Got some disappointing news on the life-goals front today.
Even though I often hear myself saying “Yeah, I don’t expect to get it, but gotta keep trying…”, I have to admit, it still sucks to have my expectations confirmed. Or worse, when that day comes that it’s been long enough that you haven’t heard anything and you finally admit they’re not going to call.
It’s moments like these that make me question what I’m doing with my life, and why, and if I’m on the right path.
People are motivated by different things when it comes to careers. Some are motivated by money, some by personal growth, some by the satisfaction of helping people. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m motivated by, for lack of a better word, glamour.
I want a career that I’m proud to tell people about. More precisely, that I’m proud to talk about on Career Day at my hypothetical kid’s school.
I just realized today that I always flash forward to that place when evaluating my career options. How will I feel saying this on Career Day?
Also today, I realized how ridiculous that is. I’m letting a bunch of nonexistent 10-year-olds determine my future.
…Please take a moment to re-read that last sentence and let it really land…
To add to that pathetic fact, what if my kids’ school doesn’t have a Career Day? Or what if I end up getting a really cool job but they don’t ask me to come to Career Day?
This Career Day premise is the dumbest thing I’ve ever concocted. I think we had Career Day in 8th Grade but it was different community members and friends of the faculty and, ok, Emily K’s dad because he owned a couple McDonald’s and that was pretty cool. And yes, now I’m realizing that I still remember that, so it must have left an impression.
So, did I devise this Career Day scenario based on my memory of Mr. K? And how I totally answered one of his trivia questions right and got a prize? Actually, no.
I got this idea from a lifetime of watching family sitcoms, where else? I usually encourage my own sitcom obsession but I think, in this case, I need to reel it in.
With non-existent children’s votes off the table, I’ve got to figure out what really makes me happy.
And now, this Fergie video because it’s stuck in my head (and yours)… Email readers click to the blog.
(I especially love how her cutting edge phone now looks like a fossil.)
On the plus side of things, you have around 12 years-ish to get to your glamorous career for our hypothetical 10-year old’s career day. No rush
Lol! You’re funny sometimes. Thanks baby.
And you mean 14-16 years, right?
I totally remember that 8th grade career day. I’m about 90% certain it was on my birthday, which was a Friday that year. I didn’t go see the McDonald’s presentation, I have absolutely no recollection of what I did see, but I remember it being a lot of fun.
I’m glad you remember so many things.
Lol. Career Day was cool but you know what was way better? Humanities Day. Ms. Eskin organized that shit single-handedly.
I’m glad you remember career day too! But I’m also glad you don’t remember what presentations you saw, because it lowers the day’s importance in my mind.
Oh no…there was a humanities day, too? It’s possible that I have career day and humanities day mixed up in my mind. I’m less proud of my memory than I was.
Yeah, they were kind of the same except Humanities Day had cooler stuff. Cons of an Ex-Con, Highsteppers, Poetry, Orchestra, some theater thing with Mr. Appel I think…
You made me laugh with your “what if my kids’ school doesn’t have a Career Day?”
I was just talking about that with my future mother in law the other day. She’s always busy at home, mowing the lawn, cooking, sorting out everyone’s problem and making sure her family is happy. Yet, she feels bad when someone asks her what she does and she doesn’t have a job. She doesn’t need the money, but she’d almost start working again just to be able to answer that question. I think it’s best to chose your job for yourself and your needs. Remember your situation is probably not definite and you have time to access that glamorous job you dream of (although what might be glamorous to you might not be to a 10 year old or to someone else…)
Haha true. Who knows what 10 year olds are going to like in the 2020′s? They probably won’t think I’m cool unless I’m a zapp developer (zapps are apps that exist in your brain only, which I just made up.)
I feel for your mother in law but, personally, if I didn’t have to work, I think I’d declare it proudly and then do cartwheels because I have so much energy from sleeping enough and exercising… but I guess that’s just the fantasy version.
Being a homemaking is a difficult and rewarding job. It requires a lot of time and patience. Did I sell you guys on this? Because that’s what I am telling my future husband.
Lol I hope you do sell him on it! Pave the way for me
I think you’re the only person I’ve ever known of who actually had a career day. I think they are kind of hit or miss outside of sitcoms. I’m sure they will be a hallmark of all yours.
May I suggest a different flash forward? Aim for a good cocktail party job. Imagine meeting someone at a party:
“What do you do, Jill?”
“I am the head writer for …”
“Really? I love that show. That’s so cool. The career day episode was great.”
Trust me, nothing is better than a good cocktail party job.
Lol! That’s a great scene! You should write TV.
Ok, cocktail party job… I’d probably want to say I’m doing something to help humanity that also pays exceptionally well… off to find that job!
I love what Tom said- you have plenty of time! I, too, thought career day was something made up for sitcoms. I love that you actually had one! I’m about to go all yogi/zen right now: None of us actually “arrive” at our final/ideal destination in our career or in life. Our challenge is to find happiness and contentment in the now while balancing aspiration and perseverance to get to a better place. “Let what you love be what you do” as much as you can when you can. If I was your hypothetical child, I’d be very proud to bring you to career day. xx!
Lol thanks Peggy
You’re right. I’m a big believer that life is about the journey, not the destination (which is also my excuse for not saving money) but I just happen to be at a stage in the journey that is harder work than most (I hope?) But you know all about that.
I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
Still teetering between porn star or international man of mystery.
Phil
http://www.blog.theregularguynyc.com
I vote for the latter. You’re already a local man of mystery.
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=CG-COMPROMISE&Category_Code=CG
I am continually torn between ordering this and having her draw Law School in, and thinking that’s just way way too depressing.
Also, did you play the game of Careers growing up?
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1475/careers
Yes! I owned this version of Careers: http://boardgamegeek.com/image/184450/careers
Happiness, money or fame? Why must we choose?
Yeah that map is so smart but so depressing.
Eh, Career Day is a crock. The teacher just wants a day off
That said, my dream job has always been to become a writer, preferably for SNL. Only trouble is that I live in western PA (not Amish) and opted to be an English teacher because it was “safe.” I’m just now getting back to writing and have been rejected by more companies/blogs/websites than you can shake a stick at. That, by the way, is the dumbest saying ever. Who shakes a stick at anything? In sum, keep on keepin’ on, sister. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Steph! I love that! Kindred.
It makes me feel better to know you’ve experienced rejection because you seem like you’re killing it right now. Keep hustlin’ gir’friend.
Since my husband is a paramedic/firefighter, I think that unless I become the next James Bond or a Disney Princess my chances of being invited to career day are slim to none… Heh. Our career days were never that exciting anyway, since we lived on post because we all had a parent in the military. It was all ‘My dad’s in the army!’ and the rest of us going ‘Yea, no shit, sherlock’… Pointless. So yea, definitely figure out what career would make you happy, and keep in mind that children probably won’t comprehend fully what you do anyway… Mine didn’t understand wtf a forensic psychologist did all day until my husband explained I was ‘kinda like Cesar Milan, but for humans’
… Yea.
LOL omg did he really explain your career like that? Awesome.
That is hilarious about career day at the army base. I’m going to remember that one.
“A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.”
It’s a part of the business, but when you make it big it’ll be worth it!! You never know what can happen.
Yeah, I tell myself that I have to endure rejection, but I guess I thought just like… once or twice. I guess I’m just impatient.