Career ideas PLEASE!

[Woman soul]

I know I'm gonna get a lot of comments on how wrong I'm doing things but for the moment I need something while I figure out what I really need to do.

 

I am 22yeard old... With a part time job... that pays me the minimum wage... I am currently living at my fathers house and I am trying to teach myself to start looking out for myself to have my own place.... I don't consider myself to be smart and I don't have my highschool diploma... I still also don't have a career on mind... I don't know what I want to do? other than I know I want a good job to be able to hold my own self up.. That's why I think going to school and getting a fast diploma on something would be ideal at this moment something that pays good and something that I won't have to be in school for long.... Right now I feel like if I apply I won't get hired because I don't have my highschool diploma and because I haven't accoplished anything in college....

 

Once again I only need ideas on quick college diploma careers that can get me by while I figure out what I really want to do in life.... Can someone help me? I need to also move out from my parents house because I'm not feeling confrerble I need my own space already....

[mhowe]

First step --- get a GED.

 

You can't get into college without a high school diploma.

 

You can't move out without more than a minimum wage salary ---- unless you are working 60 hrs a week.

[Doc Blaze]

Do you even have your GED?

[DancingFool]

First, get your GED if you don't have it. You really can't get into anything without getting that done.

 

Second, be realistic with yourself. Instead of college, something you may not be cut out for, consider trade schools. A good trade skill pays way better than many of the random online "colleges" that are advertising. Don't try to do what you can't. Focus on what you can AND like.

 

Best way to start to figure it out for you, might be to head out to your local technical/trade school and talk to their career guidance. Then just go sit in on some of the classes. See if anything sticks out for you that is interesting. Do some more research on whether there are jobs and demand for that job - easy just look at your local job boards and see how many ads are posted for that position. How many employers are looking to hire. All that you can do for free. Just takes personal effort.

 

Figure out a direction. Make a plan. Follow through. Then you'll be able to actually get a good job and move out on your own.

[Woman soul]

I didn't get my highschool

Because I'm not good at math... I only need my cahsee to get my highschool diploma I have all my credits.... But I'm horrible in math I've tryed plenty of times to get in math courses but math doesn't stick on me...

[Woman soul]

I've read about childhood development does anyone know if that's a good one?

[Clinton]

I've read about childhood development does anyone know if that's a good one?

 

Where I live, it doesnt pay much.

 

Don't be in such a rush. Choose something based on whether you think you'd like it and whether it can be a viable career. Taking something just to get out of the house may backfire.

[Woman soul]

I don't have anything specific that I like and I need to do things now... I need something because living with my father is no longer working out... I'm tired of arguments and I need to do things quick I don't want things to escalate and I want to know that I did something like that I can hold myself up....

[Doc Blaze]

You do know when you go to ccllege , you will take your prereqs and most likely you will have to pass mutiple math classes

[Woman soul]

Not if you go for a diploma on something? Right? I only want something to get me by right now

[Doc Blaze]

anything you do you have to take another math...any in your future you will have to take more math classes ...

[agent1607307371]

First thing - get your GED. If you aren't good at maths, look on the internet for resources or see if there's someone you could afford to get tutored by. Alt. see if possibly you are discalcic - it's like maths dyslexia. Yes you will have to work hard at it, but you need it.

 

 

My sister was a nursery nurse for a few years. The hours are long, the pay is rubbish.

[Clinton]

Anything worthwhile will take at least a year to finish if not longer.

 

There are no shortcuts to success. Even with a diploma it may take some time to earn real money. I'd make peace with your father and get my diploma before I moved out.

[Woman soul]

But what if you don't know what to do... I go to school get my highschool but I still don't know what to do with my life... Plus not only that but I don't consider myself smart or a quick learner or have patience for school... I know I need to try but I really wanted something to sustaine me in the mean time

[Hell_On_Heels]

You want a quick solution to a lifelong need. Or put another way, you want to put little in, but get a lot out.

 

I doubt that will happen. Get used to the idea of blood, sweat, and paying your dues. There's nothing scary about it. You can do it.

 

Google the 9 kinds of intelligence. You've already said that logic/math isn't your strong suit. But there are all kinds of things you have a natural aptitude for - you just have to find what that is.

 

Instead of beating yourself down for what you think you can't do, start asking questions about what you can do, about what you like, and about how you can earn a living from it. This thread was a good start.

 

Again on math, if you're in the U.S., math isn't taught well here. It comes off like memorizing dozens of random facts. In fact, math is very logical, and it has order, patterns. It builds on itself, rather like building a tower with Legos. A good strong base will hold up a lot of weight/height. There's no shame in starting over to learn math. Apply yourself, and reward yourself.

 

Check out the different intelligences. Which ones fit you? Then go to your library and check out books on finding a career that fits you. From there, you should have some ideas, and you could meet with a college counselor or career planner to get more ideas.

 

Don't let the idea of school stop you. If you put 2-4 years in, and get a job you enjoy for 40+years, it isn't a bad investment.

[agent1607307371]

But what if you don't know what to do... I go to school get my highschool but I still don't know what to do with my life...QUOTE]

 

Then you at least have the GED which will give you a better chance of finding something you like.

 

I said earlier that my sister was a child minder for a few years, and eventually she hated it. She'd disliked school and got on a childminding course at college rather than take a levels. Once she decided she didn't want to be a childminder she got in at the hospital as an x-ray department helper. She realised she liked that environment, and went back to school to be a radiographer. It was a lot of hard work, but she put the effort in - and this was a girl who did not like science at school, and now she is a radiographer working for a private company and is making really, really good money.

[Snny]

Again on math, if you're in the U.S., math isn't taught well here. It comes off like memorizing dozens of random facts. In fact, math is very logical, and it has order, patterns. It builds on itself, rather like building a tower with Legos. A good strong base will hold up a lot of weight/height. There's no shame in starting over to learn math. Apply yourself, and reward yourself.

With Common Core, math isn't taught like that anymore. They are pushing people to "conceptualize" math problems, and it is extremely hard to do as young children (especially ones who classify for special education) because they do not have that cognitive development. And most these standardize curriculums/testing were not started by educators, but by businesssmen with zero teaching experience. I have worked with parents who are tirelessly frustrated and complain about the strategies they learned to solve problems and them teaching it to their own children while helping them with their homework is being shot down. I sat in a meeting with a father who was an architect and was going WT* about a strategy he uses ON THE JOB not being good enough to help his daughter with geometry. I have witnessed a math teacher go to a math specialist IN TEARS about how to teach certain math problems using the Common Core way as it is expected to students to use for standardize testing.. Or they fail the test even though the kids got the answer.

 

Anyways, I'm on my soapbox.

 

Now... As for getting a GED... This thread has glossed over the test and makes it sound easy to get. It's not anymore and it has changed since many kids are dropping out to "skip" that standardize testing that's going on. It is harder now and you will need to enroll in GED courses or find excellent, reputable tutor organizations to help you prepare. I have taught previous high school students who dropped, and have to retake the GED exam three times or more to pass.

 

I am not saying this to tear you down, OP. But from here on out it is going to be a long road. You will get there as long as you keep trying. Do not beat yourself up if you fail because it is hardly your fault. Just keep believing yourself and stand by your mission of bettering yourself to be strong and independent, and you will get there eventually. I worked wth a student who had to take it 7 times to pass it, and he is now getting his college degree in criminal justice.

 

A word on working with children: It takes truly dedicated people to work with children. You have to FEEL that calling to stay in the field. Public services, along with Education/childcare field, is the most under appreciated and underpaid careers, yet are the most important and can be very rewarding. The question is, will you appreciate the reward? Most educators or childcare professionals are either living with their parents, stuck with roommates, or are in subsidized housing unless they got a spouse who makes good money.

So to find your "calling," you have to get your name out by offering to volunteer while studying for whatever certifications they require. Get your GED knocked out first, apply for school, and volunteer BEFORE you start your internship- that way you see what the field is like before wasting tuition money on a degree you may never use.

[chickadeedee]

OK, there are lots of options though most of them would do best with getting your GED first.

 

The 'trades' that don't require college such as cosmetology (hair dressers) where you attend school from 6-9 months or truck drivers (though many schools for truck drivers require GED). You could also try to apprentice in a trade like plumbing or starting by being an assistant at a nursing home or day care center. Or in the restaurant industry as a cook/chef. Or in the landscape industry working for garden stores, greenhouses, or lawn services.

 

But i think your best bet is to get a GED, than that opens a whole wide range of better careers for you. There are many certificates these days that you can get in anywhere from 6 months to 2 years that focus on learning practical skills for the profession rather than things like esoteric math courses, but if you can just get thru your GED it opens a whole lot more. And I know that most programs offer tutors and tutoring to get your thru it if you have a particular stumbling block like math.

 

Here is an excellent government website that discusses every occupation under the sun, what it pays, what prerequisites you need to do it, whether the job is in a growing field or declining etc., so you can do a lot of research here:

 

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You can select the category 'less than high school' and it will bring up a list of fields that you can investigate:

 

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But i would encourage you to get your GED because it really opens up a whole wider range and it certainly pays better. Many non-GED jobs top at around $25K which is hard to live on these days if you want a home of your own or a family. Here's the list if you have a GED... much larger ad higher paying:

 

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Make sure to adjust the little field at the top that say 'Showing 25 entries' to show 100 entries to see them all, and when you get to the bottom of the list, click the little arrow on the top right to go to the following pages.

 

You can always start in one of the careers that need GEDs, then study in an online or evening program to get your GED and a better job in future. Most people now don't go to traditional 4 year college degrees when they're young, they start working continue their education via flexible programs that allow them to get an education while working.