Writing.Com General Discussion

This is kind of similar. Growing up, my ambition was always to be a primary school teacher. (Or, maybe, it was just my parents' dream.) My whole school career was working towards my going to university to become that teacher I craved. And then, after getting the grades to go to my first choice university in Bristol, I began my English degree and teacher training. At the end of the first year, I knew it was not for me. I found I had far too little patience and way too little confidence. The end of that first tear included an eight week straight placement in a school. I think was a nervous wreck by the end of my first day. No, no, no. Teaching was not for me.

So I switched to a straight literature degree, with the vague hope of becoming a writer of some kind. And then I graduated, and simply because the job was there, and I was offered it, I started to work for an insurance company. I didn't use my dare at all, except for spell and grammar checking my boss' documents. I underwrote insurance, sold insurance, processed claims on insurance. Plus, our office was connected to the National Farmers' Union, so I dealt with union work as well. Not at all what I had dreamed of or what I trained for. I'm not sure it was a career, as such, but I did work there for thirteen years. So it was something.

Looking back, I wish I had studied history or creative writing. That would have helped with a career.