Feeling trapped...

[Didi]

I have just recently graduated from university with a Civil Engineering degree and entered the work force. My degree was a co-op program, so I managed to get about 2 years work experience throughout school, so this isn't a case of work-force-shock. Now that I am out, though, I feel such a weight on me when I consider what I have done.

My degree wasn't cheap. Not as expensive as an American Ivy League school, but I managed to acrue a decent amount of student debt. When choosing what degree to obtain back 5 years ago, I decided on engineering for two reasons:

1. it almost guaranteed a career with decent pay. I wouldn't get rich, but I would be comfortable
2. there was nothing else that really appealed to me. I wasn't crazy about engineering but I was less than crazy about most other things.

If I could go back in time I likely would have changed tack completely, and gone to College (Canadian version, that is) or done something else entirely. But now I have a degree and the debt to match. I oten contemplated switching as I was going through my degree, but always told myself that I would finish, so at least I would have something to show for it. And finish I did.

I see the people around me now in the workplace. I see the work I am doing and the work I can expect to do in the future. I see the lifestyle of stress. The thought of living in this world for any extended period of time fills me with a sense of panic.

Am I just getting cold feet now as the real commitment approaches? Going through school you could always fool yourself that you can do whatever you want, but now that I am in the "real world" it's not that simple. Or maybe it is?

I suppose I might also be scared at the prospect of a major life change after so much work put towards a degree. Would I be foolish to abandon a nice career in favour of more exploration? What if I don't find anything else more fulfilling/enjoyable than this?

Sorry for the lengthy post, I just need to work through this.

[mej023]

Don't look at it like "You mean this is it?!".

Remember that every day you can start something new.

It is your decision.

You would be surprised how many of us have degrees in a field that is different than what we are currently doing.

If you keep following the societal norms then you will be married with children soon (not that that is a bad thing).

Then, you will get old...

[The Cloud]

You say that you are feeling trapped. The key word here is "feel." Feelings come from you, not your work, not other people, nor any other external source. If you're looking for a job that is going to make you feel happy and fulfilled, you are doomed to failure because jobs do not generate happiness, you do. Change what you're doing, stay the course, it doesn't matter really, not unless your work environment is hostile and intolerable. Don't bother being happy with what you are doing, be happy with what you are being, because as long as your being you might as well be happy.

[newmark]

I think all the above advice is good. As mej023 said many people have had this experience. You can choose to do anything you want.
I did an MSc in ergonomics after my first degree then I realised that I just wasn't interested in working in this field, even though the money would have been quite good. I travelled around the world for several years, before beginning work in a completely different field.
You are free to decide.

[Didi]

Thanks, everyone. You are all absolutely right. It's easy to forget sometimes that I am the only one in control of how I feel and where I go in life. Thank you for the reminder.