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Please help me figure out a new job/career path! I'm a woman in my early 30's who has hated every job I've ever held. Except for waitressing back in college--I loved that. I loved the fact that it wasn't a desk job, that how much you made was based on your own motivation, and that you were interacting with people constantly (and not sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day).
A bit of background: I have a BA in sociology, and a graduate degree. Graduated with honors from an Ivy League college. Got into a demanding graduate program. Since graduate school I have held six jobs, all in different fields, and all in fields different than my graduate degree. I have hated every one of them. The fields I've sampled included:
Paralegal: worked as a paralegal and despised everything about it. Hated sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day behind a computer, hated doing boring legal research, hated writing up memos all day long, and hated working with annoying lawyers who barked orders at me all day long.
Editor (two different positions): hated sitting at a desk behind a computer for 8 hours a day, found editing boring--too detail-oriented, and didn't like the extremely entry-level tasks I had to do (data-entry, etc.) I did enjoy the writing and interviewing part.
Clerk at retail store: I took this job while I was job-searching. Hated folding clothes and re-arranging them on the hangers, was bored all the time.
Current job: Non-profit researcher: I am bored out of my mind at my current job, I don't like the particular field this non-profit specializes in. I don't like doing detail-oriented tasks like data-base entry. I do enjoy interviewing people, which is a large part of the job, but don't find the subject matter I'm interviewing them about interesting in the least.
I have never found a job that uses my best skills: creativity, creative problem-solving, brainstorming, and design (not graphic design, but designing something like a program or curriculum). I have always been underemployed (probably because I am not working in the field of my graduate degree), and as a result I get stuck in these entry-level type jobs in which I am bored out of my mind.
The biggest problem with the jobs I've held is that I'm bored after a few days on the job. I have never had a job where I've been challenged. I have never had a job where I've been able to use my best skills (see above). I also have had a lot of desk jobs, and I hate desk jobs. It makes me restless and bored to sit behind a desk in front of a computer for 8 hours a day. Things I don't like doing on the job: writing reports, doing data entry, doing detail-oriented work, and working with data.
Things I enjoy doing on the job/would enjoy doing: brainstorming sessions, creative problem-solving, designing of programs or materials, writing, researching, interviewing, being out from behind a desk.
I have tried working with several career counselors and a life coach; no one could help me. I have read tons of career help books, find your passion books, and nothing has helped me figure out what to do. I am also willing to go back to school for another graduate degree. I have done professional-level volunteering (volunteering my skills with the intent of landing a job there once they get to know me and see what I can do), and am willing to do this again. I'm open to quitting my current job.
Can anyone think of a job/career that's a better fit for me?
Well, at least you know what you DO like. What about becomming a professional blogger? Or working as a book or magazine editor. You can also look into becoming a Human Resources Director, Corporate Trainer, Visual Merchandiser, Buyer, Teacher, Insurance Broker, Recruiter/Headhunter, Director of an early childhood preschool and or aftercare. Or maybe you would like the challenge of being a stewardess, nurse, (or doctor), attorney?
I honestly think if you do some soul searching and maybe intern for awhile, something will "speak to you." Or maybe you might want to travel outside of the US? Maybe join the Peace Corps or become a pilot??
Are you artistic? My husband is a very talented artist. For about 8 years, he was self employed as a murual rooms designer. He designed/painted playrooms, doctor's offices, schools, dining rooms, mansions, model homes, etc. He was sucessful for a long time. But mural painting is a "luxery" item. It was either a feast or famine. He too hates sitting behind desks, and he loves brainstorming, interviewing, etc. He is now an insurance broker/trainer. He LOVES it! He is always on the go meeting new people, and opening up new groups, etc.
Please help me figure out a new job/career path! I'm a woman in my early 30's who has hated every job I've ever held. Except for waitressing back in college--I loved that. I loved the fact that it wasn't a desk job, that how much you made was based on your own motivation, and that you were interacting with people constantly (and not sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day).
Well, since I know the financial aspect is not important to you, based on what you're saying perhaps you should try having your own business. Figure out what it could be.
Looking at the list of things you want to be doing it seems like you want to be paid for doing things where you are free to follow your own agenda. It takes time to work into that kind of job, and you need to demonstrate that a company has a reason to pay you for doing it. You're young and your work record is all over the place. If I were an employer I'd wonder how effective you would be at problem-solving if you don't have the experience to understand the nuances of a particular profession.
There are probably jobs out there that match your desires, but odds are you won't be very well paid doing them.
Oh, got it-- take my job.
I write novels, but there's better money (I think...Lord I hope so) in non-fiction books. Think of something you LOVE, that's related to your degree preferably (gives you authority), that fires you up, then WRITE ABOUT IT!!
Here's what I saw in your post that made me think it:
Quote:
Originally Posted by doglover29
I loved the fact that it wasn't a desk job, that how much you made was based on your own motivation, and that you were interacting with people constantly (and not sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day).
... I did enjoy the writing and interviewing part.
... I do enjoy interviewing people, which is a large part of the job, but don't find the subject matter I'm interviewing them about interesting in the least.
Things I enjoy doing on the job/would enjoy doing: brainstorming sessions, creative problem-solving, designing of programs or materials, writing, researching, interviewing, being out from behind a desk.
What's fun is that after the book is written, there's the launch and signings and hopefully a book tour or two; you can always haul a box of your books down to a state fair and sign copies, too, and meet your readers. I've been on radio a few times and in the newspapers, that's fun!
Or there you go---try travel writing, or freelance writing focusing on interviews of interesting people, or become a specialist writer in your postgraduate field.
Best part is, it's something you can do part time "on the side" at first while you're still making money, to see if you like it or not. And, it may make your 'day job' more tolerable: back when I had one, I admit my mind was on my fiction-writing most of the time, planning scenes etc.!!
You would have fit right into the dot com era - making good money sitting around "brainstorming" all day and working on "projects."
Have you thought about outside sales? Commission based sales.
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What about becomming a professional blogger? Or working as a book or magazine editor. You can also look into becoming a Human Resources Director, Corporate Trainer, Visual Merchandiser, Buyer, Teacher, Insurance Broker, Recruiter/Headhunter, Director of an early childhood preschool and or aftercare. Or maybe you would like the challenge of being a stewardess, nurse, (or doctor), attorney? 
Oh, got it-- take my job. 
