Quarter Life Crisis

[adpiucf]

So... help.

I'm 25 years old, I work as an account executive for an ad agency in Los Angeles, I live right near the beach, I have my own car, I've made some wonderful friends out here and ... I'm utterly miserable!!!

I relocated to LA from Orlando 2 years ago. I love living out here, but I am so not happy with my job. I hate having to work 60 hours a week as the norm, I don't feel that I am paid enough and I have expressed these concerns to my employer. Nothing is changing anytime soon. I feel like it's time to move on after only 1.5 years in this position.

I've decided that writing is what I'm good at... as in some kind of journalism-magazine writing, perhaps. But how do I begin? Can I make enough money to live off? I really have very limited savings right now.

I think I should attempt to freelance a little and get a few clips under my belt. I've already approached my sorority's 1/4'ly mag and they told me they will keep me in mind as they need submissions. I want to check out some of the weekly rags in the area, too. But I want to be able to pitch an idea for a story to them... any ideas?

I CAN move somewhere else. There's nothing to tie me to LA. Any ideas for how to get out of this unhappy slump? I work such long hours and even though the people are nice here, I'm just so over it!

Thanks for letting me vent

[ISUKappa]

Look into a magazine freelancing class at a CC or University.

That will really help you familiarize yourself on the style of writing used in magazines. They would also help you figure out what kinds of articles you want to write and what magazines you want to gear yourself towards.

How you submit your articles varies widely on the individual magazines. Some won't take unsolicited articles, some want only an article outline, some want the entire article written, some want text and artwork, some want published clips along with the text, etc. . . For the small local publications, call up their editor or production manager and talk to them about possibly doing some freelancing. If they can't help you, they might be able to direct you to someone who can.

You have the right idea by starting small/locally. Volunteer to write some unpaid, if possible, just getting published is what you want starting out. Established freelancers can do quite well for themselves--they have certain magazines they are known at and can establish a good per word rate but it can take years (5 or more) to become established. Writers just starting out don't have that luxury--they usually have to work with a flat rate per article, regardless of length, which can be anywhere from $50-500 depending on the publication. It would have to be a part-time or side job at first until you become more established.

Prepare yourself for rejection. But don't become discouraged by it. Try somewhere else and keep at it.

[Rudey]

I've actually been looking at this as something to pursue.

From what I understand, no big name will buy a written story. What you do is go to smaller places and basically sell an editor on an idea for a story. Any you just work your way up and try and get onto bigger places. You can also be a stringer for certain places. I had a friends who ran into Bosnia right when things got bad being a stringer for several major papers including reuters and Christian science monitor and he's doing pretty well.

For a while you'll be living on the poor if this was what you were doing only. I'm trying to submit opinion pieces and letters to the editor at business type places like the economist and bloomberg and I'm hoping I can build on that and see where it takes me.

-Rudey

[adpiucf]

Thanks for the advice!!!

I'm interested in journalism and/or copywriting. I just need to write! PR is an area of interest, too.

I definitely need a change in the job scene. I may move back to FL! I just don't know yet. But it can't get any worse, right?

Update.... I learned of a bunch of contract/temp companies that place working professionals in contract positions. I called today and left a message to come in and speak with a placement counselor. Has anyone ever tried this before (not secretarial/clerical temping, but placement?)

Thanks everyone! I'm so lucky to have the GC network to lean on

[ZTAngel]

Read the book "The Go-Girl Guide: Surviving Your 20's with Savvy, Soul, and Style" by Julia Bourland. It's all about the Quarter Life Crisis. The way the author describes some of the events in her life will have you saying, "I thought I was the only one....". It's a good read and it will make you realize that almost everyone goes through this period in their life.

ETA:
adpiucf- Bonus for you: the author of the book had quit her job to become a freelance writer.

[maggieaxid]

I am totally where you are Adpi!
I am 25, my job is ok, but i am looking for something more. I dislike where I live and nothing is holding me here. I have an opportunity to move, but would be locked into a job and would not know a soul!
I am def. going to go pick up that book that ZTAngel recommends. Being in your mid 20's sucks!

[adpiucf]

Maggie, What do you have to lose by moving? Check and see if there is an Alpha Xi alum assoc. before you completely say no. That helped me sooo much when I first moved to CA. If it had not been for ADPi, I think I would've moved back to Florida in my first week out here! Alum rock! I got involved with the events, the chapters, the sisters. It has helped me through so much to be able to depend on my sisters!!! Plus I've met tons of people who aren't ADPi through it, too.

ZTAngel, thanks for the recommendation. I should know to ask a fellow UCF Greek

Things are a little better. I'm getting to work on some PR stuff (so it's not 100% advertising account work related; thank goodness!!! Account work can be rewarding, but it can also be complete mind-numbing paperwork pushing!) so I'm happy. I also contacted that contract temp agency, so I will see what's out there. And I'm on my agency's ESOP commitee (we educate our agency on retirement/finances and plan company outings, vote on stuff, etc.) and we're planning some events coming up, so I've found some passion. Plus, the weather this week is mimicking that of my beloved home state (its WARM!!!!!), so I'm smiling a little. I even felt good enough to go running last night (which I haven't done in months because my ears freeze up in the cold and it HURTS!)

I'm soooo rambling right now. [end ramble]

[XOMichelle]

Did you just call LA cold? lol!

I know what you mean about the mid-20's thing... I'm going to be 24 this year, and this is the first time I've really felt lost.

Thanks for the book reccommendation! I will read it.

-M

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by XOMichelle
Did you just call LA cold? lol!

YES! (I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, where it's pretty much 80+ everyday!!!)

I think it's safe to say that I'll turn into a "Pi"-sicle if I ever attempt to live in snow!

[alikat2]

I'm a writer (for a newspaper), and I agree with all of the posts here--see if you can start out writing for a small or community-based publication, not necessarily for pay, just for experience and exposure. As you will find out clips are so much more valuable than a paycheck when you're looking to move into a writing career!!!

I can identify with the quarter-life crisis thing. I am turning 24 in a few months and have really been thinking a lot about how my life is going and wondering if I'm doing the right thing a lot of the time. I am very happy in my job; that's not the problem. But I'm almost two years out of college and in a lot of ways still live like I'm in college: I party a lot, I bounce from guy to guy and can't seem to find one I like enough to commit to (and vice versa) and I still take financial help from my parents. I have fun. But I wonder a lot lately if I should really just grow up.

Sorry for the tangent, I kind of got off topic!

[maggieaxid]

Adpi- I have already contacted the Alpha Xi alum group and they are welcoming with open arms! The pres of the alum org has already offered me names of sisters that are around the same age to at least get in contact,which i think is sooo awesome and great alum support! (and considering the alum group up here isn't great- its nice to see one that is!)
Also, I would be moving to the Ft. Lauderdale area- how funny is that?
So I guess I am moving without making the conscious descision!

[AchtungBaby80]

I tell everyone I'm having a "quarter life crisis," too! Most other people my age have real jobs, even if it's just for a cell phone company or something, while I'm just a substitute teacher. They're all getting married, too, which makes me feel like a real schmuck because in my mind, I'm not "grown up" enough for that yet. Oy, it's pathetic. I'm 23, but I feel too old to play with the little kids and not old enough for the adults.

[Taualumna]

I think many of us are going through this. I'm turning 25 in September, and I have yet to have a full time job. I've been in school all this time, and will likely be in school another year to take a professional studies certificate (likely human resources management). I'm also looking for work, but I haven't had any luck so far. I haven't had a date in months and have yet to have a relationship that lasts more than a month or so. I live at home with my parents and I think they don't believe in this whole "quarter life crisis" thing since they were already married with their own place at 25.

[jhujenn]

I really think that about everyone our age is going through this same situation. I'm 25 as well and I've only been out of undergrad for almost two years. I'm not really fond of my job either, but I do know that I like it much better than the last one. My personal opinion is that when we judge what we should be doing based on what other people are doing and we are not up to where they are it looks like we are slackers. The great thing about being unattached is that if you don't like where you live or what you are doing you can change it with little ramifications. It might not happen overnight, but you will figure out what you want to do and at least you are finding out what you don't want to do. I just get so discouraged when people are young and don't take the opportunity to really figure out what they want to do. Both of my roommates hate their jobs, but they won't look for another one, they just complain about theirs. Most of you reading this have a great resource by being sorority members because there is some sort of support network wherever you go. Take advantage of it! I'm sorry if I sound like I'm on a tanget, but I think sometimes we all do things because that is what is expected opposed to what we really want to do. It'll all work out guys. The first or second job usually isn't the right one.

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by maggieaxid
I would be moving to the Ft. Lauderdale area- how funny is that?
So I guess I am moving without making the conscious descision!

I'm so glad to hear that! My family lives in Coral Springs (near Boca), so when you move, we'll have to get together when I come home to visit! That is one of the great benefits of Alum Greek Life-- our brothers/sisters are everywhere!

Thanks for the support, y'all. Great news. A PR firm in Orlando has contacted me about setting up a phone interview. Progress.

There's actually a website -- quarterlifecrisis.com -- and it has message board with the same format as GC! Go check it out. WE ARE NOT ALONE!