I don't know what I want to do with my life... career options, please help.?

Question

I'm reaching the end of my high school studies, and I don't know what I want to do.

More importantly I dont know what I CAN do. I'm not doing well at school, so it would be hard for me to get into university. And I wouldn't have the money anyway.

Things I wouldn't mind having a job in, include designing stuff on computer. I like designing dvd covers, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, etc. etc. I also like designing web-pages, and I know some basic scripting.

I love gaming. I would love to work in the gaming industry, but I would need to go to university to get scripting and design qualifications. I feel I'm not that smart, and as I said, I'm not doing well at school.

I wouldn't mind working in the food and hospitality industry. I've worked in a restaurant before. I'm not sure which part of it I'd like to work in.

I've always kinda loved museums. When I was young I wanted to be an archaeologist, and I feel like I'd love to work in a museum, or as a tour guide, or something like that =/

I also like writing. I'd like to work at a magazine as a journalist. Maybe I could do an apprenticeship at a magazine or newspaper.

I can see now, there are so many things I wouldnt mind doing, and I think my real passion lies in gaming, but I know I cant have that. I'm not bright, and my study options are limited. I cant get into uni with the grades im on.

Please any suggestions would be useful, I don't know what to do. Maybe some ideas on how to get into a career, because I have no idea.

Any advice would also be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

seriously, the best idea would be go to college. i understand your situation makes that seem impossible, but you can go to community college. your career should definitely be with a gaming company of some sort, but you will get paid more and find work easier with a college degree. most people make the mistake of thinking college isn't for them, but that's not true.

Answer 2

Have you considered the military?  Navy may be good for you...they are very technical.

Answer 3

Maybe go into business or journalism

Answer 4

I think you need a little time to figure out all this stuff inside, what they call subconsciously.  

Could you not get some sort of associate, or beginner's position with a firm in one of the areas you talked about?  The exposure to work, in an area you think you might like, may firm up your thoughts and hopes.

Some people are late bloomers.  You may need a couple of years of real world experience, to mature and develop.  And also, the earn and save some money, so that you might them be able to go back to school, perhaps even with the help of your employer.  

A lot of colleges and universities offer really cheap "auditor's" courses, where you can audit a course.  This means you can attend the course, do the studies, take the tests, etc.  The only thing is you do not get a report card or certificate or "credit" for the course.  If after 1 course in applied art, or design, or computer science, or mathematical game theory, or writing, or what have you, you find you have no interest in that, then this might tell you where you should not (or maybe even should) go...

You should talk to a career counsellor.  What are your hobbies?  What are you good at?  There are IQ and aptitude tests that help.  You might even discover a scholarship or grant that might help.

You say you were not good at school.  Why?  What classes were you good at?  Which ones bored you?  Was it you?  The teachers? the curriculum?  The school?  The other students?  

You really need to find some initial answers to some of these questions.  Only them will you find your way.

You sound fairly intelligent and well spoken.  And I think maybe some tutoring, or night courses in your weak study areas might help.  

Try see if there is a mentoring program in your city.  

You need to talk this over with people who can look at it from ther angles, and help you access the resources you need to become the next Doom Programmer, or the next Madison Avenue Add man, or the next Indiana Jones, or whatever...

Good Luck.