Bill Nobles ⋅ Basking Ridge, NJ Exxon ⋅ 30 years experience

John, thank you for your service. If you haven’t done so I suggest using some of the low-cost/free self-assessment tools available on the Internet to help identify your personal strengths, interests, aptitudes, etc. That knowledge should then help you choose among the many available career options one that is likely to offer the best chances for long-term satisfaction. My April 2013 posting on this website identified self-assessment options available at that time, and others have probably emerged since; “https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/411/what-are-best-tools-veterans-self-assess-their-aptitude-capabilities”
Good luck and best wishes, Bill Nobles

Eugene Tuzkov ⋅ El Segundo, CA DIRECTV ⋅ 9 years experience

John,

I took the Clifton Strengthfinder Assessment (link: https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/home/en-US/Index) a few months ago to see if my current job and tasks are inline with my strengths. Was very helpful in providing me with a clear idea and direction insights as to where to go in my career moving forward.

I wish I would've done this a year or two after I graduated college to better plan my career. Sounds like you are in a very good spot to do this now. Good luck!

jesus Balderas ⋅ Dallas, TX hope security ⋅ 5 years experience

From my experience of my many jobs.My honest answer is that some great jobs pay very low, while others pay premium salaries because of the level of responsabilities. Education may help with an entry level corporate job and weekends off. Decide how much you are worth first. Find the jobs that pay and give you what you are looking for. Make a decision about your options and start your new career.

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward, CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

John,
I agree with Jim, in California the Employment Office has online and in person assessments and resources to help you start exploring careers at careeronestop.org
I suggest checking in with those resources in your state; and working with a professional to support you.
Best,

Jane Turkewitz ⋅ New Rochelle, NY DotComRecruiting ⋅ 15 years experience

I agree. There's not enough information in here to make any meaningful suggestions. However, that said, you might want to spend some time reading thru job descriptions online. www.Indeed.com is a site that aggregates jobs from across the Internet. Maybe take a look at ones that sound like they would appeal to you. This could help you to narrow down some choices! Sounds like seeing a career consultant could help but I do understand that this comes with an expense....

Chris Hyers ⋅ Farmington, CT University of Connecticut ⋅ 22 years experience

Challenge yourself to really understand this - are you working for the money, or working at something you love that happens to pay you? Working just for the money will never feel satisfying, and, on the other hand, I don't believe any great job is 100% satisfying. But if you love what you do and can see the benefit to others, then the 'bad stuff' is palatable. Life is too short to stay in a crappy job - but understand why...is it the type of work, the company, the people? It all starts with introspection.

Bill D ⋅ Alpharetta, GA National Healthcare Distributor ⋅ 30 years experience

As an add- on to Jim's comments, I would say understand what your passion is/are. What would you be happy to do every day for the next XX years. If you can be clear on this, your search should be much easier.

Jim Schreier ⋅ Milwaukee, WI 212 Leadership/Career Coaching ⋅ 50 years experience

Your question doesn't provide enough information to provide more than a very general answer. You say you're working now and have tried other jobs. What parts of them did you not only like but you performed well? What's your dream job? If you haven't thought about that you need to do some serious thinking about "being successful beyond your wildest dreams." What do you see yourself doing? You should also consider taking some career assessments to see how your personality, for example, the MBTI, matches career options, or to determine your strengths, e.g., StrengthsFinder. These assessments do not tell you what to do but provide insights into the things you might enjoy doing. My final comment, also related to not being answered in your question, is what are your skills? What education and training have you had that might relate to possible career options?