Being away from the nine to five grind has given me some time to think about what my next career move should be. I do have my web store and blog but I cant help but to feel I need to have something else in place for when I’m cleared to have a full-time job again.
Like I mentioned in a previous post, I don’t have a college degree. I have some credits but I never completed. It wasn’t even at a four year school, just a vocational program that I started out of high school out of haste to do something other than work as a barista forever. While growing up, attending a four year college wasn’t encouraged, and it fact, it was discouraged (I will go into that in a future post), so it was never a goal of mine. (My father earned multiple college degrees, worked in the medical field and even went to law school but that’s another story.) Throughout grade and high school, I never did well academically. Math and algebra was my worst subjects followed by the sciences, English, social studies/science, Spanish, physical education and the electives – in that order.
I never enjoyed school aside from the electives and making an occasional friend. In class, I was a daydreamer where my mind would wander and drift off on to another planet and by the end of class, I would not have a clue what was going on. Each day I would sit in my chair with the intention of paying attention for the duration of the class, then after about five minutes, those plans were tossed out the window along with my mind. This tendency stayed with me though college. I guess that was part of the reason I never did well aside from the fact that I’m horrible with numbers.
Its not that I dislike learning. I own hundreds of books to the point that I have recently donated several dozen to local libraries in preparation of relocating. The subjects range from French language and literature to HTML and I am always resisting the urge to acquire more. I guess I dislike learning in a classroom about subjects I don’t really care about.
Once we move, I am considering going back to “complete” my education though I don’t have a burning drive to do so. I don’t have a clue what I will study and how I will apply it in the “real world” or job. I feel that going back to school is a must because though I do have extensive work experience, some of it at Fortune 500 companies, I never graduated out of the support role where my salary topped off at $60K (in San Francisco).
Any words of advice? I know most of my readers probably finished college ages ago, but any advice is appreciated!
Success in college requires discipline and focus, but enjoying the process can be more tricky – that may require the freedom to commit fully, an interest in learning, and a clear sense that you will use what you are learning in some way. The goal of a course of study is typically the degree, but the real objective should be to strive to become better, so that the learning never really ends. Good luck – I love the open exploration of your hopes and dreams, and I wish you luck in your pursuit of growth!
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Carla
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July 17th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
@Scott, Lance and Vered – thank you so much for your advice! You are right, I have to listen to my heart regarding what I want. I may take a few web developing classes and see where it would lead since that’s that I’m most interested in at this point in my life.
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Hi Carla,
I think the biggest thing I’d tell you would be to listen deeply to your heart. In fact, I sometimes think that this would have been a better time for me to go to college – near 40 – when I’m so much more focused on what matters to me.
Sure, there’ll probably be some classes that you have to take that still aren’t all that fun – but if you’re listening to your heart – then most of what you’ll be doing with connect with you. And that will be good. Of course, that begs to question if listening to your heart will pay the bills once college is done. Only you can answer that, however I do believe that you can do what you want and be successful – just in some fields this may be harder than others.
Carla, whatever you decide – whether you go back or not – listen to that inner voice. In all you do. You are an amazing woman, remember that! And a college degree isn’t going to change that…
Lance´s last blog ..Painting The Masterpiece of Our Life
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If I were to go to college now, I would learn something related to the internet. Maybe web design, or whatever it is they offer these days. My 2 cents…
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never did finish college myself. i do think of going back, not sure if i will…to be a journalist. i’m sure there are lots of things i am lacking because of not finishing, but i’m doing better than okay. i read some of what i want to learn on the internet or at the library.
Natural´s last blog ..I am conductor, hear me cook
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Carla
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July 20th, 2009 at 3:49 am
@Natural – I’ve been reading your blog for several months and I think you would be a great journalist; if that’s the path you want to take.
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http://zenhabits.net/2009/03/land-your-dream-job-ditch-school-and-get-a-library-card/
This post sums it all up pretty well in my opinion. I like your blog and wish you the best in life!
Chukwuma´s last blog ..You can’t say what you wanna do, if you don’t know all there is to do.
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