Am I choosing the right career? What do you guys think about my plan?

Question

I'm 23, going to ucla, I am majoring in French w/ Linguistics, Spanish w/ Portuguese and Latin American Studies.

Now that I am coming to the end of my bachelors degree, I feel kinda scared about the real world. I want to go to grad school, I'm 100% sure of that but have I chosen the right career? I would love to be a professor and teach french, spanish, portuguese and also esl but I feel that teaching isn'tt the safest route sincethere'ss always budget cuts on education and teachers are always getting laid off.

I have recently decided that after I graduate, I am going to go back to community college start my all over again to pursue a second degree maybe in Biology or Chemistry and eventually into pharmacy school. I feel that its just a safer way to go, Idon'tt mind spending the next 8 years studying for that. I also know that in the end its also going to pay me pretty well. My friends think I'm crazy for thinking of starting all over again, but I tell them, I'm not married nor do I have children and if (god allows) I think I hopefully have 40-50 years of life left, I might as well do things while I'm young.

I would really love to hear some responses, I've been thinking about this a lot and hearing other peoples view on this would be awesome!

THNX!

Answer 1

There are many organizations that need multi-lingual people..  The armed forces is a good one..  You should explore some options before you commit to anything, you're still young.

Answer 2

I don't want to offend you, but don't be stupid.

Get a job first -- even if you get laid off in 3 years you'll have that professional experience.

Starting over immediately shows an inner fear on your part -- it says that you don't believe in yourself or what you've already accomplished, and that you're so afraid of failure that you won't even try.

It simply doesn't make any sense at all to go to community college after earning a bachelor's...it would be better to start your master's.

That being said, you can work while you're earning that higher degree, like most people do.

Answer 3

Well i don't think you should change your career because your scared of the pay. i think you should stay in your job if that's what you wanna do for the rest of your life.and if your not really into being a pharmacist then its not worth going to school for unless you have a passion for it or else it means nothing and you're just wasting your time........think this through before you do anything.............GOSH (lol)  

Answer 4

It's a lot of learning, but not a lot of doing. It seems that you're hopscotching quite a bit.

I always like the entrepreneur route, and if you could include that in your life (starting a BUSINESS), I think it would be the best.

Look at it this way. Why would someone want to study for 8 plus years to become a fighter at 31 plus years old before he gets into the ring and experiences the real world?

It has been written (to the effect of): "Of making books there is no end, and much learning is a weariness of the flesh."

Some people are already very successful between the ages of 23 and 31. It seems to me like your mind is focused on planning and not doing.

Answer 5

I think you should do what you are most passionate about. You shouldnt give up on becoming a teacher because you dont think you will be paid well enough or because you will be laid off. As you are a language teacher you should be able to get jobs in other countries, and may get better pay there. However, if you don't mind re-starting for a new career, and that is what you are set on, then you should do that, don't be pressured into the wrong decision by your friends.

Answer 6

The whole going back to community college is a waste of time and money. I suggest just going to graduate school and completing your studies then working in the real world. You can get a job with a B.A. in your majors at schools right now. You can also try tutoring. Try talking about your plans with a career counselor they will guide you in the right direction.

Answer 7

I understand your concern.  Up until this point all you've probably only been in college and worked some entry-level jobs.  Real life is more difficult than that.  However, keep in mind that no matter how many degrees you've earned and how many roads open up to you, none of it will make life in the real world any easier.  The best thing is to get out there and get your feet wet.  Give your original plan a try and if you decide it isn't for you, you can always go a different route.

Answer 8

Actually, teaching is one of the most secure job positions out there. I would stick with it!

Answer 9

I can't imagine starting over like that.  I got my degree in marketing at a really bad time.  I was making more money as a part-time bank teller while putting myself through school, than I was being offered in my field.  I turned down all those low paying jobs and ended up in an accounting office only because I was bilingual.  I have worked there for a few years, got great experience, eventually a better paying job, still without any accounting education.  I ended up going to night school 4 years later, getting enough credits to sit for the CPA exam and the rest is history.

I do not regret any of it.  What I would consider, however, is what you want in your life besides a particular career.  I cannot imagine my life without my family.  There is no job in this world that would be worth not having or postponing a family to me, and the longer you wait the more difficult it may become.

I would stick to what you have planned, even though you're scared.  I think that's normal.  I would not start over, because in another 8 years you may have the same fears about a career in Biology or Chemistry.  

Answer 10

personally, i think your friends are right, you shouldnt waste 8 more years of your life!! thats crazy, the real world cant b that bad, teaching is a very very good career cause theres always a spot, and theyre not getting laid off, theyre wanting more and more teachers out there

Answer 11

dont start over unless you want to. you will be fine with those languages! interpreters are always needed if you dont want teach. i was going to study arabic. i even talked to the fbi about it. free lancers get paid up to 250 an hour! just do what you want and have fun.

Answer 12

I think before you choose to get another degree you should see if you can internship at a pharmaceutical company. You may be surprised to know that with the world becoming smaller there is a need for you, not just in teaching, but in business as well (since it seems that you have a knack for language.) don't run into another job just yet. See what you like to do and take it from there.

Answer 13

No Problem!

Answer 14

Your friends are kind of right, don't spend most of your life thinking that you wasted your time learning about one subject and you can't use it to your advantage!  What about an interperter or even going to interpret for court cases and nowadays there are so many different things you can do if you know a language(s).  Be resourceful, and dont keep going to school because it makes you feel secure (kanye west said it best when he said the concept of school seems so secure) because I majored in chemistry, and then criminal justice and just recently graduated and am having a hard time finding a job it's not easy for anybody! BUT....persistence is the key to success!!!!!!  

Answer 15

If you really have an interest in Biology, Chemistry, and pharmacy, it's definitely not too late to start a career in those, so go for it!  But don't do them just because it seems more safe or profitable.  If you really love the languages you've been studying and those are your passion in life, stick with them.  You will be able to find a job involving them...It may take awhile, and you may have to do something besides being a professor right away, but you'll be able to find something!  You can try meeting with a career consoler at your school, he or she might be able to help, but if it takes awhile to find a job, you can always tutor for awhile (there are lots of organizations that hire tutors and set them up with families to tutor, and you can make a lot of money that way...)

Answer 16

look for a job in the republic of panama. it's the safest, most stable country in south america, plus they're not big on taxes down there. and the teaching jobs there are very consistant. you could live very comfortable there!