Any job that pays a lot of money! Just kidding... wow, this sure is a difficult topic. Have you ever read What Color Is Your Parachute? It's a classic book on job hunting and I've found it very helpful. Here is the description from Amazon:

In the last five years, the United States has lost 2.6 million jobs — the most in any five-year period since the Great Depression. In the 2006 edition of his legendary job-hunting book, WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? Richard Nelson Bolles offers hope and presents an inspiring and detailed plan for finding your place in this uncertain job market. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? has been the best-selling job-hunting book in the world for more three decades, in good times and bad, and it continues to be a fixture on best-seller lists, from Amazon.com to Business Week. It has well over eight million copies in print and has been translated into 12 languages around the world. With an extended preface that addresses job loss, vacancies, and outsourcing and updated references on how to use the Internet in your job-hunt throughout, the 2006 PARACHUTE addresses the top concerns of today ’s job-hunters. In the words of Fortune magazine: "Parachute remains the gold standard of! career guides." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

You might want to pick it up!

hey kristen! i'm going through the same path right now, trying to figure out a career change. have you ever taken myers briggs personality test? i think if you go to humanmetrics.com, you'll find a decent test there. knowing your myers briggs can give you insight into what careers might be good for you, based on your personality. i've found it to be really accurate. i'm an enfj, btw! i haven't figured out what to do with my life either, but at least i have a clue now. does this help at all?

the other thing you might to consider is using a life coach. my friend saw a life coach for a few months and really liked it. supposedly a good life coach can help you figure yourself out. i think you can prob. do a google search for life coaches in the area.

good luck, kristen!!

Kristen, I've changed careers four times. (Don't ask) Don't be afraid to experiment with different things until you figure out what works for you. Even if people give you grief for it. Did you ever notice that the people who criticize you are often miserable? So why listen to them? They obviously don't know what living a good life means. Just listen to your gut. Or as you women might say, your heart. Don't worry if you make some mistakes. Actually, mistakes are inevitable anyway, so don't sweat it. Someone famous once said (I think it was Churchill), "Life is just one damn thing after another." Is that how you want YOUR life to be? Not me, sister!

WOW! You guys are soo awesome! Thanks for such great advice! Bankerman, I'll definitely look into that book. I have heard of it and people say it's great. Kelly, I'll do that myers briggs test. I don't think I can afford a life coach right now but maybe one day down the road. Michaael, you are one bold man! changed careers foour times? Cool!! What do you do now, may I ask? I think you're absolutely right. Don't listen to what other people say. Especially if those people are unhappy with their own lives because they're not willing to take risks and change. Love that Churchill quote! No way, I don't want my life to be like that! Noooo!

You guys have given me great starting off places. Thanks soo much!!!

Kristen:

Read your post. It is great that you realize that you want to do something fulfilling. I recently changed jobs into the technology industry. Honestly, I love it. It is always a challenge, no monotomy for me. One recommendation I would give is to intern for a company in the field you are interested in considering. You can put in as little as 3-4 hours. It will really give you insight into whether it is for you or not. Plus, it will give you experience in the field if you decide to pursue it. Just Google internships and Charlotte, and I am sure you will find something.

Best of luck,

Jennifer Astete-Lewis