Whether I choose to go to college or not, I need to have some idea what sort of career I'm aiming for. I have no vocational training of any sort and, apart from a bit of volunteering at a thrift shop, I've never had anything resembling an ordinary job. I'll describe my basic abilities and disabilities without bravado or false modesty, since I recognize that self-deceit is the leading cause of bad career choices.

My assets are the following. I have above average intelligence. Specifically, I'm skilled at constructing and deconstructing ideas, seeing alternatives and understanding multiple levels of meaning (metaphors, for example). My spatial sense is my intellect's weakest link. I'm no better than average at mentally manipulating objects. I have some potential in philosophy, social sciences and creative writing, I suspect, but I understand that careers in those fields are difficult to obtain. If all else fails, I'm fairly large and can do heavy lifting.

My primary liabilities are my emotions. While I can, with effort, control them in normal circumstances, if I were in a career that put me under extraordinary stress, I am certain that I would crack. I tend towards panic, depression, paranoia and rage, and any career that demands near perfect psychological health is just not for me.

My other weakness is that I tend to be somewhat absent-minded. My mind is seldom where my body is. Most of the time I am theorizing, predicting, speculating and so forth, and so I am in some sense impractical. I can discipline my mind to focus on the here and now, but it isn't something that comes naturally.

Given these strengths and weakness, what sort of career should I be thinking about? Moreover, what type of tertiary education (if any) would be best for obtaining such a career? I'm grateful for all replies and advice. Thank you very much.

__________________
"Some people complain about the system. The system is not good, so they can't do anything. It's an excuse. Freedom is in your heart." (Jin Xing)

The problem I see is that your assets make you perfect for jobs that your liabilites make impossible...
With your intelligence and emotional intelligence you'd make a great salesman or social worker...
But those jobs require the ability to control your emotions, at least some of the time. Most jobs are stressful to some extent.

My suggestion is that you practice a couple jobs that you don't take seriously to get used to controlling your emotions and handling stress. Go part time and maybe take a class or two while you're at it.

The strategy is to defeat your liabilities rather than letting them control you.
Just like how you got yourself out to walk and got yourself to take the GED.

__________________
"It's never over... BOY!"
The Tall Man, Phantasm III

Poetry

__________________
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." - Robert E. Lee

Thank you very much for the advice, JavaBlack. Since you were, not too long ago, roughly where I am in life (and with many more tangible obstacles) and you persevered, your suggestions are of uniquely high value.

What sort of jobs make the best stepping stones? Moreover, knowing what you do of my phobias and neuroses, to what sort of job situations would I need to desensitize myself?

Well, with the GED, I made a New Year's Resolution and I am obsessive about not breaking my word. I'm extremely determined in getting from point a to point b once I decide where point b is. My problem is that I often have trouble making that decision.

__________________
"Some people complain about the system. The system is not good, so they can't do anything. It's an excuse. Freedom is in your heart." (Jin Xing)

Hi Force:

Thank you for being TRUE to yourself and us.

Since there are some personal emotion problems involved, most psychiatrist will recommend you to have daily exercise so I will suggest you to choose a career with some kind of MOVEMENT required. It can help your emotion and also maintain a job. Those jobs like personal trainer, fitness instructor, PE teacher...etc.

If you would like to go to college then I will suggest you to major in English, since this is the language you are used to and your composition and writing capability is already there, however it requires a lot of reading. But I have noticed you have been reading bible a lot so it shouldn't be that much difficult for you.

Hope this will help ou.

That is excellent advice. I have noticed that I tend to feel better emotionally after getting exercise, and I also need to work off some excess weight.

__________________
"Some people complain about the system. The system is not good, so they can't do anything. It's an excuse. Freedom is in your heart." (Jin Xing)

[quote="Force-of-the-Truth";p="383343"]
My assets are the following. I have above average intelligence. Specifically, I'm skilled at constructing and deconstructing ideas, seeing alternatives and understanding multiple levels of meaning (metaphors, for example).
quote]

Are you serious Force??

Go and sit in your garden and look at the moon.

I'd advise getting a job at a retail store... preferably a smaller one. You'll learn to have to deal with people when they're at their worst. Plus you'll be given varied tasks and meet a lot of people from different walks of life, from retirees to students to slackers to people who have another job full-time.
Don't be too picky, but try to find a store that deals in something you like or know about.

Retail can be irritating but it definitely prepares you for dealing with people and putting up with stress.

__________________
"It's never over... BOY!"
The Tall Man, Phantasm III

javaBlack:

Are you crazy, retail store will drive me insane don't even mention Force.

I will suggest you to work in a library, people are nicer and quieter there.

I just did odd jobs at that thrift store. I can rotate stock and lift heavy things, but I don't know of any specialized knowledge I have that would be of use in retail. As it happens, though, I live near the downtown of my city, and there are a number of stores of just about every size and type within walking distance of my house. I don't know anything about clothing, though, so that rules out a lot of them. Perhaps I should just look for whoever is hiring.

Who is the worst: The employers, the co-workers or the customers?

__________________
"Some people complain about the system. The system is not good, so they can't do anything. It's an excuse. Freedom is in your heart." (Jin Xing)