Worry about future career prospects

[Nub]

Hi all,

I'm 20 and in my penultimate year of university. I am panicking intensely about my future career prospects since I would be graduating with two degrees in an ultimately useless fields since I don't have any skills or abilities that employers are looking for. I’ve never had a part time job in my life (was originally planning to get one this year, but COVID and moving back home has altered my plans and mental health significantly), and I’m honestly just been feeling defeated and anxious at home.

The career I want to go into (museum work) is intensely competitive and rarely has any positions open. While I have volunteered at both galleries and museums for a little over a year I feel like it’s not enough and I don’t know if this would ever lead to full-time (or even part-time) employment. I’m honestly already feeling defeated before I begin.

These thoughts been significantly distracting me from my studies, and the fact that my parents remain supportive of me studying my degree makes me feel even more guilty. Since I have no marketable skills and abilities, I feel like a failure who doesn’t deserve the privileges I’ve had. I constantly compare myself to other people my age even when I know that it’s unhealthy and pointless. I need to focus on the ‘now’ rather than anything else, but these thoughts run me in circles and it makes me anxious.

I’ve tried to spin my thoughts into being productive, with a ’Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,’ attitude by arranging a meeting with my university careers counsellor and by considering getting a few business/finance certificates from TAFE for the ‘hard’ skills, but I honestly still feel useless. I know that this stuff takes time, but I keep on returning to these thoughts and I feel like my brain is racing away from my body so all that happens is that I feel numb and distracted.

I truly love my studies and degree (strongly considering postgraduate study - even if i do constantly stress about my grades), but I can’t help but feel like it’s completely and utterly useless in todays’ competitive job market where I can’t compete with post-graduates and active professionals with experience.
Argh.

Apologies if this isn’t in the correct thread, but thank you for reading.

[leesy_lou]

Hey Nub,

Yes I agree, I loved the notion of "fear walking" for the notion of courage - pretty powerful. She was so eloquent and grounded, its clear she has lots of knowledge and personal experience. Speaking in that way is a skill I hope to one day master, bit for now I guess like you I need to be patience with the process .. haha

Awwwww so cute - I love beagles, they are super adorable. Sounds like a lovely companion to have on your walks, I'm sure the cheekiness keeps you smiling for the most part. I have a boxer, so am a fellow cheeky dog owner!

Sounds like you are feeling more comfortable being uncomfortable (if that makes sense), and that talking about it had help?

[Nub]

Hi leesy_lou,

Boxer!!! Wow!! Super cute! Love cheeky dogs hahaha, they really are such a delight to be around.

Yes, been feeling better as of late and more comfortable with this uneasiness. I've also had a lot of discussion with the careers counseller and for now I think I'm slightly more comfortable with where I'm at in life. I've figured out my plans for the future and thought up a plan B, so for now I'm trying to develop more confidence with how I'm doing at the moment.

Thank you for listening and responding!