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I hate my desk job, but don't have any other experience...what can I do to leave the cubicles?

I've been at a desk job (office assistant/receptionist) for a year. I freelance write a little but no other real job experience, and a 2009 BA in PR/Spanish/poli sci. I can't stand working in a cubicle, at an office, on a chair all day.

I need something where I'm on my feet more, interacting with people, not bored to tears, and ideally using my mind once in a while. The trades are appealing but I have no skills in that area, plus can't lift over 40 lbs. due to injury. While sales/retail could work I don't think I could match my current compensation (at present I earn $2k/month plus good benefits).

Any ideas/suggestions of careers that might be a good match?

SubduedExcitement asked in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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  • P9100429_small
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    Christy O

    If I were you, I'd spend some time trying to figure out where your passions lie and what you want to do with your life. Reading books like What Color Is Your Parachute can be helpful, as can taking personality tests like Myers-Briggs (and there are employment books that come specifically from a "match your personality type" point of view). Whatever you're interested in, volunteer or join pertinent clubs. Figure out what people do for a living in those areas, try to meet those people, talk to those people, get tips on how to get into that line of work, or try to get a "foot in the door" job in that industry. You'll be much more attractive to prospective employers if you have a 20- or 30-year plan (or at least seem to, or think you do).

    This may not seem very helpful, because I'm basically saying "answer your own question". But really, you do have to answer your own question. No one is going to be able to give you a magic correct answer, because no one knows you like you do. You may change jobs 10 times in the next 10 years without finding a good fit, but you can save yourself a lot of bad jobs if you work on figuring this out now.

    Christy O answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Hey_girl_hey_small
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    Thanks for the question.

    Is it the job or the cubical that you hate? Sounds like you have a front-office support type position and those can become boring pretty quickly.

    There are a number of office based positions that involve more interaction with people and more moving around.

    You might consider:

    Outside Sales
    Inside Sales
    Project Management
    Human Resources
    Recruiting

    If you are set on working outside of cubicle-land I would definitely second Chris's advice. Take some time to figure out what you really want to do and then make it work.

    Dan Williams answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Lookalikes_small
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    You said Spanish - are you fluent? Every court needs translators, and that can actually be pretty interesting work. Some friends of mine used to do that. It's sitting, but not desk work.

    Geni answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Kate-happy-mountain_small
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    You can take what you currently do, and raise it several notches by working for a small startup:

    http://www.currentlyobsessed.com/2009/12/16/crucial-first-hire-the-do-it-all-office-admin/

    mynameiskate answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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