Trying to Follow my Dreams is Getting So Hard

[baco623]

Trying to follow my dreams seems to be getting harder and harder and I don't know what to do. I honestly feel like giving up. I am graduating in May and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to be doing for the rest of my life and everything I want to do seems to get rejected.

I originally wanted to become a teacher but I was finding that I was too exhausted at the end of the day to do anything else and the kids kept getting me sick and plus I kinda realized I don't really like teaching teenagers so that was out.

Then I came to the realization that I really really want to work with animals so I've been looking into going into the vet tech program at my local JC and becoming a vet tech but I just got an e-mail from the head of the vet tech program saying that he isn't sure if anyone would hire me because I would be considered a liability due to my lowered immune system from my double lung transplant 2 1/2 years ago.

I feel like I want to go for the vet tech program anyways. I am so sick and tired of having everyone tell me what I can't do having CF and having gone through the transplant. I haven't gone through everything I've gone through to sit on the sidelines. My biggest fear in life is to be miserable because I hate my job and just getting a job because I need a job to just cover the cost of all of my medical bills. I honestly feel like giving up, like CF is winning this battle and that my fight issn't worth it. I don't know what to do. I want to do something productive and fullfilling with my life. I really want to work with animals and I am tired of being told NO all the time!!!

What do I do!!! Help.

26 F w/CF/CFRD/double lung tx on 9/3/2010

 

[nmw0615]

I was in the same place a couple years ago. I started college thinking I would become an elementary school teacher, but after spending a semester helping in my cousin's class, I knew I couldn't do enough to keep myself healthy and support myself at the same time. So I took two years off to figure out what I was going to do.

Just last year, I decided I was going to earn and English degree, and then get a Masters in Business. I want to work in the field of book publishing. But I also think that once I have my English degree, I might look into being a substitute teacher. I wouldn't have to constantly be exposed to contagious kids, but I could still have an opportunity to teach.

My doctors greatly disagree with this plan simply because I still run the risk of getting sick. I'm listening to what they say, but I know that in the end, I will do what is right for me. For you, you need to decide what is right for you. Maybe it's not being a vet tech, but finding some other way to enter a career with animals. Or maybe you do enter vet tech school, but maybe you're hired as an assistant. I'd suggest doing all the research you can on animal related fields and finding the path that you feel is right. I know I'd rather spend a year doing something that I absolutely love than spend the rest of my life thinking "what if."

 

[Iamqueenofeverything]

There is always a solution to you finding your dreams. I teach preschool part time even though my loved ones can discourage me by advising me to do something else. You have to do things that ste best for you after you do your research.

 

[azdesertrat]

You're right. If you're able to work, you need to have job satisfaction. I figure you're going to spend about 2/3 of your waking time at work. (When I was working, I spent even more than that.) To go to a job that you hate is a fate worse than death. I was lucky; I was able todo what I loved for 23 years. I wish I was able to still do it, I miss it. I hope you can have the same good fortune as I did. Remember this: most good luck is MADE. You don't sit around waiting for Good Luck to find you. I hope you find the career you're looking for & will have fullfillment.

 

[keefer11]

I feel like I've responded to one of your threads before, so I hope I'm not repeating myself to you

It is very frustrating, I've switched career/career paths several times because of how they have affected my health and it is a nuisance because you do all of this training to work in a certain field and then leave it, and then your skills only pertain to that field so once you leave, you have to start from scratch again when entering a new career.

What about working with animals but not directly? I work as an event coordinator at a local SPCA and do adoption events, fundraising events, publicity events, etc. I still get to work with animals and help them find loving homes while learning a lot about animals in general. I've learned a bunch about dog and cat behavior, training, medical information, etc. I know it's not as easy to find a job like this, but a lot of SPCA/Humane society's have job openings for adoption counselors or humane educators. It might be worth looking into. I wanted to do vet tech as well but realized I didn't want to jeopardize my health on a daily basis by being exposed to nasty viruses, bacteria, cat litter, etc on a daily basis. The days I am exposed to a lot of cat hair and cat litter(which aren't that often) I cough a lot more and my lungs are irritated, so I can tell you first hand it isn't very fun.

Another idea is starting to volunteer at a local shelter/spca/humane society and make sure that the vet tech field is the path you definitely want to go down. At my work we have volunteers help in the vet clinic and do a lot of other things. That way you could get experience and potentially get a job out of it. Volunteering allows you to explore new avenues without having to fully commit to something. That's how I got my job. I was a volunteer and then became an employee. If you want any more help/info I'm more than willing to answer any questions.

Good luck! I'm sure you will figure it out!