Keep that up and eventually you’ll know what it is you want. You can’t make big decisions without a lot of information.

You would’t pick your life partner after one date, would you? Most people date a lot (or even marry several times) before truly settling in; careers are like that, too.

I really love my job, but I’m almost 50 and it’s my third “career.” And, I’m back in school to get a degree for yet another field.

Good luck!!

First and foremost, know yourself. Make use of the SCANS list from the US Dept of Labor (you can use this link to get a copy of the lists http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/c…

There are a number of ways to use these lists. Start with a self-inventory. Then use it to inventory a job description for any job you might be interested in. The closer the match, the higher the probability of success and enjoyment in that job. You can also use the lists to inventory what you learned from any classes you take….and to see if the classes are giving you the knowledge and skills needed for the job you want.

Research various jobs: use something like www.salary.com to learn about the “career path” for any job you are interested in…and find out salaries around the country, benefits, etc.

Are you working and going to school at the same time? If so, it would ideal to try to work in a job or company related to a prospective major. No sense doing all the study, get the degree, find a job…then find out you don’t like that field.

No job yet….then think about volunteering in an activity related to your prospective major. Go to local professional meetings and talk with working professionals and get an idea from them about their experiences, education, perspectives on their job satisfaction and the future of the profession.

Try this: Pretend you won the world’s biggest lottery and would never ever have to work or worry about money forever. If that were true, ask yourself what you would do to keep from becoming bored each day. (write the list on a sheet of paper…but make 3 columns, and make your list in the left column. Then fold up the paper and put it away for a few days.

A few days later, take out the list and look at each item carefully. For each thing you like to do, try to figure out A) what is so intellectually/mentally exciting about it for you? (and put those things in the center column)….and then B) what physical activity is associated with the things you like to do (and list those things in the right column).

When you are done, you have an inventory of the things you like to do, and why you like to do them (knowledge and skills). No the grand prize is to figure out what job exists in the world that deals with your areas of interest that requires the knowledge and skills you either have or are interested in….so in essence, you want to find a job that pays you do to do what you would normally want to do anyway.

A few weeks ago, I was hiking in Yellowstone National Park with a good friend and her children. She said “now I know why you like to teach geography so much!” My reply…”and the best part of it all….they thought I was working and they paid me to do it!!! (hahahahaha)”

Life is often too short. No sense spending it in misery. Remember, no one ever got out of life alive.

Good luck with your schooling and life. Best wishes.