Hello,
I know it might seem weird that I am posting on an anti work subreddit for career advice, but I am a young woman (22) who wants to maximize enjoyment out of the many hours I will spend working. I thought this community might offer a unique perspective. I am about to graduate with a degree in math and a minor in computer science. My gpa isn’t great. It’s around 3.2 due to depression I had in the early-middle stage of my college career. My personality is friendly/social oriented but slightly introverted (I need a recharge period in between long social interactions), very anxiety prone (I probably would measure high on neuroticism sadly), agreeable, and open. I do well when things seem achievable to me and I am de motivated by constant stress. I thrive when I have strong and consistent social support (I have a tendency to feel like an outsider sometimes so I have to actively work on seeking people out). Also, when I understand something, I am good at explaining it simply.
I am trying to decide on a career path to pursue and very few of them are related to what I studied. I am not very concerned about money, I just want a happy and low to mid stress career where I can interact with and help people. I don’t want to work in software, even though I have had it suggested to me many times, because I don’t want to be a code monkey. I want more interaction outside of that, and I also don’t think I am so great or passionate about coding that I would be better than your average software developer.
I am considering a career as an actuary because I enjoyed statistics when I took it and I don’t mind taking exams to learn more material. Learning about some regulations does seem boring to me, but I think I can get through it as long as that’s not the majority of what I’m learning. I like that actuaries don’t require further schooling. the psychology of more exams=more money is particularly motivating to me. I also like that some companies will pay you to study, since I do want a career where I will be able to learn new things. My computer science background could be helpful as the industry is affected by AI. My doubts about this career path are that it seems like it could be a boring desk job. I’m concerned that I won’t be able to interact with others enough, that I would be staring at a computer screen too much, and that my posture would worsen.
These doubts caused me to research other careers. Here are some that I liked:
A. Librarian:
I have always liked being around books. At my happiest, I am an avid reader. I like that librarians can have a variety in their life – sometimes teaching classes, sometimes running programs, etc. (I used to volunteer at my local library as an elementary school math tutor and I loved it.)
B. Teacher
I am good at explaining things, and I like the idea of jobs that involve a lot of variety and social interaction. However, I fear politics, extended public speaking. I also don’t want to discipline anyone or be disrespected (I went to public school and saw many instances of this between students/teachers). I also have an open bite that I’m pursuing surgery for but I do find it physically uncomfortable to talk for extended periods of time at the moment. Other than that, I think the idea of helping kids learn sounds very fulfilling and I would probably like working at a school. I also like that you get summers off (see C). I would probably want to teach math.
C. Park Ranger.
Yes this one is out of left field, but I enjoy being in nature. I sometimes fantasize about leaving behind computers/phones and just reconnecting with the natural environment. I’m doing an internship this summer at a national park so I will have more to write on this later. The main con I see is that a lot of park ranger jobs are seasonal and it can be very competitive to get a full time position, especially for a non ecology major. I also would rather work with the public than as a law enforcement officer.
D. Working and researching in women’s health (looking for options).
About 2 years ago, I started experience severe, disfiguring acne after having perfect skin all my life. I was “misdiagnosed” (keep reading for why I use quotations) with PCOS 2 years ago after a course of accutane. I did an extensive amount of research, went to a new endocrinologist in October and asked for an ACTH stimulation test. Turns out I don’t necessarily have PCOS (it’s unclear, as I might but the doctor told me PCOS is not the primary driver of my symptoms) but rather non classic late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which I told her I suspected given my previous blood tests. We also later confirmed this with a genetic test. With proper treatment, I have felt so much better on a daily basis. My only regret is not getting diagnosed sooner. Since going through this, I have developed an interest in understanding ncah better as it’s struck me how tragically under researched many women’s health conditions are. I think I might enjoy a career where I can help women with these issues in a clinic and also do research on the side. However, I don’t want to go to medical school. I’ve heard about a career called physician’s assistant, but I do not know much about it and if I can also do my own studies. Genetic counseling seems interesting as well after my positive experience with it.
I know this list is all over the place. But I feel the core issue is that my personality does not necessarily suit the types of jobs available to me based on my field of study. As you can see, money is not hugely important to me, although I would probably like to make more than 50k a year (I would make an exception with park ranger if I got to call the mountains my office though lol). My ideal career resides somewhere in the intersection of what I’m good at, what would benefit other people, what would make me feel fulfilled, and what I can get paid for. I know it might seem I’m overthinking, but I watched my parents work jobs they hated for me and my brother, and I always promised myself I wouldn’t end up like that. Sorry for any grammatical errors or run ons.