Women of reddit, how did you finally realize what you wanted to do career wise?

5 comments

1. So I was completing my pre-reqs for nursing but me wanting to find something more immediate than a 2-3 year waitlist I went with massage. Applying was easy an I was accepted that same week. The course was 4 terms, I paid a few hundred to take the tests and get licensed and now I make $40/hr 9 years after graduating working with a chiropractor. I get to set my schedule more or less and decide how many breaks and how long they are. I’m basically my own boss as there’s not really oversight besides sharing patient information that might be necessary. Often I don’t even see my employer the entire day.

   I have decided to switch to realty for a more long term career that won’t risk me wearing my body out. It will be tough to pay and dedicate the time to maintain 2 state licenses but I figure keeping some massage hours on the side before fully transitioning is the smarter route. So we’ll see! I have yet to take the exams but I have a one year old now so it’s game on. My husband can be my assistant and help me streamline things and eventually he can join me and we will see what we can build for our daughter’s future!

   All that to say, there’s a lot of talk of “following your dreams,” and that’s great. But that can be a bit overwhelming for some. I was not really allowed to dream of what I would be due to my upbringing. So I felt a lot of pressure not knowing what to aim for.

   Maybe try to figure out what is most tangible for you, locally in your area, or maybe online. First: what *can* you do, then from that: what should you do. Trade schools are the way to go if you don’t have a clear path and university plan or just weren’t set up by your parents for any sort of real-world success

2. I had an internship for marketing in X industry, and realized I love working in X industry.

3. I never did. I fell into something I’m good and I enjoy, but it was never an, “Oh my gosh, this is my *passion* and I will make so much money doing this!” moment.

4. I spent 10 years working in a nonprofit industry because I wanted to work for a cause that I really believe in and support, and because I felt like I wanted to help people out. But with the dysfunctional work environments I constantly found myself in and the constant struggle to support myself financially it just became too much.

   Last year I took a job working for a small design business and it’s been a refreshingly great experience. I am paid well, I’m good at the work I do, the people I work with are very supportive and appreciative of what I bring to the table, and have a lot of freedom to manage myself which is not something I had before. I still get to help people, but in a different way.

   I know I won’t be in this job forever, and I don’t know if I’ll even stay in this industry but I feel so much more joy in this environment than the field that I thought would bring fulfillment. With this new job I’m able to support myself, save more and start focusing on what I really want out of life which is to, for the time being, travel at my leisure and date a bit more, and eventually have a family and a house.

   Sometimes I feel like there is so much pressure to have a job that brings fulfillment to your life, but I’m finding that for me at least, the ideal job for me is just something I can do that can support the life I want, and that’s okay.

5. All I knew is that I derive great joy in helping people. I started out working for nonprofits and being a case manager and domestic violence advocate. I ran housing programs and helping give access to affordable housing. I burnt out in less than 5 years though. The chronic issues my clients suffered with were not something I could actually help them with. I left the field completely and picked up trash for the state for a while, it was one of the best jobs I could have because it reminded me of feeling useful in a practical way. I got the opportunity to become a dialysis technician not long after. My friend got me hired I only took the job because I felt directionless and needed money. The idea of sticking one inch needles into sick people’s arms scared the sh*t out of me. But here I am, almost 5 years later. I wouldn’t do anything else. I get joy in being able to help my patients in a practical and straightforward way. There isn’t a single shift I work that I question my helpfulness I feel like I found my purpose