Carreer Advice needed

[SpokaneCY]

I am trying to figure out what kind of job I exactly want when I get out of college. I also dont know what to major in. The problem is I got to get out of college. I am a senior at UNI and have over 100 credits. I just dont have them in the right program. I have around 3 semesters left and took the semester off to figure out what to do so I didnt waste any more time or money.

Most of the classes I have taken are towards the business college. But they are not the upper level courses. I have thought alot about being a banker and trying to move up or just getting my degree and seeing what I can do. I also am interested in getting certified in IRA's or something like that.. But that is all interest.

I kind of figured that after 4 years of college I would have figured out what to do. I also thought something or someone would come to me and help me figure out what to do. I am really good with money and numbers just not with algebra ( which ive had alot of problems with school with) but banking is just an idea right now.

I just dont know what to major in or what type of job to work at. I currently work at Target Distribution center. I work 3 12 hour days and have 4 days off a week when my finance is at work so I have nothing to do. I certaintly dont want to be doing this the rest of my life though.

I also am intersted in coaching but not for a job. I have 1 or 2 classes left to be certified to coach in Iowa.

Any help would be great. I didnt know exactly what to write so I may have left out some things. I will try to answer any questions people ask

If you got any career or major choice ideas let me know. Im pretty open at the moment. And I got an appointment with my academic advisor on tuesday

Thanks for any help

As a 44 year old CPA who hates the finance and accounting industry whether its in-house or out-house accounting, follow your heart just a little. There are so many careers out there that sometimes you just fall into. A general college degree gets you in the door but its all up to you what happens when you get in. A mistake I think some make is wanting to "call" themselves something. Don't limit yourself to your coursework. Explore the FBI - they love the numbers guys. What makes your heart pound? What gets you excited? Explore that bunny trail. Being a grown-up taxpayer and upright citizen is important, but these will likely be the last months where you can be crazy. Study abroad (overseas you mooyaks), do a peacecorp stint, ski-bum for a winter... Had a buddy graduate in aero-e at ISU and he found his passion doing backcountry guide trips in the mountains somewhere.

[CloneIce]

I can't believe all these people are telling you to hurry up and get out of school. My advice is try to squeeze one more tailgating season and last semester of heavy weeknight partying out of school!

Once you graduate you have to get a job, which means living your life on a schedule. No more taking a personal day and getting a keg on Monday. It is ok and all and the weekends are great, but take your time and enjoy the years of college where every day is an adventure and you never quite know for certain what is going to happen and where you are going to end up spending the night.

[SeattleClone]

I can't believe it, over two pages of posts and no one has given you the *truly* good piece of career advice. Just ask yourself what you would do if you had a million dollars. Like these guys:

Peter Gibbons: Our high school guidance counselor used to ask us what you'd do if you had a million dollars and you didn't have to work. And invariably what you'd say was supposed to be your career. So, if you wanted to fix old cars then you're supposed to be an auto mechanic.
Samir: So what did you say?
Peter Gibbons: I never had an answer. I guess that's why I'm working at Initech.
Michael Bolton: No, you're working at Initech because that question is ******** to begin with. If everyone listened to her, there'd be no janitors, because no one would clean **** up if they had a million dollars.
Samir: You know what I would do if I had a million dollars? I would invest half of it in low risk mutual funds and then take the other half over to my friend Asadulah who works in securities...
Michael Bolton: Samir, you're missing the point. The point of the exercise is that you're supposed to figure out what you would want to do if...
[printer starts beeping]
Michael Bolton: "PC Load Letter"? What the **** does that mean?

[4VR4CY]

Does UNI have a Academic Success Center like ISU does? If so, go there and take an interest inventory/what should I major in test. I send a lot of my students there if they don't know what to do. Also, if you had a good advisor they should be able to help you. If you don't have a good advisor, switch to a new one who you like better or is more helpful!

[kilgore_trout]

Sounds like you have a lot of academic credits but haven't been admitted to the business college. My advice, don't bother. Transfer to Hawkeye and pick up a degree in something you are likely to enjoy, or at least tolerate, that will pay the bills. Life in college is not reality. You need a job eventually, we all do. Your problems with math, and your demonstrated writing skills, make a big upside in business questionable. Go get an MLT degree or something.

Ignore this advice if you have cash and an idea. Or you are pretty and can sell stuff.

[ericlambi]

I don't have any great advice for you except that even if you supposedly knew what you wanted to do, it doesn't mean much. Most people make at least one major career switch at some point. In 2001 I got a degree in mechanical engineering. Right now I analyze investments in emerging market bonds and currencies. If on graduation day you had told me I would be analyzing turkish inflation-linked bonds for a living in less than 6 years I wouldn't have believed you nor had any clue what you were talking about.

[kilgore_trout]

eric, i'm curious about how your career made that pivot. plus, what's the best trade on turkish bonds these days?

[SmokinH2O]

I've been out of school for 14 years and worked for 4 different companies. Through the 1st five years of my career I worked for 3 of them. Each time I moved I got into a job I wanted/like more for more money. Don't think you have to get out of school, get a job and never be able to do anything again. It's your life, live it as you want. I do recommend a business degree. So many avenues you can take with that.


One recommendation I'd have is picking the top 3 types of jobs you'd like to have and calling up like businesses and asking to do a job shadow. Sounds kind of sophomorish but you'll learn a lot if you know what you're looking for. You'll see how the folks treat you, if their busy, the social interaction, the work environment, the type of work, the "product" the make/offer/sell. Once you have 3 you can kind of start comparing likes and dislikes. Then as you get into your final semester you can look for a job in


Finally, find something you really like to do. It makes going to work easy and living life a lot more fun.

[cloneluke80]

One fantasy that alot of college kids have is that they will get an awesome perfect job out of college.

That is so far from the truth. Cubicle jobs can be good, but decide where you want to live and that will dictate somewhat of what you do.

If you are in business and in the des moines area, you will most likely be financial in nature an be a low level cube dweller.

Its all about what you do once you get in the door.

If it wasnt for my love of Iowa, I might have done something in military/intelligence... But because of my love for Iowa, I am stuck in insurance...

Also try to have some technical skill that will be difficult to out source, not just a mid level manager that is susceptible to being clipped.

Have a real skill that not many people have and you will always have opportunities.

Here are some examples of people I know and what their majors converted to after college:

english = teacher
interior design = furniture sales
general studies = waitress
athletic training = secretary

so you see, majors with no jobs can basically mean you have got no further than if you had not gone to college....

[Cyclonepride]

The real question is, if you could have any job in the world, something that would make you jump out of bed in the morning, what would you do? I think too many people make the mistake of choosing a career path based on income potential, instead of something that they are passionate about. Here's the questions that I would ask myself to figure this out:

#1- What job or field would be fascinating to me?

#2- Could an entry level position for a degree holder in this field pay the bills?

#3- Would eventual success in this field lead to the kind of financial comfort that I am looking for?

#4- How much more schooling would I have to have to get there?

I would rank those questions in order of importance to your decision just as I have done here.

[Phaedrus]

I can't believe all these people are telling you to hurry up and get out of school. My advice is try to squeeze one more tailgating season and last semester of heavy weeknight partying out of school!

Once you graduate you have to get a job, which means living your life on a schedule. No more taking a personal day and getting a keg on Monday. It is ok and all and the weekends are great, but take your time and enjoy the years of college where every day is an adventure and you never quite know for certain what is going to happen and where you are going to end up spending the night.

Dude, I turn 45 in a little over a month, and I have lived a life of adventure; much more so than when I was at Iowa State. If you have the mind set that college will be your "glory days", they probably will.

One fantasy that alot of college kids have is that they will get an awesome perfect job out of college.

That is so far from the truth. Cubicle jobs can be good, but decide where you want to live and that will dictate somewhat of what you do.

If you are in business and in the des moines area, you will most likely be financial in nature an be a low level cube dweller.

Its all about what you do once you get in the door.

If it wasnt for my love of Iowa, I might have done something in military/intelligence... But because of my love for Iowa, I am stuck in insurance...

Also try to have some technical skill that will be difficult to out source, not just a mid level manager that is susceptible to being clipped.

Have a real skill that not many people have and you will always have opportunities.

Here are some examples of people I know and what their majors converted to after college:

english = teacher
interior design = furniture sales
general studies = waitress
athletic training = secretary

so you see, majors with no jobs can basically mean you have got no further than if you had not gone to college....

A lot of folks will think this is whacked, but now is one of the best times in history to join the military. And none of that National Guard/Reserve stuff either. At least not at first. Join, do a tour in some exotic place, and then decide what you want to do with your life. Plus, they will pay for your school +++ all the way to PhD if you play your cards right.

I just got a second interview with a company, doing an incredibly exciting and well-paying job that I wouldn't qualify for, unless I was prior military. Heck, the last couple years I've worked an awesome job overseas doing creative writing based on my military experience.

[cyclonenum1]

I graduated from ISU about 20 years ago...here are my thoughts:

+ Find what you have a passion and love for and figure out a way to make that part of your career. I cannot tell you how many people I run into that are miserable with their careers.

+ If you want to work for someone else, target companies that have a culture you can be comfortable in. I worked for a company at one time that was not very family oriented (the wife was never invited on company trips and most of the execs spent their time with prostitutes during these excursions)...I hated it...I then moved to a company that was family oriented (the family was always invited on the company trips...usually to places like Disney World)...it was a much better situation for me.

+ Be ready, willing, and able to move anywhere the opportunity is. If you limit yourself to Iowa or a particular city in Iowa you will be greatly limiting your possibilities.

+ Get your degree and don't worry about your major (unless you want to be a doctor, dentist, or engineer)...most companies just look for a degree as evidence that you can commit yourself to something and that you are able to learn. They will teach you what they need you to know for their position in most cases.

+ I would strongly suggest pursuing an avenue that lets you work for yourself rather than for somebody else. I worked for someone else for 15 years and now have been working for myself for 5 years. Each route has its pros and cons but if you work for someone else you always need to remember that you are subject to their whims and that they are likely trying to get you to do as much as you can for as little pay as you are willing to accept. I wish I would have struck out on my own earlier...but like most people I was too afraid. Fear not!

+ Continually network and make contact with all sorts of people. Always keep your eyes and ears open so you can be alert to any opportunities that may present themselves.

+ Life is an adventure...your life and your career will likely take numerous paths over time. Gone are the days of someone going to work for a company and spending 40-45 years at that same company. Even if you wanted to do that, the likelihood that the company would be around or would want you around for that entire time is remote.

+ Your post struck me that you seem a little paralyzed by indecision...sometimes you just have to do something...even if you are not 100% certain about what it is you should do...as Nike says...JUST DO IT!

[singlemaltcy]

All of you have been fooled or this guy needs to take fifth grade english......again. If true, this is sad. If not, this is funny.

[Phaedrus]

All of you have been fooled or this guy needs to take fifth grade english......again. If true, this is sad. If not, this is funny.

Today's 20-somethings are generally illiterate. Not a slam, just a statement of fact.

Language skills are just not taught in schools, and have not been taught for quite a while.

[brianhos]

Get a degree in some sort of technology, MIS, engineering etc. Pretty easy to get jobs in technology still.