lack of a career

[kbuchs]

Does anyone feel lost in their career or lack of one in my case? I graduated last June with a Masters in counseling psychology in MA which is not easily accepted in New York which is where I moved due to personal reasons. Now, I am temping and applying to jobs but no luck. I did have one job as a counselor but I was fired- my supervisor said I was too relaxed and she thought it just wasn't working out. That is all I know. So, now I am doing receptionist work and making crap. Everyday I look for a job and some weeks there are a couple jobs to apply too but it is not going anywhere. I have applied to all types of jobs that I might be qualified for, not just counseling ones. Also, I suffer from major depression and went through a tough valley of it last year and I feel like I've lost part of myself. I'm not reallly looking for any advice per say but just wondered if anyone else is having this problem?

[Bugaboo]

Re: lack of a career

Well, I'm 30 and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. lol. Sounds like you are in one really tough job market! A masters degree? Wow. I'm in the middle of taking my GED. Everyone tells me (in real life) how smart I am but it doesn't do me any good if I can't prove it. From here I'll probably be joining the community college or whatever it takes to become a pharmacy tech. Eventually I hope to move on to a medical tech...we'll see. I always put my kids first so that hinders the great fabulous career thing. That must be really tough having a masters degree but be stuck in a job where you're way over qualified. My husband works with people like that from time to time. Just don't give up! Keep looking! That perfect job is out there somewhere and you'll find it when the time is right.

[hulagrl1120]

Re: lack of a career

I understand what you are going thru...I'm working at a dead end job I got from a temp agency after being unemployed for almost a year. I am now planning on moving to the mainland to look for better opportunities. Keep your head up...what you do as your daily job does not define who you are. Think of the crappy job as just that...a job...a means to pay the bills. Once you punch out at the end of the day your life begins...keep involved with hobbies and things you enjoy. I take yoga, make wire jewelry, knit. Just keep trying for the job you really want...also try to think outside of the box...network with people...what about using your counseling skills to help a non profit agency or charity that needs counselors?

[Luna Rossa]

Re: lack of a career

I don't mean this to come across the wrong way, and I apologize if you find it offensive... but um.. isn't being a counsellor when you suffer from depression somewhat like becoming a doctor/veterinarian if you're squeamish? Or a teacher when you hate kids? I don't mean to oversimplify things, because I do realize how educated and qualified you are. I've heard it said that the first words out of a BA/MD graduate's mouth is "Would you like fries with that?" so I'm sure it's a fairly common occurence not to find the dream job right out of the gate.

Perhaps your last job didn't work out because you were suffering and in a low at the time, which affected your performance, outlook and had you humming along in slow gear ie: too relaxed? I'd say take care of yourself and get your depression under control first so you can be in the position to help others.

[Bugaboo]

Re: lack of a career

I'm not arguing with Luna but on the other side of the coin a counselor who understands depression from a first hand experience may be able to treat others with depression better than one who had never suffered from it. They may be able to spot the signs earlier and have a better understanding on how to treat each individual. Again, not arguing...just looking at the other side of the coin. However...I've never suffered from depression so I may be waaaaay off the mark here since I'm talking about something I only slightly understand.

[skinnyby25]

Re: lack of a career

I'm feeling a little "blue" in the career department. I've worked since I was 15, I've had some really awesome jobs & I've never really had a hard time finding a job. It seemed like everything I interviewed for, I'd get.

I worked full time until January. We decided that it wasn't worth me working if my hubby made more than me as a graphic artist. He got a raise in the New Year & my cheque was going to my car insurance, gas & baby sitting. Working 40 hours a week, we kept maybe $200 a month from my income. It wasn't worth it.

I've been a housewife ever since. Although I enjoy it, I'm currently looking for something part time for some spending money, to pay for school & some time away from the house. I've had 3 interviews for jobs but no call backs. My confidence took a hit. I've even applied at some crap jobs like Future Shop & the local markets as cashiers but.....nothing.

I decided to take more courses. I'm studying to become a Certified General Accountant with a Bachelors in Business Administration. It's going to be a great career.....when I'm done.....but it's not helping me find something now. And it seems like it will be forever before I'm finished. I wish I would have started right after highschool but I had a great job then, & thought I'd be there forever!

I think I've figured it out though. I think I'm too old to get a job as a cashier (around here, every cashier I've seen is high school aged) & I'm still too young to get into an accounting firm yet without more education. I really want to say I have a career & not just a job! As corny as that sounds....

Either way, something will happen. Eventually, I'll get settled. But right now I'm playing Mommy/student even though the pay sucks & there are no benefits. Unless you count spending lots of time in your PJ's a benefit! That means no shopping for career clothes. I hated that part!

GOOD LUCK!

/KIM

[xdream73]

Re: lack of a career

I can TOTALLY relate to this! I am 31, just started a new job in November '04 after almost 10 years at the previous job. At my previous job I was "hot stuff", meaning that I had a lot of respect, I knew my job and I ran my department extremely well...and the more than excellent money was just a bonus. I loved my job! Then, I reported someone to the ethics committee...and two weeks later I was fired. When I asked "on what grounds", they told me they were not at liberty to say.

Now I am working an entry level position, making half of what I was making before, I am bored and I sit ALL day long. I am miserable. I went back to school, and I'm doing wonderfully...but I have no idea what I want to do with it, or even what degree I want (right now I'm just a Business major). I am focusing on school, and my weight issues - both of which went to **** while I was devoting so much time to my previous position. In return, I get have to deal with a job I hate...but that (barely) pays the bills. It's a tradeoff, and sometimes I lose sight of that.

As for the depression, been there and done that my whole life. If you ask any of my friends they will tell you I give the best advice! So...no harm in counseling others during your low times. Just be careful not to make their problems your own.

Hang in there, whatever is meant to be will be!

[kbuchs]

Re: lack of a career

"I don't mean this to come across the wrong way, and I apologize if you find it offensive... but um.. isn't being a counsellor when you suffer from depression somewhat like becoming a doctor/veterinarian if you're squeamish? Or a teacher when you hate kids?"

Luna Rossa- I actually struggle with this. You see when I started out at school I had had one bout with depression but at that point had successfully recovered. Then when I was 3/4's through with school my depression hit a valley again. I really don't know if I should be in this field. It helped that when my supervisor did fire me she did say "It's not that I don't think you'll be effective in this field but I don't think it's working out." I think you're right that I'm not at 100% and that affected my performance. It's just that I want a chance to prove to myself yes this is where I belong or no I need to look in another direction. I have stable boundries so making other problems my own or making my problems others doesn't really happen to me.

I have thought about going back to school like Bugaboo and Skinnyby25 but I just can't afford it right now. Skinnyby25 I know what you mean that you were used to getting pretty much any job you applied to and then now you go on three interviews and don't even get calls back. That is me too! It sucks.

I liked what Hulagrl said- that a crappy job doesn't define who you are and to start you're life when you punch out. It's hard when your career has been the most important thing to you for the last six years or so. I have been living life after work though- I mean I love not really having to worry about anything and the lack of responsibility is refreshing at times. So, I am trying to enjoy myself right now because hopefully that will change. I just want something to matter to me you know?

Anyway, I do appreciate all the encouragement and support. It helps knowing others are in the same boat. We'll all just keep plugging along. Oh, and XDream that is awful! It sounds like a law suit to me! When I was fired it was during the probationary time so they don't have to tell you why but if you've been there for a while they owe you an explanation.

[divaindubai]

Re: lack of a career

I can understand what you are going through... I think times are tough in today's world. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Canada a few years ago, and you'd think that the degree would be worth something, but I found either that people think you are overqualified, or they give some other excuse. Seems that many jobs are going overseas, like for instance don't bother getting a BSc in Computer Science because most ofthe jobs are going to India....

My husband and I are living and working over here, and I'm gaining good experience as a legal assistant. I've decided that I'm going to continue along the path int he legal field, because this was one of my interests in university (Education or legal) and it looks like legal is happening for me.

A good way to gain experience is to do volunteer work. I know it might sound hopeless especially for you , because you've worked so hard to gain your master's degree. Volunteer work does look good on a cv / resume.