Do people actually know what they want to do with their life?

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derpina_royale@reddit

Do some mobile hairdressing if you can, friends etc and start building a portfolio and some experience up. Hairdressing deffo is harder at the start when youre taking any client and trying to fix a load of dodgey home colours but it gets easier once you have a client base as you end up attracting people who are similar to you.

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Loose_Avocado4670@reddit (OP)

Yeah, because I'm on a 20 hour contract at wetherspoons ( they said ill likely get 25-30 hours) I'll more than likely have a day off during the week, so I plan on doing some friends hair. I can't drive yet, though I plan on learning when I start earning, so I'll expand mobile services when I can drive.

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Kim_catiko@reddit

If you can afford one, I would get a bike and just stay within the local area. You can get those cart things that attach to bikes to put your equipment in them. You can advertise on Facebook and Instagram Instagram. That's how I found my hairdresser.

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Loose_Avocado4670@reddit (OP)

I plan on doing similar. I think I'll work at spoons for a month to prove I'm competent and reliable, and do some small hairdressing gigs on the side. Then, I'll request a flexible working request and have a morning off for driving lessons and a full day off so I can be mobile and build up from there. When I drive I'll expand to 2 days and expand the areas I work in. Hopefully, I won't need the spoons job anymore and I can be fully self employed! It's really hard at the minute for newer stylists. Out of 15 in my class there are only 2 students who are in industry, but they jumped straight into self employment with no other job, and both of them have admitted to me that they hardly make any money because they are relying on walk ins and it's hard to build a client base with little experience. For a lot of small businesses, particularly salons, it's just not worth it to hire someone because it will take a while for them to profit, so the business will loose money. I've rang up over 20 salons and none of them are hiring on an employed basis. Ideally, I'd be employed first, but we don't live in an ideal world. Sorry for the long response, wish me luck! Please feel free to give me more advice.

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Ralphisinthehouse@reddit

I wouldn't limit yourself to waiting until you can drive. Unless your appointments are more than 10 miles away from your house on a regular basis it's almost always gonna make more financial sense to Uber to them than own a car anyway and it's much easier to claim back taxi expenses against your end-of-year taxes than it is to try and figure out how much of a car cost and usage you can claim for.

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derpina_royale@reddit

When i was doing it i made people come to mine, or i cycled to them lol! But it was a small town so easy enough. Would say if you can get a mobile backwash your back and your client will be a lot happier

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Flitdog@reddit

Are you in a position to hire a chair at a salon to start your own little business? Then you can build up a client base, if hair dressing is a stop gap, do you want to do make up and bridal packages as well? Or go full beauty salon? At your age, experience is the main thing, find out what you do like doing. Even if it’s kitchen work as you say. Nothing wrong with those jobs, they’re just not valued enough unfortunately.

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Loose_Avocado4670@reddit (OP)

Unfortunately not no. I don't have a clientelle, so I wouldn't have any business. 3 girls in my course ( out of 15 including me) jumped straight into self employment, but they've even admitted they aren't making much money at all because they haven't been employed so they haven't built that client base. It's really hard.

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Kim_catiko@reddit

You might be able to get clients through Wetherspoons as well.

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Loose_Avocado4670@reddit (OP)

I plan on: .Working at wetherpsons for a month to prove I'm reliable and a good worker . Request Monday morning off for driving lessons and work Monday evenings/closing . Request Wednesday off where I can do some mobile hairdressing and advertise my services. I plan on pricing myself really cheap. Because I can't drive I've thought of potentially getting an electric scooter? Though, I've heard they don't work well in rain. Either way, I'll only do around my area only, then once I've passed my test and got a car, I'll do 2 days and a wider area. Eventually, I want to be fully self employed.

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Kim_catiko@reddit

And you just need to make sure you can transport all your tools around with you.

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Loose_Avocado4670@reddit (OP)

I've been looking into a few Trolleys that are good with bump by roads/are durable in general.

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Groovy66@reddit

Just keep on keeping on. You’ve your foot in the door with the Spoons job. That will lead to another better job. You’ll find it way easier to get a job now you’re in work. Might take a while but you’ll get a job in a salon. It will happen. In the meantime, enjoy working and socialise while you work in the pub. A lot of people expand their friendship group or even meet their partners at work or in the pub. I know I did. You are in your way. It will happen. Enjoy!

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dinkidoo7693@reddit

I did my level 2, I couldn’t get a placement in a salon for level 3, I had bills to pay so took a waitressing job. Im now a parttime barista on 0 hours. It’s not what i want to do but it’s better than nothing. A lad on the same course managed to get a 1 day a week placement in a small salon that mainly styles older peoples hair. He also got a hospitality side job. He now works 3 days in a bar and 2 days in the salon. He’s struggling because older people don’t want creative colours and styles and he can’t show off his skills to build a better portfolio. Unless you can do mobile styling or afford to run your own business its not happening.

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Loose_Avocado4670@reddit (OP)

It's a sad reality we live in unfortunately. I'm sorry you couldn't find a placement. There's 2 girls in my course who have just jumped straight into self employment and both of them have said to me they aren't getting many clients/not making money really at all. I plan on requesting I don't work Monday morning for driving lesson or Wednesday for mobile appointments. I think maybe I could get an electric scooter so I could do clients in my area? I'm not sure though because I've heard they aren't good in rainy weather. Once I've passed my test, I could do 2 days and in more wide range of areas. The final goal is to be fully self employed and mobile. I'll start of dirt cheap though. I think this way I'll have guaranteed income through wetherspoons whilst also building my business. Do you know if electric scooters are good in rain/do you think this is a good idea?

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dinkidoo7693@reddit

I wouldn’t think a scooter would be the best idea, not just because of the weather but also having to carry your equipment to the clients houses

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SilentDrapeRunner11@reddit

Not really. I majored in political science, then went to an intensive jewellery making school and hoped to become a jewellery artist. I somehow ended up in medical administration and stayed there for the past 10+ years. I had zero interest in medical anything growing up.

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ARobertNotABob@reddit

> I guess I'm just going to play it by ear, and hopefully, it all works out! That's what everyone does in reality. I like this line from *The Last Samurai* : "I beleive a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed."

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CoffeeIgnoramus@reddit

My mum would be seen as successful by many people. She built 3 educational companies, worked at a top uni and did research for the top uni and has retired... My mum has always said right up until retirement "I don't know what I want to do for work". She just did whatever she felt like doing at the time. Passion is the most important part of your work. Don't misunderstand me, you need skill/knowledge and you do need to think about your decisions, and you always need luck that certain things line up for you, but passion really does help. Some people know instantly what they want to do and they have a great life, others don't know but just do what they enjoy in that moment and also have a great life. It doesn't matter whether you know or not, the determining factor is your drive to do it.

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Missing-Caffeine@reddit

Let me tell you as a 33F: I grew up dreaming on working in a magazine as a journalist. Went to uni, studied hard, did the internships and eventually realized I want to work in a book publishing house. Got a job in one, straight out of uni, hooray me! One year and a half later I am nearly having a burn out - my body was starting to feel the hit of working long hours (because I wanted to go up and become editor so sure I needed to work hard, right? Isn't this what they told me my whole life?) and so my mind. Eventually I managed to leave the job (ie they wanted to push me more work without paying, I said no, the chief editor took offense and fired me lol), packed my stuff, went to work abroad and life happened. Met my partner, had a baby and today I have a job that pays my bills and allows me to do the thing that matters most to me: be with my daughter. It took me 13years+ to figure out that even if you think you know what you want to do with your life, life happens, things change and somehow you may end up living a quiet life in a small village in your 30s and very happy about it :)

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alicatpow@reddit

I am not an ambitious person and have never set my dreams around my career and I think that's okay. Not every job is a dream job but they still need to be done, so some people need to fulfil their dreams outside of work. I work in admin. It doesn't pay a huge amount but it's enough for me and my lifestyle, it's pretty secure, I get a pension, and I can work from home. All of that makes up for the low pay in my eyes as it gives me security and work-life balance. I am good at my job and I am appreciated by my team as I have a good memory for all the weird scenarios we sometimes encounter so I am everyone's go-to when they are confused. This gives me some satisfaction of a job well done which is about as much as I need from work. My dreams were always more related to the kind of place I would live and the kind of home life and hobbies I would enjoy, and to me work is just a vehicle to facilitate those things. I spent most of my twenties doing any job I could just to get by after doing a useless masters degree in the humanities. I secured my current job about 6 years ago and have made myself the most useful member of my team to give myself a sense of security, and now I have a lovely tiny cottage in the countryside, a partner I love, a garden to grow my veggies in, and a dog to go on adventures with on the weekends so I feel like I'm living my dream.

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Lemonsweets25@reddit

Not OP but this was reassuring for me to read- I’m a creative and do a lot of freelance jobs pieced together, some related to my skillset and some not and yet all of them together not adding up to a decent salary. I dreamed of being very successful and appreciated in my field from a young age but now it just feels like very high effort for low reward and I’m very burnt out from it. It’s been getting me down at the moment. That said, like you I’m lucky enough to live in a little cottage in the countryside with my lovely partner who earns a lot more than I do and a wonderful garden that I get to tend to. Sometimes I dream of what it would be like to just do simple work and then switch off at the end of it without any needs for accolades etc and just enjoy this wonderful domestic life I have. But I always can’t help feeling guilty about it, like I’m failing myself.

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alicatpow@reddit

I always think you only fail yourself by failing to appreciate all the good in your life in any given moment. Life is lived in the moment and If you can find joy in the day to day you are rocking it. If I ever feel I am failing myself because I don't have X/Y/Z then I remind myself of what I do have and tell myself to stop reaching and start appreciating. Comparison is the thief of joy, as my nan always said.

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Ability_Civil@reddit

33F - I trained to be a scientist but the short contacts, shit pay and long hours in academia made me dip fairly early in my 20s. After that I was a youth worker for a while before going back to uni and becoming a vicar! It's a great job because it pays a modest but survivable wage, comes with a house and doesn't have any direct line management (except for the Big Guy upstairs). I also get to help people and spend time in schools which I find really enjoyable. Downsides are that I'm always working Christmas Day and I don't get weekends off (my day off is Friday)

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sleepyprojectionist@reddit

I’m 41 and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I have job hopped around and at several points I have had jobs within engineering. Technically it’s what I studied at college (and for a couple of years at uni before dropping out), but it was never really what I wanted to do. I just tricked myself into thinking it was for a few years. Ideally I’d like to retrain or go back to uni, but that just isn’t feasible with my financial situation.

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GrumpyOldFart74@reddit

I’m 52, and in a well-paid IT job… but I still don’t really know what I WANT to do. I just kind of drifted into this and was reasonably good at it. Now I’m counting the days to retirement. Given that it’s probably a bit late to be lead guitarist in a successful rock band, or play number 9 for Newcastle (and there’s an extremely significant talent gap…), I might as well just stay on the treadmill that supports my family and my hobbies. Very few people get to do a job that is both fulfilling and something they are passionate about. Most of us just bimble through trying to make a living - so you don’t have any need to feel down about yourself. The only challenge longer term is trying to get into something with enough prospects to support you in future. You might be with the pay now, but will you still be able to live on it in 15 years’ time?

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JoesRealAccount@reddit

Same but only 38. What would you do if you were 38 instead of 52? Because tbh I have been counting down the days to retirement for about 10 years now.

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Missdebj@reddit

I’m also counting down the days till retirement - it’s currently 126. My initial dream job was to work in libraries. Did it for a year, got married and moved, never went to university to get a degree in it. However, I fell into various admin and clerical jobs in the NHS, did 32 years of all sorts which I really enjoyed for maybe 95% of the time. I was made redundant in 2013, had a bit of time off then retail work which I love for essentially 11 years. My advice is to try all sorts of jobs now, while you have more security at home. I was lucky perhaps with everything I’ve worked at, but always what makes a job the dream is the people as much as the actual work.

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GrumpyOldFart74@reddit

When I was (almost) 38 I changed job - left a big safe company where I was mostly management, and went to a smaller (but not startup) in a more technical role That was partly because I was bored with management and politics, and it was also a decent payrise. 15 years later, I’m still there - back in management (unfortunately) but on much better money. So it was quite a risk professionally, and outside my comfort zone (different technology), but it wasn’t like a full career change or anything Given that I don’t know anymore now than I did then what I WANT to do, I don’t suppose I’d do anything differently. Fact is, I don’t really want to do anything… the “dream jobs” were never actually possible for me, and nobody will pay me to go for a run in the morning then sit in my pants playing guitar or on the PlayStation!

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Sure-Butterscotch290@reddit

A lot of people have an idea of their dream job and don’t know the reality of it. Some people know exactly what they want when they are a child and run with it for their whole life. I would also say that most people fall somewhere in the middle where work isn’t where their passions lie. Find hobbies and interests that inspire you and make you feel good outside of work, educate yourself in areas that interest you (doesn’t need to be through formal education either) and try to make the most out of each job you’re in. Most people find a job that has aspects they like, whether that be decent pay or a good team, and they are able to put up with the parts they don’t like. I work in an area that I am passionate about, but it is not the most well paid career. I only figured out I wanted to work in my sector during uni, after exposure to a lot of different paths I could take. There is no right or wrong answer and different priorities will areas to different outcomes. Spoons is not glamorous by any means, but having worked there for 5 years as a student, I did make a lot of friends there and had some chaotic nights out. It taught me how to work well under pressure and also taught me that I do not want to work in hospitality for the rest of my life! There are a lot of transferable skills to be learned and I also found it relatively easy to move into a team leader position to gain extra skills/higher pay.

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WoodenAnnual6702@reddit

No. I tell you what. I loved my job in visual merchandising but cried every month because the wage was so low. I applied to so many jobs, get this, in visual merchandising, with a higher wage and didn’t hear back from anywhere! For like 2 years I kept applying for the role I was doing. I ended up getting a job as a decorator (??) … so now I’m quids in, but hate my job 🤣 and I STILL want to work as a visual merchandiser, interior stager or interior stylist. Fml. Even when you know what you want, the universe doesn’t want you to have it sometimes.

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LilacScentedStoat@reddit

46 now. Left school not knowing what I wanted to be. Worked in a factory. A warehouse A welding shop An office As a supervisor As a manager Now, due to circumstances that don't need exploring at this point, I don't work at all. I never knew what I wanted to be. I look back and realise i put my health on the line to work hard for a company that didn't care. Now I'm paying the price for that. So I'd say, find a job you can tolerate and that funds what you want to do but isn't your entire life. But that might be a very hard task these days.

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_isolati0n@reddit

I also started out as a hairdresser but found that the pay and hours didn't work for me so after a few years I gave it up. I didn't have a dream job either, I always fancied becoming a driving instructor but never found the money to invest in it initially, I'm now 30 so there's still time for that. I approached my work life by thinking of what hours I wanted to work and applying for jobs that worked with that - I knew I needed to be full time and I didn't want to do weekends ever again after working every Saturday for years. So I started applying for Mon-Fri office jobs and very quickly got an entry level telesales role. I switched companies and roles a few times building experience and now work in a pretty decent office job in local government. I don't love it, but it pays well and gives me the hours I need. I don't want to be here forever, but for now it works. I've met some friends for life over the years from office jobs so that's a huge bonus. If you've no idea what to do, perhaps think of it from this perspective, what role can offer you the shifts/hours you want? Then give it a try and see how you get on.

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mrshardtoconcentrate@reddit

"I guess I'm going to play it by ear and hopefully it all works out!" That's it my love, that's what we're all doing in one way or another and how most of life works! Your career isn't everything - use a job to earn what you need to survive and use the rest of your time to invest in yourself and discovering your passions 🫶🏻

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DanS1993@reddit

Yeah that’s life. When you’re a kid you think adults have it all figured out then you become one and realise everyone is just making it up as they go along.

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AnythingPeachy@reddit

Most people don't like their jobs tbh, it's just a way of getting money. The main goal is to find somewhere where you like the people you work with and earn enough to live well, bonus points if there's in-house progression. Weather spoons is honestly a perfect for a job to have on the side while you're waiting for a hairdressing job to come up, just don't go past team leader because then you lose all the flexibility.

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whizzymamajuni@reddit

I’m 40 and about to start my career. I mean, I tried one and it didn’t work out, but it has taken a long time to find what feels like the right thing!

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lady_faust@reddit

Offer to cut hair at old people's homes and friends grannies that cant get out much..

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No_Tour_1030@reddit

I had a dream job when I was 16. Worked towards it and in it for 10 years and absolutely hated it. It wasn't what I imagined, and there was so much more to the job that I didn't know about, and disliked. Ended up an intern at 26, in a role and area I knew nothing about. Been there 8 years and starting a new job this month in that same area. I wouldn't say I'm passionate about it, but it earns me fairly good money, is pretty flexible and I don't dread going to work like I used to. For what it's worth, most of my friends from school ended up changing careers or doing something different to what they had planned. A couple didn't, but no matter how it looks from the outside, no one has their life totally figured out before 20. If they do, it will probably not be exactly as they picture it, for better or worse

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Ok_Drummer_51@reddit

I never had any idea what I wanted to do. When I grew up all the adults I knew worked in retail or factories so I didn't really know what kind of jobs existed. All of my friends wanted to be nurses or teachers. I started volunteering on my days off from college, and that led to a job in the charity sector. I did that for about ten years, and decided it was time for a change. I knew that I liked being an 'expert' in an area but I also knew that I hated being stuck at a desk all day. I started temping, while doing a blank search for all jobs within a ten mile radius to see what actually existed that I hadn't considered. Ended up seeing a trainee position that sounded interesting, and it's now been 15 years in a career I love. Playing it by ear is a good plan! Try things, learn what you can and be open to interesting opportunities.

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escapingfromelba@reddit

I suspect most people end of in a line of work, this notion of a dream is more myth. Even words like career suggest a olan when I suspect even people moving upwards are jumping through hoops because it's the thing to do rather than a grand plan. Therefore the trick is to get away from low paid sectors before you ossify into them.

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DangerousDisplay7664@reddit

Nope, never did know. I'm 43 now and still have no idea!

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mincedhalloumi@reddit

I left school with the intention of going into nursing. Life happened and I was unable to complete my degree and just stayed working on wards as a healthcare assistant for years because I didn't know what else to do. Eventually had enough and tried a few other jobs. Relocated with my husband and found a job in the civil service when I was 31 which I've just stuck with ever since. I've earned qualifications in the role allowing me to progress and earn a relatively good salary for someone without a degree. It's not my dream job (to be honest I have no idea what my dream job even is) but I'm content with it. Never would've thought I'd be doing what I'm doing 10 years ago but that's the way it goes sometimes 🙂

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NextTomatillo2335@reddit

Hey! It’s tough out there but congrats on going for it! Another thing to think about is could you be self employed? Bridal hair is very lucrative if you like that and you could gain experience around your current job doing prom hair which is less high pressure whilst your start out and would allow you to build a portfolio of work and styles! If you don’t have a car, it would also give you a chance to save to be able to do it! Just a thought but there are other routes to market if you couldn’t get a salon job! But well done for keeping options open and starting what to do! X

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SigourneyReap3r@reddit

I am closer to 40 and the answer is no. I have worked hospitality, retail, nhs, councils, currently work in highways and I've travelled half the world. I still don't know what I want to do work wise, but I am happy and fulfilled. A career isnt for me, so I work something I enjoy for now, earn money and enjoy my time outside of work more.

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Kara_Zor_El19@reddit

I’m almost 29 and still figuring it out Spent 4 years at uni but couldn’t break into the field, and right as I finished uni ended up developed health issues as well as mobility issues which mean I’m not well enough to work atm. I do voluntary work with a SEN charity which is flexible around my health

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Jonnehhh@reddit

I had no real passion for a particular job either, I started as a self taught Graphic Designer which was a big interest for me but actually working it 9-5 wasn’t enjoyable, so I continued it freelance and a series of events led to me getting a job in a kitchen, worked my way to kitchen manager and realised I was good at managing people, eventually moved to retail management before moving to Civil Service where I’ve been able to work my way up again. Your career is a journey, if you’re not sure just see where it goes, you’ll know when something isn’t right and can do something about it then.

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Iamnotoptimistic@reddit

I used to do Admin for my sister's bridal hair company. She also made an agency for other bridal hair specialists in the area so people who are looking for bridal hair can have quotes for all different styles (specifically like Hollywood Waves, Asian hair specialist, curly hair specialist etc.) The businesses are thriving because people are always getting married. Maybe bridal hair is something you could look in to?

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jamesycakes231@reddit

I've been winging it since I was sixteen. Started on a farm, then pizza hut, then the Royal Navy for a bit and now plastics manufacturers. Not done too bad. It's fine if you don't know what you want to do, as long as you're doing something. Keep gaining skills and opening up new opportunities and don't be afraid to try something new.

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Rainking1987@reddit

I’m 40, and I’m about to embark on career number 3. I still don’t really know what I want to do when I grow up lol. I think the days of picking a profession and sticking with it for 50 years are a thing of the past.

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Ralphisinthehouse@reddit

I only figured it out when I was in my early 40s. I wouldn't sweat it. Some of us figure it out when we're six, some of us figure it out when we're 60.

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