Full Careers
Am I crazy to make this career / education choice?
So I graduated college and recently took an outside sales job in healthcare. I did this because I thought getting some experience in the real world is a good idea. The problem is I am not fitting in with the typical "sales" people, and I am just not passionate about what I am doing. After some thinking I have decided that I should do the job for a year, to save up money and have a year of experience as a back-up. During this year I should study for the GRE's and do study something that I am passionate about (government, foreign policy, etc). I always wanted to work for the State Department or the CIA or teach what I love related to those areas, but I always feared that studying such things in grad school is a "waste" Is it a waste? Are my job prospects unlikely? Am I crazy to do this? Thanks
Public Comments
- U should make a desision. I would pick both
- You need to figure out what it is you love to do, and find a way to get a job doing it. If grad school is what you need, then it's not a waste. Talk to people who do what you want to do and ask whether or not grad school is necessary. I went to school for what I love and never pursued a job in that field for monetary reasons, and I've regretted it ever since. Do not settle for a job that will make you lots of money. Do what you love and the money will follow! Good luck!
- There's nothing worse than spending all day, every day doing something that you don't care about, unless it has a utilitarian purpose. Your sales experience will prepare you to deal with all kinds of people. It will prepare you to negotiate, something that you will use in all your interactions with others, be it professional or personal. If you like a challenge, I recommend Karras book on effective negotiation. Change jobs by seeing it from another angle (by the way, I'm not a sales person). As for your goals, it seems to me that you are not confused at all. You seem to be a very structured person. You should not ignore your aspirations, but rather use your analytical side to mentally map your steps. Then go for it!
- Sounds ok to me, but I wouldn't stick with a job I disliked for a year to get experience and as "backup". Find some way to do what you love now (or at least what you like) and if you can't then start working now towards a career in what you like (stick with the job until you can make this move, but I wouldn't stay a year - I once stayed at a job I absolutely hated for 3 months simply because I was or the mindset I would give it 3 months no matter what - worst 3 months of my life). Note, I have no idea whether your prospects of getting one of these jobs are good or not (don't konw enough about you), but I think this is a good plan moving forward.
- to be in sales is like the most difficult job you can have, if your heart isn't in it because in sales there is a ton of rejection and you might think it won' tbother you, but all that negativity, especially when you see all your competition winning suck-up points and you're not, it's tough. Ever see Death of a Salesman? Being in sales is like being a campaign manager, or John the Baptist. You have to beleive wholeheartedly in what you're selling and believe that your customers need what you're selling, or you'll never sell a thing.
