Can't settle for career

LegacyUser

Hey all.

I'm not sure this is a personal issue, but sure it's worth a crack anyways.

Basically, I'm 21, with a degree in journalism. I'm intelligent, and I'd even go so far as to say I'm very talented. Not being big-headed or anything, but I would be considered very good. If something interests me, I'll work very very hard at it, but conversely, if its boring to me, I won't try hard.

Anyways, I finished college last October with my degree, and have been temping ever since, doing admin. I even got taken on as a permenent staff member in one large corporation (boo hiss!:)) but left after four months.

My problem is that I'm just unhappy working a mundane job, 9-5, office setting... it's so bland and uninteresting. I used to think journalism would be exciting, but although it is a lot better than admin jobs, it still lacks a certain buzz.

The thing is, I have a hobby (won't name it, as it's not huge in Ireland and people would know me if they follow said hobby given the info above) that I've been following for three years. It has the potential to develop into a full-on career if I got all the breaks, was lucky, and dedicated myself to it 24/7. Even though it wouldn't be easy, I'm planning to go for it starting this year after three years or not really pushing myself.

I kind of see it as my only chance to do something I truly love and that will fulfill me.

Am I being naive or stupid, or overly-wishful? Does everyone yearn to be something special, or someone famous? And has anyone ever been in the same situation, disillusioned with the idea of working a job they don't like for nigh-on 30/40 years, and yet learned to deal with it?

Sorry for rambling on a bit, just feeling pretty down about it the past while. Thanks.

LegacyUser

Of course you're not dreaming. Go for it. Follow your dreams.

You're still so very young you have to be true to yourself and pursue what you really want to do. If you don't you'll regret it.

Remember - it's better to regret something you did than something you didn't do.

I didn't even know what I wanted to do at your age. In fact I hadn't even started college.

Corporations and journalism and all that will still be there in 5 or 10 years time. If you don't make it fulltime in what you want to do you can always fall back on your degree but let's face it - you're going to have fun going after it.

So do it. No question.

buckfast4me

I used to think journalism would be exciting, but although it is a lot better than admin jobs, it still lacks a certain buzz.

How do you know what Journalism is like if you never worked in that field? At least give it a try. All I can deduce from your post is that you have been temping as an admin since graduation.

I'd lose the ego aswell, genuinely intelligent people usually don't have to go around telling people they are.

Dudess

Give the OP a break. He/she even apologised for saying they're talented (no doubt due to expecting comments like yours). Nothing wrong with recognising your own intelligence/talents.

But yeah, I'm confused about your current working situation. You say you're doing admin, yet you also say journalism isn't as exciting as you thought it would be. Are you working as an administrator now or as a journalist? Or is your view on journalism shaped purely by the course?

Anyway, I would say go for your dream, whatever it is. My dream was to become a radio presenter and arts/culture writer so I gave up working full-time in administration and went back to college to do a media production course, volunteer in community radio and eventually (ironically considering your story ) a masters in journalism. Hasn't worked out for me yet - I'm back in administration. But I'm so glad I gave it a shot anyway and who's to say it definitely won't happen just because it hasn't happened yet? I've had my moments of being negative and thinking it was a waste, but then I remember I'd have regretted it terribly had I not done it, so yep, go for it. And you're only 21 - you'd be mad not to. I was 24 when I went back to do media.

AARRRGH

You're 21. You have many years left to try and fail.

Nearly everyone in the world spends their life working in a job they would rather not do. Very very very few people are lucky enough to earn money doing something they enjoy.

The reason for this is because most people are afraid to take a chance, so they stay in their boring job and build a career.

I know exactly how you feel. I've been running some job websites on the side for a few years now. They are growing every month and I think in about 2 or 3 years they'll make enough money so I can give up full-time work completely and go start a Ph.D (I'd like to become an academic.) I've put a lot of effort, time and money into the sites. To me the risk was worth it and I really believe it will pay off.

Basically what I am trying to say is it's unlikely you will find freedom by taking the safe route and building a career. Give your dream a chance. At least you'll have tried. Maybe it'll work out, but again, unless you try you'll never know!

RealEstateKing

I'm 10 years older than you and I still have no idea what I want to do!

But on reflection I will say, if there's a thing you really want at 21, and it has a chance of paying you money, go for it, you have nothing to lose.

If it doesnt work out you can always go back.

There are two types of people in the world:

(a) Those who dont actually mind working in an office as long as the pay's good, and the coffee's nice, and they've got a nice plasma screen T.V. at home, and (b) those for whom the idea of doing that until they're 65 makes em wanna jump under a train.

If you're in categrory (b) I say, go for it while you're young, cause even if it all crashes and burns you'll look back and say: "Well at least I tried my best." But the opposite, staring at the water cooler in 10 years and thinking "I never even gave it a shot." , is too horrible to contemplate.

LegacyUser

My apologies, I forgot to mention, I have worked in journalism a fair bit already. I did loads of part-time (weekend mainly) journo for around three regular papers and a radio station before I graduated, and worked full time for a large newspaper group in Dublin for four weeks, but the travel was too much (two hours there and two back:o)

I really did enjoy the radio, in fairness, but doing newspaper reports on the local matches just didn't do it for me sadly.

I know I'm going to give it a shot, but to be honest, the chances of making it are extremely slim. I guess what worries me most is if I do fail... then I'll have to go and work in a job I'll probably dislike at best.

buckfast4me wrote: »

How do you know what Journalism is like if you never worked in that field? At least give it a try. All I can deduce from your post is that you have been temping as an admin since graduation.

I'd lose the ego aswell, genuinely intelligent people usually don't have to go around telling people they are.

As said above, I made sure to say I DON'T have an ego. But I do know that I am a very talented intelligent individual when it comes to writing, reporting, and just working within the media.
So in future, if you don't have anything helpful to say, don't bother posting.

AARRRGH

RealEstateKing wrote: »

staring at the water cooler in 10 years and thinking "I never even gave it a shot." , is too horrible to contemplate.

It gets worse... You're in hospital about to die and you think, ****, I was too afraid to follow my dreams...

buckfast4me

Diddly wrote: »

As said above, I made sure to say I DON'T have an ego. But I do know that I am a very talented intelligent individual when it comes to writing, reporting, and just working within the media.
So in future, if you don't have anything helpful to say, don't bother posting.

Would ya ever cop on, that's like saying "I'm not a racist but I hate blacks". I know you think this is unhelpful, but saying you are intelligent etc bla bla is totally irrelevant to the point? You might have a better chance of pursuing this new career if you get down off your high horse.

Did Einstein and Newton go around blabbering on about how intelligent they were?

RealEstateKing

there is absolutely nothing wrong with the OP stating that he's intelligent when asking a question like this. It's an important factor in answering his question. If he was a normal everyday dip****, we'd be advising him to stay in whatever job he can get.

Dudess

buckfast4me wrote: »

Would ya ever cop on, that's like saying "I'm not a racist but I hate blacks".

There's a massive difference between being full of yourself and simply recognising your skills and talents. I recognise my skills and talents and have no qualms about saying what they are if it's appropriate to do so - does that mean I'm a boastful pain in the arse? No. I also have the ability to recognise what I'm crap at.

I know you think this is unhelpful, but saying you are intelligent etc bla bla is totally irrelevant to the point? You might have a better chance of pursuing this new career if you get down off your high horse.

To say that a person who recognises their strong points is somehow on a "high horse" is an utter joke.

Did Einstein and Newton go around blabbering on about how intelligent they were?

I don't know. Do you? Maybe they did...?

those for whom the idea of doing that until they're 65 makes em wanna jump under a train.

That'd be me. Seems like it's you too OP. Why the fear that you'll fail and go back to working in a job you dislike? It's either that or stay in a job you dislike. It's not difficult to see which would be better. You gotta go for it. Unfortunately there is the reality that you sometimes have to just stick with the job you're in - so then you make the most of it. But you're nowhere near being in that predicament yet, so don't stick around any more. Anyway, 21 is so young to be working in a dreary job - it's even too young to be finished college for good (well I think so anyway).

Best of luck

DublinWriter

There's at least one post similar to yours every three months here from people with degrees or masters in Journalism. The media business in Ireland is an extreme clique and almost impossible to break into without the right connections.

Having said that, if you want to follow the route of working in the area of your hobby, then go for it. You sound young enough not to have any ball-breaking financial commitments, so do it while you can.

Remember that if you earn money doing what you love then you'll never have to work a day in your life.

Marksie

Diddly: I have not approved the last post for some of its content was inflammatory. Attack the post not the poster. But you will have to learn that other people will have different views and attitudes both here and in RL. How you handle that is important and will be important in your career.

buckfast4me dont be so provocative.

There is nothing wrong with acknowledging ones own abilities. There is a masssive difference between that and and being egotistical.

Back on topic now everyone

cobweb

Look you are 21 and it seems you want to give your hobby ago as a career then go for it. You have a dream and are young enough to get it off the ground so follow it, give yourself a timeline say 3-5 years to get it off the ground then take stock. You will be only 24, still young and if you still love it the timeline wont make an ounce of difference but will ahve given you something to aim. You always have your qualifications to fall back on.

I am 37 and found the job i want to do a few years ago, but its not sustainable fulltime in Ireland so i looked at my talents and skills and what i enjoy doing, looked at the career market and found a job that allows me use my skills and talent but will also allow me do my dream job on the side so i have the best of both worlds a career that sustains me which i really enjoy and a hobby i love. In order to do this i went back to college 3 times to do different courses but hey its whatever works for you.

Good luck with your decision

Amazotheamazing

What's wrong with admitting being talented or intelligent?

OP, go for it.

Miss Fluff

Follow your dreams. While working in this admin role keep freelancing and submit as many pieces as you can. With regard to your hobby, if you think it will generate an income and it's something you really want to do, then go for it. You will regret it hugely if you don't.

LadyMayBelle

OP, youre right to state you are talented if you genuinely are. Nothing wrong with that. Your 21...go with what your dream is. I'm 25, okay, not as old as some other posters but still don't really know what to do with myself. Ive just gotten into a course which will push me in to a specific career, but for me, the timing is right. People can tunr around and change career at almost any age this weather. And considering you already have your degree, and I assume a portfolio, on top of a gift, you won't ever have a problem going back if you so wish.

So what if you fail. Youd much rather look back in fifty years time and say you tried..go for it OP

MAKE MY DAY

OP go for it . You only get one life and its very short .

Many people go through life without trying to fulfil their dreams , if you have the opportunity grasp it with both hands and at least try. You have done the smart thing you have a good education so you have a fallback position if you don't succeed . Not that I'm saying you wont cause I have a feeling if you show determination you will

Simplicity

Go for a job you Want/Desire?

Given your question I'd say good luck!

Think about it.