I'm 17 and will be graduating from highschool this year. I am taking a year off before going to college simply because I'm not ready to make such a big decision yet. While I am off for a year I plan to get my lifeguarding license, volunteer around locally just to gain experience, and work a part time or perhaps even full time job. I am also considering getting a scuba license.
And I have some future goals I want to achieve. I want to work on a cruise ship for a little while as an activities director or something. I know it's hard work but I think it will be very rewarding for me. I also want to join the peace corps at some point in my life. The thing is, I am kinda shy and reserved.. I don't want to live my life like this. I want to be outgoing, happy, travel the world and meet new people. How can I become more of a people person?
I am also not sure how to organize all this. Should I go to school before doing those two things I mentioned above? If so, what should I go for?
2007-03-19 12:19:46 · 5 answers · asked by . 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Some of my interests:
Helping people
The environment
The ocean
TRAVELLING!
I don't know how to pursue my interests as a career though...
2007-03-19 12:21:06 · update #1
I was a Peace Corps Volunteer 35 years ago. I'm one of the few geezers who answers questions here. I search for "Peace Corps" every couple of days. I see questions from young people with no particular skills and a burning desire to help people all the time.
This sounds cruel and I apologize in advance, but - the Peace Corps isn't designed to help you. It is designed so you can help others. That means you have to have a skill that a country has asked for. 95% of all PCV's have a college degree. The other 5% have 5 - 40 years experience in something like small engine repair or bee keeping or chicken farming.
The best thing you could do would be to go to college and major in civil engineering with an emphasis on simple water and sewer systems. The UN estimates roughly 5 million children die per year because they catch a disease from bad water. It is usually bad because the people upstream don't have a proper sewer / septic tank system.
Every clean water system you would help install would save a dozen lives a year, easy. You might be able to get to ten villages in a two-year stint.
People who have something to say generally learn how to say it. If you have a skill, you'll learn how to communicate.
Civil Engineering requires a lot of math. If that isn't your strong suit, you could teach English in a back country school, which would mean taking some TESL classes.
There may be posts in the Peace Corps for recreation leader; ask a recruiter. If there are, you could move from that to a cruise ship pretty easily. I don't know what you'd major in, but you'd need a degree.
I was shy and reserved too. Halfway through my PCV service I found myself giving a speech, in Malay, to 3,000 parents and students gathered for a district-wide track and field meet. You grow.
Best of luck!
2007-03-20 05:28:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to college!! Do not pass 'Go', do not collect $200!
At 17 there's plenty of time to decide on anything. What impresses me is that just your question and it's grammatically correct form should be required reading for thousands of 'students' on Y!A. Bless you for being one of the absolute 'FEW'!!
All the 'things' you express interest in as a potential vocation or volunteering for are admirable. You'll get older and wiser and surely do the right thing. Your organizational skills are already evident! You'll have no problem with a bit more time - you'e so young. Give yourself a LOT more credit - WOW!!
2007-03-19 12:37:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i think it sounds as if you have outstanding potential here~~~these are the prime years of your life and you have what it takes! step forward young lady and i believe you should take a few basic courses in college after school you don't want your mind to sit still too long!besides that will help you to mingle with people more~do you belong to any activities at school? clubs or anything? if not seek out some things in your community after school you can work for your ambulance or join a Church??theres alot of ways to meet people and strike interests!!!goodness i believe you would excel as a teacher and they have 3 months off in the summer rah rah so think it over good the world is in the palm of your hands young lady go for it!!mom of 3 here good luck and God bless you
2007-03-19 12:32:47 · answer #3 · answered by ladysosureone 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you go to a community college and study communications or speech? That could help you develop your people skills. In today's world, people skills are pretty important, and the best way to get them is to practice.
2007-03-19 12:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by smartee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read the bible and pray
2007-03-19 12:27:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋