Considering a career shift and seeking general guidance

[sairoof]

Hi
I am a currently a 24 years old middle school teacher looking for a career shift.
I want to talk about few things in this thread
First, what skills i can learn in a busy schedule?
Alongside my job, I spend a lot of time on my graduate diploma, and i have to take some of my work home, I find it hard to find time to learn anything and I'd just play video games if I can find 1 or 2 free hours.
Second, where I can find physics appreciation in a country that doesn't have many opportunities
The job market is bad here, adding to that there's a stigma that physics (and science in general) is for teaching only. I ended up in this job even thought I didn't really want it, but I needed the money.
Third, would you recommend taking a degree in a totally unrelated field?
I know this might already be common, but is it really worth another year or two of studying just for a career shift? I'd feel like my whole life and experience is going to waste if I did that. Or I might be just overthinking.
Anyways, here's what I'm considering, Ms In electrical engineering, Data science or an MBA.
Finally, motivation, confusion, focus, self esteem
I find it really hard to find motivation to do anything that I'm not forced into, I also feel like I haven't taken any important choice in my life other than my choice to study physics at the university, every other thing is either pushed on my or I had to do due to necessity.
I also made a similar post few months ago, but haven't done anything of value in that timespan.
I know this gets easier in few years of now, but I can't imagine myself accepting that my life purpose is to just pass my abilities to someone else without using them myself.

I'd appreciate any suggestion, criticism, or nice words. I have more to say, but I don't want this to be overwhelming.

 

[CrysPhys]

Third, would you recommend taking a degree in a totally unrelated field?
I know this might already be common, but is it really worth another year or two of studying just for a career shift? I'd feel like my whole life and experience is going to waste if I did that. Or I might be just overthinking.
Anyways, here's what I'm considering, Ms In electrical engineering, Data science or an MBA.

I wouldn't go for another degree unless I have a well-defined end goal that the degree would help get me to.

I also made a similar post few months ago, but haven't done anything of value in that timespan.
I know this gets easier in few years of now, but I can't imagine myself accepting that my life purpose is to just pass my abilities to someone else without using them myself.

You got some good advice in your previous post. If you haven't followed up, I'm not sure what you're looking for in this post. Not sure what you mean by "this gets easier in few years of now", if you're convinced you'll be terribly unhappy if you stay the course. The sooner you change the course, the better.

 

[sairoof]

I wouldn't go for another degree unless I have a well-defined end goal that the degree would help get me to.



You got some good advice in your previous post. If you haven't followed up, I'm not sure what you're looking for in this post. Not sure what you mean by "this gets easier in few years of now", if you're convinced you'll be terribly unhappy if you stay the course. The sooner you change the course, the better.

Yeah i recognize this and im very thankful for everyone that gave advice, but i didn't follow the advice whatsoever. And I'm not sure if it's me that's being lazy or just the fact that I cannot take the time to actually search and do the work

 

[Choppy]

1. If the first thing you do when you have free time is gravitate to video games, that might be a symptom that you're burned out. People need down time and it's important to work that into your regular schedule. If you don't, the need for it will arise at inconvenient times.
   More to the point there are all kinds of skills that one can learn, but a near universal requirement is the need to invest the time. You also need a means of getting feedback so you're not going off the rails.
   Rather than trying to fit something into your schedule right now, it might be better to use your highly constrained time to explore a few different options and then, once you find the direction that's right for you, figure out how to modify your schedule to fit in what you need.
   
   
2. I'm not sure what you mean by "physics appreciation." It's very challenging to find someone to pay you to do physics outside of academia. Depending on your background, you could look into medical physics or geophysics, various disciplines of engineering, data science, programing, etc.
   
   
3. If you're not happy with your current career options, then often more education to get the qualifications you need for a different field is the way to go. There's obviously both a financial and opportunity cost to that kind of decision, but lots of people do this. At 24 years old, most people still have enough flexibility in their lives that spending another couple of years of vocation-specific training isn't a big setback, and in fact can set them up for the life they really want.
   
   
4. This sounds a lot like you're burned out to me. Fixing that can be tough and often requires some long term strategies, beyond what random people on a forum can help with. Generally it starts with making sure that you're taking care of yourself-getting enough quality sleep, eating well, getting exercise, socializing, and of course, allowing yourself down time.

 

[symbolipoint]

I am a currently a 24 years old middle school teacher looking for a career shift.
I want to talk about few things in this thread
First, what skills i can learn in a busy schedule?
Alongside my job, I spend a lot of time on my graduate diploma, and i have to take some of my work home, I find it hard to find time to learn anything and I'd just play video games if I can find 1 or 2 free hours.

That hardly makes good sense. I could pick at it as well as read the rest of your post #1, but, maybe later or not?

 

[symbolipoint]

I also made a similar post few months ago, but haven't done anything of value in that timespan.
I know this gets easier in few years of now, but I can't imagine myself accepting that my life purpose is to just pass my abilities to someone else without using them myself.

So my first post was a "reaction" and I should have read more of your post #1.

IF you are successful as a middle-school teacher, then maybe you should stay with it. But if you are not successful, like most students not gaining an educational benefit, then at least you have some justification for changing careers (ideally starting with study of Physics for an undergraduate degree, minimum).

 

[symbolipoint]

Some further thoughts...
If you try to change careers, then this is a big change and will be a struggle. You must consider if you can quit your current job and have the time and money to take the extra needed education, and if you can find a job in the new field. Often not easy! Your future educators and prospective job hirers can expectedly ask you why, and what exactly do you want to be able to do.

 

[sairoof]

Some further thoughts...
If you try to change careers, then this is a big change and will be a struggle. You must consider if you can quit your current job and have the time and money to take the extra needed education, and if you can find a job in the new field. Often not easy! Your future educators and prospective job hirers can expectedly ask you why, and what exactly do you want to be able to do.

That's one of my concerns, the more I stay the harder it is to leave.

 

[sairoof]

1. If the first thing you do when you have free time is gravitate to video games, that might be a symptom that you're burned out. People need down time and it's important to work that into your regular schedule. If you don't, the need for it will arise at inconvenient times.
   More to the point there are all kinds of skills that one can learn, but a near universal requirement is the need to invest the time. You also need a means of getting feedback so you're not going off the rails.
   Rather than trying to fit something into your schedule right now, it might be better to use your highly constrained time to explore a few different options and then, once you find the direction that's right for you, figure out how to modify your schedule to fit in what you need.
   
   
2. I'm not sure what you mean by "physics appreciation." It's very challenging to find someone to pay you to do physics outside of academia. Depending on your background, you could look into medical physics or geophysics, various disciplines of engineering, data science, programing, etc.
   
   
3. If you're not happy with your current career options, then often more education to get the qualifications you need for a different field is the way to go. There's obviously both a financial and opportunity cost to that kind of decision, but lots of people do this. At 24 years old, most people still have enough flexibility in their lives that spending another couple of years of vocation-specific training isn't a big setback, and in fact can set them up for the life they really want.
   
   
4. This sounds a lot like you're burned out to me. Fixing that can be tough and often requires some long term strategies, beyond what random people on a forum can help with. Generally it starts with making sure that you're taking care of yourself-getting enough quality sleep, eating well, getting exercise, socializing, and of course, allowing yourself down time.

Yeah i recognize this and im very thankful for everyone that gave advice, but i didn't follow the advice whatsoever. And I'm not sure if it's me that's being lazy or just the fact that I cannot take the time to actually search and do the work

It's morning now, I wrote the thread while I was very tired. I realized how little value there is to this new one, hence I'm deleting this now. And will sort things out once I get some actual free time and rest (summer vacation)
Thanks.
Edit: how do I delete a thread? I didn't think this through

 

[Tom.G]

Edit: how do I delete a thread? I didn't think this through

The easiest way is to click on "Report" at the bottom of your last post.
I suggested the from your last post because it has your explanation.
Ask them to please delete your whole thread.
The Reports go directly to the Mentors here on PF who have the authority to remove posts and threads.

Good Luck @sairoof, we hope to see you back soon!

Cheers,
Tom