I'm 34 and still don't know what to do with my life. GAAAA!

[snowqueen]

Guys, (and gals and the undecided), any thoughts?

You're in Australia - how about doing something directly related to climate change and environmental issues? I understand you've just had the mildest winter ever and that Oz is a kind of indicator for the rest of the globe? I guess it could have something to do with architecture or engineering etc.

At least it would a good focus for the old INTP brain power?

 

[Zorf]

SQ, finger on the pulse! The whole carbon trading and ESD development with government policy etc etc its quite big.

I'm trying to leave the construction industry altogether. I've been so jaded and worn down the last decade there's been no brooding time (and oh i love my brooding time). the shortest projects still take a few months and that is far too much longer than my normal attention span.

Just curious, what does everyone do for crust?

 

[King_Be_Us]

A little late in joining this thread but here goes.

I'm 30, trained as an architect, but originally went to business school. I quickly decided that I was too lazy to read all day and double entry book keeping really wasn't my thing. I didn't finish first year.

So i fought hard to go into architecture school. By second year I wanted to murder my lecturers and hang myself. I persevered to graduation (for fear of never finishing uni if i persisted in changing courses), and now have worked for a few years.

For those that don't know, architecture is not financially rewarding. We study as hard as doctors, work as hard as doctors, and survive on or near minimum wage. The RSI and poverty isn't such a problem, the shear mind numbing work (lets face it, i'm a secretary that draws in place of typing letters), and knowing the ability to BS over real competence is the only indicator for success.

I know someone else has posted something similiar (also architect also hating it) that's how i found this forum. but i can't for the life of me remember where it is... i distinctly remember it got moved several times.

I've gone so far as to sit for a graduate med entry exam in the hopes of doing something completely different. I passed that but missed the enrolment date cos of work. That and the thought of going through uni for 5 years again, with no savings and no income, is very scary.

Guys, (and gals and the undecided), any thoughts?

Consider the trade off: going into medical school involves dealing with prideful douchebags who want to make a name for themselves, but you get fucktons of money. Staying with architecture guarantees your "enjoyment," but not financial security. I recommend doing either, but finding a way to cope with the stress. If you NEED the money, consider selling stuff on eBay, trading stock, becoming an instructor for Pilates or some shit. All just ideas. I wish you more than a thousand years of goodluck

 

[walfin]

The OP is 39 now, and I guess Zorf is probably at the point where the OP was

Wonder if these people are still around?

 

[OrLevitate]

I used to search for the most fun career I could have, now I'm doing manual labor and I just don't want to do manual labor. I've concluded that I'm going to get apathetic about whatever interest I have, so I'm structuring my optimal career on what would have inherent value beyond myself because I'm never going to want to get out of bed just so I can enjoy my wonderful day. That's just not going to happen. So I substituted my search for 'fun' with what is 'best' for humanity. You'll never want to get out of bed to go to your lovely job. Come, join the INFP side.