Forgetful

I keep forgetting that it's okay to be in my early twenties and not have a career direction. I see all of these people graduating from university, and it gets me down sometimes because all I'm doing at the moment is working in a cafe. But I forget that it's okay to take my time. And I forget that in the grand scheme of things, all of that career shit really doesn't matter.

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It's not just you

Apr 22, 2014 at 11:39pm

I'm graduating from university and I still don't have a career direction :S University is great in some ways, but in my experience it definitely isn't "career" oriented.

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NK

Apr 23, 2014 at 2:20am

(I am in my early 30s.) Most of us go in directions different than intended. As we learn, we grow as people and our values/standards/interests change. I know only a handful of people who discovered their "path" early in life, but I know people who didn't find their calling until their 40s or later. Certainly, make a life for yourself, but don't be afraid to explore as much as life allows you to. Take opportunities, not chances. Never think you are done learning because you are not only learning in a formal setting; all of your jobs or career moves will take you to where you need to be. Take the time to learn about yourself as you take on those first jobs in your career and know that you have the choice to change. (It may not be easy but sometimes it is worth the struggle for some perspective.) It may seem like other people know exactly where they are going, but we all know that people can't tell the future so no one is ever fully prepared for what life throws their way. The trick is knowing how to be flexible and resilient and that comes from getting a bit of experience to make a judgement on what you are passionate about.

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But, roads and paths are fairly predictable

Apr 23, 2014 at 7:29am

If you make no effort to change your situation, then you will stay where you are. If you are okay with that, then you are golden.

If you want more, but don't know what it is, then it is time to start researching, reaching, preparing and making options be open.

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DShK

Apr 23, 2014 at 7:32am

Well said OP. I know countless people who went straight off to uni, earned a degree and then a few years later realized who they were and what they really wanted...and went back to uni or whatever school required.

I think all high school grads should take a mandatory two year education hiatus and get some schooling in the school of life before making that big career choice

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Hooray for your 20's!

Apr 23, 2014 at 8:17am

Honey, really everyone has a soul and we owe it to ourselves to know as much of that as we can. This is why we have our 20's. It should be a time of exploration, of trying new hobbies, people, dates, interests, possibly new scholastic learning, adventuring, creating beautiful, healthy foods, travel, philosophizing...you get it. Try it all out (except for the cocaine. that is just not worth it) I bet you're busy doing all this already. This is what you do NOW to lay down the foundations for the rest of how you and life will unfold. Make mistakes! Sticky, glorious mistakes! Learn and unlearn and then relearn. Enjoy. No pressure. Just know you will emerge from all this stuff a more pronounced, passionate, whole person. It is one of the richest, hardest decades of life so try to love it-and you-up 100% in the process. xoxo

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You're wrong and right..

Apr 23, 2014 at 8:53am

I am soooo happy to have a career i love to be doing now, i'm 35 now. When i was in my 20's, i definitely didn't have a career until my late 20's, maybe 29-30 when i first started working at Sasktel and was making between $20-27 an hour there with 4 weeks vacation, RRSP from them and a great medical and dental plan. IF you think a career really doesn't matter omg you'll be in for a nasty surprise. This isn't the 80's or 90's Vancouver anymore where you could get by without a career and still have fun here, it's only getting more expensive. But i do agree with you and others that your 20's are there to explore and find yourself and you'll change your mind sooooo many times about things it's crazy!!! Don't get serious until you're late 20s, early 30s, cause then you will say ok i need to focus on shit and get shit done. But now? Nah, go have fun in this No Fun City and do whatever you want. I wish i could be 24/25 again, but it's fine. I've worked hard to get where i am today and i live for the future, not the past!! :)

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Lyn

Apr 23, 2014 at 8:54am

You are in early twenties? You have at least a few years to think about your career. Save some money and travel, even live in another country for a year. You won't regret it.

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JMT ME

Apr 23, 2014 at 9:20am

Some of what you say may be true. But, time keeps ticking, you don't want to be working in café, in the same position when you're thirty now do you?

Use this time wisely, find something you love and get on it. Do you think Donald Trump ever sat back and thought... "all that career shit really doesn't matter"?

Successful people don't sit around for very long.

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RUK

Apr 23, 2014 at 9:58am

You're both wrong and right.

At the end of the day, or your day, you might get an obit in the newspaper, and it might mention what you did for work. It will hopefully also name some of your relatives and friends who are going to miss you, and clearly that is the important part of life.

On the other hand, everyone has to make a living somehow, and I figure that it might as well be something that you find gratifying and not a sentence to be served 8 hours at a time. In that sense, it is useful to plan a career of sorts.

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cul de sac

Apr 23, 2014 at 11:50am

the 20s are an important stage in a persons life. for the first time you have to make your own way in the world and many of the realities of life start to become evident. starting to develop your career is an important part of that. its hard because without experience you have little to offer besides youth. that's why there will be frustrations and several crap jobs along the way, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. most importantly don't take the easy path and become another slacker, vancouver has enough of those already.

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