job..but no one was responding to me at that time

i don't think that i am even making sense...i guess i just wish that it was easier to get where i want to go, I wish i could get there my way, as opposed to what is acceptable..i am getting used to not living on much, so maybe one day soon i can quit and get that job in the clothing store and start volunteering to help build up my resume..i want to scream....it would make more sense to start volunteering now....i have to push past this depressed mood... (and yes i am on meds for the depression)...maybe once i get a volunteer job i can quit my full time job with a clear conscious

sorry i just had to rant for a bit..

[winneythepooh7]

As a social worker, I can definitely tell you that getting a job and/or a Master's in the helping professions is not going to end your daily contacts with crazy and annoying co-workers. In fact, if anything, it is only going to increasingly add to it.

I also think it's like this probably in every field, not just human services.

I think if you can learn how to better cope with people like this, then you will be well on your way to being able to deal with your "QLC" or however you choose to phrase your issue of adjustment.

[stanhope]

I definitely understand your frustration and unhappiness with your career. I feel the same way. I am currently getting an MA in a field I don't wish to pursue a PhD in anymore. I have looked into a few different programs to get an MA in international and comparative education, with the hope of eventually working in a study abroad office at a university or helping coordinate international programs (in DC or elsewhere). I don't have any idea how to make the transition from what I'm doing now (which is studying a language and literature) to something more practical. It seems that most people who are getting this MA in international and comparative education are already working in the field. I also would have to pick up and move to a different state and risk accruing a lot of debt in the process. I feel like I'll be pretty old if I do get this second MA (I'm 25 now and would be 28 when I complete the second MA). I have very little job experience as I have been in school for most of my life. I am afraid this will hold me back substantially.

I guess the only advice I can offer is to hang in there and just keep looking into your options. That's what I'm trying to do with my situation. I'd talk with people at the graduate schools you wish to apply to and then see what they say about life in the program and how people cope.

[AznHisoka]

Reality is negotiable.

[MsRiss7383]

I cannot convey to you how much we have in common. I recently got a new job at a hospital that is similar to the job that I had before. I am out of the really bad situation I was in job-wise but am still miserable. I don't feel like I am making a difference, I hate my coworkers, I hate what I do, I have no interest in moving up in this field and I work 60-70 hours a week with no overtime. I too have thought about grad school, social work, and volunteering. After 4 years in a career I hate, I've decided to take the plunge. I am quitting my job effective November 13 and am going to start working retail 2 days a week and volunteering at some of the places I would like to work. I am also going to join some boards and clubs for people in the non-profit world to do some networking. I've also called pretty much everyone I know saying the types of things I'm interested in-just in case a friend of a friend knows of something. Granted, my husband is a nurse and can pick up extra shifts to help us get by. But I am tired of waiting for my life to change while doing the same thing over and over. I am going to take action, and while we are going to be poor for a while and it is scary, I have to do this for my sanity. I wish you luck! I'm not going to tell you that you should do the same as me as I don't know what is best for you (Heck, I don't know if what I'm doing is best for ME) but just thought I'd tell you that there are other people out there who feel the way you do-you are not alone!

[MsRiss7383]

I feel like I'll be pretty old if I do get this second MA (I'm 25 now and would be 28 when I complete the second MA). I have very little job experience as I have been in school for most of my life. I am afraid this will hold me back substantially.

My friend's mom is 58 years old and just entered law school. You are never to old to do what you want to do!