I naturally have big issues when it comes to a fork in my career path. I want to do SO MANY different things that it prevents me from feeling I can commit to any one thing for very long. So I flounder around and don't take steps to change in any one direction, because I become defeatist and convince myself I'll burn out before finishing anything anyway.

So, to the present: I'd like to either apply to MBA programs (tried this already and it didn't work out, but I'm back for another round) or become a school counselor. I'm proposing taking one course in each field this fall to help me decide.

Thoughts? Am I just delaying the inevitable?

Also, I'm told conventional wisdom is that an MBA isn't very valuable if not from a Top 20 (maybe Top 5!) program. True/false, anyone? I don't mean to insult MBA-holders from other programs; to the contrary, I'd love to hear their success stories!

What would you do w/ the MBA?

Excellent question.

The biggest thing more schooling would do for me is provide some cohesiveness to my resume, so that people don't look at my experiences jumping in and out of tech work and think, "FAILURE!" However, that in and of itself isn't sufficient -- I need to be drawn to the particular field of study, and I find the courses offered at business schools to be really interesting.

For a year or two now I've been saying I want to transition into non-profit management. I still think that would be a positive thing. However, realistically I would settle for any job that doesn't bore me to tears after six months. Management seems more challenging than most things, although I have very little concrete experience in it.

Trying a course related to each path sounds like a great idea to me.


I know we need money for the world to function, but it's never meant much to me.

If I had my way we would all be riding horses and cleaning up manure.

My suggestion would be to do what is going to make you happiest..you may struggle in either of your career choices in one way or another, whether it be money, time, or stress.


My husband and I are both in the arts and our incomes are secondary to our other rewards. So self satisfaction comes with sacrifice as well as benefits.
People always say how wonderful it is to be doing something you really love for a career, so there must be something to that.

One more note I'd like to make. My father, who wanted a large family..chose a stable career for financial reasons. You have to feed your children..he sent all of us to college. So he was fulfilled in his life because of his love for family. He also had secondary interests to keep him entertained.

Sounds like an "A" list/ "B" list kind of situation to me :)

Good luck with your decision.

~gourmet~

I know exactly how you feel, I've had the same problem...its that so many things interest me...I'm a paramedic and an instructor, and love it!!....but so many other things interest me also...so I know exactly what you mean... It is exciting though having the whole world open to you...I have this quote and love it
"I prefer to distinguish ADD as attention abundance disorder. Everything is just so interesting . . . remarkably at the same time.” — Frank Coppola, MA, ODC, ACG

I understand what you mean.I also feel like switching careers and jobs etc. So..I ask you this ..Have you ever thought of working for a temp agency or becoming a consultant in your line of work. This would enable you to branch out where you have not been yet stay somewhat planted. It could also be started as a part time career,job .
just a thought
steve

I'm not sure if you're talking to me, heatman, but if you are, I have considered it...I'm going to look into it more...thanks ;)

...Also, I'm told conventional wisdom is that an MBA isn't very valuable if not from a Top 20 (maybe Top 5!) program. True/false, anyone? I don't mean to insult MBA-holders from other programs; to the contrary, I'd love to hear their success stories!

You've asked some good & sensible questions. I have an MBA from a good school in Australia & I did that after a few years in the trenches (a.k.a. the workforce). In retrospect I got a lot more out of my masters after several years of real life experience than if I'd gone straight into it after my undergraduate studies.

NB: I had many jobs in the years before the MBA - 2 years seems to be my limit. I just tried to patch it all together so they looked like career "choices".

Good luck!

PS: the MBA has helped me to get good & well paid senior executive roles, but they are very demanding & if you want a life you should really look before you leap!

I am in the same boat.
I don't know what I want to do so I end up doing nothing!:(
Talk about sucking

I often say, I wish I could spit myself in 5 pieces. There is so much to do and so little time. I understand your indecisiveness. I did contract work as a designer for a decade and it gave me the variety I needed.

I know, I know!!!! (raising hand, hoping teacher calls on her.)

I too thought it would be a good idea to get an MBA because I believed a Management job would be more interesting. I do well with 'big picture' jobs that require me to create solutions that consider an organization as a whole. I took the GMAT, scored well, and got a full scholarship at a second-tier Business school. Did well...loved the analytical courses. Majored in Finance...because it seemed like a good foundation to have.

Went to work as Finance Director....hated routine detail, but fortunately had someone to do that stuff.. still, had to do SOME....did it poorly (for my standards), and when that job ended after some 9 years, I looked for a job to help 'grow' the skills I felt I should master to be an Effective Leader.

Accounting & bookkeeping are the single most boring activities I have ever found. Yet, I have spent the last 15 years in this field, unable to extricate myself from those tasks. Having been recently diagnosed with ADD, I realize that I have been struggling to master an area that I feel is critical to my success, yet realize now is diametricaly opposed to my natural abilities and skills.

The book "Scattered" includes a quote: "Much the same has been said to me by many adults with ADD. A few have even butted their heads against the wall trying to become accountants, which, in my estimation, must be the profession least suited for anyone with attention deficit disorder."

So....if you have a bachelors degree in something you could effectively manage (other than accounting), then I think that an MBA could help you get where you want to go. If you are considering a career which will require that you have responsiblity for details and follow through.....you might want to consider whether those are skills you want to or are able to cultivate.

Good luck!!

still want to take on everything. I have the same issues you all mention here. I am musician of 24 years(drummer and guitarist), I have a 2 yr degree in computer programming(tested out early), I have tried working in the corporate world as a programmer/analyst and couldnt take the the 9 to 5 monotony, I too just got bored. I felt like I "proved" I could be the best at this subject and quit for certain reasons I then could not explain. I didnt finally "figure it out" that Ihad adhd. For the past 2 years I have in some way invested time or money(mostly time) into different things I think will support me financially(career). I make biodiesel in my shop, I iwn a PBR(professional bull riders) buckin bull, I do contract web development and seo marketing, I build rustic log furniture, I hunt, I noodle (handfish for catfish), been involved in a few mlms, invested into a rv renting company, kinda went bad, I have been flipping houses for the past 6 years. The best "job" I enjoyed most is flipping houses because of the time it takes to make pretty nice money and that is how I am able to sustain when I am in my down times. I would say that we all have to find , damn I just got distracted and forgot what my point was. Anyhow I am still doing "nothing" didnt mean to hijack this thread:)