Life after college?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Paidagogos, Jul 1, 2012.

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  1. Paidagogos

    Paidagogos Member

    I graduated with a history degree back in 2009, and I still feel like I am struggling to find my path as to what I want to do for a career. After graduating, I worked as a newspaper reporter for a little less than a year, and then I went off to teach in South Korea for two years.

    I am currently working as a camp counselor for the YMCA (a job I had before I completed college), and I am also volunteering with Bhutanese refugees, helping them to learn English and civics for their citizenship test. Apart from that, I am working on finishing up my last four classes for my Master’s degree at WNMU.

    I really just feel that my life is a little off-track now. I believe I will either end up working for a newspaper, or for an AmeriCorps project at a local library, doing something similar to my volunteer position this fall. I’m really not sure what opportunity to pursue. If none of these paths develop, I think I will end up feeling really lost.

    My ultimately goal is to end up teaching history classes, at least part time, online or at a brick-and-mortar. But, as this will be part-time, I think I will need some other career, or profession to fall back on. And, I just don’t know what that is. I’ve even considered finding another Master’s program and pursuing something more practical, or more applicable in today’s market.

    I’m really considering everything right now, but I just don’t know what direction to go in anymore. I’m wondering if there are some avenues I haven’t thought of exploring. That is why I’m calling on the bright minds of Degree Info, to possibly give me a boost. Are these feelings only natural for someone that has been out of college a short time (not so short time)? Any ideas? I would greatly appreciate any input or advice that folks would be willing to give!:confused:
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    What's about staying one place to teach for local high school, community college, or universities? I know high school teaching is not much, but at least the income keeps consistently. MattBrent (DegreeInfo) member; I believe he is also in your situation, but he was just awarded full-time tenure track at local community college. And he is very happy with that.
     
  3. Paidagogos

    Paidagogos Member

    Yeah, I've considered teaching, but I really don't want to teach Elementary-High School, I just find dealing with wily, disruptive, and disrespecting youth too taxing on my well being. I did that in Korea, and I didn't like it much. Apart from that, I don't have my state certification to teach. At any rate, thanks for the input though!
     
  4. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    You sound like you enjoy adventure and public service. Maybe you could be a diplomat, military officer, or some kind of cop.
     
  5. Filmmaker2Be

    Filmmaker2Be Active Member

    You're right on the money. I was thinking Foreign Service Officer.

     
  6. Filmmaker2Be

    Filmmaker2Be Active Member

  7. edwardlynch

    edwardlynch New Member

    I agree, because it seem's that you really dedicated to be a good U.S Foreign Service officer.
     
  8. Sauron

    Sauron New Member

    You may consider jobs with USAID or the State Department. GS13+ pay grades are actually decent and you already have the experience and a degree.
     
  9. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    Lots of options.

    Second post…lost the first due to timeout –grrr.

    You have a good education and have lots of options, you just need a plan. I act as an unofficial Career Coach for friends and students and here are my suggestions:

    Start with reading a few books. This is a good one: “The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success by Nicholas Lore.”
    Or the tried and true: “What Color is Your Parachute” by Bolles. Both can probably be found at your local library for free or online at amazon or B&N for $10 each.

    Then you could take some inventories either on line or find someone to administer them to you (for free/cheap) like an alumni office or career center. Strong Interest Inventory is a test that suggests careers based on results. Myers Briggs does the same thing but also addresses work/learning styles.
    https://www.cpp.com/products/strong/strong_info.aspx

    The Myers & Briggs Foundation

    Newspaper/Journalism is a tough industry at this time, going through a lot of contraction. I’m not sure it’s a viable career path but there are others (public information officer for companies, non-profits and government) that are related. Some of these are over-run by journalists looking for new jobs, though.

    How about working for a non-profit – like an education or health or serving immigrants? Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Partnerships or World Vision are all Seattle area non-profits that might need people with your skill sets. There are others in your area probably, but these are a good place to start.

    What about teaching English as a second language to Adults?

    Government agencies or NGOs might be a good fit too. There are books on how to find a government job at libraries….and there may also be websites but I don’t know any good ones off the bat.

    The best way to end up somewhere where you are happy is to plan. Even if you don’t end up where you planned, you have a better chance of being someplace that fits you – IMO- than if you don’t plan. Good luck!
     
  10. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    I meant "there are books at libraries about working for/finding a government job". Sorry if that was a confusing sentence!
     
  11. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    Find something people are willing to pay for that is in short supply and learn that. Then charge like hell for your services.
     
  12. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Wow...that's a lot of useful info!
     
  13. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    Thanks! My kids say I'm nosy and bossy, so I have to have something to channel my energy.

    All kidding aside, my "next" career will be as a career/executive coach, consultant, writer and college instructor.
     
  14. Paidagogos

    Paidagogos Member

    Thanks for all the helpful info/comments guys, especially MBAonline, that was a wealth of information. I will look into some of those materials you mentioned and hopefully it will help to guide my career.

    To those that mentioned the Foreign Service, I agree, I feel I would be a good candidate, but unfortunately, I took the test recently and just found out that I failed the FSO exam by about 10 points! :headache: So, basically, I need to bone up and do some studying before I take it again in 11 months.

    I know that working for AmeriCorps will look good on my next application, so I may go that route, but I know that I will make significantly less money than if I get this reporter position. I think I will just sit back and wait and see which one pulls through offering me a job. Honestly, I'm not sure which one I would take if they both end up offering me a position.

    Thanks again to everyone! It's nice to know there is such a helpful, knowledgable community so close. Cheers!
     
  15. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    Paidagogos, glad to help.

    I dug out my copy of The Pathfinder, and it has questionnaires for readers to complete and it generates a Myers Briggs profile, and then takes it a step or two further to define work styles and profiles, and then to specific jobs. For example, psychiatric nurse versus emergency room nurse versus research nurse. You could still check to see if your career center can administer the test for free, but the book would give you a good start.

    Just for laughs, my profile shows economist, consultant and professor - all of which suit different parts of my career - plus FBI analyst which would have been a cool profession.
     
  16. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I hit a crossroads in my life about 7 years ago. I had been working as a journalist for 20 years and was getting burned out, plus my wife became disabled and that job didn't generate the income I needed to take care of her. I had never done anything else in life, and switching careers at the age of 41 seemed a bit scary. I took an online test to point me in a new direction...I can't remember which one...and it recommended marketing or sales. I thought that was odd, since I had no desire to sell anything. I started taking marketing courses and I did get a job in sales. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it! I'm still working the same job, making more money than I ever have. Sometimes you have to move a bit outside of your comfort zone to discover something that works best for you.
     

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