Lost and confused....
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Lost and confused....
| Tue, 01-15-2008 - 1:36pm |
I don't think it's any secret to anyone who has read many of my postings (or anyone who knows me, for that matter) that I have NO idea what I want to do with my life.

I don't really have any advice, except that if you want to get away from feeling overworked, underappreciated, and underpaid, don't get into teaching.
I think it's very important to pursue what you really love. Isn't there a book "Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow"? Now maybe that's a little pollyanna, but seriously, I can't imagine doing a job just for the money.
However, I know what it's like to not have money. It's a real drag. I remember when I started a job mkaing $13,000 a year (this was back in 1980, OK? and it was so cool because I could then afford more than one lipstick and one pair of pantyhose at a time. I had been making like $8,500. Big raise.
Anyway, I have a creative job. I'm a graphic designer, not a fine artist, although I did a lot of fine art photography in my late teens and early 20s. And yes, I made no money, but I felt a burning drive to do it. In fact I couldn't NOT do it. All of those fine art classes I took really helped me later when I discovered my current profession, graphic design. I've been doing it for 30 years (oh God, that's older than you are!) The whole point of all of this backstory is that I always pursued (sometimes to others' dismay) jobs that were "creative" and honestly didn't care much about the money. I am now self-employed and had my highest earning year ever in 2007.
I can tell you are a smart girl, so I know you've already thought of what I am going to suggest. I know you love galleries and museums: could you work in one part-time? The connections you make could really lead to something. And although I love what I do, there were times when I struggled with wanting to do something else. I read a book called "I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was" and even though it didn't lead directly to my decisions, I thought it was a good thought-starter book.
But I know you want to make money too. But I think you can both have money and do what you love. I don't see this as necessarily an easy or clear-cut journey. I think you have to go through the belly of the beast sometimes. But, if I had to choose, I'd go for what I loved rather than the money. And you know what? You really are still very young--I think it's OK to not have an immediate answer as to what you wan to do. You very well will have several careers in your lifetime.
And talking to a career counselor isn't a bad idea if you can find a good one.
Good luck and please let us know how it's going.
I'd never do something JUST for the money, but I don't want to sacrifice money and other things I want for a job I love.
Hey I dont know if this helps are not but think of everything as a learning process. I have a degree in studio art and have a certification in to teach preschool (though i'm in a new state now and it's no longer valid).
I worked in design for awhile (as an intern) and found I didn't like it too much. When the internship ended, I got a full time job at a prominent museum, which didn't really challenge me too much (but I worked there for two years). While working
I'm not asking what anyone thinks I should do with my life, only if anyone has any advice on how to sort through the muck or at least DEAL with it and the feelings of constant drifting.
Ha!