Overeducated and still don't know what to do with life...any suggestions?

Question

I am 28 and single and have an extensive educational background. I studied for an MBA online in Global Technology Management and earned a MS in Teaching Mathematics. I also have a BS in Computer Science. Suprisingly, I still don't know what to do in life. I feel very stupid and so sad that I still don't know what to do after all of these degrees.

I have taught HS for the last 3 yrs (as my first real job) while earning the MS in Teaching Math and I disliked teaching. I've dealt with unruly kids, backbiting & lying administrators and pressure to pass on kids with poor skills. I quit my job this summer.

I have tried working going back to using my CS undergrad degree but I am not up to date with skills and have no experience. In fact, I tried getting a job when I graduated college in 2003 and didn't have luck.

I'm afraid to work in corporate America (after the politics I've dealt with in the school I've worked in. It is like I'm no longer interested in the fields I've studied.

I feel that I have a very introverted person and not cut out for teaching. Nor am I cut out for the backbiting-ness, lying and unethicalness in a corporate job.

Sometimes I regret studying my fields and wish that I was a liberal arts major to give me an opportunity to be a bit more creative, interesting, and fulfilling. At other times, I was thinking of pursing a medical researcher so that I can be left alone to do a job that benefits society. (Since I like school so much)

I’m thinking of returning back to school and doing something completely different. I have many loans but I will find a way to pay for them. Am I nuts for pursing this amount of education at this point?

I know it seems like I'm all over the place...but I'm very sad and frustrated at this point. :(

TOWANDA I appreciate your advice but I don't have to deal with office politics by being a habitual liar and backstabber. I know there are negative aspects of jobs. I'm good at dealing with customers and clientele whether angry or not. But to get blatantly disrespected and screamed at in front of children like I did in my prior career field. There are also careers that I don't have to conflict my morals and I'm not running away from anything. Your assessment about me not wanting to work is totally wrong. I've had many ideas of dream jobs but I came to a point where I have a lot of education and it may seems really strange to switch to something different. I was influenced by mom to pursue these degrees and I've had no father in my life. I had to stick up for myself until this point. Plus I have had strikes against me as well.

Thanks to all the others who have been so very helpful in my search of a career field and has understood my situation. I truly appreciate it!

Answer 1

You're single so you're mobile. You're well educated in fields that indicate you're smart. Ever thought about working overseas? I'm sure there are countries with people that would appreciate having someone like you. You may have to learn another language but I'm guessing that shouldn't be a problem for you. You may also have to give up the level of comfort you're enjoying now but there may be trade-offs to that or you may actually live better than most depending on where you locate yourself and what you do.

I'm betting that getting more education won't help you're situation. I'm not as overeducated as you but at some point in the past I realized a formal education will never open some doors the way connections, knowing how to rub the right elbows, how you come across to somebody, or having the same interests as someone else does.

Of course, there's going to be politics everywhere so that's something you just have to accept.

If you can attach some purpose to work other than satisfaction with the work itself and living the American dream you should give it some thought.

Answer 2

Have you considered teaching in a private school, where the kids might be a bit more disciplined and the admin staff already established and more defined in thier role so that there might not be any backbiting? Or possibly working as a tutor, one on one with students? Either position might be less stressful, more fun. Perhaps your place is in the teaching field, just in a different aspect of it. Good luck!

Answer 3

If you are willing to do the research, it is realistic that you could make your living going to school. My ex wife did just that. Such people are called "Professional Students". Scholarships get handed out for the wierdest reasons. If your grades are good enough, you can also rely on grade based scholarships. A friend of mine from high school (who was certainly no scholar) got a full scholarship (room and board included) to a prominant Maryland college just for having something wrong with his knee. Lasko (I think that's his name) has put out a couple of good books on getting free money from the government. If the thought of life outside of academics makes you ill, then this may be the route for you while you figure it all out.

Answer 4

You sound like a professional student. I lean that way sometimes because I really like learning but that time spend is time away from life. You need to learn how to live. There is no such thing as the perfect job. Each has its good points and bad ones and you always have to kiss someone's b*tt no matter what you do. There are always office politics and you just have to learn how to deal with them instead of running away. Very few people end up working the the field their degree is in but find those jobs that suit their liking as well as their abilities. It doesn't sound like you even want to work and have absolutely no ambition. The job you would be willing to work does not exist.

Answer 5

You need to find a passion. Start volunteering for different organizations. I'm sure you will find something