Can anyone give a frustrated teenager some career advice? PLEASE!!?

***Disclaimer! This rant is kind of long so please bare with me if you can!





I am eighteen years old and I am also an unpublished writer desperately searching for a literary agent. But that's not my only problem. You see, my mother seems to think that I'm wasting my time trying to become a writer. She thinks that it's pretty pointless pursuing something that may or may not ever come true. She's constantly telling me that I should set my sights on something more certain. She wants me to pursue a job in the medical field for more money. While I understand where she's coming from, I just don't think that route is for me. I know how important education is but school has never been one of my stronger points. (I failed all through high school and I'm not looking to go through it again with college) I know that I may not ever reach my publishing dreams. That reality is slowly starting to sink in for me and right now, failing is my biggest fear. At the same time, there's something in me that won't let me give up on my dreams. I love my mom more than anyone else and I really, really value her opinion but I'm confused about what's really right for me. Little by little, I'm starting to believe that maybe my dreams are simply too unattainable and that I should just give up and go after a ';real job.'; ( I haven't had any luck getting an agent or a publisher in five years) I want to be a writer and I know that I'm a great writer and every agent I've queried say that that they think I'm a great writer too so why won't anyone give me a chance to prove myself? What am I doing wrong? What do I need to do to get past this slump? Should I continue to hunt after my impossible dream despite the embarrassing unsuccess or should I just follow my mother's advice and settle down with a job I know I'll regret doing in the future?





***This question is pretty much for people in the publishing business.***Can anyone give a frustrated teenager some career advice? PLEASE!!?
Salem_Monroe, I found a list of job search resources that can help. http://www.workemploymentservices.com



Good Luck!Can anyone give a frustrated teenager some career advice? PLEASE!!?
If you are a writer I think you should not set your sight only searching for a literary agent or a publisher this route takes time. Since you like writing you can start honing your talent as a copy writer in an advertising agency. Copy writers in an advertising agency can make tons of money. You can also work for a Public relations agency and you write about public relations programs of companies. You can also start writing articles for magazines you will be some kind of a contributor or an opinion writer for a magazine. I think you will do well writing about teen relationships, teen fashion and other interesting subject about teens. Children's magazine are also good venues for your writing talent. Do not limit yourself as a writer for books. Apply as a writer in your local paper or local magazine. You can work at home and you will be paid by the piece you submit. Opportunities for writers are limitless. Write a copy for a few products and send it to an advertising agency. Start making your writers portfolio and you are on your way. Good Luck
My brother is a successful writer, but he went to college for journalism and communications. As far as doing what your mom wants you to do, you need to do what you want to be happy. Having a career that you hate will make you miserable. You will most likely need to go to college for a career in the medical field, so you might as well go to college for something that you enjoy, which in your case is writing. If you are in classes that you enjoy and know you need them to reach your goals and dreams, chances are you will not fail because you will have the mindset to do well.
I dont think you should give up on your dream, but the real world has hit you in the face and part of that reality is having to make a living. So what you have to do is do both.....If you don't want to go to college, it's important that you seek out some gainful employment that can give you the money you need to support yourself.....and spend your time off pursuing your goal......No one said it will be easy, but it is a fact of life.


As a mom of adult kids, I feel the same way. I want them to do what makes them happy, because there's nothing worse than getting stuck in a job you hate....But then the practical side of me says it's time to grow up, as parents can't support them forever. My son is going to school, and my daughter quit and is working at a job....the whole idea is to get past the job and have a career......more lucrative and satifying.


This is the advice I can give trying to understand where you're coming from. Keep writing, plugging yourself, and maybe it can happen. I just know it doesn't always happen to all that deserve it.....I have a musician friend, better than so many who've made it, and he never did have the right connections. Unfortunatly as the saying goes....it's not always what you know but who you know......But in the meantime, try to find something else that you are interested in that you can make a living at.


Just a bad reality of life.