After another summer of being stuck indoors I have come to the absolute final conclusion that working a full time desk job is truly not for me, and I will never find happiness or contentment with my life if I’m stuck indoors in front of a computer. Funny thing to hear from a blogger, but blogging takes a small amount of time compared to an entire work day.
I’m approaching a milestone birthday, I’ll turn 30 at the end of the year and I’m really reflecting on my 20s and what I have accomplished and learned about myself. The one reflection that is screaming at me is that I haven’t been working at a job I’m passionate about! I keep going for the safe jobs that pay well and have good benefits but I’m certainly not passionate about government work!
I’ve mentioned it before but I originally went to college to get my degree in Physical Education, I wanted to coach more than anything. But when I proudly told that to the people in my life (parents, relatives, a former high school teacher) I was bombarded with “No! Teachers don’t make any money” “You’re too smart to be a teacher” “Go into business where you can make some money” so being only 18, I took others people’s advice and majored in Public Relations, a field which according to the chart offered steady pay raises throughout my career.
I have been working in public relations/communications for just over eight years now. I’m good at it, I have done well in my past jobs, I get along well with people and I’m a hard worker- but I don’t enjoy it. Not one little bit.
My dream is to go back to school for two years and finally get that physical education degree but I worry that financially it just isn’t possible. I married for love, not for money. What am I to do?
I have thought of all kinds of avenues; starting my own consulting company and taking on fun clients that I can be crazy and creative with, get my certifications to teach group exercise courses, get a couple of part time coaching jobs to equal one full time job. The easiest thing to do would be to find a PR job with an outdoors/fitness focused company that offers me a creative outlet and encourages employees to get out and move (Lululemon, I’m talking about you). The problem is because my husbands children are in Southern Alberta, I need to stay here for the next 10 years and there aren’t many fun & funky companies based out of Lethbridge.
What’s a girl to do? I have a lot of thinking and figuring out to do. All I know is that come December 18, I want to have a semi-clear path as to the next steps of my career path.
Any advice?
Suggestions for a career path I would love?
Have you done a major career change?
I made a major career change a while back – I was a teacher and I went to law school and now I sit in front of a dreaded computer all day. Worst. Decision. Ever. Get out from behind the desk while you still can 🙂
Thanks Jason! I’m going to spend this winter working to get away from the desk!
Good luck Betty! I’m sure you’ll figure out something if you want it bad enough, and it sounds like you do. I just made a career change and started my masters, this week! eek. I still get stressed about the money but I’m lucky enough to have a partner that supports me in pursuing my dream and I’ve decided it’s worth the financial struggle. I think sometimes we have an idea about what a path looks like but if you’re creative you’ll make it work.
Thanks Ursula! I just know that I need to start my 30s off with a bang. 🙂
I also went to school for my current position which involves sitting at a desk…all day long, but fitness is my absolute passion. I work towards it day after day and one day, I hope to move more into a fitness career. Love this post! Good Luck to you on whatever path you choose, follow your heart – just like you did with your marriage 🙂
Thanks Karen! I think in college they need to discuss the daily routine of a career when you’re exploring it. If they had asked me at 19 years old if I wanted to spend the rest of my life glued to a computer sitting I would have thought it was a cruel joke!