Jimellow

It's been awhile since I checked/posted in this thread, but I was just dicussing my employment future with my parents, and thus gravitated back towards this topic.

My current job is managerial, and I am well aware that if I commit to it, I will be entering the ranks of management tiers on a full time basis. This is something I am not really looking forward to, despite the promise of good pay, etc.

I don't consider myself to be a good manager to the level that would make a successful career out of it, in the field I currently am in. I am a good worker, and even now while managing I try to "get down" with my workers and help them physically as much as possible. I'd rather work than supervise, but the higher I go, the less work I would be able to do. Furthermore, I notice myself siding with my employees instead of against them when issues arise in which I should probably be siding with my boss; despite him being wrong. To go along with that: I am a good worker, and in a way this may be why I am reluctant to pursue management as a career. I know I do good work, and as a result I like to be in control of the work I do/create. I am not as good at motivating others to do good work for me as I am doing quality work myself. One of the key reasons I was promoted to management was a result of me doing good work at the physical level, and ironically the promotion has strayed me away from the type of work I did best, and appreciated most.

I'd really like a job that was related to English, reading, and/or literature. I love reading and to be able to get a job doing something I love seems ideal to me. I could make a very lengthy list of jobs I wouldn't like to spend a lifetime doing, but have trouble coming up with a list of jobs I would like doing. Therefore, when it comes to focusing on activities I do enjoy doing, and that could potentially be related to a career, reading, and to a lesser extent, writing rise to the surface.

I can forsee myself having a career in management, but I don't think such a career would result in a content and enjoyable life. I am at a point in my life where I can go many different directions, and while I have an idea what I don't want to do, I could use some guidance on where I can go, given my interests.

Publishing is interesting to me, and if there is any more information you, or anyone (this is the first time I really am referencing the quoted post) could offer regarding that field, I'd be very appreciative. Furthermore, I welcome any futher feedback, recommendations, or comments regarding this topic.

I can write well, and I truly enjoy reading. I opted not to pursue the minor in writing, but am also reluctant to think that such a decision also eliminates any potential writing careers that may be in my future.

I've yet to have a job I truly enjoyed after the initial effect wore off. My current job is nice for me. The pay is decent, has benefits, but is part time, and I am doubtful about my desire to pursue management on a full time basis. To be fair, I do make the best of situations whenever possible and do not hate my current job by any means. I work with good people, for a good company, and it is a good job to me. I just also realize that forecasted over a lifetime, I am doubtful it is a job I'd like to make a career of.

Lastly, I could use some advice regarding a jumping off point. You've all listed impressive jobs to me, but I am not sure how I would get into them. The nature of a liberal arts degree in English is a double edged sword for someone like myself. I love the freedom the degree offers, but my indecisiveness also makes it hard to focus on a specific professions and pursue entering it.

I welcome responses in any form, and greatly appreciate the ones given to me so far.

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Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.