I Need some "encouragement"

Liann

Liann

Cathlete
Ok, maybe "motivation" would be a better word? Here's the situation. I basically hate my job. I'm an Executive Assistant and some days I just want to curl up in a ball and cry. I keep thinking about doing something about it, but I've never gotten around to it and I get paid decent, so I tell myself that I'm just being "ungrateful" for what I have and that most people feel like this, so deal.

Anyways... then I had this long talk with my MIL on vacation. She kept going on about how she couldn't imagine how someone could go to a job that they hated everyday and how awful that must feel etc. She basically had me wanting to run and play in traffic. So, I've been doing a lot of soul searching, trying to decide what to do. I've come to the realization that I have to make a change or I am going to go nuts.

So... I'm seriously thinking about enrolling in Purdue University's Distance Veterinary Technologist Assoc. Degree program (boy that's a mouthful). It's a pretty highly regarded distance program and it is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) which is a must in order to get licensed as a Vet Tech. The first year will not be a problem as far as work interference, but after that, I will have to start working in a Veterinary office in order to complete all of the course requirements. I'm not sure how that is going to workout, but I think I may just go ahead with year one and see what happens. I hate to let another year go by while I'm hemming and hawing.

I'm seriously freaking out at the thought of stepping out of the box... :eek:
 
RE: I Need some

I'd say go for it. At the end of the year, another year will have gone by if you give it a go or no.

Good luck!
Nan
 
RE: I Need some

Liann, do it! Forget about that GD box! Follow your dream. You spend 1/3 of your life at work, you should not hate it!

P.S. Next time, use "assoc." to abbreviate "associate." ;) }( :+
 
RE: I Need some

>P.S. Next time, use "assoc." to abbreviate "associate." ;) }(
>:+

Yeah, I fixed that. ;)
 
RE: I Need some

ok, you sound just like me a year ago!! I hated my job but got paid really well with a ton of perks...but at the end of the day or more like 3 1/2 years later it just wasn't worth it. I would cry while I drove to work. I had my family and friends telling me to just suck it up and things would get better and really since it was such a good deal I should just "deal"....well one day the **it hit the fan and I had had enough..I quit and let me tell you it was the best thing I ever did!!! My new job is so much BETTER!!...and the best part is I'm HAPPY! I say go for it, you only live once and you should live those days HAPPY
 
RE: I Need some

Do it! Life is too short. Don't think ahead about the hows and whys. If this is what you want then they will work out in the end.
 
RE: I Need some

I say go for it! I have had jobs I've hated (actually, most of them, but some that truly made me miserable), so I know how it feels to dread every work day. You've got to do something about it, if at all possible, and it sounds like you have a good plan in mind!

[font face="comic sans ms" font color=green]***Lainie***
fitness blog: http://fitnessfig.blogspot.com
http://planetsmilies.net/sport-smiley-7873.gif
"If you want to give God a good laugh, tell Her your plans."[/font]
 
RE: I Need some

Liann,

I went out on that limb when I went back to school to get my teaching certification. I wasn't able to work for four months while I student taught and then I subbed another six months (not great pay) before landing a contract. Even the early contracted years were a pay cut from my previous job as a state employee. Yes, it was scary to take that risk, but I have never looked back. I absolutely love what I do and feel a true sense of purpose with my work. I say, [font size=+1]go for it![/font]

Best of luck!
cathy :)

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"Do you want to feel my spatula?" Run, Fat Boy, Run
 
RE: I Need some

Oh, Liann, that would be so wonderful if you did the program! It may mean some sacrifices, but it is so important to have a job that you love and that is fulfilling. Remember that you need to think long-term about these things, and it sounds like the Vet Tech position would be perfect for you!

There's that old phrase, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." It's a bit corny, but so true!

Go for it!! :)
 
RE: I Need some

Thanks guys! Well, I'm pretty set on this now and have been going over the various courses etc. My only problem at the moment is that applications are due on Friday!!! I'm not sure I can get my transcripts in by then. I e-mailed the admissions office and asked if faxes would do while the originals were being mailed, but haven't heard back yet. I may just call them tomorrow. If worse comes to worse, I will just wait for the Spring semester. I am going to put in all of my transcript requests in the meantime though and fill out my admissions form. So we'll see what happens.
 
RE: I Need some

<I'm seriously freaking out at the thought of stepping out of the box>
You mean the prison cell you've locked yourself in working a job you hate. Don't be ridiculous. Go for it Liann!
 
RE: I Need some

Liann, if anyone has a calling to work with animals, it is YOU. It sounds to me like if you don't do this, you will terribly regret it. And I bet you loads of money that if you DO do this, you will be so much happier. Plus, I'm just really excited that you'd be getting a Purdue degree. :D Go Boilers! ;)
 
RE: I Need some

Hi Liann,

I'm pretty new here on the boards, but as ANOTHER Boilermaker here, yes, you are making the right decision to go to Purdue!! Ha ha.

Seriously, though, you need to do this. You can't continue on your current path of being so unhappy and miserable. It takes guts to make a change, a lot of faith it's going to work out, and positive energy to make it happen. You can do that if this is what you want to do.

When I was in my young twenties, I was in a public relations job I HATED. I was like you--I hated getting up to go to work, Sunday nights made me sick to my stomach thinking of work, driving to work I got incredibly stressed. As you MIL said, it's not a way to live. So one day I just quit. Out of the blue, had enough, quit. I got a job at a mall to earn some money, then I bounced around a few jobs, and now I'm working in sports television and have for 10 years and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! My dream was always to work in sports, and it finally came true.

The same can happen for you, too. You just have to believe in yourself, believe in your ability, and allow yourself the courage to make it happen.

Good luck!!!
 
RE: I Need some

You guys have my teary eyed over here - seriously, this hormonal chick is getting misty. I appreciate the encouragement more than you know! I really needed the little extra push to go ahead with this. I've thought about it for years, but kept telling myself I couldn't do it. I just sent in all of my transcript requests and talked to the Purdue admissions office. They said it was fine for me to apply without the transcripts and just mark that they are on their way. So, I will be sending in my application tonight. All my fingers and toes will be crossed that I'm accepted. One factor in my favor is that they are not limited in how many distance students they accept. With the in-house program, they only accept 30 students period. The degree is the same either way though. I'll let you know what happens. THANK YOU again!!!
 
RE: I Need some

AWESOME! You are going to do just fine, Liann! You should be VERY VERY VERY proud of yourself. :)
 
RE: I Need some

DO IT! I work for the USPS in a major postal processing and distribution facility and every day is a minefield of head games. The pay is great but it's great FOR A REASON. When I look around I see so many people who've aged way too fast (gray hair, wrinkles, stressed faces). The other day a co-worker said to me "You are waaay too happy... always smiling..." I replied "Oh I'm a great actress. Someone should give me an Academy Award." When they cut our overtime you could FEEL the panic in the place because everyone had gotten used to the big money. It's back now but It WAS pretty scary for awhile, with everyone fighting about who got it the last time... From time to time we have the What-would-you-do-if-you-won-the-lottery conversation. I always used to say I'd quit my job, make art all day (I DO have a friggin' art degree, after all) and work with animals. The last time we had this talk I said "You know, I think I'd keep working until I make them have to fire me. I'd be a big pest and every time they try to make me do something I don't want to do I'd say 'Get me a (union) steward. But make it SNAPPY. My driver doesn't like to wait...' Ah, fantasies. And the thing is, I don't hate the work. It's Management that's the problem. Here's an example: On Sundays I load and unload trucks on the loading dock. The Big Guy in charge on Sunday is a moron who resents me because I don't hide the fact that I don't respect him so (though he's slacked off lately) he looks for me and likes to mess with me (though I never take the bait, which is why he's, evidently, moved on to a fresh target). I was standing at a dock door waiting for the door to be opened so I could unload the truck. While I was waiting, The Big Guy pulled up in his little 3-piece suit on his little golf cart, looked at me, and immediately went in to whine to my supervisor that I was "standing around doing nothing..." My supervisor explained that I was waiting for the door to open so I could unload the truck and asked what he thought I should be "doing." He just stomped in a huff over to his golf cart and drove away. Everyone in postal management is like that. Oh yea, I feel you. I just want to add, being with animals is so wonderful. If you're not trapped (by debt, for instance) you should go for it. In two years you will regret having stayed, I bet.
 
RE: I Need some

Liann, it is never to late to make a positive change! You are so gifted with animals that I definitely think you've made the right decision by going for it! As others have said, life is too short not to love what you do. I'm proud of you for taking that first step. Way to go!
 
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