21 and don't know what career I want :(

caeler

You may not find a career until you try a few things out. I appreciate your symptoms might make this more challenging for you but if you could, be a temp for a while, take any job the agency offers and that will give you an idea about your likes and dislikes and importantly your capability.

Careers often require qualifications and training so simply choosing something before you have any work experience probably won't make you successful. I've been working at my career for 15 years now (eek!) and I'm not all the way there yet.

bluesnake

A vet or vet's assistant?

Jules2012

I agree with the above post.

Do some GCSE's at the very least. Someone may be able to suggest away to do them free?!

The reason I say this is I left school without qualifications and at 21 I was working at ASDA, not that I m knocking it but it was hardly a career.

I managed to find away to study and pass my standard grades then Highers (Scottish equivalents) and it completely changed my perspective.

I was more confident applying for jobs and more focused in why I wanted to do.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Just a thought,but wouldn't some work on the anxiety be the most important thing here,unless I've missed something and you have already tackled this.
Your GP could refer you to an access to psychological therapies team.
Taking exams sounds a great start and this would help with the getting out and meeting people too.
You may want to help others in the same situation so perhaps training as a counsellor/CBT therapist etc.
Good luck.

lippy1923

Personally I think you need to test the water and try out different things. Since you have so many interests and no qualifications at present it's going to be quite hard to figure out a single career.

While it's great to want to have a profession and work hard towards a specific job, don't make any rushed decisions. Research different career ideas, see what qualifications are needed, how much time it will realistically take to get there, see what ladders you have to climb and where you will end up. It's not easy. It's important you find a job that you enjoy. There's nothing more soul destroying than being stuck in a job which you loath.

In order to find a job that you love, you need to experience different possibilities. I left college and started working in the banking industry. Not because I aspired to become a banker, but because I had no idea what I wanted to do. It was a random choice that gave me knowledge and experience which I'm grateful for. I enjoyed it for about a year and then the last 2-3 years of it were my idea of hell.

I now work in a completely different industry working in purchasing. I enjoy the job but I think it's more because I love the people I work with rather than the role itself. What do I want to do in the future? I'm like you... I have no idea But I'm happy earning a decent wage in the job I enjoy while I figure it out.

I would look into taking your GCSE's while temping and getting some experience for your CV. Once you have some experience/ qualifications, try putting your CV on job websites, like Reed, Monster and let people seek you out. Speak to agencies and let them know what you like and help you pick things that are better suited to you.

What ever you decide to do, good luck x

DKLS

Mrs_Boo_Boo wrote: »

Just a thought,but wouldn't some work on the anxiety be the most important thing here,unless I've missed something and you have already tackled this.
Your GP could refer you to an access to psychological therapies team.
Taking exams sounds a great start and this would help with the getting out and meeting people too.
You may want to help others in the same situation so perhaps training as a counsellor/CBT therapist etc.
Good luck.

Totally agree, the Op should focus on dealing with the anxiety rather than pinning down a career choice. There are a number of ways of accessing help. Ask your GP if there are any low intensity services in your area.


I wouldnt want to knock your dreams but would suggest having slightly more realistic expectations about the world of work, I only know a handful of people who truly properly love their jobs and its a joy to see them work and I consider them to be very fortunate as they have found work that doesnt feel like work for them.

The vast majority of people I know and myself included alternate between roles that vary from Good and interesting, crappy and mind numbingly dull to stressful and sometimes all in the same day. :rotfl:

Wicked_witch

Hi, 21 year old me

My advice is slightly different- get a basic job that you don't need to take home with you (physically or emotionally) and use your free time to write, create art and anything else you love until you find your niche.

Seriously, I could have written that post at 21, even down to the list of things you love and can or can't do. I wish someone had given me that advice as I'd be doing a lot better, mentally and financially, right now! Instead I wasted years looking for the perfect job or career, when my perfect career is actually just being me

ETA, you really do need exam results, but it doesn't need to be a long or expensive process by any means. Buy a couple of textbooks and take the exams as a private candidate. There are various syllabi that don't require course work as part of your mark. If you put the work in, you could have the paper qualifications you need by the Autumn.

Poppy9

The_Magnificent_Spoon wrote: »

I don't really see that as great advice - sure, you can always find 'a job', to 'get by', but if you want to actually do well at something then you need to consider taking on a profession. It is the only way you are likely to get closer to the more interesting, more rewarding jobs - unless you are just plain lucky.

When I take on new engineers, I want people with previous, proven job experience, and you're not going to get that without having worked at it, and gone through the steps.

Don't keep jumping from ladder to ladder. You wont get anywhere doing that. Climb it!

That's quite an out dated perspective now. Plenty of people change career mid life. Sometimes more than once.

I work in accountancy and work with a former nurse, archaeologist, chemist, scientist, teacher, musician and engineer. All changed jobs in twenties or thirties. Most took a pay cut to retrain in Accountancy because while they were progressing well at their other job, earning decent money etc. they hated it.

My OH gave up his business in his mid thirties to join the Police!

If you only take on Engineers with proven experience can I ask how people are expected to get experience if you won't give new graduates a go. Most degree courses offer limited work experience!

OP. You need to get some qualifications behind you in English and Maths plus think of doing ECDL which will demonstrate IT skills and current knowledge.

I'm confused though, you say you like outdoor but are agrophobic or was the agrophobia in the past? If it's existing then you need to get help to deal with it as it's obviously going to limit you going "out" to work.

What about your OH, has he had any jobs that he could tell you about that might give you an insight into various types of work?

vixarooni

I'd get the GCSE's you need and then focus on getting experience. I'm unemployed and struggling to find a job I would be interested in because my experience doesn't match what I want to do.

I'm starting a maths course on tuesday to get my C grade equivalent in 6 weeks worth of study. I'm sure there will be courses in your area too!

good luck!

Wicked_witch

Also, if you do want to take a degree in the future, consider an open degree at the OU. You can study a whole range of subjects at the different levels.