u/Ambitious-Avocado398

In high school I really enjoyed my science classes and was decent at math, but when I graduated in 2020 I went into business because I didn’t think I was smart enough for engineering or anything more technical. COVID also made that whole period feel chaotic and directionless, and honestly I wanted an easier path with good money.

I eventually switched into a degree that combined engineering, data analysis, and operations management, but it was not an accredited engineering degree. During college I became really focused on the space industry, and since graduating about a year ago I’ve worked in contracts for a SAR satellite company and now work in operations for satellite manufacturing at a large aerospace company in Colorado.

I took my current role knowing it wasn’t my ideal long-term job. The plan was to get into the industry and eventually move toward industrial/manufacturing/operations engineering, while taking advantage of the company’s learning opportunities like certifications, engineering software, 3D modeling classes, and education funding.

But lately I genuinely feel like my work is a waste of my time, and I’m not sure my trajectory aligns with what I actually want long term.

I have a deep draw toward science of almost any kind, especially biology and space, and I seem to be good at analytics and 3D visualization, but I’m also really drawn toward architecture, aesthetics, design, and creative problem solving. I think part of what I’m struggling with is that I want both technical depth and creativity in my work, and I’m not sure where those things intersect.

I can’t tell if I’m actually on the wrong path, or if I’m just early in my career and overthinking everything. Part of me wonders if I avoided more technical or creative fields because they genuinely weren’t right for me, or because I lacked confidence when I was younger and picked the “safer” option instead.

At this point I’m trying to figure out whether I should continue building technical skills within aerospace and trust that I’ll eventually find a niche that fits me better, or whether this feeling is a sign I need a bigger change. Since college I’ve had this lingering feeling that I may be in the wrong place.

My biggest goal right now is finding something I genuinely want to devote myself to. I envy people who seem deeply connected to what they do. I’ve realized the “easy” path probably won’t fulfill me long term, and I’m willing to push myself toward harder fields if they actually fit me better. The problem is those doors feel harder to open now that I’ve already graduated, even though I’m almost debt free.

How does one figure out their path? Their "calling"? How can I navigate this situation.

In high school I really enjoyed my science classes and was decent at math, but when I graduated in 2020 I went into business because I didn’t think I was smart enough for engineering or anything more technical. COVID also made that whole period feel chaotic and directionless, and honestly I wanted an easier path with good money.

I eventually switched into a degree that combined engineering, data analysis, and operations management, but it was not an accredited engineering degree. During college I became really focused on the space industry, and since graduating about a year ago I’ve worked in contracts for a SAR satellite company and now work in operations for satellite manufacturing at a large aerospace company in Colorado.

I took my current role knowing it wasn’t my ideal long-term job. The plan was to get into the industry and eventually move toward industrial/manufacturing/operations engineering, while taking advantage of the company’s learning opportunities like certifications, engineering software, 3D modeling classes, and education funding.

But lately I genuinely feel like my work is a waste of my time, and I’m not sure my trajectory aligns with what I actually want long term.

I have a deep draw toward science of almost any kind, especially biology and space, and I seem to be good at analytics and 3D visualization, but I’m also really drawn toward architecture, aesthetics, design, and creative problem solving. I think part of what I’m struggling with is that I want both technical depth and creativity in my work, and I’m not sure where those things intersect.

I can’t tell if I’m actually on the wrong path, or if I’m just early in my career and overthinking everything. Part of me wonders if I avoided more technical or creative fields because they genuinely weren’t right for me, or because I lacked confidence when I was younger and picked the “safer” option instead.

At this point I’m trying to figure out whether I should continue building technical skills within aerospace and trust that I’ll eventually find a niche that fits me better, or whether this feeling is a sign I need a bigger change. Since college I’ve had this lingering feeling that I may be in the wrong place.

My biggest goal right now is finding something I genuinely want to devote myself to. I envy people who seem deeply connected to what they do. I’ve realized the “easy” path probably won’t fulfill me long term, and I’m willing to push myself toward harder fields if they actually fit me better. The problem is those doors feel harder to open now that I’ve already graduated, even though I’m almost debt free.

How does one figure out their path? Their "calling"? How can I navigate this situation.