Careers and struggles...Climbing the Corporate Ladder

[Elbereth]

If you ask a 'Tween' what is one of the most challanging aspects of their lives at the momment, I believe that almost all of them would say that it is the struggle to establish in themselves in a worthwhile career.

Whether it is finding a new job....earning respect in the office....or establishing their own businesses....A Tween has to work twice as hard to get the respect that they deserve.

So with that said...let's hear your stories of triumph and struggle...as you climb that infamous ladder of success.

[Maedhros]

You're absolutely right Elbereth. Especially if you start your own business. I think that it's very tough indeed.:(
But the rewards could be enormous.:)

[In Flames]

Im 26 now and i still havent figured out exactly what i want to do for a living. I really like my current job as an network administrator, but after some time at a new job i always get a feeling that maybe there is something else for me to do. I have worked in a music store, at a kindergarten, at a lumber yard, insurance company and some other places as well. I liked all of them but im not sure what i want to do!
And its not getting easier to get a new job, either they want you fresh out of school or they want you to have 10+ years experience in that area.
And we the 'Tweens' are in the middle.:)
Everything is getting more expensive so there's always the pressure of making more and more money.
I for one don't want to work 12 hours a day just to be able to buy the stuff i want, or be able to live in the area i want.
Ah..Im thinking of moving out of Stockholm and settling down in some small remote village..maybe ill find my peace there?

EDIT:Spelling:o

[Niniel]

I'm really in doubt right now. I'm currently in my fifth year at university, and I should be finished soon, ate least everybody is asking me whether I'll be finished soon, so I'm feeling an urge to get on with it. On the other hand, I'm terrified of how my life will be when I'm finished. I am a history student and would really like to find a research job in the field, but there aren't a lot of them. If I can't find a job in history, I really don't know what I'm gonna do. At the moment, I'm woring in a department store to earn some extra money, but I don't want to do that forever and I don't have a lot of experience in other fields. So on the one hand I don't want to finish my studies soon, but I can't stay in the university forever either.

[DGoeij]

I have spent already five years at university's, but I quit my study on chemistry and started in the social sciences. Now I'm a third year in political science, and I have no idea what do with it by the time I'm finished. Currently I have to try and finish some 2nd year classes, so I'm busy enough not to think of the 'far' future yet.
At least I learned I do not wish to end up as a politician. To much bs, and lack of progress.:D

[Gamil Zirak]

I'm 23 and I've been out of college for a little over a year (I have my MBA in accounting). I was offered a job from a big five firm in Houston (it wasn't Arthur Anderson, the didn't offer me the job, something about being too honest), but was unable to take it. So, my first "real" world job was with a University as an Internal Auditor. I stayed there for a year and one month until I started a new job this past Monday. I now work for a local CPA firm. I'm higher up on the totem pole here, but I want to be on top. I am so ready to be in charge and run things. My long-term career goal is to be a CEO of a company. I'm in a pretty marketalbe field so I haven't had a lot of trouble finding jobs. I just have to bide my time to get my experience in. The sad thing is I'm younger than almost everyone I'ved worked with. In fact, at my last job, I worked with a gentleman old enough to be my grandfather.

[In Flames]

Hi all!

A question to Gamil: What does MBA and CPA stand for?
Im not to good at English abbrivations(sp?):)

[Gamil Zirak]

Sorry, sometimes I forget about our international flavor on the forum.

MBA - Master of Business Administration
CPA - Certified Public Accountant

[Kat]

Like the rest of you, I dont really know what I want to do. Right now, im researching for my doctorate. Ive studied political science throughout university, and I haven't really given any thought about what to do. Im a part time teacher at uni which is great, I really enjoy teaching and if it wasn't so hard to get into, I would stick with it. I've been applying for some 'real' jobs, because im tired of being a poor student, with no money to do anything!! But whether or not I'll like those jobs will remain to be seen...

[Narya]

I know, how hard it is for Tweens to get "there" . We are the ones who are in between growing up, struggling for individuality, a career to follow till we're 50 and pension plans.

But I am trying to start earlier. Though my career isn't really improving. :(

[Snaga]

Well, for me the trouble wasn't in climbing the ladder but the realisation that I was on the wrong one.

I starting working for a company as a temp, and ended up staying for a long time, and doing very well. But, when it came to it making money for a company that was doing nothing useful in the world except feathering the nests of its directors was not for me. So I bailed out. It was a tough thing to do, but it was the right thing to do as well. Happiness and aiming for the things that are important in life are more important than doing well by other peoples yardsticks.:)

[Legolam]

Well, I've just finished 2nd year studying Medicine and I'm taking a year out to do a 1 year Honours degree in Physiology. I'll go back to Medicine next year, but I thought it was a good idea to take a year out and make sure that I'm doing the right course, because I've never given another thought to anything apart from Medicine for my whole life, and I don't really want to be a doctor by 22. And, this way, I get 2 degrees in 6 years! :D

[DGoeij]

Yesterday I lost 15 degrees by just opening the window, so be careful.

I have to agree with Snaga1, I can hardly imagine myself working for a company seeking profit 'by all means nessecary'. I know in a market society a company actually should, but I don't think I would like to work for it.

[Tyaronumen]

I work as manager of a QA group in a telecom company... it's not exactly what I saw myself doing as a kid, but then again, I could never really picture my career as a kid, because I knew that I wasn't necessarily into the traditional career paths that kids typically think of (fireman, engineer, soldier, pilot, etc.)...

It's a great job, and I work with some really decent people... it doesn't really speak to my heart, though, so it's not always easy to stay motivated from day to day... I'm learning so much, though, so I can't complain...!

*sigh* :D

[Ramagna]

First I was only the barkeeper of my little sector although I was already lord of my kingdom, but that'S a bit confusing...

But then, my time came, and I became sector leader, and that was the birth of the

- GUARDIANS OF THE HAPPY BANANAS -

So that was the story in short... :p

[Snaga]

Ty that sounds so much like the position I was in. I learnt loads and loads but when I stepped back I realised I was learning stuff I didnt really want to know, and doing stuff that had nothing to do with my dreams. But once you get set in a particular direction its hard to break out of it, mentally. But I dont regret it at all. If I had to go back to that, I'd jump off a cliff! So now I'm right back at the start, as a student, but I know its important to work out what you really want to do, and then go for it! The most important thing is to believe in yourself.:)