Update

"The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do." - Joseph Stalin

Well, the results of the occupational poll have been up for several weeks now. I was quite surprised by several things:

First, 9 people voted in my poll! That means that I have 7 other readers (besides myself and my fiancee, who is required to vote : ). Thanks for reading!

Second, the results of the poll themselves were surprising. Apparently, 33% of those polled think I should be a Housecat Trainer.* This was followed closely by 22% voting for both the Sociologist and Professional Sleeper. Figurehead Monarch of ________ and Counselor (with an M.S.W.) both got 11% of the vote, and unfortunately, Housewife** and Public Health Something or Other both lagged behind with 0%.

What do I take from this? Despite my joy at having people respond to my survey, it was probably more beneficial for me to think about my career goals than to get the actual feedback. Unfortunately, I can't be a Professional Sleeper, no matter how much I might like to - I'd just get too bored after awhile. However, I really appreciate all of you who have helped talk me through this very minor crisis in my life.

The talking, and this little exercise, have helped me to clarify what I really want in my life. I want a career that makes me happy 75% of the time. I don't want to make myself do my job. I always loved to learn until I came to graduate school, and I think that's a good sign in itself that something is wrong (no matter how much I still love sociology). So, we'll see. Right now I'm thinking of pursuing an extra master's in counseling, and then seeing where my combined strengths in sociological social psychology and counseling can take me. It's a wide world, and I'm still young. I also feel pretty lucky...I'm coming closer to figuring out what I want, and making a new door:

"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door - or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present." - Rabindranath Tagore

*I love the expression on this cat's face. Also, this picture beats this, which also came up in Google Images. Poor cat!!!
**I'm actually grateful that nobody actually voted for this option, but it had to be there as a reminder to myself of what I could so easily be.