Need some advice on my job/career/goals........

[speed dawg]

I turned 30 this year and I'm really struggling figuring out what the h*ll I want to do with my career ie. ways to make money. I have a Civil Engineering degree and license. But sometimes I really think I chose that degree because "I'm good at math, seems to be a good field" - was my thoughts in high school. Moved out of my home area and made my own life in a different state. Liked my job OK I guess, but I was really just working to live, not living to work.

Well, 4-5 years go by after college, and I eventually pass the PE and get my engineering license. My goal was always to just work and learn things until that point. At this point, I start worrying about how much money I'm making, how much others are making, looking around me, wanting to make sure my career is still going up because, hey, that's what's supposed to happen, right? I'm very thrifty with my money, I came from nothing. So I want to make sure I can keep saving my money in order to retire some day.

Funny thing is, as soon as I got my license, new opportunities in my field start popping up. I elected to stay with my company and take a promotion to a new position in a new state, just to try it out. I wanted to see if I REALLY 100% wanted to be in the consultant side of engineering. Well, the bad part is, I'm starting to think that I don't want to be. I may not want to be in this field at all. There's alot of traveling, alot of stress and responsibility. I know most higher grade jobs are like this, but I think I would cope with it a little more if I really cared about what I was doing. But the fact is, I don't. I do it ONLY for career advancement and the possibility of more money. When I look at the leaders of my company, it's literally all guys who have made their work their absolute life - they work alot of weekends, late hours constantly, all because they are all about what they do.

I've found a few hard facts on my working journey:

1 - I HATE it when work in the primary focus of my life. Or at least, when I'm living to work and not working to live. I've been a more angry person, especially at home, since I moved down here.

2 - My current job is NOT my passion. But again, how many people actually get to fulfill their passions at work.

But anyway, I'm not sure what my options are. It may be best for me to quit whining and go to work. Well, OK, but I still don't give a f*ck about it. While I feel that taking the promotion was great for alot of reasons and I honed a lot of useful skills, I don't think it's what I want to do.

 

[Stud]

what is your passion?

 

[speed dawg]

H*ll if I know. That's the million dollar question. I like doing alot of things.....golf, watching college football, grilling. I think I'd like hiking. But I have no passions that I'm sure about. Maybe my home state?

 

[The LadyKiller]

I echo Stud - what is your passion? Once you know the answer to this AND you know how to turn that into a possible job, then you can get crackin.' But until then, stick with where you are now for the simple fact you are getting paid and that's your income. You don't want to quit your job and also have no idea what's next.

 

[Stud]

you are 30 years old, how don't you know what your passionate about? you talk about your passion like you've been doing nothing but reading Gary Vaynerchuk books, but you have no idea what it is.

My guess, you have gone through life so half assed and never put the effort into anything, never had to struggle to get what you wanted, that you have no idea what you're so passionate about. your life is halfway over. time to wake up.

 

[speed dawg]

My guess, you have gone through life so half assed and never put the effort into anything, never had to struggle to get what you wanted, that you have no idea what you're so passionate about. your life is halfway over. time to wake up.

I cannot argue with this, honestly, and this might be the most telling statement of all.

I had good parents, didn't have a lot but also never wanted for anything. School came easy for me too. Got a scholarship and basically walked into my degree. Didn't really even give that much thought. I did have a few summers of working on a bridge crew where I worked my ass off, but it was more for the money than anything.

So in simple terms, I guess I just need to go out and try new things and find my passions.

 

[Stud]

That's awesome that you have enough maturity to admit your mistakes. I'm serious. You will never improve as a human being if you cannot take a very serious and sobering look at your current behavior, but I don't think you get what I mean about working for what you want. Sure, being a laborer is a lot of physical work, but that is not what I am talking about.

Say, you want to be a great guitar player. You go to the store, pick up a spankin new Stratocaster, and start jamming away. Only one problem. You suck at guitar. What do you next? Pack it up, say you'll "practice really hard tomorrow", only to have it collect dust for the next couple years OR do you bite the bullet, admit you suck, go to lessons, talk to great players, and practice, practice, practice? This part will suck, but it is the epitome of developing a passion and life as a whole. If you want something bad enough, step up to the plate and get it, no matter the costs.

 

[FairShake]

1 - I HATE it when work in the primary focus of my life. Or at least, when I'm living to work and not working to live. I've been a more angry person, especially at home, since I moved down here.

2 - My current job is NOT my passion. But again, how many people actually get to fulfill their passions at work.

When your job is your passion usually it will become the focus of your life other than your family. And, sadly, for some it becomes the focus of their life at the expense of your kids, wife, etc. Most people aren't in the jobs of their passion because it takes away from a varied life.

I, at least somewhat, am the exception. I work as a psych nurse and could not love my job more. Everyday is a story, everyday I'm fascinated, everyday makes me laugh, and everyday makes me cry. It's really cool. The best thing about it is that after my 12 hour 3 day shift I leave everything at the job for 4 days. I make about 75K right now which is enough for a comfortable lifestyle considering I live pretty cheaply and only have one daughter to take care of.

So I think the best thing for you, a guy without any goals or passions yet, is to find the job that you can tolerate, makes a comfortable lifestyle, and can have a varied life outside of it. That's the best that most people in the country ask for. Nobody GIVES that advice because "pursue your passion" is sexier and easier to say, but I think it's pretty solid advice nonetheless.

 

[Deadly_Ripped]

Search this forum for the phrase "career advice" and you'll find some gold posts.

Lots of self-education is necessary to make a best-guess at the direction(s) that your life should take.

 

[Huffman]

I started a job that is very well-paying but not very much fun. At least I think so now, chances are I'll get used to it.

My plans now are to work for 5 years, save and invest, get moderately rich as fast as possible. Then travel the world, and afterwards work part-time if I can.

I dont understand! If I go to my boss and want "more money" he says OK, but if I want "less working hours" he's NO WAY. Everybody's happy to work 42 hours+overtime! Are they crazy? Then I have money, but no time to actually enjoy it.