Career Decided!

So it's been a long and tedious journey, but hopefully the confusion and depression is over now that this decision has been made...

As you may know, I study Psychology at University and I'm currently in my final year. My dissertation is based on an area of study I find fascinating and really enjoy - Children's Social Development. What is this you may ask? Basically, it looks at everything to do with a child's environment and how that interacts with their social development - mainly focusing on family and relationships in school. I have no idea why but I've always loved research involving children.. sounds a bit iffy but ignore that! I just love that you get to look at where we all start from, how influences in our early childhood affect us later in life, how those relationships we form as infants lay the building blocks for all future relationships. It is absolutely fascinating and thus why I chose to research it for my dissertation. 

Now early this academic year, my boyfriend & I realised we needed to discuss with a careers counsellor where we were going in life. I asked about becoming a lecturer and the idea of it did not scare me like I think the lady meant it to, but it inspired me. I felt excited, as if that's something I would absolutely love to do. I love my lecturers and the enthusiasm they have for their subjects, even the really annoying ones - I can't knock that they are more committed to that boring subject than anyone else! 

So I looked more into the idea, but decided to pursue other avenues so as not to limit myself. The availability of contacts in the Recruitment industry blurred my vision slightly. I was drawn in by the money and the excitement of an actual career opportunity being so easy that I lost sight of my original dream. My boyfriend was following his dream of heading into the world of tackling organised crime, and there's me thinking 'maybe I would love life working in an office' NO NO NO. 

So tonight, whilst I found myself browsing courses for Dental Hygienists I had to stop, slap myself and realise that if I was willing to look for a course that lasts 3 years to just get another bachelors degree in something I don't even understand, then I can bloody well do another 3 years studying something I love. And that's what has happened, I've now found a course that looks great back in my hometown where me & my partner recently decided to move back to. I'm finally accepting that I can live my dream, I can do what is interesting and actually make a career out of it. How do I know this? Because I've met my lecturers at University. I have to say, they do not seem like the most confident socialite bunch, but they have managed to speak in front of hundreds of students about something they love, so why can't I? I have a panic disorder, and I always get nervous public speaking. But more recently, when I know a topic like the back of my hand, I suffer no difficulty in speaking about it for twenty minutes at ease, with a bit of finesse and cracking a few jokes here & there - if I do say so myself. I finally feel comfortable doing something, I actually realised last year that I learn by pretending to teach people, apparently it helps you to understand better - who knew?? 

So yes, my chosen career is to be a lecturer of Children's Social Development. My action plan? As application dates have already passed this year, I'm going to take a year out & work my booty off to save money, perhaps do some work experience (something I need to ask my dissertation leader about) and relax and enjoy life for the first time in so many years. I think before I commit myself to another 3 years studying and working part time, I need to save some dollar, buy myself pretty things and actually sit and read my Psychology textbooks because I enjoy reading them, not because it's a chore! 

The future's looking bright & exciting!

:) 

xoxoxoxo

P.s. Now I've written this down & released it to the real world I feel like I definitely have to accomplish this now, thank the lord, some real motivation.