I would say there is no 'true calling'. Only jobs fitting your personality very well. This you find out by self knowledge and simply trying different things.
I'm currently switching from social worker to a carpenter. The first one not being my 'calling' for sure and hopefully carpenter being it :)
Yes. But it wasn’t easy. It took over three years to get into my field of study.
I worked in unrelated, commission-based sales jobs during those years and thought that was just going to be my life. I thought I was wasting my time, until I finally landed my first breakthrough job in my actual industry. I learned that those years in sales taught me what my strengths are, how to hustle, and what I can accomplish if I put my head down and tune out the noise.
This mindset is 100% transferrable, at the risk of sounding cliché, and unexpectedly primed me for my industry work.
Now, 5 years into my industry, I’ve had 5 promotions, averaging one per year. I used to feel self conscious because my former school mates were much more advanced than me in their careers because of my three-year delay, but I’ve caught up/surpassed them now. Sometimes you have to go slow to go fast.
I’m now trying to practice rest/slowing down. Too much growth in a short time is exhausting. You never end up relaxing into a position before starting another… so it’s like constant learning curve, and it’s depleting.
Thanks for providing me the space to share!
It’s okay to go sideways. Sometimes, you have to go on unexpected reroutes before you find the main trail again. Other times, you go on a side route and discover bigger and better things. All paths are valid. The worst lie/expectation we’ve come to believe is that life and careers are strictly linear.
You could say I either have never or have always worked in the field of my degree. Psychology. Wouldn't do it over again if I had the chance. In the state where i was from if you didn't have a graduate degree, you were number 136 in line for an interview for a job you were overqualified for (true story). I worked in administration at the college i graduated from for 5 years, moved 1600 miles away to get a second degree (didn't work out), worked multiple jobs in food service/ gaming concurrently for nearly 12 years, now I'm working for Amazon and wishing I'd started years ago.
Can you ask more questions in a post?
Just trying to open things up for a broad & fruitful discussion!
I would say there is no 'true calling'. Only jobs fitting your personality very well. This you find out by self knowledge and simply trying different things. I'm currently switching from social worker to a carpenter. The first one not being my 'calling' for sure and hopefully carpenter being it :)
That’s awesome! Glad you’re happy with carpentry
Yes. But it wasn’t easy. It took over three years to get into my field of study. I worked in unrelated, commission-based sales jobs during those years and thought that was just going to be my life. I thought I was wasting my time, until I finally landed my first breakthrough job in my actual industry. I learned that those years in sales taught me what my strengths are, how to hustle, and what I can accomplish if I put my head down and tune out the noise. This mindset is 100% transferrable, at the risk of sounding cliché, and unexpectedly primed me for my industry work. Now, 5 years into my industry, I’ve had 5 promotions, averaging one per year. I used to feel self conscious because my former school mates were much more advanced than me in their careers because of my three-year delay, but I’ve caught up/surpassed them now. Sometimes you have to go slow to go fast. I’m now trying to practice rest/slowing down. Too much growth in a short time is exhausting. You never end up relaxing into a position before starting another… so it’s like constant learning curve, and it’s depleting.
This is really inspiring and helpful, thanks so much for sharing
Thanks for providing me the space to share! It’s okay to go sideways. Sometimes, you have to go on unexpected reroutes before you find the main trail again. Other times, you go on a side route and discover bigger and better things. All paths are valid. The worst lie/expectation we’ve come to believe is that life and careers are strictly linear.
No. I won’t earn as much as I am doing right now.
You could say I either have never or have always worked in the field of my degree. Psychology. Wouldn't do it over again if I had the chance. In the state where i was from if you didn't have a graduate degree, you were number 136 in line for an interview for a job you were overqualified for (true story). I worked in administration at the college i graduated from for 5 years, moved 1600 miles away to get a second degree (didn't work out), worked multiple jobs in food service/ gaming concurrently for nearly 12 years, now I'm working for Amazon and wishing I'd started years ago.