How do you find inspiration?

[Anonymous]

I'm 27 and I have worked at a v high profile org in international work for most of my 20s. The name has kept me in a place that in reality is incredibly dissapointing. I'm at a complete loss on how to move forward--many comparable places would be a pay cut and at this point I'm very interested in a solid paycheck, especially since I make like 75k, which is fine for where I am in life but making less seems too low . Did going to grad school make a huge difference for you re: opportunity and pay? I could go part time. I'm just normally such an optimistic and decisive person and I have been paralyzed for months as to what to do. I feel like I am still young and yet (uncharacteristically) still can't get excited or inspired about anything! How do you get pumped about your goals? What is your career "North Star"?

[Anonymous]

i'm 28 and feel the same way minus your nice pay check but plus a grad degree.

The grad degree has helped in opening opportunities but i haven't been able to close them. Some of that has been down to me however.

your career north star does not line up with pay many times.

I always close my mind and pretend i'm in elementary school again and go down a list of jobs that would've made me excited in elementary school.

When you do that what do you picture? For me I go down the list...astronaut..well can't do that, fighter pilot...too late, so on and so forth...I have interviewed in a 'dream industry' before but in addition to extremely low pay, there is zero job security and intense competition. While i'm willing to sacrifice for it, you might not be.

Failing that, what are attributes that you like or don't like about your current place? Do you dislike the whole sector of international development or whatever it is you do or your specific job function?

For instance, if you are a business development or finance person at a development/non-profit but want to transition into a more strategy or purely analytical role and find that difficult in your place, a grad degree can help tremendously. I definitely in that case would suggest going to georgetown part-time for an mba.

Brainstorm some attributes and areas you like and dislike about your career..then do the same about what would make you happy and see what shows up on both lists and then explore sectors/functions these key attributes in abundance.