Finding direction

I am an out-of-work Information Tech professional, one of probably millions. I graduated in 2001 into what is probably the bleakest job market for this sector in its history. After struggling to find steady work for the past two years and make a career for myself, I have come to conclusion: this just isn't working. So, since the life I attempted to make for myself refuses to come to fruition, I have decided that it is time to make a my own opportunities and go back to school for something different. . .try to start over.

The problem I am having with this is that I'm not sure what I want to do now. Prior to college, my interests clearly lay within the IT sector, which looked promising at the time. Unfortunately, the world never offered up what it promised before. I need help finding a new direction in my life and I would like to know what other people think on the issue of finding direction.

How did you come to decide what it is that you want to do with your life?? How did you find direction??

find whatever makes you hapiest in the world and do that. dont think about whether it will be a good career or not..just be happy. thats all that really matters...if you ask me.

use mapquest j/k

What he said.

Seriously, I have absolutely no direction myself. I don't even have plans for tomorrow, let alone plans for the future.

You could make a fortune with a law degree. I work with a guy who was a former "out of work information technology professional". But once he got a law degree he could command his price. Computers are really changing the law, from how courts can get jurisdiction over internet sellers to the government's right to demand encryption codes...but lawyers on the whole don't know shit about computers. Anyway, just a thought.

The direction as it measures up to a job seems to never coincide that well as far as society is concerned, at least not at first, in a pat-answer-here's-how-you-can-make-millions-way. Your mileage may vary.

Now direction as it measures up to happiness is a different story. A good place to start is think about the very first thing you wanted to do/be when you were small. Whatever that thing is, it's probably outrageous by normal standards but fits very well into your talents and the thought of it brings you no end of joy, and possibly, great amounts of fear.

If drugs and traumatized childhood experiences don't allow you to remember that far back. the second option is to map out all the things you would be doing if money were no object and a job was moot. If you had a wealthy benefactor show up out the blue, what would you do then? (Ok, ok, AFTER the buying 5 houses, traveling around the world twice and hiring a bevy of hot women to attend to your new harem of Mercedes.) I mean, what would you do after that, the thing that deep down has a very tiny but insistent voice, and wants nothing more to ___________?

Now the trick is to work THAT (__________) into your life.

Yes. That's the hard part.

You know what I wanted to be above all else, even after I read about how they die horrible deaths at the hands of torturers when they're captured? A ninja. No, really. In the second grade, we had to make these construction-paper dolls, with joints that moved by being attached by those brad thingies, of what we wanted to be when we grew up. All the other kids made doctors, or firemen, or junkies. Well, ok, no one said they wanted to be a junkie when they grew up. Anyway, I made a ninja. It was awesome. My mom was really embarassed on parent-teacher day, though.

That's sound advice and I take it to heart. Unfortunately, this is the case: that _________ is video games. Has been since I was five years old. Have played them obsessively and only recently have I had a slump where I haven't been playing them, possibly due to depression or fear of wasting precious time. So essentially, my hearts desire is leading me even further in the belly of the beast: arguably the most aggressive portion of a floundering industry that has already come up craps for me. But maybe I am looking at this the wrong way. Maybe there is more to the game development industry than I see at this point.

But I'm still interested in hearing some other ideas on how to find direction in one's life. The gaming industry is a 'shoot-the-moon' kind of scenario and seems a problematic path.

(Thanks to everyone who has had positive input!)

I am one of the very few people who actually use their college degree for a career. I chose the direction I am in due to necessity, I knew I would make less money if I didn't use my degree/area of experience. I now have a baby and I also know that changing is not really an option now. I also chose my career because I would feel too guilty paying all that loan money to not use the degree. i haven't decided that this is what I want forever, but realistically, you can't choose anything forever. I don't consider myself a person who necessarily has the "direction" we are all searching for, but I do have a direction.


"Do what makes you happy" most people consider that a luxary. Not true, i did my job exploring and settled somewhere I felt comfortable. Why can't you? You're entitled to be somewhere you like. While it is a possibility in your life, don't view your indecision as anything but an opportunity! I am not where I'd like to be but I am happy knowing that I am "closer" to what I want. Knowing what you don't want is just as important as knowing what you do want. please find yourself not worrying to much about not having direction but focusing on gathering your possibilities. Good luck, doll.

==="...and the thought of it brings you no end of joy, and possibly, great amounts of fear."

That's the way it works. If it means that much to you, figure it out, go for it. There is a way in there somewhere.

(And for the record, being a ninja isn't necessarily unrealistic. )

There's always work at the post office.

Was that an intentional "Hollywood Shuffle" quote? If so, shaking your hand is the next step.

Do what you love. Love what you do.

You liked IT. Is there something involving the field that would inspire you?

Every time you get frustrated, yell "FUCK YOU OSAMA!".


Good luck.

If you are still interested in IT, look into government contracting. The guvment is always looking to spend money and they have huge initiatives to move everything over to web-based systems. And if you can get on any Homeland Security contracts you'll have nothing to worry about.

Of course you pretty much have to live in the DC area to take advantage of this....