Another issue. Career / Direction advice needed
F it. I just read Blatant's thread and I want to get some crap off my chest too. I'm in a slightly different situation. I don't entirely mind the idea of working for the man. I just don't like what I currently have to do for the man. There are challenges in my job, but mostly it's my weakenesses that are challenged. I feel like I would be living up to my potential if my strengths were being challenged. Living up to my "potential" is not something I feel obligated to do. It's in an inner desire. Perhaps you can't relate in the working world, but maybe you can on the mountain. I think all of us as here have a hedonistic desire to search out and ski powder, but many of us also search for lines or excursions that challenge us. I find it incredibly fulfilling to conquer a challenge while doing something I'm already pretty good at. I would like more of that fulfillment in my career.
I think this problem goes beyond my specific job and into my career. I search around for companies and jobs that I'm qualified for and I just don't see much I'm interested in. I have ideas of what I'd like to do instead, but I don't really know. I can't just try out careers like I can try out a pair of skis. Even if I did know exactly what I wanted to do, getting there is more than just a challenge; it's a gamble. Going back to school for instance means debt, and without a big a salary that debt doesn't get paid off. There are some careers that seem really interesting to me and they'd pay quite well, but they probably mean LOTS of hours, and that's just something I don't want. I'd be cool with a significantly smaller salary if the hours were normal, but that doesn't seem like an option.
Those of you have built fulfilling careers while maintaining a non-work life, how did you get there?
