How do I figure what I want to do?

[alsoSarah]

If you don't feel as though you have a particular "calling" (besides parenthood), how on earth do you figure out what to do, job/career-wise?

 

Are there books that any of you mamas have found especially helpful?

 

Particular aptitude tests that I should be taking?

 

How do I figure out what I want to be when I grow up??

 

It feels as though everyone else has something that they've always wanted to do/ known they were good at.

 

Both time and budget are tight, but I have this vague idea that, if I can first chose a path, maybe I should start by slowly taking online classes from a local-ish (bricks-and-mortar) state university, which was last school I attended in person (I quit undergrad after a couple of years, when I realized that I really didn't know what career sounded like a good fit for me).  

 

I feel like now (while my youngest is still a toddler) would be a good time to get this sorted out and start down a path, but nothing calls out to me!

I feel like an aspiration-less loser!  Please help.

 

Any advice, wise Mamas?

 

Thanks for reading,

 

alsoSarah

[Hoopin' Mama]

My friend really liked What Color is Your Parachute to help her decide what she was best suited for.

Another friend has Zen and the Art of Making a Living, but I haven't heard a review.

[alsoSarah]

Thank you so much, Hoopin' Mama!  

I'll order those from the library asap!

Please keep the ideas coming, I need all the help I can get... 

alsoSarah

[Italiamom]

Most community colleges have a careers course that you can take (often for credit), that can help in that arena.  It usually includes personality tests, quizzes, and a book or two.  I took one toward the beginning of my education, and it was really helpful to me.

[alsoSarah]

Thanks for the tip, Italianmom!
I'll see if my U. offers a class like that!

alsoSarah

[VisionaryMom]

I spent a lot of time thinking about what I'd do if I had no constraints - time, money, family scheduling. It actually took me a while because my life is so full with things I must do, but that helped put me in the right direction.

[alsoSarah]

:notes

Thanks, Mamas!

VisionaryMom, it's embarrassing, but I can't seem to come up with much that I'd enjoy besides, "hang out with my kids!" Once they're in school all day, I'll need a backup plan, so I keep re-asking myself what I'd like to do/be good at.....

alsoSarah

[oceane]

no book recommendations, and I also don't feel like there is that one thing that I need to pursue career-wise, so no help there. But maybe you can look through the catalog of classes offered by your uni and see what different courses you would be interested in. Maybe they all have some aspects in common that point you in the right direction.

[Italiamom]

One thing to think about, too, is whether you're trying to find something to do to support your family and bring in some good bacon, or whether you're trying to find something to do just for the sake of having a career.  I know that what I'd like to do with myself each day isn't what I will end up having a career in, simply because I will need to bring some good income to the table when I do take the time to work.  If that makes sense...