Finding my Career

I'm going to be 35 years old this coming March...Overall, I feel okay about it; after all, isn't the mid-30's the new 20's? HA!

The thing is, I'm nearing middle-age and I still have no clue what my life's career ambition is. I don't get how some people just know what they are going to do when they head off to college....

I went to college with the idea that I would major in Education and double minor in History and Spanish. Most History teachers where I came from where also coaches of a sport, so I needed to double up on a minor to ensure I would have a job out of college. While there, however, I would walk the halls feeling completely goal-less. I thought about changing to Business or Nursing...but never did. Instead, I majored in Partying. I think I passed that one pretty well. Got a degree I think, but I can't remember.

After leaving college too soon, making a few errors in judgment, and winding up in Florida through a series of crazy decisions, I miraculously landed a job in telecommunications. I had come to a point in my life where I was ready to turn things around, yet my past work history had no substance to it (bartender, waitress, hostess, Subway sandwich maker...); however, through working for a Temp service and handling a job for GTE (now Verizon), someone saw something in me and gave me a chance. That chance landed me a successful career in telecom for almost 9 years.

I was at Verizon for about 3, then I went on to a competitor for about 5. The competitor lost $$ and thus I lost my job, along with the VP and everyone under him....it was very sad. Since that time, I have been at home with my kids and struggling to figure out what it is I should do now.

I tried going back to telecom for a while...it was okay. Maybe it was the position, maybe it was the work relationship (or lack thereof) between me and the Director, and maybe it was just me...it just didn't work at that time. No hard feelings. Maybe some other time.

While I was at home in the interim, I decided to "go back to school". I completed my medical transcription schooling and am currently doing that; however, it cannot be a career...we are getting downsized as a whole quickly due to Electronic Health Records and hospitals paying companies overseas. I knew when I went into this it wouldn't be a forever thing...

About 2 years ago, a friend of mine started Nursing school and I considered doing this as well...but financially it wasn't feasible. Plus, the more she got into it and I saw the material, the stress, the demands of the education...I knew I couldn't handle that AND the responsibilities I have with my family...

I feel like my career should be in "serving" or "helping", but that's not very definitive. That could mean "Thank you, sir, would you like another glass of tea?"...I just feel like there's something planned and I can't see it yet. Like I'm looking through the glass darkly.

Currently, I'm waiting to hear on a particular possibility that would be fun and exciting and I would learn a lot about a whole different field. That would make 3 times I have changed my career, which from what I've read is not all that weird these days. I hope it works out, because it could really develop into something long-lasting. It's at least given me a little bit of hope.

It's so daunting...looking at the Classifieds...knowing there's so many people out there looking at the same time (currently our area is at 7% unemployment!)...

Sometimes, I will find that "something" that looks right for me and will apply, pray, and cross my fingers...only to get that e-mail that my resume was "impressive" but they've "regretably" chosen another candidate. :-(

I know when the time is right the right job will come along..the question is, will it be my career? I have no clue.