posted
This is something I have been pondering. A few days ago I posted about having anxiety mostly around having "failed" in my career (database programmer),
wondering if I was just afraid of failure and therefore got sick and not the other way around, etc. Keebler and Greta had some great replies for me which really helped and my anxiety is almost gone.
However, I also wonder what to do once I am healthy. I am 47 years old and I am way, way behind in my field. How do I explain to any prospective new employer that I have 16 years experience but can only perform at the level of someone who has maybe 4 or 5 years experience. That's one concern.
The other is that I am not even sure I want to be a database programmer. I feel I was sort of "pushed" into this field by other people and also because of fear way back then.
So I try to think of what I want to do, but I am not even sure. How can I possibly know what I would love and enjoy when the mere thought of going back to work seems overwhelming?
posted
We had this conversation recently with someone else who was thinking of returning to work, and I believe the consensus here was that people often take long breaks to raise a family,
or do other things, so that we are under no obligation to explain this other than "I was occupied elsewhere" kind of thing.
Perhaps you could find a career counseling course somewhere? They can test you for your interests and aptitudes, if you want that, and that can guide you.
Interestingly enough, when I did that much earlier, preLyme, I scored high in lots of areas, and I thought it was of no help in narrowing anything down.
Now I understand it was telling me exactly what I was like, which is I am happiest when involved in multiple areas simultaneously. So, you can pay attention to the results in a class like this, because it may give you some clues as to what you're really like.
And, there's no harm in taking a class in anything you're interested in to see if you like it, or, volunteer in an area you're interested in also to see if you like it. Lots of people do that before deciding upon their path.
Also, re work feeling overwhelming, I'm sure there's ways to start with a little bit of work, or to possibly intern at a place on your hours that can show you some of the modern technology.
I'd say it's not a time to make any decisions so much as to play a little and see what works for you.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Thank you for your reply. I do still work on and off. I do contract work from home. So on my resume it looks like I have been working all these years, yet not really furthering my career.
The career counseling course sounds like a good idea. I do know that I enjoy reading and learning about nutrition, health, and healing, and I enjoy helping people with diet and health issues. Much more than database programming, but it's hard to know right now, while my brain is still not functioning properly, if that's what I want to do for a living.
It's also hard to imagine that I would be able to make a decent salary with that kind of work. Database programming is paid well, but I don't really want to be stuck in a career just for the money.
Hoping this anxiety will pass soon.
Posts: 165 | From TN | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
I don't think it has to be one or the other. You could combine the more well-paid data processing work with some exploration of these other interests,
and yes, I do think career counseling to discuss these other interests would be helpful. It can take some time to build a resume for a new field, so my thinking is, do both.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i was a gym teacher...riding and swimming instructor...i rode and skiied and surfed and kayaked.
i did some of that when sick...but now its just survival.
cant even volunteer now...except to sometimes tell ppl to look into lyme when they are sick
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Sounds like some of your anxiety is wrapped in indecision and not being thrilled about your career. The best paying job in the world is not worth it if you don't like what you're doing. The resultant anxiety can also negatively affect your health.
Getting aptitude testing is a great idea. Also consider getting a personality profile indicator which will help guide you. It will help you discover careers that fit your personality. You can find the test and explore careers here: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
-------------------- I'm not there yet but I'm closer than I was yesterday.---- Lyme Band 31,41,58. Being treated for Lyme and Bartonella. Posts: 149 | From Maine | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Thank you....I have taken similar tests before. I should probably take this test when I am feeling better. For example, this is one of the questions:
"You like to be engaged in an active and fast-paced job"
Before getting sick I probably would have said "yes", but right now I would say "no".
Posts: 165 | From TN | Registered: Jul 2011
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MADDOG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18
posted
Well having Lyme is do do but being better is great.
HE HE HE !!!
MADDOG
Posts: 3996 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2000
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