I feel like a loser, both on the personal and professional level?

[bergh39]

Last year I graduated with a law degree but things haven't go planned since then.

I have a nice degree but I work in the family company which is tourism and which isn't exactly connected to my degree. Furthermore I live at home now (after completing my university studies) and don't seem to have a prospect at all for a girlfriend or so.
I live in a protected environment and I know my parents mean the best for me, but it's not the way I want to live. I feel like an old man in the skin of a young man.

My father always said that if I don't like my job, I could move on. But it's quite clear they are steering me to stay in the family company. I have a job in sight in New York but it would mean leaving my dog at home (which my parents got for me).

There are positives too of course, but I feel like I'm missing out on the most exciting part of my life, for instance a girlfriend. And the fact that I work in the family company doesn't open a lot of doors in that respect either ...

[siuaghan]

You screwed up by going to college. Who needs it? I personally just employ moneymaking schemes and scams. I'm doing fine.

[drystan]

Parents will always have an unconditional love for their child, and you have the right to carve your own way through life and your parents will respect that right. I was in a similar situation and i just said to my parents this is what i want to do, and they accepted that because they want whats best for me, as do your parents.

[cleirach70]

Listen my friend, life is what you make of it. The entire world is in an economic recession right now. Many very qualified people haven't been working in their fields because times are tough.

It feels to me like you need to stop focusing on what you don't have and start realizing how lucky you are. Most people can't even afford to think about getting a degree. Most people don't have family to fall back on. Most people don't have a family business to keep them on their feet. Be glad that you do. This world wants you to never be satisfied... Most people would kill to be in your shoes right now.

As far as the girlfriend thing goes. Your up to bat my friend.. its time to swing. There are women EVERYWHERE. Find a girl and grow a pair :) Ask her out. Get some numbers. The most powerful word against loneliness is: Hello. You have a job! You have a law degree! Go out and start talking to women. You would be astounded how fast you will make friends.

Stop focusing on the negative. Be positive. You have a hell of a lot of things going for you.

[fionnbharr]

Don't worry too much. Your life is barely starting. You just graduated, you have an impressive degree and potential to become a very successful person. If you want a girlfriend just keep the type of girl you want in your mind, if you want more excitement, keep thinking of the exciting things you want to do. You will attract all the things you keep thinking of. Just know what you want, know that's it coming and these things will come.

[chavivi]

If you were 45 years old and still living with your parents, working in the family business and having no girlfriend, I would say: Hey dude, move out of there! Run, run, run. But you're still young and you seem to want a lot at the same time. I sense that you are not completely ready either, and that maybe you are comparing yourself to other people's idea of how life should be and then feel that you don't measure up. That is the result of people's post-modern thinking that life is makeable and shapeable from cradle to coffin. But life happens to you, that's the beauty of it. Why worry about a dog, if you can get a great job in an exciting city. You see, here I sense that you might not be 100% to leave home. It seems the dog is a kind a emotional alibi to stay. Which of course is okay. But if you want to maintain your profession, you should not stay away from the field you studied in, because your knowledge becomes obsolete if it is not coupled with working experience. I wish you much strength, wisdom and diplomacy in dealing with your parents.

[denys]

Could you find something part time in law and continue part time at the family biz? This way, you are make a change gradually.

I worked for 12 years at my family's engineering firm after graduating from art school. I hadn't found an art job so went to work at the family biz. My Dad(the owner) was retiring and closing the business about five years ago. I began volunteering at an art center, Then I applied for a job teaching crafts to kids on the weekends. Now I'm an Art teacher at an after school program. I did it gradually but I did it.