A Decision About Career Change...

[J_trustno1]

that I need to make very soon..

Apologies for writing a thread on Christmas day. I'm sorry. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy holidays :) :happy:

Background:
I did a BSc in Chemistry and Statistics, followed by BSc (honors) in chemistry and Master of Engineering in Chemical engineering. It took me 5.5 years to earn my qualifications.

I only enjoyed the theory behind chemistry but absolutely hated the labs. Labs felt like my childhood labor jobs and hated them with passion. I only did this qualification for two reasons:

1) Because I loved the theory and science. I loved studying.
2) Had to prove my father wrong and shut him up that I'm not Dumb. According to him a science degree was worth it everything else was crap.

Throughout my undergraduate degree I had contact dermatitis. And in Masters I started having breathing problems.

I have been looking for jobs for the last two years but nobody would hire me because I'm overqualified.

It took me 18 months to land on a stupid data entry job which was only 6 month contract. It was the dumbest job I had done because I learned jack shit in there. People weren't as nice either.

About a week ago I had a job at university where I was dealing with lab chemicals. The job was to do an inventory check. Sadly, I developed breathing problems from day 1 of this job due to my exposure to toxic chemicals in the labs. Despite wearing a mask, gloves, lab coat and safety glasses my breathing problems never stopped.I had congested chest, sneezing, and dry cough (no mucus). I was advised by the doctor to quit this job due to my health condition because this job was making me asthmatic day by day while I've never had asthma in life before.

My Present, my personality and my will:

Currently I enrolled myself in a Graduate diploma in project management. This course is dealing with project for companies and I can have a science/engineering/IT background.

I was always good at Accounting, statistics and mathematics in school and at university although it was never excited by business lol.

I know that I do NOT wish to be a high school teacher like I have been prescribed by a lot of people because of my qualification. The reason being, I CANNOT deal with a class of 25-30 hormonal teenagers. I do NOT have that kind of patience and confidence. I have 6 cousins who have been morons to me in their teenage years so I CANNOT deal with kids and their parents NO WAY!!!!

Here are my qualities:
1. I'm very detail orientated.
2. Introverted
3. Can't deal with drama and lots of people because People are DIFFICULT!!!!
4. I'd rather sit in an office and do my job work on tasks and projects without being interrupted too often. It's not that I hate people but I don't know how to develop resilience.

The skills I want to master:
1. Self-esteem
2. Leadership qualities
3. Resilience
4. Having the ability to face trouble than running away from it.
5. Face my fears
6. Being able to present in large groups.
7. Organisation
8. Time management
9. Independence

My Question is:
I want to be able to overcome my fear and be able to deal with difficult people. However at the same time I am worried that I do not have it in me. I have always been too damn polite and coward in public, how will deal in difficult situations? How will I become a diplomat when I'm an honest person?

These are kind of skills they need in business but I've always been an introverted person who'd rather meet few but quality people. I have people problems. It's not that I go and bark at people, it's just that not everyone is my cup of tea.

It'll be great if you can help me with my decision. I do wish to study this course, I really do but at the same time it's my fear of my own personality because I have always avoided difficult situations in my life. I know that I can study anything I put my heart and mind into but this time it's a matter of being practical. How on earth will I bring that kind of confidence and self-esteem to deal with monsters of business world?? How would I know that I will succeed in this job when I couldn't even find a job relating to my current education?

 

[LuckyDuck]

Have you thought of getting a life coach while studying this course? They'll help you tackle the insecurities and put on the breaks faster when you think you'll bark, as you say it.

 

[scout86]

I think you're doing a smart thing, by reassessing your career goals. You have a lot of skills and talents, you just need to find the right fit for them.

I'd rather sit in an office and do my job work on tasks and projects without being interrupted too often.

I'd keep that in mind while you think about a career.That's a perfectly valid way to "Be". I think that's probably something that's important to you, for you to enjoy your work. It's also valuable in a lot of jobs. And everyone doesn't feel that way. (I'd go nuts if I had to sit in an office working on stuff without being interrupted/distracted all day! :))

I want to be able to overcome my fear and be able to deal with difficult people. However at the same time I am worried that I do not have it in me.

Dealing with "difficult people" is probably never going to be your best thing. It doesn't have to be. I actually think you're better at it that you give yourself credit for. But I also think you might be better suited for, and happier in, a job where you don't have to deal with office politics too much.

You said you prefer to be left alone to do your work. A lot of people don't enjoy that and aren't good at it. In the right job this trait is an asset. I'd keep that in mind while looking for a career.

at the same time it's my fear of my own personality because I have always avoided difficult situations in my life.

Jass, from what I know, you've been LIVING in difficult situations most of your life. You just haven't had much choice about it. Also dealing with difficult people. You have tons of experience with this. Maybe some of your work situations are triggers because they remind you of childhood stuff? Maybe there are better ways to respond to that that you can learn and use? At the same time, I think you'd be doing yourself a dis-service by setting it up so your work required you to constantly deal with stuff you hate dealing with and stuff that stresses you out.

How will I become a diplomat when I'm an honest person?

A diplomat doesn't have to be a liar. Some are, but I'm not sure that's the best way to go. A "diplomat" helps different sides in an issue find common ground and agreement. They help people understand each other and find ways to work together. They find ways of presenting the truth that's as palatable as possible for all concerned. Actually, if you lie, sooner or later the truth will catch up with you and there will be problems. A diplomat doesn't try to trick people into something. They try to help people find ways of seeing the truth that they can get along with.

Currently I enrolled myself in a Graduate diploma in project management.

So, what kinds of things do people with this diploma do? What would the jobs be like? What kinds of jobs need people with your skills?

1) Because I loved the theory and science. I loved studying.

This is something I think you should look at as a skill/asset. Everyone doesn't get in to this sort of thing. Some jobs require it, some don't. Consider looking at those that DO require it.

I was always good at Accounting, statistics and mathematics in school and at university although it was never excited by business lol.

There are careers that need those things too. Seems to me that some of them might also be careers where you don't have to deal with constant interruptions from other employees.

Jass, I think what you're doing is a great idea. You can't keep working at something that's making you physically sick. I'd also hate to see you stay at a job you hate. (You don't have to like ALL jobs BTW. It's perfectly ok to pick a career where you're happy! :))

2) Had to prove my father wrong and shut him up that I'm not Dumb. According to him a science degree was worth it everything else was crap.

THAT never was a real good reason for doing something, although I can understand how you'd feel that way. Going forward, I'd concentrate on what YOU want and forget trying to prove anything to anyone else.

In this country, a lot of universities have career offices, or placement offices, that help people find work, but they also help people find out what KINDS of work their degrees and personalities are best suited for. They usually are also willing to help people who've graduated. Do they have something like that there?

 

[SGT1209]

re: presenting in large groups.
Know what you are going to be presenting...and practice in front of a mirror, or in front of someone you trust... a lecturer offered to sit and listen to me several times...then i would practice in front of a full length mirror. I used props to practice and a guide sheet to refer to..
Visual imagery is another thing, I would at night lie there imagining myself out front of a group of people, and imagine feeling confident, knowing my subject matter and presenting it.
In a group initially you can start with a warm up/casual get to know you..you would likely know of this..getting people to feel at ease - and you can too.
Public speaking training, or toast masters classes/groups may be of assistance..
Good luck with your decision, and your studies.