Q&A: Lost in the career section of the woods?
Question by Fur and Fiction: Lost in the career section of the woods?
I am going to be twenty in a month. Apparently, that is a very small number. To me, it is time to start panicking. I still have absolutely no idea what I want to call myself down the line.
As of today, I have tried psychologist, english major, vet tech, dog rescuer, dog groomer, dog trainer, and am now beginning to approach the jouranlism degree- my problem is, absolutely nothing feels right. There are so many brick walls that hinder my progress, and I am very often deterred by them.
I realized halfway through my first semester of college that there isn’t any career in psychology that I could actually enjoy. I approached an English major at that point, only to realize that I really absolutely hated college- a college I did not choose in a state I don’t want to be living in. I dropped out, was forced to go back, and dropped out two more times before my parents gave up.
At that point, I began looking into attending grooming and dog training school, or at least finding a groomer/trainer to apprentice with. The schools are all extremely expensive- something my parents cannot afford, and I am very reluctant to take out a loan because I know that these are jobs where I will be making very little money. In any case, at this point in time, I have ultimately decided that I will eventually attend grooming school, whether before or after I go to college (if I go at all).
And the jouranlism degree…well, that is an idea I had about a month ago. I have no idea if this is what I really want to do- ideally, I would get a job at a dog magazine and write about canines for the rest of my life.
In short, I am completely and hopelessly lost. Perhaps I’ll take option C) joining the late Christopher McCandless in the snowy banks of Alaska, because at least he knew what he wanted out of life.
Guidence, help, a point in the right direction, or perhaps a slap in face would all be appreciated.
Good answers guys, thank you.
To clear things up- I have been a bather/brusher for about a year now and love it. I have also been training for about six months- I love that as well =]
Best answer:
Answer by Aussies are my ♥ Dogs pray4petey
You should come be my roomie and go to the university with me! 
Nakita really needs a rough housing buddy, all she has right now is a 4 lb yorkie 
Seriously!
Ok, well the short end of it is that you are probably going to have to take out a student loan. If you can get a subsidized loan, the gov pays your interest while you are in college, then you have a six month grace period to shove as much money into the loan as possible. After the six months you have to start paying the interest yourself. Have you tried scholarship or grants? I have been in school for six years (started at a private university, in the pre med program wanting to be a veterinarian. Took the pre vet med seminar and HATED IT! Sooooo, I changed schools and changed my major to music ed. No, there wasn’t much overlap there as far as credits go. I basically started clear over. It was the best thing I ever did, though. I love the university that I am at now, and my classes are awesome) I will be a teacher, making CRAP, and I still have to try and pay off those loans. *sigh* That is going to be really, really tough.
It is my opinion that you need a degree in something. College is the hardest thing that a lot of people have to do, and that little piece of paper means a lot. It means you are a finisher, and that you are willing to work towards an ultimate goal.
My good friend makes over $ 26,000 a year as a professional groomer. She has her own shop. She doesn’t work on wednesdays, fridays or sundays. Imagine how much more she would make if 1) she lived outside of utah and 2) worked full time. I think that being a groomer is a great idea.
Alright, I gotta go to class now (stupid jazz improv, blech!) But I will add more if I can think of more!
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1 – Christopher McCandless did NOT know what he wanted out of life, in my personal opinion. He was just as lost as the rest of us. He was a smart person who did stupid things and chased a dream that didn’t exist and chose not to find happiness in what he had. If you can’t find joy in what you already have, you’ll never find it what you don’t.
Don’t fool yourself into believing you’re alone in your predicament. It’s not even close to the truth.
2 – It took me until I was 24 to go to college, but when I finally did I though I was sure I knew what I wanted to do. 3 years later I have changed my major at least 3 times and still don’t know exactly what I want to do. It might not even be something that is directly what my major is “for”. It doesn’t matter. The fact is, for a huge portion of jobs, you don’t have to have the RIGHT degree, but you do need to have a degree. The longer you wait to get one, the harder and more expensive it will be to get. If you have your parents support with paying for college, you would be a complete fool (in my opinion) not to put your nose to the grindstone and get it done. I have borrowed every dime I have paid in tuition, and it will there waiting for me to pay back when I graduate. But, the fact of the matter is, it will be the best loan I’ll ever get in my life – in many cases it will give you a better return on your money than buying a home. (especially now)
The fact is, you will never know for sure if you like a job or not until you’ve tried it…and you’re never going to get to try anything if you don’t have at least the credentials to apply.
You’re young, you have all kinds of time…finish your degree, and start giving things a go – it’s the only way you’ll ever know!
As for grooming – have you ever actually done any of it? I suggest getting a job as a bather and seeing what you think if that at least first. If you’re like me, after one day you’ll be over it.
I thought about training dogs, too. I discovered the dog training part, I like…the people who don’t listen – more than I want to deal with. But, if you really want to see if you would like it, you need to get a job where you can really see what you think before you rush off and go to school for something you don’t even really like. (which I find a number of people who start going to vet school do – they have no idea what they’re really getting into b/c they never even worked at a clinic)