What do I want to be when I grow up!?

[apryllraye87]

I'm not usually an indecisive person.. but I do get bored, quickly. I've switched my major twice which means I have tons of credits but no degree. I'm two semesters away from finishing my A.S. with an emphasis in Psychology (after about 4+ years of being in school). I started out with accounting, switched to business, then to psychology... I'm going to be starting my B.S. next year and I (once again) have NO IDEA what I want to go for.

My passion is Psychology... I'd like to eventually become a substance abuse counselor but I currently (and have for the past 7 years) work in business. I'm good at business, and I know I'll eventually make the kind of money I want to make, but it really isn't my passion. I work at a large corporate company so a business degree would provide me with a lot of opportunities here. However, I don't know for certain that if I pursue Psychology I'll be good at it, or make the kind of money I want to make. Not to mention I've heard that in order to do anything in Psychology you need at least a masters degree and that will take me years.

I've taken some of those online tests that are supposed to tell you what a good career choice would be for you but they're all very vast.. so if you know of any good testing sites for that I'd be interested!

Blah. Thanks for letting me vent. I've been going back and forth basically since I started school. I wish someone could just tell me what the right choice is!

[dara1012]

Hang in there!

It is normal to switch your major, have moments (or years) of indecisiveness, etc. My dad is about to retire and jokes that he doesn't know what he wants to do when he grows up!

I am a passion person when it comes to work, I could have been good at a lot of things and probably made more money, but working with people with disabilities has been a passion for awhile. I have a bachelor's in Psychology and Biology and just finished my Master's in Organizational Leadership. I am going to be looking for leadership development opportunities in the next year or two. I fell in love with leadership development while doing my current job working with people with disabilities, I have no idea what I want to do specifically when I grow up, but I know what I am passionate about.

My friend was an event planner and became a drug and alcohol counselor through a certificate program at the U -- you have to have a bachelor's degree for that program, but then it is not as long as a Master's to get the certificate.

My personal thoughts on a career is to find something you have passion for, money isn't all that it's cracked up to be if you aren't happy. My brother has his MBA and an accounting & finance undergrad and does not like his job at all.....the money doesn't make up for it. He seriously lives for his evenings and weekends and hasn't found a job he is passionate about. He's super good at his job, but just doesn't love it. Both of my parents are pastors and I grew up watching them do what they love, we didn't have all the money in the world, but we never went without and my parents were smart and saved money and now have a lake home and can afford to travel the world. My advice is to follow your heart!

[ReneeW]

I too am struggling with a career "what's next" so I totally feel your pain. I agree that if you can find something that combines your talents and strengths with what you're passionate about that is the ideal choice. For example, could you be a psychologist who also does some office management work or become a clinic's director of medicine, something along those lines? I guess I'm thinking about a job that combines your business talents and passion for psychology.

My other idea is to do some networking with drug and alcohol counselors to really see what their day-to-day lives are like, hear the good, bad, and ugly aspects of it, as well as to find out what makes a really great psychologist so you can try to reflect upon if you have what it takes. Best of luck to you!!!

[healerarina]

I changed my major a bunch of times in college. Started on electrical engineering, ended up with an art degree. Tried architecture, accounting and graphic design in the middle. I had to get special permission to finish my degree because I exceeded the maximum credits allowed.

I am currently a stay at home mom. I would maybe like to get a job someday outside the home, but I need either a masters or an AAS to get a job anywhere, unless of course I decide to try to focus heavily on art and try to get my work in a gallery. I am happy for now.

[apryllraye87]

Thanks for the insight ladies.. it makes me feel a lot better to know I'm not the only one that has a hard time deciding. I feel like it's all I think about lately!

Renee- I really like the suggestion of networking with some drug and alcohol counselors, I hadn't thought of that! I did consider a major in Psychology and minor in Business Administration.. That way I could use those skills at my current job, if I decide to stay here forever, or try out counseling and see how well I like that.

[dara1012]

The other thing to keep in mind Apryl is that many companies just want you to have a bachelor's degree and the major isn't as important. I have a lot of friends with psychology, Art History, English degrees etc. and they do something completely unrelated, but you need the degree to get in the door.