To think that I am stuck in a rut at 26?

[gigglygirly]

I have worked in the same office for 9 years ..... no chance of moving up really. More work and less staff - same as most places probably!

I am just miserable here but scared to give up a job. I feel like I have been doing the same thing for so long that I am not capable of anything more. There are so many deadlines and it is quite stressful.

I seem to be suited to office work as I am organised but I juat never had a dream career in mind.

How do you change jobs or even figure out what I am suited too? I am not really good at anything that would point me to a certain job. I just don't want to wake up at 50 in the same office.

5hose are the two that people say are always needed.

Couldn't cope with being a nurse!! Not clever enough for either job really! Not a great intellect.

I like being involved with people. I really enjoyed the counselling course I did a few years ago.

I guess I am nervous - or terrified! I have spent my whole life being told that a steady job is everything and that most people don't get a job they enjoy. Work is work - not supposed to be enjoyable and that you are lucky if it is. I have never had any skill or talent that sent me in any particular direction so I just ended up in this job by accident.

There are pretty much no evening classes around here so I am going to see what short courses are on OU. Try to figure out what really interests me. I did like counselling and psychology. I have been asking a few people what job they could see me in and all said carer, teacher or nurse.

I did the Myers Briggs test and came out as an INFJ and the description was really quite accurate!

I think I need to get some qualifications (as I don't have many) and some savings behind me.

Try the Armed forces!

You could go in as an Admin Officer.

No frontline danger but lots of travel and great opportunities. At 26 you are the perfect age for them.

Hadn't even considered the army. My school used to try and push people towards the army - I think that is what put me off!

I think I really need to learn to drive so I am not as restricted as to where I can look.

another idea:
go onto the free mindmap website bubbl.us
put one of your ideas e.g. counselling in the middle and then brain storm loads of ideas from it e.g.

counselling-bubble off it-careers counselling
a bubble off that one careers counselling for young people, careers counselling for women returners

and another bubble off central bubble- life coaching,
and another bubble sex therapy

you get my drift.
you can create loads of ideas in this manner without censoring yourself. the trick at this stage is to let the ideas flow freely and not judge or discount them or allow any introjected beliefs or values from friends, family to enter (unless they are good ones!). after this stage you can then rank them for importance to you.

If you've been in the same office for 9 years, then disappearing round the world might be a bit daunting right now.
You've got really valuable office skills, you could go to a few temping agencies and see if there's work available. It's not going to make you a fortune, but it would mean you'd get to experience lots of different offices and systems. If you're living with your family, maybe you could take the financial risk of the odd week without work?
I did this for a year and worked in offices in advertising, surveying, an astronomy observatory, an accountants and many others. It was a bit stressful as I was responsible for my own rent, but it was really interesting. It might give you the courage to then break off and do something really different. Good luck.

How exciting OP, the world is your oyster!