Thinking about the future sucks...

[turquoisetumult]

 Okay, f-listers, I  need your help.

This is a real-life entry; let any who dare read be warned!

So, ladies and gents, I'm a sophomore in college (scary shit, I know). What's even scarier, I have to choose my classes for next semester in less than a week and I have no clue what I'm choosing. Because I'm nearly done with my core and I have no clue what my major is or what career I should pursue.

When I was a senior in high school, I really loved learning History and Psychology. But besides the fact that I haven't taken either of these in college itself, there are also some other problems.
History - you can only be a teacher. And I don't know if I want to do that. I have a hard enough time explaining things to myself nevermind kids. Or even worse, teenagers that would, inevitably, look older than I would because God decided to stop letting me mature at age 12. Yeah. God kinda has some issues with me, apparently... Moreover, I chose a pretty good college to go to, meaning that I pay (or rather, my parents do) quite a bit to attend. If I end up being a teacher, I feel like I could  have just as easily attended a cheaper school for the same programs and education.
Psychology - Okay, I love delving into the minds of people. I love assessing TV and movie characters and that's always interested me more than any plot they came up with. I really love finding out how people WORK, what makes them do the things they do, how to motivate them, etc. My only issue is that I can't deal with mentally unstable people. I don't know why - hell, maybe I'm being silly or stupid, but when I think of asylums I freak me out, probably even more so than when I think of hospitals. I don't think I could handle speaking with someone who's concept of reality is just sooo detached. So I figure that maybe I could become like an adviser in a school or SOMETHING general like that. Except I'm sure you need to go through all the schizophrenia-people, etc., in school anyway. 

I just don't know. I'm at a complete loss. I'm a really shy person that likes to stick to what's familiar. I have no talents (I'm no where near musically- or artistically-inclined; in fact my only talent lies within Adobe Photoshop and creating icons - and,  hey, I'd do that for a job too but I don't know what that shit's listed under in the world of majors!) What are some career choices I could think about? Does anyone want to give me a hint?

What do you good LJ-ers do? Unless you run credit card scams, you must have some sort of job that lets you keep a roof over your head. How would you describe your jobs? What skills do you need for them? What did major in to get there? How do you like your work?

Help a poor confused girl out, will ya?  

ETA: I'm totally open to other suggestions besides history and psych! Enlighten me, people! :D

Comments

[mmmfishfingers.livejournal.com]

So I figure that maybe I could become like an adviser in a school or SOMETHING general like that.
That sounds the best. Since history is a yay but a boo in terms of teaching since you're kinda meh about the whole thing.
that sentence was so not properly structured..
and we're moving on...
I don't have a job. I still live at home while i'm in school but..
yeah I'm not helping much am I?
Um. I say go with Psychology.
sorry I suck at advice

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

I didn't mean to sound 'meh' on history. I really enjoy learning about history, it's just that I don't see where I could head with it. lol.

I live at home too. So you're not the only one. ;)

That's not bad advice! Thanks for your input! :D

[mmmfishfingers.livejournal.com]

I probably read it that way. Inflection and all that.

It's frustrating, isn't it? So many fights. So little space.

Glad I could help somehow!

[pinkandkhaki]

Agreeing that being an adviser is probably the best. I don't think you necessarily have to go through training as heavy-duty as a full blown shrink? It definitely has its differences.

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

You think?? I hope so.

The other thing is that I heard intro to Psych SUCKS at my school. Everyone complained. And, I'm an idiot. You have the choice of either taking intro to bio or psych as a core and I took bio last year. That means I'd have to take Psych when I could've wiped it out as a core.

Thanks for the opinion. ♥ Still nervous as all hell though. Shut up, BRAIN! :(

[mistojen.livejournal.com]

There's probably tons of things you could do with psychology without even so much as going NEAR a mentally unstable person, like, I don't know, being a criminal psychologist (don't you just have to know your stuff and help profile but not actually interact with the crazies?) or something, but you just haven't thought of it yet. MY suggestion, sweetie, is to go to your adviser and let him/her know VERY SPECIFICALLY what you want ("I want to have a job revolving around psychology...but I don't want to have to deal directly with people who are mentally unstable.") and ask them what sorts of jobs there are for you in that sense. That's partially what they're there for. Once the two of you pinpoint what sort of field you want to go into, picking your classes will be a million times easier.

...then again, I dropped out of college to go to beauty school, so what the hell do I know? lmao I'm trying to help, at least, though...

Oh, also...we all know what I do ;) *points at icon*

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

You know a friend of mine mentioned the criminal psychologist too. I didn't even know what it was *facepalm* But, yeah, that sounds okay. Pretty much detached from the crazies. Lot of research, guessing involved I'm assuming... Hmm...

Yeah, my damn adviser is MIA. I sent her two emails and she hasn't responded. I'm going to try with my school email address - maybe her email automatically spams all non-school email addresses...

You have been a great help indeed, Jen! I always value what you say. Thanks very much!

Hee, your icon! You have an icon for every occasion! :D

[mistojen.livejournal.com]

I always value what you say.

Aww thanks! You're welcome for the commentage; glad I could help! :D And my friend ladydeadlock made that icon for me lol

[lady-bluefairy.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling of not knowing what to do, I've been through that (well, actually I think I still am :) ).
I'm starting my second year of college, I study Art History, and although I really like what I'm doing, I fear that I will end up being a teacher too (and I don't have much patience when it comes to teaching).
I think that out of the two options, psychology would be the best, there are many jobs you could do with that. Don't you have the chance to talk with someone, some adviser, or even some graduated students in history or psychology? Maybe that could be useful.
(honestly, I'm not the best person to give advise, especially when it comes to these matters, so don't pay any attention to my rambling ;) )

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

You're in my year? Awesome. We can be confused together! :D

It's not that I don't have the patience. I don't have a lot of experience with kids, but I once played with toddlers a while back and my brother said I had a lot of patience with them. So I'll take his word for it. I'm mostly worried about actually explaining things to someone when it comes to teaching - it's not as easy as it looks.

I agree that psych is a very broad topic so it might be good for me...

Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[cylune9.livejournal.com]

Seems like psychology is your preferred field. :)

There's probably tons of things you could do with psychology without even so much as going NEAR a mentally unstable person

I think jen's right - you could probably have a career in psychology without having to deal with patients. Research maybe? There's probably tons of other stuff.

As for me, I'm an accountant but it's really because I had the choice between that and being a teacher (small university). And I'm like you - I can't even imagine myself teaching kids. *shudders* But if I had a choice (er... more money) I would have become an economist. There's something about supply and demand charts that are truly fascinating.

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

I think I'm veering toward psych just because of the generality of it. That's good, I think. ;) Research. Yeah, I guess I can do that.

How do you like accounting? I know some people may find it boring, but I'll take boring. I really don't mind it. Boring is my middle name. ;D Is accounting difficult? Could you please tell me about it...

You can still become an economist! Just go back to school to learn more about it. I took Microeconomics my Freshman year and that stuff didn't seem too bad. Though my professor was super-easy and sweet so I don't know if I'd like it in the real world. :)

Thanks, Cinthia! ♥

[cylune9.livejournal.com]

Going back to school is a little difficult with a full-time job and two toddlers at home. :( *sigh*

How's accounting? Well although various accounting organizations are trying to make it appear a sexy career choice, pure accounting is fundamentally boring. However, there's many things you can do with an accounting degree that doesn't involve putting numbers in appropriate columns. I'm more of a financial analyst - I help people make financial decisions, help them manage their budgets, etc. Also (well at least here in Canada) accounting is the most in demand profession so it makes it a very safe career choice. The stability is nice since I have a little family to take care of... As for accounting being difficult or not, really depends on the people. Some find it easy and others can't understand it...

It's a interesting career choice but I rarely see any of my peers being very passionate about their jobs. That's why I have other creative hobbies. ;)

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

Going back to school is a little difficult with a full-time job and two toddlers at home.

That little thing called 'life' can be a real meanie sometimes, huh? Oh, well, maybe when your kids grow up a little and start going to school, you can to, at least, part time.

I think stability in a career is one of the most important things out there. I mean, especially when you have a family to care for...

I wonder how much math you need to know for your job. From what you said about helping people plan their budgets, it almost seems like you need more skill in being reasonable and practical than in math. Hmm, all these options are confusing the hell out of me!

It's a interesting career choice but I rarely see any of my peers being very passionate about their jobs. That's why I have other creative hobbies. ;)

Sometimes I feel like I won't be passionate about ANYTHING after a while of doing it... lol. (And yay for your creative hobbies!)

Thanks for your input, Cinthia!

[gregor-asmadi.livejournal.com]

History - you can only be a teacher.

I beg your pardon! I was a history major and I don't teach. Granted, I don't work in my field, or at even a half way decent job, but don't let me be your poster boy for history majors! :-)

But from what you've written, you do sound like psychology is a good path for you to be on. And I think you'd be safe in terms of asylums. I don't think you get those types of jobs unless you're a psychiatrist, which would entail med school.

And if you find you aren't liking the major, maybe you'll have found something else that interests you.

Though if I hit the lottery for shitloads of cash, I'll happily employ you as my personal iconmaker. ;-)

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

My brother majored in history, but he now works at a bank. Not because of history, but because he worked there during school and he just moved on up. See, history=awesome and also dead-end. lol.

Thanks for your thoughts, Steve. I guess I don't need to declare yet but I need an idea for the classes I'll be taking next term.

Though if I hit the lottery for shitloads of cash, I'll happily employ you as my personal iconmaker. ;-)

Lol. Thanks! I found the ending to this vid (http://youtube.com/watch?v=IHqzlxGGJFo) really interesting. I wouldn't mind taking that on as a career, but I have no idea what that even is. Visual arts?? *shrugs*

[gregor-asmadi.livejournal.com]

Just remember, a major is there to help you focus and figure things out, not to shackle you into something. About half the people I know from college are doing things completely unrelated to their majors. :-)

Relax, I'm sure whatever happens, you'll be fine.

[vaamped.livejournal.com]

since your interest in psychology seems to be strongest & most practical, i would recommend pursuing that - you don't always have to work in the crazy ward. being a psychologist or psychiatrist can be very lucrative.

i hope you figure it out. i'm still trying to figure out what i want to do. ♥

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

You're in high school, you have some time. But don't let your sophomore year of college sneak up on you like it did me and throw my life upside down... :)

Thanks for your thoughts! Everyone seems to be saying psych and now I'm wondering if I worded the entry in a bias fashion. Lol. I'm psycho-analyzing myself now... ;)

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

I took Cultural Anthropology last year and I don't think culture is the topic for me. I'm not sure if was the professor or just the subject, but I didn't much care for it.

Passionate? I don't know what I would still like after 10 years. That's the problem! :D I know that no mistake is fatal, but I still always worry. I don't want to regret something because, knowing me, I don't think I would go back and fix it...

Thanks for your feedback. ♥

I hope you decide too! Are you in college as well?

[dazzlebug.livejournal.com]

Okay, so, I know next to nothing about how school works in America, and I don't know how much help I can be... because I got nothin' *lol* I just wanted to drop you a comment and tell you to hang in there.

And hey... if you didn't wanna deal with REALLY screwed-up people but you still like psychology, why not go into something like criminal profiling? A lot of the time, from what I've heard, you don't even deal with the people themselves - you build up a profile from evidence etc.

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

LOL. Everyone is bringing up criminal profiling. Haha. I'm really going to consider that now.

Thanks for the 'hanging in there' wishes. I'll try my best to follow your advice! :)

[fan4lost.livejournal.com]

I was having the same issue myself lately. I also love history and psychology but yeah, not the teacher type myself and don't think I want to deal with the crazies either. I know I love computers. I love them so much that I have taught myself so many things. I like to take them apart and play with all the parts. I absolutely love it!

So...at first I wanted to do Computer Information Science and Technology; basically Computers but not just a programmer, you work with databases, systems management, servers, ect. I sat on that for a long time. And it was also the only thing for computers offered online which I thought was the only thing I could do right now with my illness. Then, along came my brother, who himself did ten years for his Phd. He told me I could do anything I wanted and I shouldn't settle, so I'm going all the way.

I'm going to get my BS in Computer Engineering. What Computer Engineers do is design stuff like Processors, Servers, and Advanced Software like Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, ect). I knew what I wanted and I told myself I was going to take it all the way or I'd regret it. I feel like I'm not getting any younger or healthier, so I need to act fast...life is too short.

Think about what you like to do. If you like Photoshop then maybe you'd like to be a Graphics Designer (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm). I suggest going to some university sites and seeing what each of their departments has to offer.

Hope that helps!

[turquoisetumult.livejournal.com]

Someone at school mentioned how she's majoring in graphics design and that actually sounds really interesting! But I don't know if that's a JOB or just a HOBBY for me... *is confused*

See, it's so awesome that you can take apart computers and stuff because my oldest brother can do all that. He's in grad school right now but computers are definitely a high-paying, in-demand job. You should totally go for it next term, Steph! :D

Thanks for your help!