Those jobs are stressful, right? A letter writer feels uncertain about what to do when she leaves school.
Our elder has a gap year idea that might help.
Dear EWC
I’m an eighteen-year-old student in Ireland, due to sit my final exams in June. These exams determine what career I will pursue. However, I am so uncertain about what I would like to do after school. I have filled out my application paper, and have included Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Midwifery, Culinary Arts, Biology and Mathematics Education, Nursing. But I do not have a great desire to study any of those jobs. I would like to be a dietician or study culinary arts. But there are no jobs for dieticians and the jobs involved in culinary arts are extremely stressful. So, I am feeling extremely lost and stressed. Physiotherapy is currently on the top of my list, but I have no idea why! I have been told by many people that I would be a good physiotherapist, as I am quite strong. I am most likely going to take a gap year in September. Please let me know if you can help me, or think of any ideas! Thanks!
Nonnie-Kay replies
Let’s not think of your ideas about what you might want to do a career crisis. It’s great that you have interests, because some people don’t, and I suggest you start out doing what you think you would most want to do by pursuing dietetics or culinary arts. Any job you will start with is likely to be stressful, but don’t shy away for that reason. My son is a chef and yes, the work can be stressful, but I have also learned that a career in the kitchen chooses you, rather than vice-versa… So why not get some experience during your gap year and see what you think?
One of my daughters is a school garden specialist, which involves nutrition and dietetics for children even before they have learned to dislike vegetables! This is a growing field, and there is even a certificate now in garden therapy. She actually got her Master’s degree in a university in Germany, so I know there are opportunities across Europe you might pursue.
My other daughter is a Health Care Educator at a women’s health collective. All three are blessed to have passions and to be able to work in ways they believe are meaningful. My main point to you is to embrace studying and working and expect it to be challenging. Why be bored with something too easy and overly routine? And what is worth doing (and being paid for) if it’s not, after all, going to require hard work and your best effort?
Think about those ideas and see if they help you. My best to you for a great start and a long and happy working life.
Article #: 402868
Category: Career