CAREER FRUSTRATION

I don’t know about you, but deciding what type of career to have can be very mind boggling especially for those who graduate from high school, enter college, and wonder what they are going to do with their lives; or college graduates coming out and really wondering if the degree they now have in their hot little hand was actually the correct choice. You would think by the time you reach the golden age of 50 all those decisions would be long behind you. That doesn’t seem to be the case for this soon to be 51 year old. They say the average person will change jobs 7-10 times in a lifetime. Seems like I’ve done that many in just the last five years.

Haven’t had much luck with employment lately. Constantly seem to be making wrong choices. Have had a lot of interests over the years. Have tried a lot of different things and usually know within the first two weeks if it’s going to be a good fit. Probably accepted the mail order pharmacy position last November out of pure desperation as no other offers were coming my way. Always avoided call center environments like the plague, so I really shouldn’t have been surprised at what transpired. Applied to numerous jobs of interest but since money was a factor, always chose or returned to the administrative (meaning clerical) route. Knew I was good at it, but just wasn’t my passion. Read an article a few weeks ago about middle aged people seeking employment or having career changes. One of those factors to consider--What is your passion? So, Debbie, what is your passion?

Went to the Arco station the other day to get gas. Pumped the gas, put the cap back on the tank and observed an elderly woman coming out of the store who looked very confused. Got in my car and watched her for a minute as she struggled with the hose. Started my car and noticed the woman was still struggling, so turned off the ignition, got out and went over to help. Got the hose to work properly. The woman thanked me. It felt great. Yes, in that moment I realized what I always knew deep down--my passion is helping people.

When Carl died and everything was blown out of the water, Jonathan and I moved in with my parents. During the next couple of years I helped cook and clean and in my mind was “taking care of” my parents even though my parents were quite capable of taking care of themselves. In my job confusion, thought I wanted to take care of something, but in actuality it was somebody. Have been a nonmedical caregiver for an elderly lady and helped my aunt numerous times. After many anxious prayers, a 100-watt light bulb came on the other day. My passion--taking care of ELDERLY people. So I went over to the retirement facility where my parents reside and applied for an activity assistant position and anything in food service. Of course, the salary won’t be as good, but that is secondary.

Watched a story on Oprah this week proving the fact that it is never too late to fulfill your dreams. Karen wanted to be a doctor and was deemed to be the first one to enter college, but she got pregnant while in high school. Had no support from her husband to pursue college and by the time she was 29, she had five kids. Eventually she graduated from nursing school but still wanted to be a doctor. Secretly applied to medical schools as Karen thought people would think her crazy. Crazy? Don‘t think so--she is the first grandmother to graduate from Yale School of Medicine. Karen also has school loans to pay off. A national skincare company was so impressed with Karen’s story they have agreed to pay the $160,000 school debt.

Although still would like to be a cop, that ship has sailed even though I consider myself in better physical shape than at 25. Also, don’t think being a veterinarian is the way to go. So, I’ll consider getting trained as a certified nursing assistant and possibly even pursue a nursing career. In the meantime, I’ll still work at the fire retardant business until something develops. It is quite a relief to have “figured out” what career to pursue. Now my only downfall is thinking too much and making excuses why it won’t work. And if a great job in an administrative field with tremendous salary and minimal commute drops in my lap, will have no qualms about accepting the offer.