First, take a good, hard look at your passions and hobbies. Write them down. Brainstorm. Now, be honest with yourself: what is your skill set? Maybe you really love animals, but you’re actually trained as an accountant. Perhaps you’ve always had fun watching live performances, but you’re a better organizer than an opera singer. Well, first of all, don’t sell yourself short: if there’s something you would love to do but have never had the confidence to try, it may be time to just go for it. If, on the other hand, you truly do know where you’re strengths lie, remember that you can find work in any field, doing any type of job. You can do what you are best at doing and still surround yourself with what you love most.
This is especially true if you have a college degree from an accredited school. Don’t worry about what your specific major was; simply having a degree at all will open the door for tons of jobs, even ones not related to your field of study.
Admin work
If your skill set involves organizing people, handling phone calls, and managing paperwork, remember that all kinds of organizations require administrative services. If you have a degree in accounting but really want to help take care of cancer patients, for instance, you might consider looking for a job in billing, insurance, and payroll experience at a cancer care center. Maybe you really love the arts but the creating side just isn’t for you, or you value a little more job stability. Arts administrators look after the logistical and business aspects of galleries, theatres, dance schools, and opera companies, among others. These positions usually have a paid salary and benefits, especially if they work with a successful organization. Even zoos need marketing managers, PR experts, legal consultants, maintenance staff, and all the other roles any company would have. These jobs still require those who work them to have an intimate knowledge of the endeavors the organization pursues.
Academia and teaching
You may be excellent with kids or good at giving presentations. Lots of museums, zoos, and other places need educational teams. These usually require a degree in a relevant field and experience with groups, especially children. While you don’t have to be a scientist or artist yourself, you do need to have a good knowledge base about the topics and what the practitioners do. Educational positions often work interpreting exhibits, hosting parties, and working promotional events.
Maybe you have been working a “dream” job, but you realize you’re better at research or teaching. Consider a university. Often, people who have practiced a field for several years decide that they want to go into academia. In the best programs around the country there are teachers who have had successful careers in the areas they teach. Often these teachers have a terminal degree or have spent enough hours in the field to merit employment. Lots of teachers maintain their professional careers alongside their teaching.