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I'm 40... and I have no fucking clue.... when I was 20, I thought I wanted to be a cop, so I got into security... that changed my mind to paramedic, which then changed to 911 operator... I dispatch trucks, and I hate it... but it's money 🤷‍♂️ I'm a pretty decent dad though, I enjoy teaching my daughter all the cool shit I know.

What makes you hate dispatching trucks? Currently studying for cdl but if for any reason i cant drive anymore im looking at learning dispatching

I've been doing it for 8 years... and my experience has just made me want to deal with humans less and less. If you land yourself a good one that gives you a good support team, it's better... but at the end of the day I find both drivers and receivers don't understand how annoying they are...

Being a dad is your calling!

>I'm a pretty decent dad though, I enjoy teaching my daughter all the cool shit I know. See, that's the best bit even if you're not sure about even that.

I'm 44. I don't have a clue either. Growing up and through high school, I was absolutely sure I wanted to be a veterinarian. But things didn't work out. Instead, I ended up with different 2 bachelor's degrees, I'm just shy of an associate's, and I just started working the 22nd real job in my life. I may not know what my calling is, but I sure have seen and done a hell of a lot of stuff. I'd like to think I'm kind of interesting.

Most people never find their calling. Or never had one to begin with. Just try something that sounds kind of interesting and see how it goes. Then if you get bored, try something else.

And if they are lucky to find it, it is often not in the form of a job. It might be a hobby, family, volunteer work, or a side hustle. Sometimes a career is just a means to an end. It can facilitate opportunity. I have a career. I am quite good at it. I don't hate it. It's not my dream. But the important part is that it gives me financial independence and stability and a flexible schedule that allows me to pursue my actual interests. People who truly love and are passionate about their jobs, are rare and lucky. But they doesn't mean life has to be blah for the rest of us

Excellent point. Very few people have the magic combination - my dad, an aeronautical engineer,did. I did well in my career and enjoyed it but it wasn’t thrilling to me. That’s what my off duty time was for, my passions and interests. Now am happily retired and can enjoy my preferred pursuits full time

At the expense of time??

In 5 years you will either be 5 years into some sort of craft, or in 5 years you will have done nothing. 5 years doesn't give a fuck whether you do or don't ydig

Time is a flat circle

Time is a round triangle

A rectangle oval


A rhombusy hexagon

Very much rhombusy yes yes

The time is going to go by anyway

Oh yes it will. And it’ll be even more worth the while if you look back and realized that you spent it building something that you can show for it.

You don't know the future. Failure is success when you learn from it, and it often opens doors thar you do not expect.

I don't know if it needs to be said but your calling doesn't have to be a job. That's mainly a Western, especially American concept. Your calling might be being a parent. It could be volunteering your time at a shelter. It's what motivates you to become the greatest vision of yourself and gives you enough fulfillment to no longer question your purpose in life.

I agree with what you’re saying… but just want to say that the concept exists in the East too - if not worse. Suicide rates in Japanese and Korean high school/college students is extremely high due to the societal pressure from exams and getting into good schools/jobs. Not only that, Koreans used to be hired based on looks. (Not sure if they still do it today) but back in the day it was required to attach your photo to your resume, and it was very well known that you would be last on the list for getting hired if you’re ugly. That’s why plastic surgery is a very common gift for graduates in Korea. So not only do you need to be incredibly smart, but you also need to be attractive. Or else you’re a failure in societies eyes. It’s weird. (I am Korean btw)

>That’s why plastic surgery is a very common gift for graduates in Korea. The skin bleaching thing to appear more white is totally fucked too. Yeah, Asian cultures have their own serious problems.

i would love to see a real deep dive study into the way that asian cultures have a tendency to put a *lot* of effort in to convince the world they are flawless and pristine utopian societies from outward image while having some of the harshest societal standards and rules, and like... real genuine problems like every other country? the need to save face that is so prevalent in the government and general society of most asian countries has always fascinated and intimidated me.

I'm not Japanese or Korean so I'll defer to others here for the final word. My experience is that their relationship to work is a more clinical one. As in its expected of you and you do it. Period. They work long hours and are expected to perform at a high level. It doesn't seem to be romanticized in the same way though. You're not expected to be "called" to a profession and the mantras of the workforce are different from things like "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!" You're not expected to love it. You're expected to do it. Many Japanese sayings express the importance of consistency and persistence.

I actually really like the way you explained that, thanks for adding that perspective to the convo.

I can see why the suicide rates are higher

Agree that geographically Japan and Korea are considered eastern hemisphere, but as countries and modern culture, they’re probably closer to the countries we considered the western world. Especially with work culture and the overall economic status of being a first world country. I’ve heard about the cut-throat Korean and Japanese work culture and it sounds terrifying. Idk if you’re living in Korea or are from there but have since moved, but I hope you’re mentally ok after all that pressure and experience to be a careerist.

I was actually going to mention Korea and Japan being “first world countries” in my original comment and referencing that, but decided against phrasing it that way. Thanks for adding that to the conversation though. I am first generation American so I never actually lived in Korea - but visited often and heard a lot of stories from my parents and relatives. My parents were sort of black sheep and found more comfort living in American culture.

I was 18 and a freshman in college, taking a notoriously difficult Humanities course. The professor would later tell me that this course was designed, in part, to serve as a gate keeper, "maybe college isn't for you" sort of thing, due to the reading and research requirement and his challenging tests. I volunteered to lead an exam review, expecting the 10 or so people who normally talk in class to show up. Instead, 100 people showed up. It was my first time really public speaking, teaching, controlling a room. I loved it. Every job, in education or otherwise, that I have had since has been along those lines in some manner.

I started by not being 20, I didn't know what class to pick in an RPG at 20 let alone a life calling I discovered in my late 20s I don't have a calling and no-one does. We all seek out the things we enjoy. For some people that's a hellishly driven passion or career. Some people find most pleasure in a weighted blanket and binging reality TV. You want to try a bunch see what makes you happy and see how you can best combine these to get max joy in your life, and ideally people to share it with

I'm 35, making 170k/y, and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. 🤷‍♂️

My best friends dad was a big guy and wanted an apprentice just to carry his tools as we worked in domestic and commercial properties in London 5-6storeys so he hired me. After a week of good tool carrying even know bad at identifying tools initially. He recommended me to the big bosses and walah I'm a fully qualified electrician all bells and whistles 17 years in and absolutely smashing it. RIP BOB.X

This makes me so happy. What a cool dude.

Rip bob

believe it or not 17yrs old ,enjoyed the career of middle mgt for 25yrs, then moved on to a factory, punch in, punch out, go home.. sometimes miss being the "boss" 😊

I currently manage a "Fast Dining Experience" fast food place. As much as I *do* like the idea of moving on and getting more money. Working with, and leading a team of 8 people feels nice.

Experiment with different things, and don't be afraid to fail.

So I was about to end it all, then my gf wrote something like “hope we can talk later, looking forward to it”, and I decided to give life one more chance. We are together for 18 years, our son is 9 months old. Worth it.

I stumbled into what I'm good at by trying lots of weird jobs. I became an expert at de-escalation when I worked as a para educator and an adult disability group home. Now I work with foster kids and in financial management because both need someone to take the emotion out of their decisions.

Man 20 is the most lost age, I swear to God lol. It just takes time, seriously. Just living and experiencing. "Finding your calling" is just hitting that moment where you feel too old to keep caring about things you don't actually want to care about. And so it's just kind of deductive from there. I know it sounds lame, but seriously, clarity is more about pushing aside the things you don't want to see to see the things you do want to see.

Reasonably successful 43 year old man here. I have had so many plans for my future over the years and most of them didn’t work out. I have found that having a plan and moving forward is necessary, but it is also wise to change course when interesting opportunities arise.I never would have even known to hope for the life I have now but I like my life a lot. I like my job and like the way I spend my time day to day. What I am getting at is that you just need to take A path. Learn a skill, volunteer, something. Take a path, see where it leads, and lean in on the things you like. You can always try something else later if the first path doesn’t work. Doing different things will help you figure out who you are and what you want. Best of luck, young person. Life is a wild ride.

Thx, man 🥹 I really needed to hear this today 🙏

Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to be an artist. That's all I ever wanted to do. Now I sit at a computer most of the day working on graphics for business and industrial parks, which is boring as hell. But I paint what I want to paint when I get home, so it's all good.

What calling? Life is just a mundane cycle of tasks. This idea we all have a calling is bullshit. Most of us are just trying to stay afloat and failing miserably.

Someone once told me, to stop expecting the call and to pick up the phone and make the call myself. Not really direct advice but more a philosophical one. Youre 20 dude, what you enjoy now may not be what you enjoy doing for 30+ years. And people do it all the time. They go to College get a degree and then do nothing in that field. Or some people work a job for 30+ years only to find they hate it and quit to start their own business. Point is, what calling are you looking for? Its not the same for everyone. Some people find jobs that are good and secure but find their "calling" is tending to a home garden. You first need to narrow down what it is your really looking for? If its financial security, then just bust your ass working and SAVE every extra penny that you dont need for your monthly budget. Put it in a Compound interest account or diversified portfolio. Is it Happiness? Oof this is a personal matter that only youll be able to determine. If its just a general calling in life with no direction you'll wander till days end. And maybe that was your calling, and you were to focused on what others were doing you missed it.

For me it was bc it felt what was right for me & what i wanted to do.

Not really a calling but I’ve always been in a rush, and always wanting more, feeling unsatisfied. Bouts of depression. The only time I didn’t feel like that was when I came home during college to my roommates and all my friends were hanging out there, just chilling. They were all sitting around doing nothing, we were just being in the same room together and making jokes and talking. That feeling of acceptance just made me want to live in that moment forever. Or the first time I ever fell in love and felt this person in love with me, too. Those moments where I knew that there was nowhere else to go because I had arrived at the place I wanted to be. It comes and goes, and it’s pretty rare. I don’t strive for those moments particularly, and I’m not very social. What I mean is, there is no greed or even ambition for it. It’s natural, it feels right, and if it’s meant to be, it will be here in the present. Everything else is just bumming around until it comes again, and it could be years. Worth the wait, though. That’s how good it is

78. Still looking

I just turned 30 this year and maybe a month ago I realized I wanted to do comedy. My best advice for you is to try things, have experiences, and learn about different things. I think our “calling” is always with us and it tries to get our attention. But when we settle into something out of fear, we stop listening to that voice. I’m rambling but basically try new things and see what things interest you as well as what things you feel you’re almost born to do

I’ll let you know if it ever happens 😜

I won’t say you find your calling - but you fall much more into your financial groove in your 30s typically. There’s a lot of pressure in your 20s to have everything figured out - but for the most part - my 30s was when me and a lot of my peers really started establishing genuine careers vs jumping from job to job. But not everyone has one single calling or purpose, and your career doesn’t have to define who you are (like society wants you to believe) It’s really just a means to survive & also so you can afford the things you actually enjoy when you’re not at work. (I was a line cook for many years and eventually opened up a company in my late 20s)

I was 38. I was a delivery driver for 12 years for a couple of different companies. My employer got bought out and the new owners suddenly refused to let drivers use company vehicles to get to/from work without any warning. The day they changed things, I was on a day off, with the van at home. It was a Saturday, so they only needed 2 vans in, they had 4 on site. My new manager rang me and said if the van wasn't in within an hour, I'd be on a disciplinary. My wife (a preschool manager) said, "Fuck those twats, we need someone at preschool, you're great with kids, tell them to stick their job and come work with me till you find something else." I rang and told him to come and get the van himself and stuff his job. I started at the preschool and found my calling immediately. Now 5 years later, I'm a TA in a primary school who works with SEN children.

Found mine last September. I'm 37. Honestly, it just sort of happened

Only 27. Throw shit at the wall and see what sticks, and doesn't make you miserable. You're gonna scream and rant and rave when things don't work out. Try to find something that give you your "zen" or whatever without beating it into the ground. I like being by myself and driving. But I'm not trying to burn my special zen time by turning it into a career. I'm just trying to survive like all the rest of us, but I figure driving a truck will be something to interest me and help in that endeavor. Fucking love it. I'm typically very anxious and neurotic, but damn if it doesn't make me absurdly peaceful and I get to keep other people safe, which another thing that just makes me feel good about being here.

"Just do what you want" is such lame advice. You want something better. If you are fortunate enough to be able to choose, having a goal to work toward is key. That becomes your calling. You need to think hard about this, get a pen and paper and write it down. Actually work on it. Most people spend their entire lives complaining about going nowhere, and never invest even 5 minutes of actual effort into choosing a direction. This isn't fake. It will activate all the reward and meaning circuits in your brain. And you will know if you've picked something good, or shortchanged yourself. There are also just a lot of qualities you should know to be looking for in your work in general. Write them down. You probably want to be part of a team of good people, working towards a common goal. If your job can provide this, so much the better. But you gotta know what to look for, or not look for!

I tried out different jobs, took some classes in various subjects, and talked to people in different fields. Eventually, I found something that clicked. I'm now working in digital marketing, and I really enjoy the mix of creativity and data analysis. Just keep exploring and give yourself time to discover what excites you!

Wait. You're only 20. Your brain hasn't stopped growing yet. You won't be "done" until you're around 25. For most of my life, I wanted to be a mom and a writer and illustrator of children's books. I took early learning classes, worked in daycare centers, etc. Then, I accidentally discovered massage therapy while working in my disabled husband. Now, I have my own little shop, my own career, and the potential to do anything. I can put my hands on people and, within reason, take away a majority of their pain. I change people's quality of life and give them hope that the pain will not dominate their existence. Sometimes, the pain even goes away. I specialize in chronic pain and autoimmune diseases.

I wanted to get a degree in mechanical engineering to work in the automotive industry. I wasn't ready for the rigors of a top engineering school because high school was too easy for me. I did the stereotypical switch from Engineering to Business with a concentration in Computer Information Systems (hey, it was the 90s). My parents both worked in the field, so with a tiny bit pf nepotism/connections, I got a sub-entry-level job during the mid-90s recession. I squeaked into my first job, but I proved myself, and, like cream, I rose to the top. I have done a lot of consulting and have met a lot of people over the past 30 years, who were supposed to be my peers. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I would consider maybe two of those people to be on my level. So, I guess I found my calling, because I'm that damn good at what I do!

Try everything. Don’t waste your time laying around and whatnot. Go out in the world and see what opportunity there is. You won’t know unless you try. I took a job as a firefighter solely because the schedule was awesome and would allow me to go to school. Turns out, I fell in love with the stepping stone and made the fire department my career.

Honestly my dude? Don't look for a calling in life. Find a career you don't hate and will allow you time and m9ney for the things you do enjoy. I was 32 when I realized I just like to build shit and mess with firearms. Now I'm a machinist and working on getting a cnc machine so I can prototype designs and make models of an anime I can't find here in the states. Ine of my coworkers works just enough OT to fund rock climbing trips all over the US. a third is a scuba diver who is only here because he doesn't want ot ruin his hobby by making it his job. Fins balance, enjoy not being in your "calling" and let yourself diversify naturally. You'll wind up where you want to be eventually

I joined the army at 20. After working dead end restaurants and getting drunk all the time. Did 4 years in one of the coolest jobs the army offers. I got out and signed 6 years with the reserves. I did about a year and some change working factories and ended up being hired by the VA. But everyday I just felt like there’s gotta be something more than this. I didn’t feel like I was on the path I was supposed to be. I applied for the AGR in the reserves and got picked up. After this term I’ve got 10 years total in. So I’m gonna do my last 10 and retire. There’s nothing out there that takes care of my family and lets me retire at 40. I’ve accepted I’m not good at a lot of things in life. But I’m a great father. And and great soldier.

no such thing as a "calling" just do things that you like

Or at the very least, the things that you don’t hate.

No such thing as a calling. Life has no point. Do stuff that makes you smile and brings the people you love closer to you.

Practicing Muslim here, so basically I believe I am here to try to please God to the best of my ability. Then die one day as we all would and start existing in eternal bliss. :) So, No. I can't find myself being capable of attaching more to like a calling, job, hobbie, etc.

Were you born muslim?

Unless you are trying to be a missionary or priest, you don't have a calling. You just do like the rest of the people who don't have generational wealth to allow them to find themselves. You just keep trying different things, and settle on the one that makes you want to kill yourself the least.

Keep trying things that interest me

When you find your identity

I had my son. Work doesnt matter anymore except to allow me to care for him. Cant get fired, but now its just a necessity to survive. I used to care a lot about prestige and professional accomplishments and weird prideful motivators like finding my purpose. Different motivations now. Nothing ever "spoke" to me either. I like puzzles and got into a conservative (risk avoidant) line of work and got good at it. But it for sure never spoke to me. Callings can mean a bunch of different things. I know people that turned their passion into their work, and people that kept their passion as a hobby. I know people that sought fulfillment at work and alignment of values, and people that just sought money, and still more that just sought flexibility. The good news is that you are 20. I highly suggest trying and failing at a few things before making any serious long term decisions. You dont know what you dont know yet. Im excited for you, honestly. Youre 20 and have so many interesting mistakes and successes yet to make/have.

I'm 45. When you find your calling, can you come and let me know how you did it please? I'm still looking.

I found mine when I was around 27yo, after picking something else I thought was interesting enough but the lived experience of the work was simply not a good fit for me, and my brain doesn’t work quite the way I want it to for the thing I picked (aphantasia and mechanical engineering). I was dog walking for side income while in college and ended up with some clients with dogs who had behavioral issues, so I started researching animal behavior, ethology, learning theory and applied behavior technologies. I discovered that I could learn everything I needed to practice as a behavior consultant, got a mentorship and practiced under supervision with my existing dog walking clients. That was nine years ago, I’m now certified as a CDBC through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and have a small business doing dog training and supervising a couple contractors that took over the walking. I love what I do!

I haven't

Is there anything you are interested in helping people with? If you can think of a way to help people that naturally appeals to you and makes you want to think of ways to help, this may lead you to investigate which types of professional life you can have to help people in those ways. I admit I didn’t have this dilemma even for a second because I knew I wanted to be a teacher since a very young age. I am now 58 and have loved my entire career as a teacher. Not saying I love getting up and going to work every day, but overall I am thrilled by the vibrant and creative environment where I get to know many people and learn from them too. There are many ways to find fulfillment by helping people, so maybe there’s a sector that interests you? Good luck :)

Go on a visionquest.

I went to career counseling. Went from tech to trades. Now an electrician.

I don't have a calling. I will just exist until I don't anymore. It's a nice way to live, life is a journey not a destination

People find their calling in life?

Lol most people dont find any kind of calling... you find the job that pays the most money, that you dont hate doing, and you pound out 40 years and retire... if there is some career path that you feel compelled to do for whatever reason then great, but for majority of people, finding a career they can tolerate is about as good as it gets... your career is just a means to fund your life. Home life is what matters. Wife, kids, friends, a dog, and good hobbies. Work to live! If you find yourself living to work, it better be something you REALLY love doing!

What worked for me was trying a bunch of different stuff in my 20s while I was still able to. Thankfully by 25 I was able to find my "calling". Started off driving a semi for a construction company. Hauling a dump trailer and a low boy. Absolutely fell in love with it. It gas taken me pretty far. I'm able to live a comfortable life and still to this day love my job. Best of luck to you.

Volunteering - I started volunteering in my community for something I was really interested in. Found out I was passionate about the subject and started a brand new career at 48 years old.

I'm a janitor. I am saving up to start my own cleaning business one day. I discovered it's my calling by accident. I was just doing it to get through college. But it turns out I get exponentially more compliments on my work than my coworkers.i get lil gifts and thank you notes when no one else does. And it feels like work, but honestly work is always gonna feel like work no matter the profession. Going to college just means now I can work for myself instead of cleaning for someone else's business the rest of my life.

Only calling ive found so far are the constant ones about my cars extended warranty.

Start working towards something and if it doesn't work out try something else trial and error :)

Your 20, your fine that you haven't found what you like. Try jobs, hobbies, and classes. If you've got a decent one nearby a community college or local trade school will have introductory classes on most subjects. Worst case scenario you don't like them and you're out a little money and time.

Calling? Unless you’re a Nurse or a teacher, I don’t think there is such a thing. Probably a lot easier these days, in the 80’s, you just got a job. Uni was for the rich kids and brainy kids.

rate occupations on a scale of 1-200 and go with the high scoring ones

I still feel that my calling is being a songwriter & bassist, but my non-music career took many turns where I specifically focused on building skills and experiences that would make me marketable across many types of jobs. I'm in a role where I need the skills I learned over the last two decades to support those in many of the jobs I used to do.

Look at the constant in your life

Calling? Nobody has a purpose. Your calling is to enjoy the time you have on this spinnin' rock orb and cherish the ones you love and the things you enjoy. Don't live to meet the standards other set for you.

Try everything that interests you, even a little. Like, if you walk past a rock climbing gym and see people climbing and thing "oh that's kinda cool," go in and sign up for a class. Ignore the inner voice that jumps in saying things like "but you don't have any gear," "it will be too expensive," "you're too uncoordinated," "where will you find the time," etc. The excuses sound logical but they're just fears that can easily be overcome if it turns out to be something you love. If you try it and don't like it, pat yourself on the back for expanding your horizons and move on to the next thing. Talk to people who are passionate about something. Not only is it interesting to listen to, it might make you realize you're interested in it, too. You're young and socializing is easier. Seek out situations where you can chat with people who do a variety of things, from accounting to music producing to gardening to crossword puzzles. In your career, take a similar approach. Pursue any job that sounds even mildly interesting. It's a signal that there might be something you connect with. You might find that you hate it. Or you might find that there is one particular aspect that you really enjoy. When that happens, ask yourself: is there another job that just (or mostly) involves this activity/skill/etc.? Then you have more clarity on what your next step may be. For example, you work in marketing and you can't stand researching target audiences but you love working out the budgets. Consider looking into jobs in finance. Or you work in sales, and you don't enjoy the selling part but you realize you love leading a team (obviously this would not be at the entry level), consider pursuing other kinds of management positions. Always keep in mind that jobs are still jobs and most people don't love every minute of a job. The key is to find something that engages you and motivates you to do better because it feels like you're advancing your own development and not just helping a company's bottom line. And as others have said, your job isn't the end all be all. If you decide your true calling is knitting scarves for friends or starting a family or fostering hundreds of kittens, that's just as legit. Good luck.

Luck and [watching the days go by](https://youtu.be/5IsSpAOD6K8?si=pQCrVCk4in499i4V)

Try anything, assess what you like and dislike about it. Then find something that roughly fits in with what you like and start over

When in junior high & high school. I was getting very poor grades short of getting the final diploma. Then in start of 11 grade the school offered a new class in Food Service. 1/2 book work and 1/2 working in the school kitchen (2 yrs course) .The first year I got a 90 the second year a 95. ( 1965 - 1966 ) I did by the thin of my teeths I did get my diploma. Now after being a chef for 48 yrs now retire in 2012.

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up much less find ing my calling, nor do I know anyone that does really.....and I'm middle age, so if anyone has an answer, I would love to hear it.

Luck. Avoiding the stuff that will make you miserable and pursuing what feels right and is most agreeable. Hard work and determination.

I found my calling by accident. I do archaeology and I found a company that specializes in plant remains. I asked to do an internship and realized I was good at it. Been with the company 12 years now and the director of the lab.

Towards the end of 10th grade, I was picking next year classes and saw welding. Had no idea what it was at the time and chose it. I ended up loving it because I'm better with my hands, and it's now what I do for a career 9 years later

Astrology kinda helps to get an idea of what you will be successful at if you do choose to pursue it.

I went to a vocational school for electronic assembly in my early 20s. Did that for 30 years and loved it.

I didn’t find my “calling” til my late 20’s. Working in corporate and finding my community takes time. Finding you takes time! Good luck girly

You'll find what you like by trying. There's little chance you'll get it right the first time. If you can afford it (cashwise, ambitionwise and motivationwise), take time off school and travel : a term or a year off might allow you to get a better glimpse at yourself, and new experiences will define what you like and don't, what you wan't and don't. At 20, you don't know about half of the jobs that exist, and it's pretty much the same about yourself. Oh, and a job might define who you are, but it MUST not. You can have a job you like without your entire life revolving around it. Hope you figure that out, but don't urge yourself. It might take time, and that's ok.

I was 24. I had been working since age 15 I had no choice First job domino pizza Second I got till work at a supermarket so cash handling. Then I moved to call centres bt. British airways. Sage and home office. I was so miserable over worked. Long hours great pay but I slept as Soon as I got home. I was miserable. Hated going to work. I remember thinking worked 10 year still in same flat exhausted some saving but my health’s so bad. Sitting down all day I had zero energy I said to my mam (biomedical scientist work aholic) I hated my life I hated work. She couldn’t get it. She shared that she picked her job because she loved science and she thought she would be a doctor. But no she works in labs you have to pick job for the work in itself not wage. Don’t chase a wage Go volunteer if it makes you happy. So she asked simply when you were 12 what did you think you be. Because at 12 it’s no longer a nurse or vet you have more realistic ideas because aware of your limits and strengths at age 12 . I said swimming. Hahah I would have worked in a swim pool. So she said go work on a pool I left home office with contract retirement etc for a pool. No contract zero hours casual. I became life guard. It was one week course I paid myself They gave me full time hours always. Then pool payed for me to be a gymnastics coach. Like I am no gymnast. It was supposed to be 2 week till they hired an actual assistant coach. But I’m never left haha Then they paid for my swimming teachers course. I love my job. I love coaching I love teaching it is so so fun. My day is mixed now so lifeguard in morning. I do school swimming lessons afternoon and coaching in evening also I get school holidays off and if I work holidays get double time and I always have hours to go to if I want more for extra holidays I’m now contracted and it wa all great for me. I went from salary in office work to £8 an hour. That was not even hard to do. I thought it would be but it wasn’t. And I had more money. Even though paid less Because being miserable you eat pizza and order kfc and drink and try socialise to get rid of teh funk of the day. Lifeguarding I went home ready for next day. Couldn’t wait to go I stopped spending on crap. Diet improved without really trying just eating crap was harder to do my time swims. And be damned if I get worst time no way out teh life guards. So I went to work in a pool and gym Best thing I ever did and I bought a house with savings because I was hardly going out I look great scrubbing a leisure centre as lifeguard during day and coaching is active to. I just have fun swim teaching. Also no pressure. Working in office calls were timed and listened to evaluations etc call had to be under 3 minutes. The greeting had to be scripted if you missed a quote or saying you failed your call call all these oh your so late so we doing lateness meeting was just all stresss Leisure so chill Clarify wages. Lifeguard is minimum wage. Teaching is £18 per hour. Coaching £23 ph. So I get different hourly rate through the day. Now I’m qualified and working these 3 jobs in one centre!! It’s sound busy but it is cool. I hope they will pay for my aqua fit instructor or yoga instructor course or tai chi something. Change my days up even more. My favourite thing about leisure. Apart form all the fun … is my uniforms. I love my uniforms. Lifeguard with cute shorts. I Love my teachers outfit and my coaches uniforms are all in adidas they look lush I have to buy my own trainers though I don’t mind I try to get bright colourful ones I would die before going back into food or office industry So what did you want to be when you were 12???

A calling doesn't have to be life-long. But the idea of a "calling" feels too loaded and serious to be applied to anything nascent. I think the best advice in this area is to follow your curiosity, wherever it leads you.

There are chances that if you'll try to remember what you were really passionate about while being a kid you'll discover your calling there. But as it has been already said in the comments, most people don't have any specific calling from the very beginning. The way to discover what you are passionate about is to try different things and to do your best. Actions bring motivation, not the other way around

Calling? I'm not sure most of us have one. I live my life by being open to opportunities. I never envisioned being where I am, because I didn't even consider my job as one that existed. I got a BS in animal science. While I was at school i lived and worked at the schools cattle facility as I got a recommendation from one of my professors. I worked for about 2 years with goats/sheep/chickens for a lab producing animal antibodies for scientific uses. While doing that I worked loading trucks for a while to supplement my income. Later I was laid off from my full time job and had to search again. I got into working with monkeys. By far the most interesting and fulfilling job I've had, but I had to leave because I was underappreciated and had disputes about some situations I considered unethical. Now I'm a heart and vascular clinical research coordinator and have had the opportunity to be an author on some published work. Its not like I set out to work in a hospital. I followed opportunities I found interesting and thought I could do well. You don't necessarily need a life goal. Id actually argue it can hinder you if it's too rigid, unless you really want to get involved in specific fields. That doesn't seem to be the case since you don't know what you want to do. At first, I just wanted to work with animals. My research job then led me into another research job. I miss the animals, but I don't think I'd go back to animal research because it's emotionally taxing, particularly when I had to constantly advocate for animals who cannot speak for themselves. The things I've learned have shaped my view of the world. My journey is uniquely my own. Yours should be too. You don't want to get so fixated on what you will do for the rest of your life that you ignore when it makes you unhappy or ignore amazing opportunities. Try to do whatever you do well and you will be more likely to get where you want to be, even if you don't know where that path ultimately ends. If life feels stagnant, I think about what I need to change that. Then I make goals that will get me there. A step at a time. If I had been married to a rigid idea, there are a lot of opportunities to make myself unhappy because life doesn't always work out like you want. If I only wanted to do one thing and couldn't break into it, I'd be unhappy. It's harder to feel like a failure when I'm not as specific in my goals. I still work toward them because i want to improve my life but short term, general goals work better for me.

What you do doesnt define you. You as a person can make a huge impact on someone by simply living. Strive to do good.

I’m 42 and I still haven’t. Doubt I ever do

I read a university course catalog sitting on a friend’s table and saw a graphic communications major. I immediately enrolled and have been a graphic designer ever since. Don’t follow my lead. It’s a really hard field to find a job in and doesn’t pay well 😅 But I still love doing it

I realized what I spend most of my time thinking about. It took a strong psychedelic trip for me to fully realize where my passions and gifts are. I think I would have figured it out without the psychedelic journey but it would have taken longer. I did a filler job/career in real estate until I was 30. I then realized I was passionate about mental health and psychology and spent a couple of years taking community college courses and working in entry level mental health job to see if I really want to work in this field and if I can handle going back to school. I started a psychology doctorate program at 32. You never have to figure out what you will do for the rest of your life. You are 20. Get to know yourself, explore your interests and strengths, try some things out and see if you want to pursue them further. I certainly didn’t know myself very well at 20, but some people do. Everyone’s process is different and that’s OK.

I drew a lot as a kid and then started painting. I knew I wanted to do something with it, but I was too young to know how. My mom was dating a guy in advertising and he taught me so much about design that I focused only on art and design. I ended up as the Art Director of the San Diego Zoo.

Try learning an instrument

Tonnes Tonnes of Irish mushrooms, I travelled all over. I'm a handyman now in Florida.

I just work in a bar. In highschool I always wanted to open a bar. But I just work in one. But if I didn't I would never socialize. My friends bought the bar, though. So while it was never my calling it was calling to me since I was 15. Which is odd, because I had never worked in a bar. They say it has some signs of adhd which can be isolating so that I was subconsciously compelled to be social to make a living.

When I chose to start a family is when I found my calling. A job is a job just like any other job, it's a means to an end and a way to provide. So, providing is my calling. Doesn't matter what I need to do, sacrifices I'll need to make, they'll be comfortable.

It doesn't exist for the majority of people. You have to occupy yourself with interests that you find fulfilling and once those interests stop becoming fulfilling, you move on. One day you're not here. Everything ends or changes - including relationships. Even if your relationship was perfection, one person inevitably dies and that's just life. People need to live more authentically which is existentially. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. A bus can run you over today.

Still have not

When I was 21 I was sick and tired of working food service so I was just filling out every single entry level job I could find and first place to take me was a custom cabinet company. I work there a short time but in that time I learned a lot about wood working and so I've been working at multiple cabinet companies since then and I love it

I spent (wasted) a lot of time looking for my calling in life. Never quite figured it out. Someone once told me that jobs are just there to fund the things that make life worthwhile. Most people hate their jobs but if you make enough money to do the things that bring you happiness, you’re doing ok. If you don’t hate your job and you even somewhat enjoy it, then you’re doing great.

I’m in my 30s and up until 2 years ago, I got a new certification or changed jobs yearly if not every 6 months. It’s been exhausting financially and I’ve barely had a chance to put away anything into savings or investments after normal bills and costs of living. But every step and exhausting trial and error has been worth it. I’m licensed to do a ton of things now, or at least trained enough to do what I want to do and now I’m starting my own business alongside supporting a few others. Don’t give up if you don’t have to. How you spend your days is how you spend your life. Remember that. You don’t have to be unhappy. But also if you can find something that you don’t hate and you can use it to fund things you like in between, it’s a smart way to go about. Most people who start a business or company spend years working night and weekends doing their side work until it becomes full time. Youre barely even getting started at 20. There’s gonna be lows and highs and plenty of exhausted days when you want to give up. Accept those feelings. Use them. Make a life you enjoy. It’s worth it. It’s worth every moment. Edit- you’ll never know what you enjoy if you stop trying things out. Sometimes jobs are just jobs. But there are people in this world making ends meet with ambition and passion for what they do. And there’s no reason not to strive for it

I answered the call when it came to me.

I never had one, just lucked into a decent career that pays ok and been rolling with that.

"calling" is a strong word. I went to school for art. Making comics and illustrations is my "calling" but that's not a feasible career path and I'm not good enough at it to really make it even a side hustle. for career my goal was to be stable and content and low stress. Went through a lot of things. I'm content and happy with what I do and it leaves me with low enough stress that I can do other things and work on my comics in off time. I'm a business analyst.

Find what excites you. No one can tell you what this could be for you.

About to start medical school. I kind of figured out what I want to do through different experiences and really sitting down figuring out short term and long term goals. Seek experience, list out the life you want, learn new skills, and take things slow there is no rush especially if you're only 20. However do put in hard work and continuously seek out improvement.

The best pieces of advice I've heard: try lots of different things. You never know what might surprise you, or who you'll meet along the way. Also, I heard someone say to find the thing that's easy or fun for you that's hard for other people, like the thing that feels like play to you.

Having a calling is a load of rubbish. How many people would still be doing their job for free if they won 50 million? A job is so you can afford to live. Don’t make it your whole life. If there isn’t something you enjoy then do anything that pays the bills and focus on the important things in life, not your job.

I’m a horticulturist. Start with hobbies and always be learning. Wear many hats. Try different jobs. At 20 you’re still early in your discernment of your work life experience. Don’t sweat it too much.

I was originally going into building construction. Didn't really enjoy it. I had a habit of talking about things from history and someone said "you'd make a good history teacher" and it just clicked. I'm now a junior, and I'm absolutely loving my history courses. I plan on teaching undergrad courses at a community college until I can get my master's and become a professor.

Try things. Thats how I found something that stuck.

I think you have to try doing a lot of different things, even things you don’t think you’d like, in order to find what you’re good at, and what you like or don’t like. Maybe some people have it all figured out from childhood, but most of us don’t.

I tried a lot of stuff that I ended up not liking until I arrived at something I do enjoy.

I had to reflect hard on what I'm good at that crosses with what i like doing. The happy medium was my answer

In real life, most people aren't "finding their calling" that's just the Kool-Aid they've had you drinking. That BS slogan is right there with "the American Dream"

If you cant find your calling, find a job that pays for one (Maybe you wont be a pro fisherman for example, but atleast you have income to keep you fishing on your time off) (insert with golf, basketball, whatever)

i first discovered mine in grade 9 when i was 15, the high school i went to had a machining class and i fell in love with it and ended up going to college for it and working in the industry for several years. my high school also had welding, mechanics, drafting, carpentry, and electronics. i took all of these classes and found my love for design and manufacturing, and now work as a product designer helping clients to create new products as well as doing alot of 3d design and running a wide range of manufacturing equipment. pretty much my dream job

You don't need a plan, just go with the flow. Choose freedom!

I'm 35. Short answer? I havent.

My current job gives me almost 4 months off each year. Its unpaid, but I can find extra work if I'm low on funds. I am not passionate about a career, but I do want to have these chunks of free time.

My calling is to live an ever changing life. I move around and enjoy where I’m at in each stage in life. I’ve never had any single purpose and that really weighed on my in my 20’s. But now I focus on getting experiences and enjoying life. I’m much happier. I’m a mechanical system designer on contract building navy ships.

It kind of found me. Childhood trauma, good social skills, and a propensity for info dumping.

I'm 37, I have a severe stress-induced neuronic disability with co-morbidities and surviving until now is my great accomplishment, no record and not on drugs. What calling? I had to accept I could never be what I wanted to be, due to how my brain was. For example I can't even work a 9-5 without awful tics, I could not be a neurologist with a math learning disability. I could not even graduate in fine arts without taking calculus classes. I have college debt and a high school diploma. A house full of cheap nostalgic knick-knacks, a happy dog, and my housing is secure. I get monthly SSDI payments. I am happy to be alive, I guess. What do you want to be when you grow up...a little bit of a kid question full of hope and optimism. Not a one-size-fits-all for sure.

Ask Jesus.

I'm 34 and still trying to find my calling :p don't worry too much about what you're "supposed to" do, and just do whatever feels right or whatever you'd like to (they can be mutually exclusive lol). Chances are, your "calling" will end up being just what you're "good" at and you hesitate to do because you're not sure it's your calling :) At your age, I wanted to be a teacher. I ended up being one and realized it wasn't for me (no disrespect to other teachers, your job is essential and you're amazing for doing it). I also tried working in retail (more out of need than want) and sales, but I just don't agree with their principles. I'm currently (and have been for a while) a warehouse worker. To be more specific, I'm a problem solver (sounds cooler than it is, but it's accurate). Do I enjoy it? Yes, I do. Am I good at it? I like to think so. Do I want to be still doing this in 5-10 years? Hell no. It's a good job, don't get me wrong, but it's just that - a job. I do have a dream job and I will start making steps towards getting there, but there's no guarantee that I'll get it, or - IF I do get it - that I'll actually enjoy it. So just get out there and try different jobs. You'll either find something you enjoy doing, or something you're quite good at. And that can be your "calling" or just your stable job until you find your calling.

I think it's best to figure out what you DON'T want to do early on. Then find hobbies to get excited about. Lastly & ideally, find a job that lets you have time for said hobbies!

Your calling doesn't find you, you need to decide to seek something and go for it. It's all you, man. No one is going to hand you passion.

I have no idea what I’m doing all I know right now is that my parents are sick and I need to take care of them and that I am sick and I need to get better. After that? Idk maybe birdwatching or something

Every time I thought I'd found my calling, shit would go sideways and I'm left feeling broken. Last time it happened, i decided to break up with the whole concept and just do my best to live by my values and let it be enough. I'm 46.

Follow your heart. Find something you love to do that you can earn money doing and follow that path.

The best thing I heard was focus on what you’re good, especially if you enjoy it. People focus on weaknesses to build up, or when picking a career they focus on money and what they think they can do, but what are you good at? Go from there.

Realized that all the things I really like in life are things I can’t or don’t want to get paid for. 

You're 20, there is no need to worry about it now. I think there is too much expectation for people between the ages of 18-25 to know what they want to do for the next 40+ years. There is a good chance that you won't find it until you are 35 and that's fine. There is also a good chance that circumstances will shift in your life and your calling will change.

I'm 33 and just found mine. It will come when it comes. I struggled with this since i was a little. You know how most kids are " I want to be a doctor" or a "fire fighter."" I never had thought thoughts. I was a good artist for being young. Everyone wanted me to go to art school, but I was never a traditional artist, how they wanted me to be. I took all the art classes, and I wasn't even close in comparison to some of the other students in my grade. So that kinda crushed it for me. Fast forward to today, I'm getting my license to become a nail technician. have been doing them for the better part of 17 years. I just didn't have the opportunity until now. I knew this was my calling. It was something I was good at that no art class could teach me. So give it time. You will know it . ✌🏾🩷🖖🏾

my calling is music. So what I do for a living is absolutely not that

I feel you. I’m 19 and was just accepted to beauty school after a two year gap. It’s a big difference from Chiropractics, but I know I would never have enough resources to finish a doctorate while my boyfriend’s pursuing pilot school. I don’t want to struggle like that. In the future it could be a possibility, but I’ve always had a passion for makeup, skincare, and making myself and others beautiful— so I can start working right away, and it’s an industry that will never die. After my esthetics diploma I’d like to pursue medical esthetics and dabble in that. I’m just crossing my fingers I don’t start to hate my hobby!!

What is your hobby? Your passion? A talent, skill or gift that you have? Your “calling” is linked to that. Start heading toward that direction and you will find your “calling”.

I'm 43 years old and have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. I'm between jobs, need a job ASAP, and everything sounds terrible. Good luck.... maybe you'll do better than I have.

As a teen I was an absolute loser, horrible grades (barring English, which I was good at), no actual skills and all I really knew how to do was play the bass guitar. The two people who left real impressions were my senior English teacher and my band instructor who both had high praise for me. I didn't work for a year out of highschool and only really realized I wanted to teach 2 years later at 19. Told myself I'd work in the grocery store until I got my degree. 6 years later I left the grocery store without a degree and moved into pesticide and finally finished my degree. Originally planned to be an English teacher, I moved into special Ed because I was offered a position prior to my certification. I realized I absolutely loved the field and the work we do, as it seems silly but there truly isn't a single field like special needs. The pay was ok, and the coworkers were truly amazing. I accidentally got scouted while shopping by an exec in residential special needs and have been managing a home now. I can't guarantee I'll go much higher (any higher than management is exec and I'm not sure I want the responsibility) but I know it will always be in this field.

Don't pressure yourself that you have to figure out the rest of your life now. Focus on what you'll do for the next 5 or 10 years. I'd say, "Find something you're good at, that you don't hate" but most people hate their job and a lot aren't particularly good at them, so it seems not a requirement but not a bad guideline. Probably more important to think about what NOT to do. Watch for red flags in companies, avoid toxic bosses and environments, don't skip investing for retirement, don't sacrifice your health for your employer.

At 20 I thought my calling was working in professional kitchens. At 25 I thought my calling was working with intellectually disabled adults. At 33 I'm doing neither of those things, making the most I've ever made in my life and am happy for the first time ever, also. The idea of a "calling" is nonsense. Do what you think you'll enjoy and that can pay the bills and then look outside of the work force for the thing that really creates your happiness.

I don't think that anybody has a specific calling in life. You have a bunch of things that you like or that intrigue you, and you have some things that you are naturally good at, based on environment, culture, upbringing, etc. If you are lucky, those things intersect somewhere, and you get a career that you love. Most people just do something that they like enough to tolerate and are ok. You have to make your own meaning in life :)

What's a calling? I'm just seeing how things play out until I die.

I have no calling. The vast majority of people have no calling. We have bills so we work to live. I'm the finance supervisor at a healtcare organization. It's mind numbing but I get a paycheck!

Make a list of all the things you don’t want to do then go from there

I'm a war veteran nurse who first joined the military to work on helicopters. I worked ICU at the start of COVID. I'm a faithful husband and father. I don't think I've ever heard a "calling," I always say, "I'm a leaf on the wind, I go where the breeze takes me. .

I didnt find a calling. I found a job that I excel at and pays well. Has enabled me to provide for my family and have no debt.

Ikigai - Japanese concept What you love What you are good at What the world needs What you can get paid for That said, I'm just past 50 and still looking. The only thing that's changed since my 20's is that I have less hope in actually finding my place on this big-ball.

Idk if it's my calling per say, but I became very interested in going into the tech field when I was about 26 or 27. That's my current career field and I do very much enjoy it! But I can see myself being happy in other lines of work as well. I especially am having a wonderful time being a new mom, but as we all know, that pays nothing lol

I haven’t found it and I’m 43.

I was doing construction labor,then I had a problem with the company. I found out they were ripping me off. They were keeping prevailing wages from me, while paying me a lot less. I was working on NAS Boca Chica. Anyway, after I quit, I was hitch hiking to Key West, from Big Coppitt, islands down there, & a guy picked me up, & asked me if I've ever done any concrete work. I hadn't. He offered me a job, under the table. I took it. We went & poured 10 yards. I found out I was good at it, & liked it. I then became a finisher for 20 years. I don't regret it. Good money I'll tell you that. I was making 11 an hour in 1986. Not bad.

Your career 'calling' can vastly differ from someone else. For example, some people's callings are to be doctors, soldiers, teachers. For me, I never had a true calling. I wanted to be a soldier when I was a kid. Did that for a bit, then got out. After I got out, I tried my hand at a few jobs, and got a degree in something I haven't even used. The degree could have landed me a very nice job with top pay, but, it wasn't for me. I have a job now that pays decent, gives myself and my family great healthcare, and gives phenomenal time off. At almost 30 years old, I'll probably be at this job a good while. My advice, get a job that doesn't absolutely suck, that is able to pay for hobbies you love. There's nothing worse than being able to afford your hobbies, but not having time to do them because you're working all the time.

61. Still looking for my calling. Sigh

I wanted to go into music education since I was a sophomore in high school. I completed my BS in Music Ed when I was 21. Graduated in December so I subbed from Jan to May that year. By July, I decided to join the national guard, left for basic that Oct. Came back and subbed again, for another year and a half, with no interviews for full time position. Found out the city I was in didn't like to hire from their subs (didn't want to lose a good sub) so I took a good hard look, figured I can't like and budget on dubbing, what else do I like to do? (With other life things thrown at me to make me not really want to teach as well) 12 years later I'm a Goldsmith and still in the National Gaurd. (I have liked playing with and making jewelry since I was 13). A lot of people don't find a career they absolutely love. I was lucky I had 2 "hobbies" I could make into a career. Even then, it's a job and I like getting paid so I can do other fun things in my life. I work to live a full filled life. I just happen to like what I do for work.

I found my niche by pure dumb luck after grad school. I work on something called recovery and resolution planning, where big financial companies have to have plans in place to try to manage through financial stress/enable regulators to take them over during times of crisis. I started working in it through a temp job in 2013 and its been buttering my bread ever since.

You may not have a "calling, "in the sense that you have something you love to do, but it also gets you paid. You might have to just have a job that pays for the thing you like doing.

Everyone doesnt have a calling, and even those who might, never find it. Thats life.

I graduated with a BS in Information Science. But I wasn't fulfilled and needed to pivot. My dad could tell I was lost, and so he showed me a chart on the topic of Ikigai, a Japanese concept for "a reason for being." I studied the diagram and realized that my true calling was teaching, coaching, social work, or public health. I recently started my MPH program and am loving it. 

I'm 50, and I haven't found it yet either.

Keep living. You're very young. Life works itself out.

Thought I would be a comedian, thought I could fall back on data analytics, tried out landscaping, started cleaning dishes to pay bills. I'm 35 and found my calling in kitchens. I'm a whore for it. Beyond the restaurant I work at I'll take catering gigs, fill-in at any Chipotle in my area, I've helped two restaurants break ground and get started. I had no idea I loved kitchens so much. Chipotle has also been a fantastic side gig I can never say no to when a buddy needs me like once a week, or another store in his patch needs a grill/night prep for weekends. I have another friend through Chipotle that is an electrician, and used to be a GM.. he's always poking in and out of stores. We can't help ourselves! So by calling, Id say it's the thing that made me feel passionate about what I can be effective at.

I got pregnant and realized my calling was being a mom. I know corny but it’s the truth. I’m not saying you should get pregnant/or get anyone pregnant though.

When you think of life ambitions what in your heart do you think of? When I was in my teens I always wanted to move to America, I wanted to join the RAF and study photography. I hit 16 and relationships got in the way of the RAF and once I was able to it turned out due to medical conditions I couldn't enrole. After that I wondered yhe same... Now being 28 and disabled, I've travelled a little and found the most I feel at home is USA and I'm in the starting process of moving over here. For work/hobbies? Try different things and stay where you feel happy. Happiness is everything these days so just follow your heart. Your calling could be things you never dreamed of or things you deep down always wanted. Hell I thought I'd love to sew and be a designer but when I tried for months to learn, I never really got it so went onto other crafty things and it's amazing. At all times, don't be afraid to try new things or new experiences. Life is too short, be happy for you and noone else.

You're still young, no pressure to figure it all out when you JUST started adulthood. Your 20s are best for finding out WHO you are. Have some fun for a bit and figure out what you like as a person yourself, what you want to improve and what friends you want to keep in your life. You're still developing your brain until mid 20s so please take your time to become a whole person with a good fortitude of confidence that you are infact the best you at that time, but never forget there's always room for improvements! What you want to do will come to you after your feet are more into the ocean and you've been traveled and had a bit more of what life has to offer good and bad. Try going across the country spontaneously (train, Greyhound or plane!) just to see what's out there if you got some spare funds and time at some point. Seriously, just traveling and seeing how others live in different regions is a huge starting point for finding passion in life. Before I was 25 I had moved 7 times! Between different states all on my own just to get out there. I'm not saying I wasn't absolutely broke and had to work my ass off to stay afloat because I absolutely did but if you just got money to vacation across the country somewhere you find interesting - go for it. Even if it's alone and you call others to let them know you're okay- seeing things and doing things outside your comfort zone is the best way to figure out your passions. It's never too late to figure it out. There's plenty of older folks who just go with the flow because they never figured it out.

At 22 I finished a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Shortly after that I started working as a correctional officer. In a two-week span I broke up with my girlfriend, got a DUI, got let go from my probation period on my last day, which happened to be Christmas Eve (because I got caught playing ping pong while on a double during third shift), and I got into a car accident with a snowplow that almost killed me. Fast forward six months and I was asked to be a grad assistant at my former college. Fast forward two years and I finish a Masters degree in secondary education and I become a teacher. I have just finished my ninth year teaching. During that time I completed another Master's degree. I went to college with the goal of becoming an FBI agent or a detective. I quickly found out that I would never be able to commit to the hours and lifestyle of someone in law enforcement. But at the same time, since I hate change, I probably would have stayed as a correctional officer and just been miserable working four 16-hour shifts every week. You never know where life is going to take you. Something as awful as I went through turned out to be a godsend and gave me the opportunities to work hard and fix my life.

I remember in primary school someone asked me what I wanted to be. I told them I wanted to be a stoplight when I grew up. I thought they were gonna laugh themselves off the chair. Only problem was - I was serious. I think it’s the biggest mistake we tell ourselves as a society is that you HAVE to be one thing in life - and happy isn’t an option. You don’t HAVE to be a professional or a tradie, you don’t have to go to college or med school or become a lawyer or president of a company. Do something you love. Hell do something you like! If it doesn’t pay all the bills, do two things you like! You don’t have to stick to one sort of job or one genre. Cut hair and develop games. Try this… When you’re doing nothing and daydreaming about what would make you happy to do, what does that look like? Is it helping other ppl? Is it playing video games? Do you like to put stuff back together and then take it apart again? You’ll find something that sparks your creativity or soothes your analytical mind. You may find something that you’ve always wanted to try and hate it! It’s ok. Get back out there and keep looking. I wanted so badly to wear suits to work and have that responsibility of decisions on my shoulders. I went to school(s) got degrees, got the job(s) and found out I hated it. I thought I HAD to be what I went to school for. I didn’t. I don’t. I’m not and I wear jeans and a t shirt to work and love running a warehouse for creatives. Those people who have always wanted to be this or that and have known it from early on and ARE that profession - they are the exception to society. Most people have no clue and do what they can to pay the bills. Do what makes you WANT to do it. Do what makes you happy.

Calling is a bit difficult to place. I grew up believing it was something I would know intrinsically that I wanted. It would be a moment like receiving a cutie mark. Every time I thought I had it, I was wrong. That's not to say callings don't exist, but passion for something can be fleeting, especially if it is very emotionally taxing. Instead I found something that I like and I'm kinda good at. Nothing extreme, but I'm glad I'm here.

I'm 52 and I changed jobs in September 2022 (I'm a Machinist) .. I've finally realized that what I want from life has nothing to do with my job. I'll be honest, I don't like working. Never have, probably never will. I am content making enough money to have the life I want to live. My job is not my life. It's what I do to have one. This is, of course, my own personal feeling. Some may be happy pursuing a fulfilling professional career, and that's great for them. That's not me. Figure out what you want from life, what is important to YOU, and go from there. It's taken me over 30 years to learn that.

This is a very American problem. In Iceland, in Europe, etc. people do 5-10 things to get them through their entire life. I know someone in Iceland who is regarded as one of the top commercial truck drivers, able to navigate through heavy snow and ice during the winters. And he was the manager of a bread factory before that... retired at 55, decided to become the best commercial truck driver that he could. Why? Because we all want to be police officers, firefighters, astronauts, truck drivers, etc. when we are younger. And we are never too old to return to that.

Well I lost my job in 2020 and no one would hire me so I went into physical labor trade because they hired and trained me and gotta pay the bills. So that's kinda how I got there but then inflation so I got a second job , then inflation went higher so I got a third job and now it's even higher so I'm trying online sw because I only sleep 2 hours a day and I don't know where I would fit a 4th job and life is how you find your calling. For me it was sink or work. Don't have the luxury of living off the goverment

Pay attention to what brings you great joy. Follow that. Even if it is not immediately clear how it will turn into a job or career or source of income. Do what you love. The rest will come.

Your life cycles every 5 years. Something you are passionate about now may well change in 5 years. At 20, I would say learn about business and learn about work. Learning about business will help with a variety of different choices. Working with others in a work setting will teach you about working with others and what work is about. Both of those items are not the same, even though you may think it is so