[nabs-l] Some Questions...

[Lillie Pennington]

Hi Kerri,
I'm going to attempt to answer your questions. I don't know everything, but
hopefully some of this will help. Anyone feel free to correct
information/add something I may have missed.

Generally, a career is picked based on what you have a passion for or like
doing. It is also based on what major in college you had, if you went to
college, but I think the process is different for each person. Personally,
what I want to do is based on what I had a passion for.

I'd give the same advice for chosing a major; think about what you like to
do and what you could possibly see yourself doing in life. Maybe try looking
on a colleges website and look at the list of majors and for each one think
"could I see myself doing that or a related field in my life?" 
Also, many colleges have "undecided" options, where you start by taking
"general" classes that go towards any degree. You go through these classes
in hopes that you'll decide or learn something in one of these classes that
will trigger the want to major in that. For example, if you took a marketing
class and found a love of it, you could possibly consider majoring in
marketing. 

There's personally no way, in my opinion, to "find" your passion or want, it
comes to you. Confidence also grows over time as well, along with internal
motivation.

You could talk to people from the center about what to do, as well as your
state counselor. Both parties have probably delt with people in a similar
position. They also may have more guidance for you on your other questions. 

I am not exactly sure what jobs can be done with or without a degree; you'd
have to probably ask your state counselor or someone else about that. 

What did you like doing in training? That could lead to a job choice. What
were you doing before you entered training? 
There are most likely other jobs you can do at Duncan doughnuts besides
taking orders. I'd look at their website or maybe call their manager for
ideas. 

I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions, let me know. 

Lillie


-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kerri Kosten
Sent: Friday, June 07, 2013 7:44 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list; Ed McDonald; karen;
Anjelina Cruz; Kea.anderson at gmail.com; dsmithnfb at gmail.com; Arielle
Silverman
Subject: [nabs-l] Some Questions...

Hi Everyone:

I don't want to say too much on a public list, so I am going to try to keep
this very general and just ask my questions.
Basically, how did you decide what you wanted to do in life for a career?
How did you pick your major?
If you do not have much confidence in yourself, how did you find out what
you were passionate about/wanted to do?
How did you find internal motivation?
How did you decide whether to go to school, or just get a job?
What jobs can blind people do without a degree?
What jobs can a blind person do just to gain confidence in themselves until
they find direction?
I find myself really struggling now that I am out of training. I did really
well in training, but the goals I set in training do not apply now in the
situation I am in because those goals were training specific. I think I also
did really well in training because it was a routine and I got used to it. I
was also always told what to do, or knew what I needed to work on in each
class.
I am really struggling finding motivation now that I am on my own and don't
have the training center staff encouraging me, pushing me, and telling me
what to do.
My problem I think is if I am scared of someone, or I really respect/admire
someone, or I am intimidated by someone, I will work as hard as I can and
make sure to do everything they say. But, when just left to myself, on my
own, I really really struggle to find motivation, make decisions about
things, and find direction.
Does anyone else find themselves struggling with this kind of thing after
training or am I the only one?
How have you gotten through it and found direction/your passion and what you
wanted to do?
The problem is my Rehab counselor called me today. He is someone I really
respect. I am now stressing out because I want to at least have a plan for
him when I return his call. I at least want him to think that after spending
so much money to send me to training, I am motivated and am doing things and
taking some sort of action rather than sitting around.
But, I have no idea what jobs to look for or what to do. A Dunkin Donuts
just opened here recently. Is there anything I could do there?
I just want to show my counselor I have been doing something or at least
have a plan.
Thanks so much, and I look forward to reading your responses!
Kerri

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