A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:In my late teens, and throughout my twenties, I struggled to find my calling, or what I wanted to do with my life. I want so much more than just to have a job that I put up with. I want to be SOMEBODY, and to have hopes, and dreams... a place.I'm so scared that it's too late and that my destiny passed me by. I was so afraid that there was some perfect profession, that was made in heaven just for me to do. I became a little sad and discouraged, because I searched, and searched, and I never had that epiphany that I hoped I would have. I became a teacher, because I didn't know what I wanted to do. In retrospect, I realize that it was a mistake, and I regret it so much. Since then, some things have happened in my life that have given me clues as to what that perfect profession was. The picture isn't crystal clear, but it's coming into focus. I can't explain it in words, but my experiences have made me think that I should have gone to medical school, or become a scientist or musician. I'm sure in my heart I should have done one of those things.I don't want to get into what happened and why I feel the way I feel, but I am nearly sure. I am so scared that it's too late. I'm 29, I graduated from college with less than a 4.0 (but above a 3.0) and with a degree in Spanish. I would be so unhappy as a nurse or a dental hygienist. I'm pretty sure those are open to me, and some well meaning person will suggest that but I know in my heart that I would hate those jobs. Others might not understand, but I would be miserable.I'm just so scared that it's too late. I know that we all make mistakes, but I don't want to look in the mirror every day and see the person responsible for all my heartbreak.Is it too late for me? To have a place, to have dreams, and fulfillment?I can take an honest answer, but not a cruel one.I just need closure.I deal with such rough kids and every day is a fight. Maybe in a certain light, teaching is meaningful but I just don't belong in that field. Thank you if you can help me.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (8 December 2008): HiYou shouldnt really live with REGRET. Things are only too late when you are dead from this world. Live life and it will come and meet you...life is not about a pink fluffy clouds and harp playing, its about Yes some kids are rough and fighting...is it not possible for you to try and TRANSFORM this. Maybe you actually were DESTINED to be a teacher ( sorry to shatter your dreams of a calling) ever heard about ( first carry the water, then enlightenment, then back to carrying the water) Give the rough children the taste of the arts, it belongs to us all and is within us all. The right side of the brain, imagination and creativity. Even these rough children have a CALLING and maybe it is your calling to help them find theirs. Music teacher...pied piper, go teach it to the kids in spain you old romantic.You are probably where you are meant to be TEACHER, JUST WRONG SUBJECT AND PLACE. lIVE WITH NO REGRETS. ohhhhh and forget the pink fluffy cloud crap and get a bit of fire in your spirit you will need it in spain. Wake up your not in heaven yet and kids do have snotty noses and holes in their shoes but God what talent can hide underneath the ROUGH exterior you see. via con dios.I wish you look but remember the arts, music and dance etc BELONG to us all. And thank god for that dentist, he got rid of my pain the other week and thank god for that lady that cleaned the toilet.
A
male
reader, Danielepew  +, writes (7 December 2008):
 Many people have this very same problem. I suspect that many others would be aware they have it, too, if only they hadn't followed what their families or friends expected from them. At least where I live, many people marry, have children and go to school because that is what society expects from them. Since they are 25, say, "it's high time" they marry and have kids.
Some other people do know what they want from a very early age, and they do it.
The practical side of your problem is that you can't just jump from job to job until you find something you like. So, if I were you, I would continue to teach for the time being, and I would try to get in touch with people from other professions or occupations, and perhaps work as a volunteer with them, until the occupation I felt happy with came my way.
For example, I know a person who is a jack of all trades. He could be an electrician, a carpenter, a plumber... you get the picture. Instead, he works as a salesman. He found a good product to sell, and sells it; he is thinking of having his own small company. If that fails, he can go back to plumbing, electricity... et cetera.
If you speak Spanish and don't like teaching, perhaps you could train yourself to do other things. Since I am a translator, the first thing that comes to my mind is that you could try to receive training as a court interpreter. You can even do it at home, but of course you need certification from someone else. That way, you would have a job, and later you could perhaps work as a free-lance translator.
If you have other skills beyond Spanish, you can perhaps volunteer for an NGO, and use those skills elsewhere. I know of a few guys who work in a small wind power project. He's an electrician, and gave a new twist to his knowledge. Also, he's having fun.
These are just suggestions. I think you would know better than anyone else.
We all make mistakes, that you know for sure. We also need to bear in mind that we always will. What you can do is learn from your mistakes, and that way they become something positive. I know no better example of this than that of the typist who found typos to be a wonderful business opportunity. Hers was the idea that we know as "correction fluid". You see, she made money, and a good deal of it, because she was not disappointed by her mistakes, and, instead, learned from them.
If you have made many mistakes, then try to learn from them. At 26-29, you still have a long way to go. It's too early to give up. Think of all this time as training to really be what you're happy to be.
Also, I want you to take note that none of us can do more than give you suggestions. Only you can make the decisions. Please don't expect that anyone will come with a magic wand to solve everything for you. That would be too easy, and too bad, too, for you wouldn't learn anything in the process.
Cheer up, get moving, and your day will come.
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A
female
reader, katatonik +, writes (7 December 2008):
 I think you posted a similar question here before? Anyway, it's not too late at all for you to switch professions. As a candidate, you have far more to offer a professional or grad school than a 21- or 22-year-old who has done nothing but college his or her entire life. You have life experience and have worked in a demanding profession. New college grads applying to grad school are a dime a dozen; your resume will actually STAND OUT to admissions personnel because you have done something other than the norm. What did you minor in?
Unfortunately, if you are looking to pursue your MD and you didn't major in pre-med or some sort of biology/biochemistry, you are probably going to have to go back to school before you can apply to a medical-school program. Here's the bright side: ALL of your general ed requirements should be fulfilled by your present degree. You will only have to do coursework in your chosen subject(s) for your new field.
Please don't let the time you spent in a different field discourage you. I guarantee there are parts of the knowledge that you gained and used for your old job that will help you when you make the transition. I majored in one subject (actually, with the intention to teach as well) and now work in a COMPLETELY different field which I had to learn about from scratch. It was well worth the effort and I couldn't be happier about it. Please follow your heart on this one as being happy with your career path is a huge part of being content and fulfilled by your life in general. Good luck =]
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