After a couple of weeks of depression and general frustration with myself, I've gone to see a career counselor. I've never done this before. My wife actually found someone and thought it would be a good idea.

I went yesterday and talked to the counselor. I didn't expect much going in. We talked about my interests, etc. mainly. A few things questions were asked that I have never considered and I was intrigued. After the hour session I was left feeling something could come from this. At least a good point in the right direction.

I'm going back in a couple of weeks for some testing and we'll see what it comes up with. I'm pretty hopeful for the first time in a long time about my future. After years of being restless and dissatisfied with jobs I feel an end can be in sight. I've always held to the idea that there are jobs or some area for me to excell in and enjoy doing. Most people would say to pick a job and do it, or there is no such thing. But, I'm not giving up until I find my place.

Thought I would share.

D

Good for you! That is great news. I have often thought of going to a career counselor and after hearing about your positive experience I may seriously do it. How did you go about locating this counselor? Did someone refer you to this career counselor? Also, what questions were asked that intrigued you?

My wife actually did the legwork and found a career counselor in my area. I was a bit apprehensive since I just assumed it would be a bust.

The experience itself just made me feel better and more hopeful about my search. It's been a while since I've had that. I'm not saying this counselor is going locate a perfect job for me but, it's gotta be step closer to where I was.

The questions that intrigued me might make you laugh. Well at least one. That one was "What toys did you play with as a child?" It was fairly telling to me that I've always had this creative streak and craved certain things. That may not be interesting to others but, it was to me.

Other things were target interests and where I lie on the scale so to speak. Some moderate interests, others strong, so forth. Most of that is very standard in career counseling. Puts you in a a certain category such as strong creatively, moderate realistically(I think that's what the section was called), etc. Anyway, they come up with a combo of your strengths and then look in sections under your heading and it's supposed to have jobs best suited for you. Since we did a general Q & A and a rough testing it came up some jobs I raised my eyebrows at. But, I'll see how the real tests go and be sure and post the results.

I enjoyed talking to the counselor. She talked about how she felt the same way and didn't figure out her path until her early 30's and went back to school. She empathized with my feelings of disatisfaction and restlessness. If nothing else, it was nice to hear someone say they've been there and there is something out there for me.

D

"What toys did you play with as a child?" is a funny question but I could see how it would be helpful. Your appointment with this career counselor actually sounds amazingly constructive and it definitely has me thinking it might be an excellent step for me as well. It is comforting to know that someone has had the same difficult situation and come out the other end with a solution. Please do post the results of your career tests. Good luck!

Congrats on your progress! It is always a great feeling to be heading towards a goal, and that was a great idea to see a career councilor (sp?) I am a teacher and the worst speller! HAHA

Part 2:

I went to my second session Monday. She had me take two tests online and the results were sent to her. I believe the Myers Briggs and the Strong(?) were the two I took. The Strong was the revised version.

Anyway, I took the tests and was supposed to answer quickly without much though. That was a bit difficult on some questions. And my overly, analytical, obsessive side made me worry I would screw up the outcome and get some weird results.

I went to my session and we discussed the Strong only. It is basically an inventory of interests, likes, dislikes and so forth. I was amused and surprised with some of the results. Although, I was imformed it doesn't necessarily mean the jobs or interests listed are IT. They just coincide with similar answers of people from those fields.

I ended up getting librarian as my top job pick. My wife is a librarian, so I found that was amusing. But, honestly, I have no desire to be a librarian. Anyway, I scrored as a strong Artistic type. Almost 100%. With a couple off mediums thrown in. My desire to be independant in the work place with freedom and creativity mirrored my own thoughts.

We talked about the depression and general dissatisfaction that can come with not doing what you really should be doing. I know a lot of people in my past have frowned on this idea and say it doesn't exist but, I believe it does. Not a perfect job mind you but, a match and one that satisfies your being. If that doesn't sound too flowery and makes sense.

I digress...She said that Liberal Arts people tended to be less satisfied with doing just anything and that we would take happiness in career over money. I agree. She always firmly believes we can pinpoint some areas that might be the right direction for me. I'm still hopeful about this.

Of course, I have some reservations but, I'm trying to lay those to rest and listen to what she has to say. I'm struggled with this all my life. I don't need to drop money and go in completely skeptical. So, I'm trying to be open and truly hear what she has to say. I'm also trying not to force any jobs on myself or paths for the wrong reasons. I discussed this with her in the fact that I am going back to school. I toyed with the idea of completing my anthropology degree since I was so close. The counselor strongly suggested against this. This confirmed my thoughts.

I feel that I'm actually being proactive for once. Thanks to God, my wife, and myself for getting off of my butt, I'm getting somewhere. I'm sure this being a goal has much to do with my hopefulness. But, also the fact that there can really be an end in sight after all these years.

I have two more sessions under my current payments and then we'll see what comes after that. I'll be happy to keep anyone that is interested posted. My next meeting is next Tuesday. Frankly, I can't wait to learn and hear more.

D

I think what you're doing is great and takes a lot of courage. It's also great that you have the support of your wife in your quest. I'm going through some of the same things myself and would like to hear how things work out for you. Good luck.

Quick update.

Last Tuesday I went to my appointment with the Career counselor. This time we discussed my second test and I learn that I enjoy extremely random stimulation and would rather work with variety than the same old thing(big shock there ;-| )

We discussed more possible jobs, most of which, I turned down flat. I was given some worksheets to answer and bring back. These were to try and dowse any things from my past work experience that appealed to me. She asked me some of these during the session and I couldn't think of a job 1 that I enjoyed or liked fully. She also asked me to name something I was particularly proud of that I did in my life. I couldn't think of a thing there either. I made the statement that that was pretty sad, half-joking. She said yes it is. lol

Anyways, I'm doing these sheets and another one I forgot to do and getting together with her this coming Tuesday to try and pin down some job types. She did say two more incouraging things. One that she still firmly believed that there was something out there and we could find it. Second, she wouldn't be satisfied until we found something for me and I would come back again free of charge if needed.

Not bad. I'll let you know how chipper I am after next Tuesday.

D

PS. Okay, so this wasn't as brief as I hoped. :-D

sounds like you are in the right path and that you have the support that you need, keep us posted and the best of luck to you my friend.

I don't know where to begin here. I'll try to be brief.

My last session with career counseling was a colossal failure. Basically, we went over very little and I voiced my concerns, likes dislikes. There was no real structure and I got the feeling my counseling didn't really know what to do.

The mention of coming back free of charge never came up again. I was told the best thing to do now was continue to explore options that might interest me. I was told to read sites like Monster.com and look at some non-profit orgs. for ideas and job descriptions and then email her. There was talk of maybe coming back at a later date to discuss resume skills. That's the least of my worries right now. Sure, this might be a good idea. But, I can't escape the idea that it's all a load of bull****.

So needless to say, I'm more frustrated than before and sick of the whole deal. I'm going to bow out for a while and maybe think it through. If nothing else, I may considering giving up and settling for more BS. I'm out of tricks at this point and my self-esteem is no longer around.

Sorry to sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself but, there it is. I guess it helps me in some way to voice this all, so thanks for letting me do that. Frankly, I don't want to talk about this crap to my wife or anyone at the moment.

I hope at least some of you can have better success than I did. I have no doubt this process will be helpful to people that have an idea of what they want to do.

Well, thanks to all on this board for letting my vent from time to time (like you have a choice!). It helps to write my frustrations down, as melodramatic as they seem sometimes. I was actually going to delete the message but, realized there was no delete button. That's what my impulsiveness gets me.

I allowed myself some time to think about it. I'm not going to give up on something so important. I think perhaps, I've been focus too hard on ' THE JOB' and not allowing myself time to assimilate the info I have on my likes, dislikes, etc. I think with time and continued effort I can nail this sucker down. I also understand that my counselor can only work with what I give them and what the data reveals. I knew this going on but, I suppose I hung a lot of expectations on the person and the process.

I still believe that career counselors are beneficial. My experience did teach me some things about myself and helped to at least clarify and even narrow down my scope more. I believe that's progress, regardless.

Thanks again to all who read about this and gave me your input and support. It is much appreciated.

Oh mccinny!! I just ADORE YOU!! REALLY!!! I appreciate your honest, unrehearsed vent! Makes me know that other human beings do things that I do!!! And I can totally understand why you'd feel discouraged and disillusioned. It happens to me ALL THE TIME!! I always feel like people crack stuff up to be these HUGE DEALS - and I am suspicious, but I know they are in positions that should at least require that they NOT BE LIARS! So I hesitantly go along and find myself EXPECTING to receive what I believe I heard them promise!! (Ya know - what it sounded like to ME!)

And ya know something? Things are NEVER as good as they "sounded to me"!

Maronne

P.S. This thread is helping me TONS!! So please keep saying whatever you feel like on it!! You might be suprised to learn how many of us (and others) are in the dark about this stuff - and we are very curious to learn What's Gonna Happen?????

Hi McInney

I found this thread interesting having recently read "Bait and Switch" by Barbara Erlichman (i think that was the authors name). She investigated the career counselling industry for a year posing as a whitecollar jobeeker and wrote the book based on her experiences, which, for one to one career counselling, sounded similar to your own.

I worked for an organisation with a career counselling section for a short while. It dealt with assisting those facing redundancy with their job search. Biggest bunch of charlatans I've ever had the misfortune to work beside.

I'm job searching right now. In the past most of my jobs have sort of flowed one to another through my network of contacts.

At the end of the day its not the job or the salary that matters...its the people you work with that make a job pleasurable.

My mum gave me some pretty good advice......have two careers, the "official" professional one and the "backup". The backup being the one that, if all else fails will put bread on the table.....for me the backup is building work and its one I recommend highly.

kilt