Are you totally settled as regards profession/career?

Yes. I dropped out of college for a couple years, then went back and took a while trying to find a career path. I am glad I did that, though, because I found a career that is well-suited to my natural traits and personality. I got my Masters degree over 20 years ago and I still love what I do. The changes in health care are an ongoing challenge, but I will ride the waves of change as long as I can.

Yes, I am very happy after years as a management and marketing consultant to go back to my first love: writing and editing.

I retired yesterday, so I hope so.

I think for the most part,but part of me is thinking heavy equipment operator.

CONGRATULATIONS @filmfann !!!!

Yes & No.

I’ve been gainfully employed as a graphic designer for almost twenty years… but I’m working to be a more thoughtful designer, pursuing projects not just for a paycheck.

I’ve also enjoyed teaching graphic design for over thirteen years… but it’s been between two different colleges and mostly adjunct. I’m looking to get settled in somewhere for the long haul so I can specialize, get published, and tie my teaching more directly to design work I produce.

I feel like ill always be a work in progress.

No way. I like my job, it’s meaningful, but I applied to grad school because it’s a job that doesn’t go anywhere. I can’t take on more responsibilities. I just do what I’m directed to do. As a teacher assistant in a special needs classroom, I get no say in things like IEPs (their yearly goals), or how the day is structured. I already have more responsibility than almost any other assistant in my building (for example I have a leadership position on one of the committees I’m on) but after only a year and half I’m already not being challenged. Anything I learn is great, it helps me help my students more, but nobody really cares honestly, because I’m just the assistant.

So I’m seeking to expand my influence on disabled students, so I can be the person to say “we should head in this direction”, “he/she has emerging skills in X, let’s focus on that”. And to be honest, financially I can’t stay at this position forever. I live at home because there is no other way. I have health insurance, and good health insurance at that, but that doesn’t make me feel better that I have to watch every penny like a hawk. It sucks seeing everyone you know gaining independence and you are 25 and stuck in place.

I also have other complications, while I do have asperger’s, what really is in my way career-wise is my vision impairment, which means even though I have good functional vision, I can’t drive and it’s unlikely my acuity will ever allow that possibility. Try being an adult and completely dependant on others to get around and you can see why grad school is such a mystery to me even if I do get in, how will I get around? I’m too disabled to be normal but too abled to qualify for help is the bottom line.

And on top of that, my position will likely not exist next year so even if I don’t go to school, I’ll still be applying to schools (my district only hires temporary 1 year contracts as they consolidate and as one of the temps with the least years I’m certainly on the chopping block). This place is really close to home so I’ve been able to work out the transportation bit but if I’m working somewhere else my transportation struggles will once again come to the forefront.

So when people ask me what I’m doing next year my reply is always, “I don’t know, I’m just going to have to wait and see.”

I waitress, I adore it. I love people. I’m good at it, and I make better money than anyone I know aside from friends who have real careers and are tied to their job. What I like about waitressing is its flexibility, and good money for the small amount of hours you have to put in to make the same wage as many other jobs I could have. Also since I’m an allstar it is easy to make the exact schedule I want, take time off when I want, move across the country and find a job anywhere I want. I am not too into the idea of a career, a 9–5 for instance, at this point in my life. I know that I could make more money probably by doing that, but for most jobs I’d also probably have to pay off a stupid amount of student loans. I Just have no interest. I am very happy with my job right now.

35 years self employed. Never been settled. I can no longer say “photographer” as my profession. That’s one thing yes. But so many other opportunities have opened up as a Creative Director, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Videographer, Director… that I don’t know what to call myself any longer.

Commercial Creative?

Hope to throw it all away one day and “settle” into the fine arts, similar to what @cookieman describes “I’m working to be a more thoughtful designer, pursuing projects not just for a paycheck.” Yep, that’s where I’m at too.

No.

I’m on a break from that kind of stress…I will settle down first before taking more classes.

Never been, and I’d be really surprised if things became that way. I’m on the verge of switching back to corporate communications in the form of a PR job after having slummed as a flower delivery and produce delivery guy for the last 4 years, but even this is likely not the end product. I’m fine with that. I’ve always had resources enough, and I trust that will continue.

I do theatre as a hobby, and that would be hard to get away from.

I was thinking about taking the same path as @deni. I suspect we will see an increase in career service jobs because going in debt for a piece of paper doesn’t seem worth it.

A person like me who has no passion or no idea what to do in life would make a good bartender and server.

I was thinking about moving to a populated area and working my way up to a large club or restaurant.

When you hear about people making 1000 dollars a day doing this stuff it’s really enticing.

Well I’m a junior in college so I feel at this point I’m pretty much stuck in my major (computer science); it’s too late to switch.

Sometimes I hate my major, sometimes it frustrates me beyond belief, sometimes I get really sad when I think about the degree I gave up on which used to be my dream (physics).

That’s not to say it’s all bad news. I am less stressed, healthier, and happier in general since setting my sights on something more realistic. I live for the present a lot more than the future.

I’m quite certain I will still get my physics degree someday. I don’t see myself in one field for my whole life.

Sometimes, I feel insane for pursuing the profession that I have selected. But I honestly cannot imagine myself feeling entirely satisfied with a different career. I can imagine having good fun picking up side projects, but turning them into a job seems like it would sour my experience. When I started college, I did not foresee that I would become an educator. I shuddered at the thought. But here I am.

I just submitted my first PhD application. I have five schools remaining. I am terrified, but excited all the same. I am one step closer to being a professor of literature.