Non-Bun related advice

[FrankieFlash]

So I’m pretty confused about my career future. I had my first classes of the semester today and I was dreading it like a lot of people. I miss being enthusiastic about learning.. I come from a family who puts high stress on “higher education” (Two lawyers, a med student, and a nurse) and here I am, sophmore at a community college. I planned to transfer next fall to a 4-year institution in my area. But the more classes I take, the more and more I realize that this isn’t something I want to do with the rest of my life.

I already figured out what I want to do- I want to be a cosmetologist for the rest of my life and eat sleep and breathe this stuff. And I succeeded from a technical stand-point. I have my degree and my license. I love everything thing from consulting, practicing, teaching, or even the sales aspect. BUT the fates didn’t want that to happen because before I even finished cos school I had to have knee surgery. One where they took part of my hamstring and used it across my knee cap to hold my knee cap in place. Well that failed a year later and a half year from that I was having that re-done plus another surgery where they broke my bone and pinned it up so my leg was actually straight and hopefully won’t pop out anymore. All these surgeries have caused numerous health problems that would take days to explain.

Anyways, I get side-tracked- I went back to school for business management for a safe “sit-down” job. I always hoped if I did this get a business bachelors thing I could come back to cosmetology. I guess I’m just looking for support/advice. I know this is a bunny forum but I’m so lost I don’t know what to do. My hearts just not in the business management schooling and I already want to quit on the first day so I know this isn’t a good path my head is heading down.

[LBJ10]

My advice? If your heart isn’t in it now, it won’t be later on down the road. Don’t force it. I learned the hard way that you can’t let others (or society) tell you what is right for you. This would include your family (if you’re worried about how they will react). So you like cosmetology. Is there a way to work around the whole knee thing? There are some things you can do while sitting down. Maybe you just need to get a little more creative. Maybe you could specialize in something. Just throwing some ideas out there for you. =)

[Tipsy Bunny]

Do what you want to do. My family is the same way, though my mom never finished college, my dad always pushed my sisters to become some sort of grad school doctor. One is a pharm d and the other is on her way to becoming a physicians assistant. Me, I am going to work for the Food Safety and Inspection Services under the USDA. That means going to processing plants and making sure the animals are in top health and sound mind before they, well, you know. I also want to be a goat rancher. None of these were what my dad was hoping I would be, he was hoping for a veterinarian, but I cant stand working with people that think they know everything and I dont want to work under those stressful kinds of situations where someones beloved pet is in my hands, I couldnt deal with that stress. So I decided to do what I wanted to and not live like my mom who is stuck working as a CPA for my dad, she dreads it everyday. I want to be able to wake up every morning and be excited to work instead of lolly gaggin out of bed because I hate my job. My bother in law is also a fireman, he LOVES his job. Wouldnt trade it for anything.
So my advice to you, do what you want to do, dont compare yourself to your siblings. I admit, I do that sometimes, but then I look at what I am going to do and realize that I am going to love my job while my sister hates hers (the pharm d). There are always setbacks, but its just the worlds way of getting you ready for reality. There are bumps in the road, but you just have to hold on tight and wait for them to settle, cause they will, dont you worry. For me, I am taking a “victory lap” in college, so, when I should be getting into my career, I am taking more classes to graduate, but I least I am. Honestly, if I wasnt doing this, I was going to get my license in dog grooming and set up my own business.

[FrankieFlash]

I wish I could do full time cosmetology right now but my knee isn’t healing right from the last surgery. I still can do haircuts or things that don’t require standing for long periods of time. I tried to get into doing nails so I could sit but sitting hurts too right now and there’s not a market for it really. It’s too much of a luxury I guess.

But I like your guys’ thinking. I know I shouldn’t be influenced by my family but I got more support financially from my parents when I decided to go back to school and I’m paying for my living with my college fund so if I stop going, I’m unsure what will happen to me living here. My mom actually was somewhat supportive after I called and was trying to offer up new career ideas but I feel like everything I love doing wouldn’t support me financially. I know other people have got to be having this problem too. Especially after my economics teacher lectured about how many people with 4 year degrees are unemployed or getting min. wage jobs.

[LBJ10]

Oh gosh, don’t get me started. LOL, gets me depressed just thinking about it. I worry constantly about being able to find a job (had a thread about it). But you know what, you just can’t think about those things. It is scary, but you can’t let that deter you from pursuing your dreams.

[longhairmike]

seriously,,

the people who seem like they have everything lined up and sorted out at 22,, are faking it

the people who seem like they have everything lined up and sorted out at 26,, are likely faking it

the people who seem like they have everything lined up and sorted out at 30,, already had an unplanned kid and no longer have a choice in the matter (can also apply to 22 & 26)

just know that you have 35 to look forward to when you can say with 100% certainty that you have stopped giving a $*&! about other people’s timelines for you.

[Huckleberry]

Posted By longhairmike on 01/09/2012 10:12 PM

seriously,,

the people who seem like they have everything lined up and sorted out at 22,, are faking it

the people who seem like they have everything lined up and sorted out at 26,, are likely faking it

the people who seem like they have everything lined up and sorted out at 30,, already had an unplanned kid and no longer have a choice in the matter (can also apply to 22 & 26)

just know that you have 35 to look forward to when you can say with 100% certainty that you have stopped giving a $*&! about other people’s timelines for you.

Mike, You are my hero!!!

 

Frankie, I am guilty of only skimming the other responses so Idk if this was already suggested, but have you thought about getting into Avon/Mark or Mary Kay? I did it for a while and it was a lot of fun. It could be a decent income if you invest enough time and energy into it. You probably wouldn’t need to be on your feet much. You can get started with a minimal startup cost and eventually, you can sign up to be a consultant. It’s not cutting hair or doing nails, but it is in the same arena… plus, you would be your own boss! 

If it helps, I am 26 and just changed my major for the 7th time. I have NO CLUE what I want to do for the rest of my life. My boss (a former nurse, librarian and now resource director for the art college I am in) always tells me “Who says you have to do the same thing forever?” I want to work in a library for a while, I want to do restoration work on old paintings, I want to go back to school and be a vet tech for a while, I want to do a few culinary classes at some point… Who says I cant? 

Do what you want. Don’t let anything get in your way. Be one of those awesome success stories that overcomes a disability and goes against what society says is ok and do what makes you happy. If nothing else, working somewhere that makes you happy will reduce stress and have a lot of great mental and physical health benefits!!!

[bunnytowne]

I am wondering why the dr just didn’t do a knee replacement.   I think that would have worked out better.  But then again I don’t know the whole situation and I am not a Dr.

Did you know Amway has a facial line and make up too?   Very good stuff.  I am almost out of the product I bought 5 months ago.

Also color me beautiful is another idea.   They have cosmotologist that go to peoples homes and do a color chart and have make up to buy as well.

I hope something works out for you with your knee there.  Had knee surgery myself but not like yours.  Still hurts sometimes. Weather. Too much walking or riding bike to get Cotton to the vet when Fouad isn’t around.    I can’t complain tho.  It is better than it was. For now.

here comes cotton to dig on me gotta go

[Sarita]

Well, I think the business degree could still be helpful for you with your cosmetology degree in that if you want to stay in that business and start your own salon or cosmetics company you will have some business background. It could still absolutely work to your advantage and would be a very good thing to have.

You can still go to school and get your much needed degree and still find something in the field that you love. I know that cosmetic companies have lots of different positions that having a degree would be very helpful for.

[Elrohwen]

Is there a way to use your cosmetology to run a business? I have no idea how that works, so I’m not sure if you need to have your own business or if someone would hire you to run theirs. Still, I know someone who works high level at a cosmetics company – she has her cosmetology degree, but has transitioned it into a job that is more of a business role, still dealing with what she loves. I don’t really know how you get jobs like that, but it seems that having a college degree in something like business would help (I know she doesn’t though – just has her license).

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m sure there are other jobs you could do that involve your cosmetology license that won’t involve being on your feet all day. I’m not sure how you find those jobs or if you need other training first, but if that’s what you love to do I’d try to find out about those jobs. Working for a cosmetics company would be fun!

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I’m a cosmetologist too so I know the feeling you’re talking about it, its nice to excel easily at something, and enjoy it too. The bad news is you’re right, its not really in the cards for you as a full time-bring-in-the-income- job because of your knee

I’m a big believer in “if it was fun, it wouldn’t be called a job and they wouldn’t pay you for it”. Work sucks. Some people, very few people (my sister is one of these), is a “live to work” type. Others, like myself (or my husband rather) is a “work to live” type. Find something you can tolerate and will make you well rounded. A business degree is a smart idea, right now most anything else is useless. You could use a business degree to move higher in cosmo, own a salon or work with a franchise in training or as a district manager, still in an area you love, but more financially stable and less on your feet.

Work out what you want with you life with goals you can actually achieve. Working in a salon as a stylist is out, so whats second best? What will help you get there? Is there any jobs foreseeable in the market for where you want to go? Do you want to stay local or move? Do you have connections in this area? Can you get any? etc.
Just don’t stress too much, we’re almost all in the same sinking boat

[FrankieFlash]

wow thank you everyone for your kind words. I’ve sold for a cosmetic company (Mark by avon)- actually I’m still a registered seller b/c they dont have quotas and stuff. But that was a very slow business. I make more money selling old books on amazon (which is what I do now for side money).

Bunnytowne- They say I’m too young for a replacement but me and my physical therapist think it would have been a better fit. I hope they come up with a way for younger people to have the replacement b/c I’d be all about that at this point. The original structure of my knee is so different and if my MRI comes up clear I have little options for my future besides working on it as much as I can with light home therapy (or I joined gym so I would try to bump it up). If it comes up that somethings moved- I’ll most likely end up in surgery again

Sarita- that is exactly why I went into it. Also, Business was my area of choice before I discovered my love of cosmetology so I had credits towards the degree and it would be the fastest degree for me to get. That and it is broad so I have more job choices. I just feel so unmotivated to do all this hard work. I’m hoping it’s the school. Before I drop out and drastically change my life I decided to meet with a counselor from the school I hope to transfer to this fall. Maybe they can motivate me and work with me, etc.

[Elrohwen]

I agree with S&LH – I think having a degree is so important these days and really, going through college can suck. Like she said, if it was fun they wouldn’t call it work 😉 I like my job, and I can’t imagine getting any different degree in college, but I don’t *love* my job and get excited to come here every day. It’s a job! I think you should stay in college and get a degree, but try to work out ways to use it with the cosmetology that you love (like running a business or working for a cosmetics company).

[FrankieFlash]

I didn’t see S&LH’s post or yours elrohwen until after I posted. But I wish I had since they were very helpful. I already figured I’m going to have to be a live to work kind of person. I definitely think I’m going to give this a lot of thought before I do anything rash like dropping out. I do have a somewhat connection to the University of MI and they have some of the best health care benefits in the state which is what I need but I just see myself being bored with that job and dreading working. I want to be somewhat excited to go to work in the morning. But maybe I’m asking for too much. Idk. I think I’d just be happy with any job with health benefits really in this economy.

[Stickerbunny]

Business degrees are boring … I don’t think anyone _likes_ getting them, but they can be useful if you intend to start your own salon or something like that. My suggestion would be break up the really boring classes with something fun.

What I did was:
I HATED algebra, so I would schedule that first thing in the morning. 8am I had algebra. Then I would have 1 1/2 hours to myself. Then it was a science class that was kind of interesting, then English. One day of the week I JUST had a 3 hour long humanities class, which was my favorite (loved the Professor), then an extra curricular which was fun. Then the next day I would have psychology, which I hated, followed by another history class which the Professor made fun.

I never scheduled two classes back to back that I hated if I could avoid it, preferably with some time in between the boring class and the next one I didn’t mind or thought was fun. My school had 3-4 options for each class I needed to take, so students could schedule their classes needed around each other, so for most classes I could manage it. And if your finances can handle it, throw in a purely “for fun” class each semester, just something that interests you. And a fun club, or extra curricular always helps.

You could always get into managing a salon or something until you can start your own.

[Monkeybun]

Agreed, finish the business course even if you hate it. You’ll regret it later if you don’t

And besides, if everything we did had to be enjoyable, no one would get anywhere in life

[Michelle&Lolli]

Well….I’m going to jump on the bandwagon and say finish your degree. Here’s why. I didn’t finish mine and I am making $11 an hour, 31 years old, and living with my dad. Of course I’ve had health problems as well but still. I have been so depressed about my circumstances lately.

I have heard that there are so many business degree grads out where that now it’s best to specialize in something such as going into finance or accounting, etc. I don’t know if that’s true or not. Also, why do you have to go into business? Or when you transfer to your 4 year college, why not add a marketing minor on? Or you could switch to marketing and focus on marketing for cosmetics companies. Most universities have a career center. I suggest you go talk to them about career options in what you want to do. They should be able to guide you and tell you what degrees or minors would help you the most.

I just threw marketing out there as an example. lol But do you have a specific reason for getting a business degree? There’s nothing wrong with switching majors. So I think if you hang on until you’re able to transfer, once you get to your university you will find you have a lot more options.

[FrankieFlash]

Well the college I was planning on transferring to is a business college only But I took the first step and emailed my contact there. So hopefully she can point in the right direction who to talk to. I chose business because there’s a lot of possibilities for jobs in it and I already have my foot in the door on that degree. Everything else would mean starting over. But I like where you’re going. My marketing teacher is for sure going to be my saving light in this because she’s pretty funny and even though the workload in that class is heavy, I think I’ll enjoy most of it (which is surprising b/c I never really was interested in the whole marketing thing). I’m trying to be optimistic today. Let’s see if it works.

BTW, can I just thank you all again for your advice. Even if it differs, or I take it or not, I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy lives to help me with mine . Bunjamin says thanks too b/c he doesn’t like his hooman all crazy

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