Is this what I SHOULD be doing? What exactly AM I doing? HELP.

hannahleeolga
Sat, 03 Jan 2015 21:31:56 +0000

A close friend of mine has made it known to me that he has many doubts about his current career path. He originally entered into college as a Business Administration major. This was a result of taking career and college major tests that placed him in the business field.

After two years, he decided to switch his major to Financial Planning at the urging of his advisor. He—my friend—had experienced struggling in the academic realm of college as well as personal conflicts. Financial Planning seemed to have a better job outlook and financial security associated with it as well as skills that my friend had and/or could easily develop. However, at the end of another two years, with an associate’s degree, he decided that Financial Planning was not meant for him. He found no enjoyment in the work.

He was at a dead-end.

My friend always displayed weakness in reading and writing, probably as a result of not being disciplined to practice these skills at a young age. As he matured, this became a significant problem in his academic success.

In high-school, this young man found his passion in the Fine Arts, enjoying painting and developing an interest in other art forms. However, when it came to college, the Fine Arts did not offer much promise for a career.

This friend of mine, despite his weaknesses in reading and writing, is a unique individual who I am sure will find great success. He is very insightful, creative, and driven. He is able to analyze situations and offer solutions to problems or introduce ideas to better a system. In this way, he seems suitable for Business Management and Business Administration. But he has several doubts about continuing to pursue this area of study. Is there something better for him? He has told he that if he could start all over again, he would go into Architecture (I am currently an Architecture major), but he would have to start from scratch since few to none of his credits would transfer to that program (time and money factors, too).

Not wanting to stay at school for another four or five years, he is unsure what to do. Practically thinking, he should finish a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (his current plan) because he would only need to remain in school for two more years (time and money factors again). Are there other options?

I think he should finish his degree and pursue a job in an art museum, the administration of a Fine Arts school, an auction house, or even attempt entrepreneurship. (He is hoping to take a course in glass-blowing for an art credit and I think it may provide more options for his career.) What are other job opportunities that would fit his personality and education?

Thank you.

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