Lost at 24

LegacyUser

Hi Everyone,

I was 24 a few days ago but I'm not really happy about it given that my life is such a mess. I can't help but compare my life to other people who are younger than me or my own age and come to the realisation that I'm basically a failure. I have been unemployed for years, don't have a degree and even the qualifications I have are very basic (level 5,6 fetac).

I would love to do a business degree but would be 28 - 29 by the time it'd be finished which just doesn't seem possible financially or time wise.

I have had jobs but have never really been 'real' jobs in the sense that I have never worked full time and never had a full weeks wage. I blame myself and am not looking for sympathy but I just don't know where to go from here. I have no work related references, no passion for any one career and even if I did,I would struggle to find work given my track record so far. I just feel like I'm branded or something and don't see a way out of it. Thing that kills me is I know I can do better and consider myself a smart enough person.

magneticimpulse

Have you tried volunteer work? It would be something that is hard to not be moved or passionate by? Meeting people who might not be as fortunate and helping them progress with their lives. Maybe something like that can help you with focus, direction and purpose in life?

I understand that might not help your career wise. But if you did become passionate about it I know of people who have made social work a very good career.

Either way you are never too old to go back to college.

Join meetup.com and get out and meet people and become passionate about life again

fineso.mom

OP you say you will be 28-29 by the time you finish a degree. I said the same to someone once and I still remember their answer..." yes you're right but what age will you be in 4 years if you don't do it?"

Flightfinder1

fineso.mom wrote: »

OP you say you will be 28-29 by the time you finish a degree. I said the same to someone once and I still remember their answer..." yes you're right but what age will you be in 4 years if you don't do it?"

fineso.mom wrote: »

OP you say you will be 28-29 by the time you finish a degree. I said the same to someone once and I still remember their answer..." yes you're right but what age will you be in 4 years if you don't do it?"

At the age of 26, im reading your post and the best advice I can give you is the epic quote:
"I do not fail/ I have found 1000 ways that do not work"

If you can get into a better mindset, leave the past as it is-the past. Adopt a way of thinking that every experience be it negative or unsatisfactory is an opportunity to learn. To grow. To develop.

Practical advice: beg or borrow from friend/library a book such as 'the 7 habits of highly effective people' by Stephen r. Convey or such self help books, interesting to get different perspectives and great to open up your thoughts. Pat divilly is another great one, watch his recent Tedx talk on youtube. If your looking for inspiration it's very much worth a look.

If you can invest and go see a guidance counsellor to do some aptitude tests to find out where you excel/ to rule in/out what would be perusing. Its a great starting point. It may be one or two sessions or more. I used one last year for help with my Cv and it was really motivating to talk to someone about my career that wasn't family/ friends etc.

If your unemployed and on benefits, find out when the next jobs club is on. Attend the meetings and set that time every week to research/work on your cv or talk to the trained job finders.

Low on cash? Google websites such as qualifiax.ie (I think they used to have questionnaires were you can answer questions and it gives you an idea of what areas you may have strengths)
Even asking places for a couple of hours/days work experience. If you have rte player take a look at 'the unemployables' a series where it took people who felt they couldn't get a job to a place where they felt interview ready etc...

Above all, you are at the right starting point to get want you want from life, it's only in the past 2 years that I got my self together after a looong break after leaving college, believe me everyone has their own journey in life and I wish you every success

Casualcontrol1

I felt the same way you did at 23.All I had was a fetac level5 and was in a full time permanent job but I wasnt going anywhere. I got in to a rut and anxiety developed. One day I just said enough is enough.. I applied for nursing and I have just finished my second year. I will be 28 when I finish, all my friends will probably have travelled and be looking for a mortgage at that point but look at it this way.. what is the alternative? You could do a business degree part time or even accounting if you liked and still work part or full time. All these opportunities are there for the taking you just need to go get them and the rest will follow. I would advise a part time course in sept and see how you go. Best of luck