I'm 21, but I've never had a "real" job and I'm currently in college so I pretty much fit into the teen category. Anyway, I'm majoring in flight but I've been realizing that I do not have the energy to be a safe pilot (I have CFS) so I've wasted the last 2.5 years of my life in college working towards something that I am not going to do. I know this is relatively common and I have several friends that are also in the same boat but we've put too much time, money, and energy to just drop out of college at this point. Like I've said, I have never had a job so I don't even know what it is like to be in the "real world." I don't even know if I want to ever be in a romantic relationship with anyone (I've never been in a relationship before). I guess I could be happy working as a pizza delivery driver (if I could get that job), or I could be happy working multiple fast food type jobs. I just don't know. It would be nice to own a business one day, but my lack of social and business skills pretty much put me at zero for that dream and I can't handle any more college. No one wants to socialize with me and I am awkward when I am out in public, so I never meet any new people even though I am a member of multiple organizations on campus (schedule permitting). I'm just not happy with my life and the complete lack of direction. And with the economy the way it is, getting any job is difficult. I just don't know where I want my life to go and it's driving me crazy. 1/3 of my life is gone and I haven't done anything and I don't know what I want to do. I guess this is just a rant, but does anyone have any tips on how to figure out what I want to do?
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I don't know what I want out of life...
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There are, of course, variations in the details (ie, not everyone has CFS), but surprisingly the end the result (not knowing where you are going) is relatively common among college students. I, in fact, walked the same road and went to the student services office of the college I was attending. They put me through a battery of tests that were supposed to be a pretty good predictor of my career interests. When I had finished, they all pointed to sales as a career and I said that was crazy. Sales was one area I had absolutely NO INTEREST in. Fast forward a few years and guess where I ended up. Yep--sales! It's been a good fit.I'd suggest you might also want to get some help at the college/university you are attending.
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Hmm I know exactly how you feel. I'm 24, double majored in college, even went on to get a Master's, but I have NO CLUE what I want to be doing. I'm either over qualified or under qualified for everything and its so difficult to get a job it's not like you can try something out before you pick you niche. First I would say, if you are too lazy to be a safe pilot then you definitely need to change your direction, even if you are unsure what direction to pick because your apathy may cause a safety hazard. But for now, just keep going to school, and let life point you in the right direction.
Socially I kind of see what you are going through as well. Personally I live in a brand new place where not only is my professional life a failure (or at least it feels that way) everyone I once knew is on a completely different side of the country. Socially you just need to be more proactive, focus more on your menial interests when looking for people to spend time with. You like bars? comics? movies? start with simple things that can create a discussion, the people don't need to really be like you to identify with you.
Life has a funny way of working itself out, well at least I hope it does for both of our sake.