Need to train up, but need to make money

[redherring]

So, I'm in a bit of a juggling act. I've trained up for research, but can not get organized enough to maintain a job in research. I have 2 degrees (master's, bachelor's) from a good university. I've had good jobs. But I have trouble organizing things.

The larger problem is that I have to find a way to give myself enough time to train up before jumping into a job oriented toward my degree. The catch is I need to make money in the short run and figure out how to work my way toward that greater organization.

I don't really recognize a larger period of time where I haven't struggled with things. While I produce good products, I wonder if there's ever a way I will improve enough to take on a job in science consulting. I don't know what experiences I should build in, i.e., what kind of projects/daily activities and where.

If I am interested in science consulting, are there jobs that would be less demanding than social science research jobs? Are there indirect ways to work on my research skills in a volunteer or job environment?

[redherring]

Retrying to post. I am generating a list of potential areas that I can work in given skills etc. Could use advice.

Qualifications-Master's in public health

Solid skills-
I can do things in structured settings that don't require much organization and have procedures.

Weaknesses- I am terrible with administrative details. I am terrible at directing conversations, though I do fine in structured settings like teaching that have fitted objectives.

Skills that vary-
Good analytical thinker, but don't do well in open-ended settings where I have to rely on synthesis.
Writing-good at description, creative writing, my ability to generate products that address points in an organized fashion varies.

Current job options:
Teaching-Scant openings
Research-More clinical based jobs that would involve analysis of biological information or administering tests.

What else can I add? Where would I look? I am pretty tapped out.

[GregD]

hi redherring
i'll advice you what I know

1. If you are short of money right now and have to pay bills then there is no discussion - you must take the first job you can get your hands on so you can pay your bills.

2.
(a)
This is how I learned about getting the job that you want: If you want the job of "science consulting" then what you do is go get 2-3 job descriptions for that type of a job from any job site. You ignore everything on that page and look only at "Requirements".

(b)
You consolidate all the requirements from the 2-3 descriptions into 1 bullet pointed list

(c)
Tick off what you have
Prioritise the rest in value of their importance

3.
Each of those that you don't have today = your goals
Start attacking them 1 by 1 starting with the most important one:

- you need skills > go train / practice / learn / get certificate
- you need experience > go work / volunteer / summer work / temporary work / project based work



That's how I know it.


Final comment about "I am good at this, and not good at that". I think its great that you know yourself well, but a small story: there was a karate student who could not sit on the floor on his feet like the other students - there was a lot of pain in his feet in that position. Teacher told him to continue practicing. I don't remember if it was months or years later, but he was fully sitting on his feet without pain.

No, this is not about me. Someone told it to me.
Learning?
Practice makes anything perfect.