Career Options

[dfrecore]

While I understand where you're coming from, I also understand where employers are coming from. They want people with a proven track record. They want someone who has not just the skills to do the job, but has some years of experience actually working. Most jobs aren't just specific skills doing the job - they also include lots more things that are harder to measure, like being politically astute, getting along well with others, working on group projects, etc. Much easier to look at a resume of someone who has done all of those things, and much easier to have that on your resume when you've been out in the workforce for a while.

I think that the problem, and I'm not trying to be critical of you, is that you're asking for too much. You are 19, but want a meaningful, high-paying job with benefits, where you can work from home. I think ALL 19 year olds want that, but honestly, that's a lot to ask. When I started my first job at 19 in the business world, I was just happy to struggle along at minimum wage, working crappy hours so that I could go to school. When I finally proved myself and got a better gig at that company (full-time in accounting), I was 20, had already worked a bunch of jobs to support myself since 18, had worked at that company for over a year, and they knew what they were getting. I was making WAY more than my friends by then (it took years for most of them to catch up to me even after they got college degrees).

You want the golden ring, but haven't put in the work to be able to reach it. A degree is just not enough to get you where you want to go.

Does this situation with your relative look like it's going to go on for many years? If so, then I think you're going to have to come up with some additional solutions to help take care of him/her. Giving up your life to take care of someone is admirable, but not very practical. I don't think it can go on for a very long time, without taking a huge toll on your future. I feel for you though, and think it's wonderful that you're willing to help. You sound like a good person.