Help me choose a new career!

Glowing

Hi,

I'm nearly 27 (female), contracting in IT and not really feeling the love.

I'm planning to return to college or to do a night course starting in 2008 to give myself a change in career direction. The problem is I don't know what to do!

I am interested in loads of different areas, but I just can't pin it down to one thing - and I'm worried about choosing the wrong career (for the second time!). I'd idealy like to go back for one year full time, 3 would be pushing it but I wouldn't rule it out.

Okay, here's my list to date: Architecture/design, urban planning, anything property related, environmental science, climatology, renewal & sustainable energy, geography.

So does anyone know how I might progress into one of the above areas with a Computer Science degree? Anyone studying in these areas or working, and have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Nehpets

First of all, sorry I have no help for you. But I do have questions for you!

I'm just doing my leaving now and possibly looking at a computer science degree. Where did you get your degree and what type of jobs have you had since? And what's your main reason for changing? I really don't want to choose a "wrong career" path.

Sorry again for not answering your questions

Glowing

Personally, I don't have a passion for IT (i've been contracting a lot since I graduated mainly in localisation)- I want to do something a little more creative, and something that might actually make a difference (hence the environmental interest).

There are a lot of people doing well in IT who enjoy it (they've got a passion for it, and therefore are really good at what they do!), but I think you really need to think about what specific area you'd like to get into and focus on that. A lot of CS degrees are really broad and don't really qualify you to do anything afterwards without doing a masters.

You're young. Choose something you'll enjoy studying and worry about the work aspect afterwards!

P.S Anyone know any good courses in Sustainable energy? Also, has anyone studied through the Open University? How did you find it? Thanks!

Nehpets

thanks

Timmy_d

So how do you know when you "have a passion" for I.T ,does it involve a craving for learning new technologies or just having a bit of get up and go when it comes to the constant learning,anyone?:D

Glowing

I guess its a genuine interest & a desire to learn , rather than just knowing enough to get a job! I got a really good degree which I put down to hard work, rather than a natural ability or interest.

There are people I know who will spend a sunday afternoon learning a new programming language - thats a passion for IT!

edanto

I guess you could look for small companies that are working in sustainable energy - home windfarms or geothermal heating? Any small company will need someone with the variety of skills that you have.

Also, since you've tried so many things (but there's a thread!), maybe you like variety in your job and you'd find that at a small company.

You could put yourself in the position of a home consumer trying to buy some cool sustainable energy for their house (just as a first example) and see what companies you find. Then see if the good ones are hiring?!

How does something like that sound?