The Twenty-Somethings Thread v. What am I doing with my life?

[lordxizor]

I also just happened to have a phone conversation with my dad last night that ended in "You're never going to get the kind of job you want, so just be ready to make a lot of compromises." Sorta frightening and disheartening, especially the thought that I might not even be able to do work in green jobs at all. What the hell do I do then? I've been grooming myself for green the last couple years now, hard (and expensive) to turn back now.

Just because your first job isn't in the green sector doesn't mean future ones can't be. Get experience anyway you can and figure out how to market that experience with a green company.

[Super Dude]

Do you still have an interest in working for the government (did you ever, or did I just make that up)?

I did, and then I tried working for the government.

I also just happened to have a phone conversation with my dad last night that ended in "You're never going to get the kind of job you want, so just be ready to make a lot of compromises." Sorta frightening and disheartening, especially the thought that I might not even be able to do work in green jobs at all. What the hell do I do then? I've been grooming myself for green the last couple years now, hard (and expensive) to turn back now.

Just because your first job isn't in the green sector doesn't mean future ones can't be. Get experience anyway you can and figure out how to market that experience with a green company.

That's really reassuring actually. And whoever said it's all about who you know (oddly enough). So thanks to you both, xizor and whoever you were.

[Nick]

Made a somewhat stupid comment a little too loudly at work today and heard about it in no uncertain terms and have been shook up all day about it. Amazing how the wrong person can hear something and completely shake you up.

[7StringedBeast]

Made a somewhat stupid comment a little too loudly at work today and heard about it in no uncertain terms and have been shook up all day about it. Amazing how the wrong person can hear something and completely shake you up.

Something like this happened to me once back in high school.  I made the wrong joke with the wrong teacher standing close by.   I didn't really know how to react as she was scolding me.  I felt bad for being offensive, but at the same time I was like, damn lady its a joke.

[Jamesman42]

Made a somewhat stupid comment a little too loudly at work today and heard about it in no uncertain terms and have been shook up all day about it. Amazing how the wrong person can hear something and completely shake you up.

Do you think you're gonna lose your job or some hours or something? Or something else?

[antigoon]

I finally, after like a month of waiting and the start of the spring semester, got my 1L first semester grades back. Got 2 As and an A-. Feels good, man. Feels real good...Definitely my biggest academic accomplishment so far given how law school is graded.

It's nice to know those few nights I played TF2 with some DTF folks before exams didn't hurt me any

Anyway I don't expect you folks to give a hoot but I can't gloat to my law school friends without feeling like a showoff prick so here I am

[Sigz]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO GO JOE *shakes pom poms*

[ZBomber]

I give a hoot.  Congrats Joe!

[ThroughHerEyesDude6]

23 going on 24 reporting for late duty. Like a dumb teenage girl, I'm always late.


Anyway, my life plans are dragging, but I should have expected that what with my life's career choice. I just gotta take my time and play it right and things will work out.
As for getting out of the folks home, I could get there this year if I save money.

[Fluffy Lothario]

Keeping this quiet in real life, but I have an interview next month for a teaching job in Japan (the interview is in Auckland, not Japan).

GO TWENTY-SOMETHINGS GO

[Super Dude]

Oooooh, Japan! I love that country. What sort of teacher are you looking to be?

In personal news, I'm currently researching environmental jobs. Most of them unfortunately require a graduate degree, so I'll probably just stick to an internship for now.

[antigoon]

Thanks mike and ian <3

I would love to go to Japan. That sounds great. Are you going to grad school, SD?

[Fluffy Lothario]

Oooooh, Japan! I love that country. What sort of teacher are you looking to be?

I've been teaching English as a foreign language (i.e. to learners of the language) for several years now.

Japan would be an exciting place to do it, I think.

[Perpetual Change]

Let's get the ball moving on this thread again.

Is it just me, or is there something about being in your mid twenties where you just feel obligated to compare yourself and your life to everyone else's constantly?

[cramx3]

Let's get the ball moving on this thread again.

Is it just me, or is there something about being in your mid twenties where you just feel obligated to compare yourself and your life to everyone else's constantly?

I don't think its just you and I don't think its only in your mid 20s. All I can say is try to comfortable in your own position in life and not worry about where other people are. You'll always have people who are ahead and always have people who are behind you in every aspect.


Also, I'm 29 and I finally feel like I'm getting out of that 20s phase of not knowing where your life is going. My advice to people who may have to take a job they don't want.... its all about connections. To get the job you really want, you may need to do the job you don't want but you should do that job to the best of your abilities and build relationships. I am starting a new job soon that I got because of a relationship I built in a past job. If you leave positive impressions on people, you never know when they may call you for a job

[TheVoxyn]

When I call with my parents I sometimes get an remark like 'your former classmate is now doing xyz'. So yea. But I don't feel too bad about my (lack of) achievements. I have very little work experience, but I do have decent degrees (doing a second Msc. atm) and am enjoying living abroad. Currently looking for internships though as I shall need to hit the job market at some point in my life.

[antigoon]

Is it just me, or is there something about being in your mid twenties where you just feel obligated to compare yourself and your life to everyone else's constantly?

I don't know if it's really about the age range, but yes.

[Perpetual Change]

It seems like everyone I know is making big financial strides right now, or else suffering financial strides, but still having a pretty rich personal life full of friends and music and fun.

I'm kind of in the middle. I'm beyond being a poor intern or student, but I'm sort of at the entry career level, where I don't have money to make any big strides in life, but still don't have time to cultivate any friendships.

[Chino]

 I started a new job a month ago and am making bank for someone my age. BUT, I'm in the car at least 3 (most days closer to 4) hours a day for commuting, and I'm only at home and awake for maybe 3-4 hours a day. Between the commute and work, I'm sitting for more than 12 hours a day. I don't have time for the gym anymore, and even after just a month feel bigger than ever. I'm constantly asking myself if it's worth it.

[Perpetual Change]

I'm in the car 2 hours per day (sometimes more), which is really more than enough. Can't imagine doubling that. Sounds pretty awful, honestly. I would just move if I got a job like that.

[Chino]

I'm in the car 2 hours per day (sometimes more), which is really more than enough. Can't imagine doubling that. Sounds pretty awful, honestly. I would just move if I got a job like that.

That's the predicament I'm in now. I could move into a closer apartment tomorrow, but wouldn't be able to save as much as I'd like to. I'd rather just deal with this for a year or so, and then have $15k-$20k saved that I could use as part of a down payment on a first home.

[Kotowboy]

Fuck this noise - i'm 35 and haven't been able to get a job in over a year.

[Chino]

Fuck this noise - i'm 35 and haven't been able to get a job in over a year.

Why are you in the twenty-somethings thread? 

[Kotowboy]

Fuck this noise - i'm 35 and haven't been able to get a job in over a year.

Why are you in the twenty-somethings thread? 

Because it could be worse ( for you ) 

[Perpetual Change]

I'm in the car 2 hours per day (sometimes more), which is really more than enough. Can't imagine doubling that. Sounds pretty awful, honestly. I would just move if I got a job like that.

That's the predicament I'm in now. I could move into a closer apartment tomorrow, but wouldn't be able to save as much as I'd like to. I'd rather just deal with this for a year or so, and then have $15k-$20k saved that I could use as part of a down payment on a first home.

Kind of where I'm hoping to land, too.

(Though 15-20k saved might be a bit ambitious)

[Chino]

Fuck this noise - i'm 35 and haven't been able to get a job in over a year.

Why are you in the twenty-somethings thread? 

Because it could be worse ( for you ) 

I had reservations posting in this thread because my situation is probably not what this thread was intended for. For a 25 year old, I'm making good money. Almost double that of my next closest friend, and triple that of a few of my other friends. That being said, they all love their jobs and still have weekends off. Sure, I'm able to spoil myself with ridiculous impulse buys that they can't. Things like telescopes, smart watches, random overnight trips with my girlfriend, Amazon.com binges, etc...  but the job really sucks. Sure there are people I work with that 'enjoy' this kind of work, but the thought of this being my career path really gets the wheels turning in my head. I sit at my desk, and even on a good day, think to myself a few dozens times "Why the fuck am I doing this? This is stupid, and boring, and not at all what I'm interested in" I doing this for the paycheck and the paycheck alone. I never thought I'd actually miss the days of working in a retail kitchen, but I miss it all the time. It sit in my cubicle constantly debating whether or not this was a good career/education choice. Paycheck aside, I wage a mental war with myself everyday over this job.

[Perpetual Change]

Chino, why wouldn't this thread be for you? I guess it's supposed to be all over the spectrum. That's 20's for ya.

What do you do, exactly? I think I can sympathize.

[Chino]

Chino, why wouldn't this thread be for you? I guess it's supposed to be all over the spectrum. That's 20's for ya.

What do you do, exactly? I think I can sympathize.

I'm an Oracle DBA for a relatively huge company. The really crappy thing is, that because of outsourcing the last two decades, there is a huge age gap. I'm on a team of eight people. One is a manager, and the other six are senior level DBAs. I'm so far behind the curve, being fresh out of school and all.

[antigoon]

I didn't mean this thread to only be for unsuccessful 20-somethings By all means, continue.

I'm graduating law school in May. Still looking for a job.

[Perpetual Change]

Chino, why wouldn't this thread be for you? I guess it's supposed to be all over the spectrum. That's 20's for ya.

What do you do, exactly? I think I can sympathize.

I'm an Oracle DBA for a relatively huge company. The really crappy thing is, that because of outsourcing the last two decades, there is a huge age gap. I'm on a team of eight people. One is a manager, and the other six are senior level DBAs. I'm so far behind the curve, being fresh out of school and all.

Definitely hear you on that. I work in business development for a company that does a lot of federal contract work, and in the office of 30 +/- people, there are maybe 3 people in their twenties, all of whom came aboard this year.

[cramx3]

Chino, why wouldn't this thread be for you? I guess it's supposed to be all over the spectrum. That's 20's for ya.

What do you do, exactly? I think I can sympathize.

I'm an Oracle DBA for a relatively huge company. The really crappy thing is, that because of outsourcing the last two decades, there is a huge age gap. I'm on a team of eight people. One is a manager, and the other six are senior level DBAs. I'm so far behind the curve, being fresh out of school and all.

Definitely hear you on that. I work in business development for a company that does a lot of federal contract work, and in the office of 30 +/- people, there are maybe 3 people in their twenties, all of whom came aboard this year.

Chino, I work in IT as well and most positions I've had, I was by far the youngest. If you build a good relationship with your coworkers, your situation can be very valuable if they teach you their knowledge. I benefitted greatly in my old job where I worked 12 hour shifts with two guys who had 20+ years of IT experience.

[wolfking]

Made a somewhat stupid comment a little too loudly at work today and heard about it in no uncertain terms and have been shook up all day about it. Amazing how the wrong person can hear something and completely shake you up.

I hate doing shit like this.  You always feel stupid afterwards especially with how easily it could have been avoided.  You think about it over and over and it just makes you more paranoid.  It's awful.

[PROGdrummer]

Fuck this noise - i'm 35 and haven't been able to get a job in over a year.

Why are you in the twenty-somethings thread? 

Because it could be worse ( for you ) 

I had reservations posting in this thread because my situation is probably not what this thread was intended for. For a 25 year old, I'm making good money. Almost double that of my next closest friend, and triple that of a few of my other friends. That being said, they all love their jobs and still have weekends off. Sure, I'm able to spoil myself with ridiculous impulse buys that they can't. Things like telescopes, smart watches, random overnight trips with my girlfriend, Amazon.com binges, etc...  but the job really sucks. Sure there are people I work with that 'enjoy' this kind of work, but the thought of this being my career path really gets the wheels turning in my head. I sit at my desk, and even on a good day, think to myself a few dozens times "Why the fuck am I doing this? This is stupid, and boring, and not at all what I'm interested in" I doing this for the paycheck and the paycheck alone. I never thought I'd actually miss the days of working in a retail kitchen, but I miss it all the time. It sit in my cubicle constantly debating whether or not this was a good career/education choice. Paycheck aside, I wage a mental war with myself everyday over this job.

What exactly is your job? If it hasnt already been mentioned in this thread.
Coming from an 18 year old nearing the end of senior year of highschool with absolutely no idea what he wants to do in life, anything with a big paycheck sounds okay to me.

[Jamesman42]

^It actually almost doesn't matter at all what your degree is in in most cases.  You may have to take a couple of classes in the discipline you're looking to work in, but the value is just in the networking.  Meeting the right people to help get you started is sadly what it's all about.

-J

Yep. I'm pretty much guaranteed a job because I know the right people.

This turned out to be true by the way. Now I'm in my second year teaching.

I'll be 28 this year. What am I doing with my life? Enjoying a steady career, no worries on finances, enjoying life. College was worth it.