#CareerChange #GoingBacktoSchool #Journalism #AnxietyatWork #CareerAdvice
Hey there, 24F! 🌟 It sounds like you’re really struggling with your current career as a journalist, and it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure about your next steps. It can be tough to feel stuck in a job that causes you so much stress and anxiety. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you figure out your options and make a decision that’s right for you.
First of all, I want to assure you that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many people struggle to find the right career path, and it’s okay to consider making a change. Let’s break down your situation and explore some potential steps you can take to find a career that aligns with your interests and strengths.
## Understanding Your Dissatisfaction
It’s important to take a step back and identify the specific reasons why you’re unhappy in your current field. Your feelings of anxiety during interviews are completely valid, and it’s crucial to acknowledge the impact that this has on your well-being. Here are some key points to consider:
– How does your current job align with your skills and interests?
– What aspects of journalism do you enjoy, and what causes you the most stress?
– Are there specific career paths that you’ve been considering as alternatives to journalism?
## Exploring Career Options
Considering your background in English and writing, there are numerous career paths that you could potentially explore. Here are a few examples to get you started:
1. Content Marketing: Utilize your writing skills to create engaging content for businesses and organizations.
2. Copywriting: Craft compelling copy for advertisements, websites, and marketing materials.
3. Technical Writing: Communicate complex information in a clear and accessible manner for a variety of industries.
4. Public Relations: Work on behalf of companies or individuals to manage their public image and communication strategies.
Before making any drastic decisions, I would recommend researching various career options and considering how your skills and interests align with each potential path. It’s important to find a career that not only eases your anxiety but also brings you fulfillment and satisfaction.
## The Benefits of Further Education
Considering your current feelings of dissatisfaction, going back to school might seem like a tempting option. However, it’s important to carefully evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of pursuing another degree. Here are a few points to consider:
– How will further education enhance your skills and open up new career opportunities?
– Are there alternative paths, such as professional certifications or specialized training programs, that could better align with your career goals?
– What are the financial implications of going back to school, and how will you manage any additional student loan debt?
## Exploring Alternative Work Arrangements
It’s worth considering whether there are alternative work arrangements within the field of journalism that could better accommodate your needs and preferences. For example, you might explore freelance writing opportunities, editing roles, or content creation positions that allow for more flexibility and independence. Additionally, seeking out support, such as career counseling or professional development programs, could help you navigate your current challenges and explore new opportunities within your industry.
## Seeking Guidance and Support
Navigating a career change can feel overwhelming, but remember that there are resources available to support you along the way. Consider reaching out to career counselors, networking with professionals in your areas of interest, and seeking guidance from mentors who can provide valuable insights and advice. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can make the process of exploring new career options feel less daunting and more manageable.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision to pursue further education or make a career change is a deeply personal one, and it’s important to take the time to carefully consider your options. While the idea of going back to school may seem appealing, I would encourage you to explore alternative career paths within your current field and consider how your skills and experiences can be leveraged in new and exciting ways.
Remember, it’s okay to feel uncertain about your career path, and it’s never too late to explore new opportunities that align with your passions and strengths. You deserve to find a career that brings you fulfillment and minimizes the anxiety and stress that you’re currently experiencing. So take your time, do your research, and explore the possibilities that lie ahead. You’ve got this! 💪🏼
You shouldn’t start another degree if you don’t know what you’ll use it for other than leaving journalism. For the record, *most* people work in fields unrelated to their degree, so you may be able to pivot without a second bachelor’s. Start by figuring out where you want to go next, *then* figure out how to get there.
You should also find some ways to manage the anxiety. Even if journalism isn’t your cup of tea, the anxiety is clearly still impacting your life and could cause problems in your next path too.
A personality assessment, to match you with possible career paths, would probably be the best way to start.
Why would you need to go back to school? Just use your degree to do something related. Also work on your anxiety because any job will involve communication.
Off the top of my head – marketing or technical writing
Work on your MrS not MS hahahahaahahahah
Well, what are you interested in?
Consider other things that an English degree can be used for.
Lots of government jobs, particularly with foreign service (embassy work). These often go unfilled because people have no idea they exist.
Education (including overseas as an English teacher but this has risks for single women).
Stepping stone to a business or law degree. This is probably the most straightforward path.
– That’s just three paths where you move forward rather than reboot.
I don’t understand how people don’t know these traits about themselves before they decide to choose a career. You didn’t know that you don’t have what it takes to be a journalist? You don’t like interviewing people? You’re scared to talk to people etc. Why would you take a journalism job or choose this path? Very confusing.
Let me ask you something: if you did not have the anxiety, shaking, etc… would you enjoy it?
There’s a difference between fundamentally hating a field vs. hating the feelings that it’s giving you. I don’t know you, but I can tell you definitively: you can improve in the physical and mental manifestations of anxiety.
I think it makes sense to look elsewhere if you hate your field, I don’t think it’s fair to yourself to leave a field you’d like, but just need to improve on.
Does that make sense?
I would ask myself why I would be any more happy, the second time around when I made a poor choice the first time. And by then there will be an extra few million candidates in the second field, who are younger and hungrier than you. I would recommend night classes or learning while earning as the market wont stay still for you.
I think you should just take some career conseling amd work something out
Become an editor?
I’m in the same boat, starting social work degree this fall, it took me a very long time to figure out social work is what I want to do in life.
It’s hardly ever too late to change fields, particularly at 24. You have plenty of time.
The key questions for you to consider are:
1. How long would it take to switch careers, including further education, training, certifications, finding a new job, etc.
2. What is the income potential of the new career versus this one? How much does that matter to you, considering the lost income during your period of re-education and change?
3. The grass is always greener on the other side, keep that in mind. Everything looks great until it becomes work. Then it’s just work.
I’m in the world of media/journalism, so feel free to reach out to me privately if you’d like to talk more.
If you decide on schooling id consider getting an MBA. Its designed for folks making a career pivot, opens the door to a lot of new opportunities, and a masters on your resume will look better than another bachelors.
I liked my undergrad degree (linguistics) but I couldn’t find work related to it. I did some other stuff at a health insurance company for a while, got laid off, started working at a local hospital, and then used their tuition assistance program to get a nursing diploma. It only took 16 months. Now I have a job I love and I’m making more than I ever did.
A second bachelor’s degree sounds pretty daunting, but you may not need one to change careers. It could just be an associates, apprenticeship, or certificate. A lot of companies would probably be willing to hire you with any unspecified degree. If you do decide on more schooling, you can look for scholarships for whatever you choose next.