I’ve tried to write this post a couple of times. And so far it’s ended up blank every one of those times. This time, I’m just going to spit it out. It may not make much sense, but at least it’ll be here instead of still just sitting on my shoulders.
I was extremely fortunate to have been offered a job almost a year ago which, at the time and for many reasons, served my needs perfectly. However, I accepted the position knowing full well that it was not a long-term match for several reasons, which I won’t go into because they’re not really relevant to my current conflict. (My supervisor and I discussed these issues when I was hired and agreed that the position would probably end up being relatively short-term for me.)
I’ve been having the “where do I go now?” conversation with myself a lot lately, for a couple of reasons. One, my annual review is coming up next month and I’m pretty sure the subject will come up then. Two, I’m having a mid-life crisis.
Yes, I have come to the conclusion that I’m having my mid-life crisis at the ripe old age of 26. Why, I have no idea. Ok, if I’m being honest with myself, I know. See, I had this novel idea that I would graduate from college, buy a horse (first things first afterall), find a dream job, and work my way up the corporate ladder to a leadership position. Tada, career! I had this notion that hard work, dedication, loyalty, selflessness, etc. all paid off in the end. I don’t want to sound jaded–I’m not, just more realistic–but I know now that that’s not entirely how the world turns.
Ok, back to my mid-life crisis. It’s because my life needs new direction. I need to have my life/job/career mean something. You know–I want to make a difference, do something meaningful, all that jazz. So…
Goal: find new direction for my life.
I’ve come up with three possible options:
1. Have a baby.
Because this completely re-focuses your life, correct? On days when I’m having baby-longings, this seems like the answer to my mid-life crisis. I mean, a child totally gives new meaning to your life, right? However, I also have days when I think my main problem is lack of mental stimulation. On those days, I’m pretty sure having a baby isn’t going to solve much.
2. Find a new, more career-oriented job.
Really, this is the solution. It’s just a matter of finding the right fit. However, after 3 years of constant searching and a year of “keeping-an-eye-out” searching, I’ve come to the conclusion that there really aren’t any equine/animal sciences/research/veterinary jobs in Dayton, Ohio that fit my credentials. (Bachelor’s of Science @ OSU, majored in Animal Sciences w/focus in Equine Science, minor in Communication, reproductive physiology research exp.)
Major Concern(s): This decision leaves me with a requirement: MOVE. Probably out of state. Since we just bought a house and are still paying for our wedding, this isn’t really feasible. At least not right now.
3. Go back to school for my Master’s in Equine Reproductive Physiology.
Also a valid solution, providing a Master’s degree can actually help me get the type of job I want, not just land me with more student loan debt. This was where I was headed in 2005 (when I graduated from undergrad), before a few road blocks fell in my lane.
Major Concern(s): Same as above for solution #2. Also, I would have about 20-30 credit hours of pre-req courses I’d have to take before I could even apply to grad school. And I’d have to re-take the GRE, since my score from 2004 doesn’t count anymore.
Ah, dilemma, dilemma.
Here’s where a few personal stories would be quite helpful. Anyone care to share a similar story, preferably with your choice and how it turned out for you?
Aspiring Alverna 