LF: Career advice

[Weeeooojr]

...Because the general discussion section of a deals forum is totally the best place to ask.

I'm a first year in university studying business to get my BBA. Thing is, I'm not sure if this is really what I want to do. I only went into this program because I couldn't think of any other career I wanted and I figured a BBA would help keep my options open (I am/was thinking of getting a CPA designation, but I'm not to sure if that's what I want to do).

Not really sure what I'm really asking here, but any advice would be appreciated.

Other points:
-I'm not really enjoying school and I have very little motivation; minimal work is done, and it's done last minute (and only if mandatory)
-My marks aren't bad
-I doubt that changing my program will be easy due to what courses I took in HS and also because I'd have to run that by my parents

I guess advice on how to focus/get motivated would be best. Maybe some career ideas that I could do on a BBA?

Thanks.

[Shwa Girl]

Been there.
Suggestion, only: starting this semester, take half courses. Take the ones you are doing well in or are interested in. Get a part time job.

Summer, take an online course and work throughout the summer.

This way, you are still in school but are getting work experience and time to think about what you want to do.

Go to the guidance department, find the best counsellor (some are not good) and get some advice.

Interview profs, professionals, family friends who have careers you may be remotely interested in, to get the postives and negatives.

You have time. Use the time to your advantage. But make some money while you are studying part time.

Good luck.

Just a suggestion....

[Lynn49]

What do you REALLY enjoy doing in your spare time (and I'm not talking hanging with friends here)...if you could have any job in the world, what would it be? You have a lot of questions to ask yourself..no one can help you make the kind of decisions that you need to make. Have you talked with your parents about how you're feeling about the program you're in now and changes you may want to make? You're skirting around in the same fields, and I get the feeling none of those appeal to you right now...where are your interests?

I remember our DD being your age, even younger, and she swore up and down that no one would put her into an office where she has to work 9-5 every day. Well, turns out, she is in her own office works longer hours than 9-5, but is essentially her own boss and enjoys her job most of the time...(certain times of the year are brutally busy) So keep an open mind and (although I hate this expression!) think outside of the box you're looking at...there's a whole world out there that's yours for the taking...find your bliss and go after it!

[Weeeooojr]

Been there.
Suggestion, only: starting this semester, take half courses. Take the ones you are doing well in or are interested in. Get a part time job.

Summer, take an online course and work throughout the summer.

This way, you are still in school but are getting work experience and time to think about what you want to do.

Go to the guidance department, find the best counsellor (some are not good) and get some advice.

Interview profs, professionals, family friends who have careers you may be remotely interested in, to get the postives and negatives.

You have time. Use the time to your advantage. But make some money while you are studying part time.

Good luck.

Just a suggestion....

I haven't gotten a job before, but I am planning on part-timing this summer if I can find somewhere to work :S
I actually have a mandatory advising appointment on Monday
I'm fairly sure that the courses in my program are not available online at all though, which I guess is fine; I think I could really use a break from school over the summer.
Overall, what I'm seeing from other people, is that the job market out there isn't that great. Seems like any occupation that might remotely interest me is hard to find a job in these days.
Thank you for the advice!

[Weeeooojr]

What do you REALLY enjoy doing in your spare time (and I'm not talking hanging with friends here)...if you could have any job in the world, what would it be? You have a lot of questions to ask yourself..no one can help you make the kind of decisions that you need to make. Have you talked with your parents about how you're feeling about the program you're in now and changes you may want to make? You're skirting around in the same fields, and I get the feeling none of those appeal to you right now...where are your interests?

I remember our DD being your age, even younger, and she swore up and down that no one would put her into an office where she has to work 9-5 every day. Well, turns out, she is in her own office works longer hours than 9-5, but is essentially her own boss and enjoys her job most of the time...(certain times of the year are brutally busy) So keep an open mind and (although I hate this expression!) think outside of the box you're looking at...there's a whole world out there that's yours for the taking...find your bliss and go after it!

...does gaming count? (I've looked at this industry, and it's pretty difficult to find a job without experience, though you have to start somewhere)
Well, I like animals, but I don't have the qualifications to get into any of those fields. I'm not feeling like I have many options.
At this point, starting a business of some sort sounds good because I could go any way with that, but it doesn't seem like a reasonable or feasible decision.

[marmaduke]

I did the accountant thing (CGA) and one of the exciting things about accounting is that it is an open door to any field you could be interested in. Everyone needs an accountant.
I've worked for professional theatre and a conservation organization. I could have easily segwayed into other positions within the field but I actually like accounting (audit and management).
If you are at all talented I would suggest it and then you can get into almost anything, even gaming.

[Weeeooojr]

I did the accountant thing (CGA) and one of the exciting things about accounting is that it is an open door to any field you could be interested in. Everyone needs an accountant.
I've worked for professional theatre and a conservation organization. I could have easily segwayed into other positions within the field but I actually like accounting (audit and management).
If you are at all talented I would suggest it and then you can get into almost anything, even gaming.

That's kind of what I had in mind when I decided to do into business I do enjoy accounting too, but I'm only about average in my program and everyone seems to want to be an accountant >_> I've heard that the job market is good from some, but also bad from others...what do you think? Thank you.

[Lynn49]

You're 18. Truthfully, and this is coming from someone who had two businesses, you're not ready. Having your own business means you're working every single day of the week; there is no down-time. How are you at making cold calls? Drumming up business? How are your relationships with other people in town that could support your business?
What type of business?
How many of your type of business already exists in your town? Have you done a feasabiity study?
Do you have start-up cash? How's your credit-line?
Go on e-bay and etsy to find out how much is already being sold out there of your product.

Having your own business, unless you have a ton of start-up cash available to open a shop isn't going to support you financially. It's fine for anyone who is looking for a hobby. jmho...been there, done that.

[Natalka]

marmaduke gives great advice, you can then be in an environment or type of business that you like - yes, even gaming!

[Purdee]

even when you go to school for something you love to do it does not mean you can get a job after you graduate in that field. It happened to me. Luckily, I worked in healthcare while in school then I continued to work and went back to school for a completely different field. I really believe that the career chooses you not the other way around. My younger sister is in her 2nd year university and she's going to vet school. Before she even started her first year, I told her to apply for any vet clinic and see if she likes it and she did. Now she works and volunteers at a vet clinic and as a server. My younger brother only finished 2 years of university then decided it was not for him. He is a very smart person but studying from books was not his thing. He went into trades and now leads his own team and of course making way more than me who graduated university plus a 2 year certificate.
I believe you should contact whatever company it is that you're interested in and ask if you can shadow or interview certain positions that you think you might be interested in. I know a community college here makes their applicants go through that as part of their application to programs.
Good luck. This is not an easy decision.

[Candini]

Sorry but I know nothing about business courses.
It says you're only 18 ... I would not be too stressed about making decisions right this moment.
If you don`t truely love what you're doing I don`t see why you should bother. A job you truely love doing won`t feel like a job.

Since your already in the course I say pursue it, especially if your grades are good. Looks better than no education on your resume. But start thinking of what you think would capture your interest. Maybe not for life but at least for a few years. Nothing wrong with career changes.

[saddlebag]

My son is 18 and graduating high school knowing he wants to go into a medical career...

here's a little story .....there was this boy and all through school all he ever talked about being when he grew up was a truck driver...everyone laughed at him.....even in his graduating year...his dream was to be a truck driver...everyone else had big dreams of Drs, lawyers, whatever...he went on to be a truck driver...many years later...he is still driving trucks...one of the few that stuck to their dream, he is as happy as can be and is making good money at it....

[Weeeooojr]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Guess I'll stick with what I'm doing for now unless I find something else.

[abbasgirl]

You're only 18 and you don't have work experience. It sounds like you just haven't had time to figure out what you're really interested in. To do that, you need to get out there and try different things. One of the best ways to do that is through volunteering, because you can do absolutely anything you want to that way. Volunteer experience also looks great on a resume.
I know it's hard to find the time when you're in school, but when you do have time, check out the volunteer centre in your city to see what might interest you. Here's the website: http://www.volunteertoronto.ca/volunteers/

[Shwa Girl]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Guess I'll stick with what I'm doing for now unless I find something else.

This is such a POSITIVE.
1. You have school available to you -- some don't have this opportunity.
2. You have a careers center/guidance center to go to. Use it -- you paid for it in your tuition. Find the BEST guidance person there and learn from them.
3. You have TIME on our hands. As Dr. Seuss would say, "Oh! The places you will go..."

Win. Win. Win.

I envy you. The possibilities for you -- endless!