Stuck at Home and Don't Know What Direction to Go In

LegacyUser

I'm 23, graduated from college not so long ago with a law degree. Even before I finished my degree I have been unsure about what career I want, I knew I didn't really want a career in law but wasn't sure what else I could do.

I started thinking about primary teaching and applied for it in Ireland. I was offered a place but couldn't take it up as my final degree results weren't available before the start of the course (Feb). Ever since then I've been kind of confused as I've been having second thoughts about whether I want to be a primary teacher and thus don't know whether I should wait the year and apply again for teaching or go into another career. I just feel really under pressure to decide on my career soon, but am kinda clueless as to where exactly I want to go and am terrified of making the wrong decision.

What's making it worse is that I live at home with my parents and they constantly are talking to me about jobs and careers so I never really get a break from it and it's really worrying and stressing me. I just feel I can't think properly at home and I can't make decisions anymore.

Also, I feel that if I apply for teaching and am offered a place I'll take it because i don't really have any other options career-wise at the moment.

I'm just so confused and lost, any advice would be appreciated

LegacyUser

Best thing to do is just take a bit of time out and think about your options. I know when you're living at home, it can be hard to know what to do. Best thing is to just get your mind active.. go out, meet people , discuss your options. If your umemployed at the moment, then maybe take up something part time, get your confidence up.

You are in a good position as it, because you have got your degree, and now you can decide where to go from there.

If I was you, I'd call up some of my friends, the positive go-getters ones and they will give you the kick-start that you need! Get some inspiration and it'll make your decision easier
I feel like I have been in your position a few times before and this is the best way out of it

reap-a-rat

Could you maybe volunteer at a homework club for the time being? You'll get a feel for being around kids for a few hours a day, and although it's not the same as teaching at least you'll get to understand how children work and if you'd have the patience to deal with them for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for the rest of your life:)! Just a thought, it might put some things into perspective for ya:)!

Wolfe Tone

You 100% sure you don't want to pursue a career in law? Go to Kings Inns, or the solicitor route?

thefeatheredcat

The worry and stress isn't going to help you make a clear decision on things, so that's the first thing to eliminate.

Your parents are probably thinking they are doing the best by you but if it's not helping you right now, is there a way to get them to take a break from it? Otherwise you could always try and get to a physical place where you can get some quiet and peace and have a think on it in a calmer fashion. Maybe even get a day away for yourself to think it out, it might help? You might not get the answer or clarity overnight, but it will start the ball rolling.

What made you consider teaching? Maybe you need to go back to that reason and find if that reason is still valid for yourself?

There is no wrong decision... only a different path in a career, which can open up many doors of opportunity to things you hadn't yet considered. Everything that you learn can always come in use, and your law degree is something that will always stand to you and you can always pursue at another stage in life.

It could be that the doubt that you have is probably more to do with different options being presented to you, as well as maybe some sort of expectation either you have of yourself, or your parents have of you in something that has been suggested.

Maybe ask yourself what you don't want to do, and why, and ask yourself the same about what you do want to do and why.

Firetrap

Are there any careers that you can use your law degree in without having to turn around and start all over again? Make an appointment with the career advisor in the college you went to and have a chat with them. If you're having doubts about being a primary school teacher before you even start, will you be in the boat as you are now, 3 or 4 years down the line? I wonder would it be worth you getting a job in the law field, having a think about what you want to do and hatching a plan to study in it in the future?

LegacyUser

I was in the exact same position as you (law degree, unsure about law as a career, living with parents) not too long ago. I understand your frustration, confusion and how it feels to have parents making constant comments. It's really not a fun time. I think you need to accept that there is a decision to be made and it's not going to make itself. The longer you hang around putting off the whole employment thing, the more lethargic you get - believe me, I know.

You have to be pragmatic about it. If there's nothing you have your heart completely set on, you need to move on to 'what would I quite like doing? What would satisfy me to a reasonable extent?' I don't believe everyone has an ideal dream career. Or it could be that there is something you really would shine at, but you're not the kind of person to pursue it. (For example: you may be a fantastic writer but may not want the whole 'living in a garrett and having no money while you write the Great Novel' lifestyle - and that's ok ).

You can seek all the advice you want - and certainly make yourself aware of the career options available - but at the end of the day, YOU have to decide if you'd prefer law, teaching, or something else. It really is up to you. All carry their pros and cons and you'll have to weigh them up. You're in the nice position of having a choice.

Don't take too too long about it, though! If you hang around doing nothing, you'll probably get a bit down, start to drive your parents demented, and the whole thing will start to seem increasingly daunting. Sooner or later, you'll have to start that career. When I graduated, I wasn't sure what I wanted so do, so I went travelling for a bit. While it was really enjoyable, it didn't help me decide what I wanted to do, I didn't 'find' myself on a beach in Thailand and all the decisions were still there waiting to be made when I came home. I made them eventually. But I wish I hadn't taken so long about it.