Lifelesson Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I feel completely lost in my life. I was valedictorian of my class in high school, went to college and graduated magna cum laude with an engineering degree, and enjoyed my classes all along. I did some extra curriculars, but didn't work during college. I worked during the summers and took out loans during the year. When I took my first job out of college, it was about a half hour from my hometown. I thought I needed to go see the country and 'make something of myself' so I quit that job and moved halfway accross the country for another job. I've been there 4 months and hate it with a passion. It's not difficult by any means, but I'm utterly useless there because of a combination of my personal life/loneliness, etc. So I got offered a position to work as a grad research assistant and get my masters in a similar field to my undergrad degree. The master's would be in the coursework I enjoyed most in college, but I'm terrified I'll start down that track and be unhappy too. Only there I'll be making less money and be committed to something I shouldn't give up. When I think of the things I really enjoy: being outside, working with my hands, having variety to my day, I don't know if I can fit those things into my current career track. The problem is, those things are in generally unstable fields, as well. Something like a general contractor is very boom/bust, and I don't feel like I have the discipline to run my own business and get my own clients. I feel so apathetic to the world. I feel horrible. Compounding this is the fact that I'm eternally single and that gets me down. I feel like I can't even function like a normal person. I've never felt this way before in my life. I've always felt that I was successful, well liked by those around me, and that those things should translate into a normal, healthy life for me. Maybe by some accounts my life is normal, but I certainly don't feel like it. I'm on anti-depressents, but I don't know if they're working. I think some of this is normal growing angst, but I can't cope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivory_Tower Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I think you have the post graduation blues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifelesson Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 I think I kind of went through those already. I graduated in '09 and have been working full time since. So far I think I'm trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonewing Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 You have to learn how to do the things you love in the time your company gives you away from work. I like working with my hands too - and I do it, in my free time off work. And it feels GREAT! Last weekend I spent my time on three INVOLVED furniture projects, and this next weekend I have three more on the front burners RIGHT NOW. They have nothing to do with my career, but it feels great doing them. So if you have the money, buy a home and get your "Hands-On" jollies out working on your home. then when you go to work, you have something to work towards once you're done, and you may find more energy towards your job. I don't have any solutions to the solitude, though. That's up to you. I have a club I belong to, which is a hobby club, and we're a very narrow focus - and I love it. You may find something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifelesson Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 Well, that's part of my problem. If I would have stayed at my old job, I could have saved up the money to buy a house. Houses were cheap there and I was making pretty good money. Now my situation is the complete opposite. I realize now that I could have done exactly what you describe, but my path has veered away from that option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catfeeder Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Well, that's part of my problem. If I would have stayed at my old job, I could have saved up the money to buy a house. Houses were cheap there and I was making pretty good money. Now my situation is the complete opposite. I realize now that I could have done exactly what you describe, but my path has veered away from that option. Why not apply for your old job and see what happens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAYAAN Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Dont be too hard on yourself. If you fail at something, so what, now you know what to not do. If you don't like this job, do something else. If I were you, I would take up the research assistant position and see how I feel about it. You can always leave it. Don't worry about being single. If love happens, you will know, until then focus on yourself and building a career for yourself that you will be happy with. I highly recommend taking strengths finder test and briggs Meyer personality test if you are looking to find a career fit for your personality. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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