How did you know when you got your "calling"?
 

Here's the deal... I'm currently studying Computer Information Systems with a bunch of programming stuff. I used to enjoy it, but recently, I just don't think it's what I want to do for my life.

I've been thinking about going to law school and going into corporate law.

So here's the question... what was your "calling" and what made you want to do it?

Really, I'm still waiting to find it. I've been thinking about it A LOT lately. Now that I've been practicing law for a few years, I have realized that law is NOT my calling. So I've been trying to get more in touch with my "real" self to see what I *really* should be doing. I think that it's probably going to be something radically different and much more creative.

I think it's awesome that you are actually thinking about it. I would say to try to get to know yourself really, really well before deciding what to do with your life. I have learned that you have to consider both what you think you want to do and what your personality is suited for doing (for example, I thought I wanted to do law, but my personality is absolutely not suited for it).

I think being on permenant vacation is my calling.

I'd also say to make sure you know what you're getting into.

I used to be thinking about corporate law b/c it sounded kinda glamorous, lots of money, etc.

Basically i've learned that corporate lawyers push paper around and fill out all kind of different forms again and again. Very repetitious and monotonous, but some people can thrive on that.

Talk to a few people who do what you want to do to get a perspective.

I went into law school not having a clue what i wanted to do, and i'm glad, because I really didn't know what many types of law involved. More and more i'm learning, especially as I gain contacts in the field.

That is a different perspective. I've met a few over these last few months and learned that some of them are hardly in their office! Hardly ever pushing paper around.....I guess it just depends on what firm, the clients, and all that.

You get out of it what you put into it as well.....

I'm looking to go into corporate law (as of right now) but that could change once I get to law school (if I get to law school) or if Valkyrie doesn't talk me out of it first...lol

I can't really explain it. I think I finally discovered my calling (possibly two) a year ago. I just know that it comes naturally...I can do "it" in my sleep.

My parents are both attorneys, and I always toyed with the idea of being an attorney. I decided to major in IS in college, because I loved computers, and I always wanted a major that gave me a marketable degree, should I not decide to go onto law school.

During all the Napster debate (beer Good! Napster Bad!), I became really interested in the area of intellectual property law and internet law. So I decided to apply to law school. I thought that I was tired of the IS world.

Now, I'm 3 weeks into my second semester of law school and am seriously depressed. Maybe its just my school, but I just feel like a fish out of water. All through college my friends were CS, IS and engineering types - and we understood each other. Now, I feel like the odd man out because I didn't have a liberal arts background - its like being in high school again - and I'm the computer nerd.

I'm beginning to think that computers really *are* my calling and I need to get into a master's program in CS or IS.

thanks for all the replies :) It's really interesting to see what people have to say esp. with all the different perspectives.

Out of all my friends, they felt I was lucky to have it all figured out.. I was majoring in IS and for awhile I really did enjoy it.. I'm just not sure that is something I want to do all my life.

I'm going to talk to my advisor in a couple of days and see what's up. Because right now I really have no clue what I want to do ...

p.s.

I liked ktsnake's "calling" the best.. being on vacation all the time :)

On a totally random note....



Isn't there a band named "The Calling?"



UBERHIJACKER

Everyone's probably going to laugh at me when I post this...

I got my calling when I was 4 years old and my mother took me to the public library for the first time I can remember. I taught myself to read, so she decided it was high time I got some books. I walked into the library and it was like a light went on in my head. This was what I wanted to do with my life. I went on to get a Master of Library and Information Science (yes, you have to have a Master's to be a librarian), and now work in public libraries.

My other calling in life is to be a writer. I've loved to write fiction since I was little, but I gave it up for about 10 years because, well, everyone was telling me that I should be a writer. So I quit. I've started writing again, but it's a long, complicated, frustrating story. *facepalms*

I think I always knew I wanted to work with computers. I started taking computer courses when I was in (I think) 3rd grade, and I just loved it. Somehow, software design and development just comes naturally to me.

I am the biggest law nerd there is. But I am a Communication major with a concentration is PR and Broadcasting. The reason I didn't go to school is because all through freshman and sophomore year of college I babysat for this one family. The mother had just finished law school and she was already partner in her husband's firm. Since she was a defense attorney, she would sometimes be gone all day and half of the night.
One day, when she had a day off, I was talking to her about going into law school preferably to get into the music business with intellect property or maybe environmental law. She asked me if I planned on having kids. And I said that I wanted one or two. And she looked me in the face and said, 'I know more law graduates working as teachers than actually practicing law. It's a competitive field and hard for a woman to get into unless you know the right people. And you can't do this to your children. I'm not at home as much as I should be. This is the most vital time of their lives and I'm not here.' And then, she started crying.
Granted, I haven't decided what I'm going to do. . .but I'm thinking twice before I cash in on my good LSAT score. That's why I'm doing the Comm major.

After going to therapy for my ED, I knew that I wanted to be a therapist. (Yes, all psych people are crazier than those they help. It's true. LOL) Her job was everything I wanted - to help women who struggle with EDs. There is so much that goes into the work - environment, genetics, social interaction, personality, disposition - that it is challenging and guarantees that one case will never be the same as the next. Plus, she made a lot of money, had a nice office, and dressed well. ;)

Hmm....probably when my friends started telling me how much they despised me when I corrected their grammar. *nods sadly* It especially hurt when it they said that when I was in 2nd grade. Hehe :)
When I was younger I started tutoring children and starting volunteering at my old grade school. That is when I really hit my how much I really wanted to be in Education, especially language arts. :) I feel much more at home in that depatment. Now, I'm observing in a 6th grade classroom and I'm absoutley loving it!! Of course, as soon as I get home I have at least 3 children waiting for me to tutor them also. Just can't get enough of it I guess :)

Another "Library Girl"
 

Hey, KappaStarGirl, I'm a librarian too! I was studying for a degree in elementary ed., wanting to teach Kindergarten or first grade when I took a course in children's literature. When I went to elementary school, we did not have a school library. So when I found out that elementary schools had libraries, I was like "YOU MEAN THEY PAY PEOPLE MONEY TO DO THIS?? HOW COOL!!!" So I finished by degree and went right into grad school for my MLS. I have been an elementary school librarian for 28 years (now be nice to me, I am old) and I think it is the BEST job in the school. Every day is different. I finally went on and got my Ph.D. in library science and have taught at the college level some, but I like working with the kids better.

Lizz (PNAM tinydancer)