Free Career and Job Search Advice

NCPilot · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject: *sigh* I hate people

Right now, I am a grad student studying to become an Occupational Therapist. I have a bachelor in Arts degree and honestly, I hate the idea of becoming an OT. I am a very introverted person and honestly, the less people I deal with during the day, the better I am off. Here are the careers I tried to get in the past.

Teacher ~ Didn't work out because I have a speech problem
Archivist (which I would've LOVED) ~ Didn't get into the school that offers the Master in Library Science
Occupational Therapist ~ Which I am doing now, but hate because It's a people person job, but I'm not a people person.

I don't mind doing research, I don't mind looking up information and writing reports. Hell, I love doing research, I get to learn something new, and I love writing about what I've learned. I'm just one of those "behind the scene" kind of person.

So far I majored in History as my undergrad, I've taken all the education courses at my undergrad, I just didn't student teach. I've taken Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Medical Terminology, and Kinesiology.

The main problem I have with OT, beside me not being a people's person is that I don't like to deal with theories, I'm more interested in cold, hard facts, thats why I love learning about how the human body work. I mean we've pretty much figured out everything about the body.

I pretty much have a choice here, I can either become an OT, and be at a job that pays well, has good health coverage, but doesn't really interest me and I won't like. Or I can find a job that I'll like, which will be hard to do since the economy sucks right about now.

My interest lies in aviation, history, writing, and research.

Help please?

Pauloz · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:04 am Post subject:

NCPilot

You're not alone. You're either a people person or you're not, and believe me, it took 20 years for me to get used to it. But it's a tough process, and you can't very well spend decades trying to develop social instincts you don't like.

If you're not motivated, forget it. You might actually achieve a lot more doing things your way.

Your best shots are academic research and development in your preferred fields. You can write to your heart's content, and you get to work with your own ideas. You're also your own boss, do your own work, and achieve things on your own terms.

Some people really need to work that way. I used to really chafe in an organization, with a lot of inefficient, apathetic crap underfoot as well as the major irritant factors. Now I work freelance, and the relief is immense.

History/archives- You might have an ace in your hand there. That's a field where people in the discipline really appreciate someone's understanding of the role. You could get a lot done in that field. Most people generally don't get it, and it's so important.

Unasked for advice: Speech problem, if it's neurological, try singing. Better than regular therapy, because there's more control involved.

Good luck,

NCPilot · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:55 am Post subject:

I may actually like academic research and development, how do I get started in it?

Pauloz · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:39 am Post subject:

Excuse a slightly "industry" response, but you can check it out directly with local colleges, and get a vibe from the individual colleges, too, about what works and what doesn't.

You can ask local faculties and get a few basic pointers. The websites are usually at least partly useful, so you can exclude non-starters.

Really, the decision process is complex, and you can find a few more points that may not be obvious as you research the possibilities.

The real upside is you might, with some hunting, find a really good job, because your fields are something special, with a lot of added dimensions.

Your professional instincts should lead you the right way.

petereff · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:47 am Post subject:

Hi NCPilot

You said: "My interest lies in aviation, history, writing, and research."

I also get the message very clearly that you don't like to work directly with people, yet you put together a very impassioned plea for help in your post.

Did you realize that you have a skill with words and the ability to talk directly to an audience, albeit at a distance, that you could use to build a business on the internet. Your ability to communicate plus the interests you have could easily add up to a future you would enjoy. Can I suggest you read some other peoples stories that might inspire you to do something you would really enjoy.

NCPilot · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

petereff · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:25 am Post subject:

Hi NCPilot

After 30 years of coaching, counseling and supporting thousands of people through career change - mainly in one-on-one situations - I finally had enough of talking to people. I decided to go online with my knowledge and continue to share what I know without the hassle of dealing directly with individual people.

You could do the same with your knowledge - see what I have achieved with my website, built entirely from scratch and with no technical knowledge. You can see it here: www.your-career-change.com

NCPilot · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:53 am Post subject:

mydarling · New User Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Posts: 5 Career Advice: +0/-0

Paralegals help lawyers find information. Or just get into the library research thing. You can do it.

jules8174 · Newbie Joined: 23 Nov 2008 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

NC pilot,

I am an OT...Graduated in May and HATE IT. I would advise you to get out of it if you can based on the fact that you are not a people person. Im not either, and as you know the job is VERY people oriented. True, I am making decent money, but I am miserable and $40K in debt because of OT school. Like you, I like facts better than theory. It doesnt sound like OT would be a good fit for you. Honestly I feel that the profession is based on BS. Get into a career that you can tolerate, TRUST ME. Its not too fun wiping 80 year olds' asses all day. The job is literally VERY SHITTY.

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