What am I doing

[narbie]

Does anybody else feel like everyone knows what they are doing and where they are going except for you? I'm one of the oldest in my grad program (at 26) and it seems like all the 22,23 year olds know what's going on. Meanwhile, I have no clue what I'm doing, let alone why I'm putting myself through the hell of a PhD, I've got serious school burnout but with only 3 years to go I know I will kick myself for not finishing. Except I love what I'm doing! See I have no idea what's going on, how does a 22 year old?

[Jayesh]

You think that the 22 year old think they know what they are doing. But do they really know what they are doing? When I was 21, I was fresh out of college and thought I was the king of the world, that is until I fell flat on my face!!!
It's easy to be ignorant and cocky about it.

[Lipgloss Boost]

i can kind-of relate. all of my friends dropped into jobs straight from university. one is a teacher, one worker with autistic kids, one is a nurse, etc. i just created a post about my current second round of my 1/4 life crisis - but the basic premise was that no one would hire except to be a secretary though i went through to be a case worker for released offenders. now i'm back in school, have experience volunteering & *still* no one will hire me. it's tough when you see everyone moving forward & you're standing still. i empathize! with those that are younger - that must hurt you more!

one thing though - all these ppl i mentioned hate their jobs (at least (they're* employed!) & can't hold their romantic lives together.

[crazy-girl]

I can relate too. I did well in college and got all my job experience and my internships but I can't get a job better than secretary either. It makes me want to tear my hair out when friends that don't have degrees are making more money than me with better jobs. I just want to scream "It's NOT fair!" Childish but that's how I feel.

[BCS819]

If it makes you feel better, I am 22 and have no clue what I am doing. I can't even decide on a major for my bachelor's. It took me 5 years to finish a general Associate's because I decided just to jump into the work force. I am still undecided but at least I have narrowed it down a bit. Once you start working, you quickly realize a lot of jobs you don't want to do. Plus, I was able to find a job that has tuition reimbursement so now I can finish my Bachelor's without taking out more loans. From the people I've met of all ages, I dont' think you ever really figure out what you want to do. It's just a matter of finding something that makes you content. It's called work for a reason. Now days, people jump jobs so much, sometimes it's better to just get a lot of experience in various fields and if you find something you enjoy, stick with it. If not, at least you know what you don't want to do.

I am an Administrative Assistant as well, but I work for a large bank and know there is a lot of room for advancement. Starting out as a secretary is not all that bad. The past couple jobs I've had, that's where I was started and quickly got promoted into more responsible positions. When most companies expand and promote, they do so from within. If you can live off what you're making in an entry-level position, stick with it for a while and I can almost guarantee your loyalty will pay off.

Sometimes you have to prove yourself.

[pvgypsy]

I understand the whole paying your dues will pay off thing, but part of me feels like I'm going to be stuck here for the rest of my life. I want to move up in the business world and am making contacts, but when I look around it's all the men who are in the top level positions. It's discouraging to a young woman (24) to see this and questions what in the world am I doing?

[M4A1]

Phd in what field? It takes a lot of discipline and smarts to get a PHD. I don't see a problem here. I mean, what would you be doing otherwise? I can tell you that I'm in the working world, but I wish I was still in school.

Stop "not-knowing" and start knowing. Go ask your professors to see if there is an opening coming up. Go find out what other companies hire a PHD in your field. Most importantly, does this subject interest you? If so, I would definitely finish it. If not, start looking at what your interest are. Don't get a degree just for the sake of the degree. I learned that the hard way.

You can keep doing things because other people told you to, or you can start doing things because you want to. Take control and live your life.

Good luck.