Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Young Adults - The 20-Something Club What Do You Want to Be When You "Grow Up"?

Welcome Jamielynn. You are absolutely right about doing what makes you happy. I started out going to school to get a bachelor's of business administration, then realized every relevant job listing I saw sounded like the biggest SnoozeFest ever. I transferred schools to pursue graphic design and while I'm still in school and have a job I LOVE doing predominately graphic design, I've realized that photography is my true career love. I'm doing all I can to make my career in that field.

Dropping down to part time in school has also been a great idea for me. It will stretch out how long it takes me to graduate, but not by much. At last count, I should graduate Spring 2013. Congratulations on your recent graduation! Being finished must feel *awesome*!

Good luck on your job hunt! I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for posthaste. If you're struggling, you might try going through a temp agency. My best friend has worked as a secretary/receptionist/office staff at a number of companies via her temp agencies since the new year, just now settling on one that is a great match for her.

I wish you the best of luck in finishing college and with perseverence, you can do it if you keep at it. Good luck on pursuing photography.

Thanks JamieLynn. It will happen. Not finishing school and not making my business successful just aren't even options I entertain.

It's so good that all of you have so many dreams! Don't get discouraged and quit, that's like the worst thing you could do.

I want to work for a non-profit organization in the future, I'm studying Non-Profit Leadership and Management. I've had a lot of coverage issues with my state (welfare) health insurance, while trying to treat all these AS symptoms, and I see a lot of people sicker than me having to do the same, leave it up to politicians to decide whether or not they can go to the doctor, people with cancer!! So I want to get into some sort of advocacy or non-profit work focusing on access to health insurance. We're not a socialist country but I do believe everyone should have a basic right to healthcare and that's the goal I want to spend my life and my skills working towards. There were times when I had Iritis flares and couldn't do a damn thing about it because I was uninsured. This should never happen in the wealthiest country in the world!

LOL but enough politics... I would also be happy working in an organization that helps the poor in any way, whether it be job-training for welfare-to-work programs or at a food bank or homeless shelter. I'm very inclined to help those with small incomes like myself.

I'm currently just waitressing, which is horrible news for my achy back, but what's an undergrad to do? :P I had to quit an internship with Amnesty International last spring, simply got too sick. Oh well, I'm looking for a less-demanding volunteer opportunity to put on my resume at the moment.

I am new to the forum, although I wish I would have found this forum so many years ago. I was diagnosed with juvenile spondyloarthropathy in 2004 at the age of 16. After years of Physical Therapy, I decided I wanted to be a Physical Therapist. I continued with that dream until the end of 2010. When I realized that because my grades were not the greatest and PT requires a lot from the Physical Therapist's body, I changed my career route to Occupational Therapist. I was accepted in to an OT program and I am just finishing up my first year.

I am nervous for my career because OTs are still required to some of the physical lifting and moving that PTs are. I hope I am able to control my symptoms in my career as much as I have been while in school. I am currently taking Celebrex on an as needed basis and it has really helped.

I am really excited to hear how many of you out there having successful careers!

MNenteropathic, I believe you'll be able to follow your career goals. It may take some adjustments and some degree of help from coworkers on bad days, but I'm sure you'll make it work. Finding something you're passionate about makes it easier to "make it work", I think.

That's great that Celebrex is currently sufficient. Hopefully it will continue to do the trick, but if not, there are so many more meds to try, and more in development.

I want to be a director of a college program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. I have my bachelors in elementary education and special education. Working on my masters (one more year left, and I am lucky to be on a grant and have an assistantship). Then hopefully get into a doctorate program at the current school I am at.
Currently I work with little kids with autism doing therapy (I do small group instruction -such a blast!) and college age students with intellectual disabilities doing everything else (teaching, research, and program development). I love the older population of individuals with disabilities.

Iam 29 im a doctor unforutunately now i take the medications that i used to prescribe its cruel i dont feel confident facing patients anymore i want to change career dont know which one to choose

Why do you not feel confident facing patients? If anything, I would think your ability to empathize would be quite a boon. I'm sure the job has copious difficulties (as almost all jobs do with our disease) but I'm curious as to why it effects your confidence in that way. On my end, I would be ecstatic to have a doctor who truly understands what we go through.

i just want to add, even tho i am not a 20something to muruga. repeat all that mary said and add...

we NEED docs who understand. please, after all the training you have been through, please do not give up or in.

you do have the AS, correct? if so, and if you have the way to do so, please specialize in rheumatology, and hang out your shingle for AS patients. not sure where you are located, but i would consider going to wherever you are.

prayers and peace, and let your faith in your ability, not in your circumstance, be your guide. something gave you the strength to go to med school. i almost made it there, but got too old.

take care, sequoia