Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 2/11/2010

Question
I cannot exactly say that that I'm a young person (I'm 49 going on 50).  I need to find a serious career soon.  I'm still living at home (which I find very embarrassing), and I want to get away from my aging mother. After 30 years, I'm still at the same supermarket working as a bagger, though I have had other jobs elsewhere in the past.  I've worked in market research and retail sales for the most part.  I tried going back to college, but It didn't work out, because I believe I have Adult ADD and/or Dyslexia, and it makes it somewhat hard for me to concentrate. I have been to state counselors in the past, and have run through numerous aptitude tests, but they were of little help.  My strongest areas of interest are in art and humanities, which me
pretty much useless on today's failing job market.  I love animals (mostly cats), and was thinking maybe I could find a job working with them.  Do you have any suggestions that might launch me in the right direction?

Answer
Dave,

As you have identified a new career option for you working with animals, you may want to look at going into animal retail with PetsMart or some other pet retail store. It appears that you have a long tenure in retail sales anyway, that this could be a great avenue to pursue and be able to fulfill your love of animals.

I would also suggest, if you have not already done so, that you also look into volunteering with you local animal shelters OR SPCA.  I have read of many instances where job seekers have volunteered their way into new rewarding job and career opportunities.

As final thought, I'd like to share a quote with you that I hold true to my heart and professional future.  "Insanity is doing the same thing, the same way and expecting a different result".  If you don't like where you are personally as a 49 year old man living at home with your aging mother, then ONLY you can change that reality.  Nothing that I can say to you is going to change that. Be encouraged to step out on faith and change SOMETHING!

I hope this helps!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,


Torski
-The Career Confidence