Philly

[quarterlifecrisis]

email abby@quarterlifecrisis.com if you'd like to be the point of contact

[angel21]

Since I have left college, I have found it hard to meet new people, and to start to develop new friendships, and to have the same social life that I had when I was at college. I was just seeing if anyone else out there in the philly area is experienceing the same issues, and that they will like to talk about it.

[michele1176]

Hello, Meg - I'm from Bethlehem, which I believe is about sixty miles north of Philadelphia. Where are you located?

[angel21]

Michele thank for the reply, I am live about 30 mins west of philly, I live near the king prussia mall. So what brought you to OLC?

[michele1176]

not knowing what I want to do with my life! =) I am 25, live with my parents, and recently ended two years of substitute teaching. I am looking for a career change, but I have no idea what to do with my life. I'm lost, with no direction.

What about you?

[angel21]

I am 24 also living with my folks.....I am working out a job that there is no potential whatsoever...I have no idea about what I want to do. I have this idea maybe to go into the airforce, maybe coaching ( inspirational seminars), I just went to one last nite, it was very interesting. What are your passions, interests.....do you want to be a full-time teaching

[michele1176]

No, I really don't want to be a teacher, not for elementary, middle, or high school students, anyway! If I do decide to teach, it would be on a college level. I would love to teach the Humanities: art, music, literature, history, and philosophy. It would give me such a wide range that I would never get bored.

As far as my passions go, I have a passion for music. I can't play any musical instruments, but I love listening to the radio and I'm very up-to-date on what's being played. I wouldn't mind working at a radio station, but I would never make any money doing that.

I think going into the Air Force could be very exciting. You'd get to travel, and there would be some sense of structure to your life. At least for me, I need structure, and I haven't totally dismissed the idea of going into the military.

What do you do at your current job?

[angel21]

You should look into maybe to see if there opens at a radio station or maybe DJ that would be fun :).

The military I feel would provide me with certain things in my life I feel I am lacking, meaning, purpose , structure.....just to name a few. A friend from college she is an officer in the army, she was in ROTC in college. She said you have to really want to do it, and be able to live that kinda of life, take the bad with good, I have to be really sure !!!!!

My current job.....administrative type of position, customer service, data entry..,..........................mind numbing !!!!!

So what college did you got to, was it a good experience ?

[michele1176]

I'd like to perhaps be at a radio station, but the pay is low. That really doesn't phase me too much, but I know I would never have luxuries, such as my own place, on a radio station salary. But I guess if it truly makes me happy, I should do it, regardless of the low pay.

I went to two colleges: Northampton Community College (where I majored in Liberal Arts), then after two years, I transferred to Allentown College of Saint Francis deSales. It's now DeSales University. I majored in English there. I regret that now. I wish I would have majored in Communications. But I enjoyed reading and writing, so it seemed like a logical choice to be an English major. I thought I would be the next big freelance writer, and write the Great American Novel, but that wasn't a reality (not yet, anyway). One semester away from graduating, I was interning at a magazine, and I realized that I didn't want to be an English major anymore. I would listen to the radio all the time while there, and I really got an interest in radio. But I didn't want to change horses while I was almost about to come to the other side of the stream. And I remained an English major and graduated as one.

I never cared for college too much. I enjoyed the learning and my professors, but I really wasn't that social. I was more quiet, but once you got to know me, I was a real ham. I was a commuter, which I think made it harder for me to make friends. Not to mention, I was never the partying type. I'm still not. I didn't start drinking until I was 21, and to this day, I very rarely drink. I didn't care to hear about others getting smashed on the weekends and having hangovers on Monday mornings: there I was focusing on my school work and having to give myself a half-hour driving time while others could just roll out of bed and get there to class in two minutes. (I'm not condemning those that live on campus. I wish I would have.)

I have been out of college for two and a half years now, and I absolutely do not keep in touch with anyone from college or high school. It's lonely. I'm not a recluse, I'm a very friendly, humorous person.

Where did you go to college?

[angel21]

Hey Michele, how has your week been? Where did I go to college , I went to catholic university, it is DC, I graduated last year.

I hear ya about loneliness, that is something I have been experienceing since I left school, it has been so hard to meet new people, I have a few friends here, but I have been trying to broaden that but it has been hard. It does not help much that I live in burbs either, I have been investigating some options, volunteer work, single events so forth, I just do not know.

I am still no idea what I want to do. The recuritor from the air force called on monday, I have not heard back from him yet , maybe I will call him back. I will see. So lets see...like to find out more about you....what are some of your hobbies, favorite music, movies? Have a great day:)

[michele1176]

so I'll give you my email address: it's presley0135@hotmail.com (the 0 is a zero)

If you wish, I'll email you - it's easier! =)

[michele1176]

I emailed you a week ago -- did you get my message?

[angel21]

Michele, I am sorry it has been a hectic passed week. How have you been?, how was your weekend, I promise I will write this week. I am sorry. I hope all is well.

[klo1335]

Hello Philly. So I have just come across this website while surfing the internet while I was bored at work. I am 22 and just graduated college this past May. I work in CC and still live at home (I am hoping to move out soon). What I find difficult is still living at home. I see my friends from college who have moved into their own places and have amazing jobs yet I am working a job I really don't like too much and still living at home. Its rather depressing at times. Anyway, if people from the philly area are out there.....It would be great to chat!

[michele1176]

I live about sixty miles north of Phili. Do you go to concerts at the First Union Center a lot? There's always a lot of people I want to see who come perform at the FU Center... it'd be great to have a concert buddy! :)

[klo1335]

I actually live outside of the city in a town called Lansdale. I haven't gone to a concert in a long time just because I have college loans to pay off and that take up most of my income. But once in a while, I do go to concerts. I am a bigger fan of concerts in the summer at Camden.

[angel21]

Hey all !!,
I live outside the city on the mainline, I also live at home. I have alot college friends too that live on their own and have great jobs. I would like to chat too . my email address is megang977@aol.com

[klo1335]

hey angel how's it going? I live in Lansdale, PA and it really sucks. I live at home and my rents drive me crazy. But I am trying to stay sane so I can save some money instead of spending a fortune renting. Do you work in the area? I work in CC at 15th and Chestnut. But I hate my job and am looking for a new one. That's my life ina nutshell!

[michele1176]

Yes, I have heard of Lansdale. I believe you are about forty-five minutes away from me.

What is your current job that you do not like?

Michele

Hey, Megan! Great to see you back on the board! :)

[klo1335]

I work for a company that helps welfare people find jobs and it really sucks. My clients are lazy and don't want to work...even if they say they want to work. I always thought that saying welfare recipients were lazy was just a stereotype but when I started working for this company I discovered that they really are lazy and its not just a stereotype. But I had an interview last week at Vanguard Charitable Endowments that I am hoping I get so I can leave the job I have now. What do you do?

[michele1176]

Ugh, I don't blame you for not liking your job. :(

As for me, I work for a trucking company called Roadway Express. I do various clerical, administrative tasks. I actually like what I do, and I wasn't expecting to like it at all. I got the job through an employment agency back in November, and even though I really didn't want the job at first, I had been unemployed for five months, Christmas was around the corner, and I desperately needed money, so I took the job. And here I ended up really liking it. Last month, I was hired by Roadway so now I no longer work for them through the employment agency.

I certainly hope things improve in your life. You know, one change can start spawning off a whole series of changes. When I got my job at Roadway, I ended up not only being employed again, but I also fell in love again for the first time in two years. And now I want to relocate, which I can do, since Roadway is national (it even has terminals in Canada and Puerto Rico)... it's like so many possibilities opened before me just through taking a simple job through an employment agency!!! So keep your chin up and don't give up! :)

[klo1335]

So basically it has taken me forever to write back. So my job is going ok. I just take things on day at a time. I really wish I knew more people in this city. I mean a few friends from college live in the area but I am so used to being at college and surronded by tons of people and now its like I go to work, I go home, I sleep, and repeat the whole thing again. Its a pretty boring life. So anyone in the area ever want to get together and go to Happy Hour...send me a message!

[angel21]

Hey,
That would be cool...where in the city....I feel the same it has been almost two years since I have been out of school...it is not the same...it just gets harder.. Let me know , I talk with sis, and some other people about it. Sorry I have not been in touch march was an interesting month.

[klo1335]

Do you work in the city? Its a very dreary day out today. I am glad its friday which means I get to sleep.

[phillygringa45]

Hey guys! I also live in Philly, but I'm going to be graduating in May and moving back in with my parents. I'm dreading it because all my friends have left and I know I'm going to be really bored. I would love to chat with any of you. Hope to hear from you soon!

marissabrady@hotmail.com

[klo1335]

I live with my parents right now and it really sucks. I mean, its great that I don't have to pay rent but they just drive me crazy. However, my friend is moving to this area in June and we are getting an apartment. Granted I will be broke with paying rent but I will survive!! There an awesome event in Manayunk on April 26th called the Manayunk Brewery Brew Fest. Its from 12-4pm. Tickets cost $25 dollars, there will be 20 breweries there and you get a glass and have access to unlimited tasting. Tickets sell out fast. You can go to their website and get info.

[brad4578]

Just found this forum and thought I'd see if anyone around Philly was still checking in. The last message is from many months ago (april, i think), but I'll take my chances.

I'm right in Philly and have been working steadily since graduating college in 2000. While I'm grateful for the jobs, I must admit that I don't feel super enthused about my "career."

Anyway, post a reply if you're out there. Talk to you then.

[klo1335]

Welcome! I work in center city and live right outside the city in ambler. I work full time with a job that I pretty much hate and am still trying to decide what I want to do with my "career." Where do you live in Philly?

[brad4578]

Thanks. I, ironically enough, live in center city, but work in Princeton. Go figure, huh? I really like living in the city and the drive's not TOO bad...pretty much an hour with not too much traffic.

Like I said before, I dont' hate my job (thankfully), but I don't feel like I've found my career yet. And I'm pretty overwhelmed with how to go about figuring that out...it kind of that immobilizing type of overwhelming that prevents you from doing anything.

Do you know of any good career councellors in the philly area? I know they have some similar thing on this site, but doing it in person seems like a better move to me.

What are you looking for? Any ideas?

[klo1335]

Hi :) My roommate from college grew-up in Belle Meade, NJ. Thats right near Princeton. I would really like to get into Higher Education Administration. Meaning Admissions, Career Counseling, etc. Basically anything working at a college...within reason. Right now I am an Employment Consultant for a welfare to work program. As for knowing Career Counselors...that I don't know. If you do a google search I am sure you might be able to find something :) How long have you lived in Philly?

[brad4578]

This is my 3rd year of living in the city. I grew up across the river in jersey, so it's not much of a stretch. Went to college in Ithaca, NY and got a job right out of school in Philly. I lived at home for a year and commuted, then moved into town. That job was crazy...the boss was psychotic and the place was always in an uproar over some "crises". The place I am now is MUCH calmer and normal.

I'm kinda jealous that you know what you want to do. Do you have any idea of how to go about getting there? I jump around from idea to idea of what I'd like to pursue. One month it's history, another it's a graduate degree in instructional design (what I do now), the next it's something else. I guess I'd be most interested at working in the history field (teaching or museum work, maybe), but that's daunting from so many perspectives. Not only is it COMPLETELY different from what I do now, but it'd require a big sacrifice in the area of pay. That's a tough pill to swallow...but if I was really happy with it I think I could deal. I'm just not certain enough that I WOULD be happy. Ugh.

anyway, that's why I feel I need someone to bounce ideas off of.

[angel21]

Hey Brad,
I have been back in the city graduating college in 2001, I have been gradually and slowly figuring out what I want do. Bounce all you want. I need to bounce ideas off to..and get feedback from a varity of sources. I am seriously looking in this program at rosemount for school psy..I will see.

So where abouts are you in philly ?

[klo1335]

Hi Brad. I just sent you a PM. And Meg I sent you an email :)

[dietzy]

I have not looked in the Support Groups area for awhile and just saw this string of posts. I am a 26 year old male....originally from the Poconos (Bangor to be exact, ever heard of it?) but now living in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is a great city by the way...so much to do and gorgeous but not as crazy as big cities like NY and Philly.

I am first of all curious about how old everyone is, male or female, and where from specifically.

I know what you mean when you say that you are not sure where life will take you...that feeling of emptiness and uncertainty about the future. I was the same way a few years ago, but really think that I am on track now. I really enjoy helping other people now find meaning and direction and might even be able to give them hope again through my business. If you would like more information on what I am doing, let me know...I am REALLY looking forward to doing some expansion of my business into the Philly, Lehigh Valley, Poconos area in the next few months and will be seeking a few key people that are ambitious, accountable, teachable, and wanting more out of life.

Whoever it was that said they might want to do some training and motivational training, drop me a message!

Hope all is well on the other side of the state...will be driving out there in the next few weeks.

[angel21]

Hey Brad,
I was just reading through your last post on philly, I would be interested in learning more about training and motivational training. Is that the type of business you are involed in? The job I am at now, is just mainly to pay the bills. I am interested in going back to school but I would like to do an job that I enjoy as well while I am going back to school. My regular email address is megang977@aol.com. I would really like to learn more !!! I hope to hear from you soon. I hope that you have a great thanksgiving.

take care

[Sabrelexi]

I'm from the area, too. I live in Chester COunty, but I am originally from Delaware County. I used to work in CC, but now work for the sattelite office of a CC firm...I'm an insurance defense paralegal.