I’ve deemed this week “Figure Out My Life” week. Or maybe it will be “Figure Out My Life Month.” I suppose I should be doing that on a more consistent basis, but sometimes it’s challenging to focus on the bigger picture when there are other seemingly pressing matters at hand. Other matters besides planning for the future, I guess?
A lot of people ask what I’m going to do with my newly acquired NASM certification. It’s become one of those questions that make me wince, like when a couple is asked, “So when’s the wedding?” or “When are you guys having kids?” (I brushed the surface of this topic in a post about a month ago with my Birthday Thoughts.)
[PS Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!]
The thing is, it’s silly to be upset about questions like these. People are just asking because they care. Right? I really do appreciate people wanting to catch up and know more about me. It’s just tricky when the answer isn’t short and simple.
So if you happened to be curious about this yourself, let’s dive into the brain of Amanda to see why she hasn’t applied for a single personal training job since receiving her NASM cpt.
There is the whole issue of finishing my dietetics degree.
When I moved to Minnesota, I had 3 semesters left at the University of Lincoln. In retrospect, I wish I would have just stayed and finished it out. At the time, however, I was burnt out on school (freaking Chemistry) and tired of the two year long distance relationship thing. Plus I viewed the move as an exciting adventure since I’ve only ever lived in Nebraska.
I had planned on attending school ASAP, but out-of-state tuition is pretty crazy. You have to live in Minnesota a year before qualifying for in state tuition.
So I’ve waited. Some days not so patiently.
That year mark has almost come around so this week I sent in some paperwork that was missing from my application to “the U” as they call it here.
In the meantime I found a job at a gym cafe (that I LOVE), obtained a couple of online writing jobs (where I want to write more), worked on my blog (including switching to self-hosted Word Press from Blogger) and studied hard to received my NASM personal training certificate. I’ve even made a few friends along the way!
I received my NASM cpt about a month ago. I am STILL indecisive about what to do with it since we are nearing that year mark where I can apply for school slash finish my original application.
Here are some planning for the future options I’ve been tossing around:
Move up the ladder at the gym cafe.
Supervisor, assistant manager, then manager. I am fairly certain I should just ask for the supervisor position at this point no matter what I decide. As I said in my Birthday Thoughts post, I like my job. I like my manager, the people I work with, most of the regulars at the cafe, and making deliciously healthy food for people.
Be a personal trainer.
This isn’t my dream job, nor my dream environment (with a seemingly constant drive for perfect outward appearances), but I could definitely learn to love it. I suppose it’s similar to that of a dietitian except for the salary is much more unpredictable.
The next step for that would be to do an internship at the gym I work at. This requires one more certification (studying a couple of months) and then the internship would last 8 weeks.
Be a nutrition/health coach.
There are a couple of options for this one. I could work at a gym (such as the one I’m at now) which would involve another certification through NASM. There is also a pretty sweet program I’ve heard a lot about at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Once I obtained that certification I would basically only be able to use it to start my own business.
The NASM certification would take another couple of months, but less than $1000. The IIN program is a little more of a commitment at a year and I’m guessing 5 times the cost. Both options would involve less time and money than finishing school, but…there’s still that little part of me that wants to do the accepted thing and at least finish my degree.
Finish school here in Minnesota.
This is one I’m crossing my fingers on. For some reason I thought I had already been accepted since I’ve been getting phone calls and e-mails, but there was missing paperwork in my application. I failed my last Chemistry class in Nebraska so I’m not sure how that will affect my entrance into the nutrition program. Worst case scenario I’m guessing I could re-take Chemistry at a community college here and then re-apply.
Finish school in Nebraska.
This would involve moving back to Nebraska. That would feel like I failed here in Minnesota somehow. Plus I would be kicking myself even more for not having stayed and finished in the first place.
While I want to finish my degree, I kind of wish there was some sort of online option for dietetics (let me know if you find one!). Being a 27 year old student in class with teenagers doesn’t sound super fun. (Way to be positive, Amanda.)
To actually obtain my RD (Registered Dietitian license), I would have to do a year long internship (usually out of state) following graduation and take a state exam. This makes me wonder if I’d even get there before I turn 30!
More uncertainty…
Oh, did I mention we have no idea how much longer Dave will be working in Minnesota? This was just a semi-permanent position. Basically if he wants to move up in his job, he will have to take a position somewhere else. It could be in LA or it could be in Council Bluffs which is minutes away from Omaha, Nebraska (my hometown).
That throws a slight damper on making plans for my life and sometimes even stops me dead in my planning tracks. Like for weeks at a time I avoid planning my future because I hear we might be moving soon. (sigh)
Some days/weeks I’m totally fine with doing my thing at the cafe, socializing with new friends in Minnesota, baking, planning trips home to Nebraska and doing all of my online writing slash behind-the-scenes blog work.
Other days, I crave a definite plan and in the worst way.
For now, I await “the U’s” decision and do my best to stay positive. And wish I had a direct line to God asking Him what my next step is (<-if only, right??).
So there you have it! Amanda’s planning for the future brain-dump. Thanks for listening, friends!
Tell me….
Do you have any advice?
Have you ever been in a similar situation?
OR
Tell me something good! Anything! 🙂
Linking up to:
Thinking Out Loud with Amanda at Running with Spoons
PS I’m all about Pinterest this year, so I would LOVE IT if you could pin one (or two!) of these images. Just hover over the image to reveal the “pin it” button or use the handy dandy buttons at the bottom and top of each post to display the whole list of pins.
Also follow me so I can check out YOUR Pinterest account! 🙂
Follow SemiHealthNut
Stay in the loop with bloglovin’!
You can do it! Sounds like yo are thinking everything through thoroughly, which is what you need to do. I just finished my MBA, and honestly (especially in the night classes), most of the students were 35+ with kids. I felt like one of the youngest ones at 25. I do not think it will be as bad as you think 🙂 And it is only going to get worse as you get older! I have just done the 2 years distance thing, not fun, but was worth it….18 days left! woooohooo! You will figure things out, writing them down helps 🙂
Writing this post helped immensely! And killed two birds with one stone by letting people know what’s up!
Eeek I’m so excited for you! Two years long distance is no joke! AAand congrats on your masters!
Being wiser and older (not really) I have learned that you may have a plan and then life happens. Do what you can to move things forward, maybe it’s the NASM nutrition or look at The U or Metro State. I think Metro State may have more online classes too. Do what you can to get your degree done, you will never regret doing it but you may regret NOT doing it.
Thank you my “older” and wiser friend. 😉 Like I said, I sent in paperwork that was missing for my app at the U. The issue with a dietetics degree is that it’s not offered everywhere and I’ve not heard of a program offered online. If you stumble across one…let me know!
The next step if I’m not accepted at the U is trying for St Catherine but I think Dave would die if he saw the tuition haha. Or like I said I could always try to re-do my Chemistry class at a community college and re-apply. Fun stuff!
The nice thing about St. Kate’s is that EVERYONE is a “non-traditional” student (or so it seems), and the people who work in admissions actually care about getting you through whichever program you choose in a timely manner. As opposed to the U, who while cheaper, take your money and don’t care how long it takes you to finish up. I know nothing about the NASM certification, but I think if you could start doing something along the personal training lines (or group fitness if that is an option) you might through the experience have a better idea of what you actually want to do. Degrees are great, and there are a million certifications out there, but there is only one You, and you need to figure out whats going to be best. If I were you I would look into opportunities within the gym you already have the cafe job at. or at least see if someone there has a connection for you. You do have a Minnesota network, so start taking advantage of it!
That’s good to know about St Kate’s! Seriously, thank you for telling me that!
I know I can do something in the personal training venue and at my current gym (see section in my post about being a personal trainer)..it’s just “do I want to invest that money and time?” when what I really want to do is something with nutrition.
I definitely know all of my options and what I need to do to achieve any number of things…it’s just making a flippin’ decision. That saying “You can do anything, just not everything” is so true. Adding St Kate’s to the list and hoping Dave doesn’t flip out if that becomes a serious consideration. 🙂
Ahh, I didn’t realize “something with nutrition” was the ultimate goal! I would call St. Kates and start asking questions, I have a friend who’s going back to school to be an art teacher, and after lots of discussions and budgeting she ended up deciding to go through the U, but getting a second undergrad degree to help with the loans/deferment, but St. Kates helped her a lot in figuring that out, they even spoke a little bit about where she could take under grad classes at community colleges that they would accept if she ended up applying for their graduate program. Obvs I wouldn’t tell them that you might not go there, but I would tell them that you’re really looking into their program and you’ve got some questions, and you may be able to meet/speak with some of their professors who might give you a better idea, and might be able to help you decide what program is really best for you.
That’s a great idea, Katie! Thank you so much for your input and St Kate’s is definitely on the brain now…
I speak from experience because I just finished my first semester at the U trying to finish my requirements to get into the Nutrition program. You DO need to have passed Chemistry with a C- to get into the program. For most of the Nutrition program, you’ll need to take Chem 2, Biochem and Organic Chemistry before you can take most of the classes. There are a few classes that don’t have those requirements. I failed Chem this term, and decided that I’m not interested in being an RD enough to put up with all those science classes and the 3+ years it will take for me to finish all their required classes. It’s pretty intense!
St. Kate’s might be an option since you haven’t finished your degree yet. Since I would be considered a “second degree” student (already have a BA) the only thing St. Kate’s would give me is a certificate… even though I would be taking the exact same classes as the degree! So annoying.
So I passed Chemistry 1 with a B, but Chemistry 2 was the one I failed…I wonder if that will affect it?
I really don’t think most people understand how intense a dietetics degree is! Not to mention the internship and RD exam!!
So weird that they would only give you a certificate. Makes no sense to me. Do you know what you’re plans are now?
OK, so if you passed Chem 1 and Gen Bio then you’ll be fine. That’s what you need to get into the program. But Chem 2 is required for some of the classes so you’ll eventually need to retake that. Their website has a list of all the classes in the DPD, so you can see what classes required what. 🙂
Right now I’m planning on going into psychology to work as a therapist for people with health problems, and also hopefully a health coach.
I just read your last blog post! Good for you!!
I was kind of in a similar position after finishing my undergrad and discovering I wasn’t really passionate about the work. I thought about going back to school to become an RD, but the time and money were definitely a little off-putting, especially since I didn’t necessarily want to work in a hospital setting. After a lot of deliberation, I decided to become a health coach and signed up with IIN. Best decision ever. I plan on going back and taking a few more nutrition courses when I graduate in a month, but I’m super happy with this route and the fact that I’ll be able to set up my own practice. Lemme know if you have any q’s about the program 🙂
That’s exactly where I am because I really don’t want to work in a hospital and don’t need to know things like tube feeding requirements so I feel like some of those classes will just be a “waste” (education can’t really ever be a waste though haha). I will definitely e-mail with some questions! 🙂
I’m definitely guilty of wanting to plan EVERYTHING, and wanting to know where my life is going to take me the next few years. I’m 26, and I’m actually one of the youngest people in my Master’s program – which is not what I was expecting! So many people are going back to school for their Undergrad or Graduate degrees as non-traditional students, and I really don’t think you have anything to worry about 🙂 It seems like there’s a lot of unknowns and that you should just keep doing what you love, without fear of judgment from anyone else. Ultimately, it’s YOUR life, and you get to choose what you want to do with it, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Of course, I’m not saying not to take in the people you love’s opinions, but you have to do what’s best for you. (I need to take some of my own advice, haha!) Anyway, just wanted to let you know you are definitely not the only one who is feeling this way, and I truly hope it all works out for you!
Yeah my dad is getting a master’s so I bet there are a lot of different age groups there! I just know from my last experience at college which was about a year ago that I was pretty much surrounded by 18-22 year olds. Not a terrible thing, it’s just there as a small nagging obstacle..ya know?
Also the end of this comment gave me the warm-fuzzies. Thank you so much for the encouraging words and YES take your advice because it’s awesome!
I know how you feel about the planning…. my plans for this year flipped upside down about a month ago and I’m still trying to get all my footing back. You’re taking the right steps by looking into all of your options and keeping an open mind while you decide what you really want. The only other thing you can do is keep faith that the path that works out will be the right one for you 🙂
Plans tend to do that, huh?
Yes I really am trying to be open about it as well as think about what the best thing would be if I end up having to move in two months! (<-eek!)
This post pretty much sums up the last 5 years of my life. I have been a hot mess trying to figure out what I should do (which is why I am also working on my 3rd degree 😉 ). I do the personal training stuff, its fun but not a career option for me. As you said the hours and salary are too unpredictable so it will also be an additional job for me aside from my main job. School is easy, the loans stink, but it makes me feel like I am working towards something good! I know a few people who took the Integrative Nutrition program and really liked it and got a lot out of it! Whatever you decide will be right for you. It’s hard not to worry about the future but just know that things will work out somehow 🙂
Man your 3rd degree!! That’s a lot of school lady! I’m glad you can empathize and I hope we can both get it figured out! Or at least enjoy the journey. 🙂
Oh man, girl. I love you! The crossroads of life is quite interesting, isn’t it? I feel like I’m in a similar situation (and we know I’ve been there with NASM thing)…it’s just kind of crazy. I wish I had words of wisdom for you but I’m definitely figuring it out myself still.
You know I <3 you!! We are probably friends because we can relate to each other so much! I think we both want to do the right/perfect thing and how the heck do you figure out what IS right??
We will figure it out eventually…or at least enjoy the ride, right? 🙂
I know the feeling so you are not alone! I was playing around with the IIN certification as well and starting some private coaching, but that is such a big leap for me. On top of wanting to move, go back to school, oh and maybe start having a social life. Let me move to Minnesota and we can share life problems?! Haha. I just remember that there is always an alternative, and if something doesn’t turn out you learn and move forward. I have learned to just embrace it and take chances.
Move to Minnesota!! Maybe we can do IIN together! Or you can be my tutor when I go to finish my dietetics degree! 😉 Plus we could go for runs and take awesome selfies together (I love yours haha).
OH honey – sounds so confusing and I have TOTALLY ben there — with so many different directions you could go, and then relationships messing everything up! I trust that you’ll figure out the best plan! xoxo
Thanks for the empathy, Clare! I know you went through the same thing with school…and it looks like it’s paying off!!
Since I got certified as a PT through NASM last fall, I have cringed when people ask me what I am doing with it too! I can totally relate! I actually worked out with a personal trainer recently (my post about it is going up on my blog tomorrow) and while I wouldn’t want to do it full-time because of all of the reasons you listed, I could see doing it part-time to make me feel more fulfilled about my career. Good luck! I think finishing your undergrad is a really good route to take. I have considered IIN, but it’s quite expensive and I don’t want to start my own business.
You know the last couple of times I’ve said it helps to inform my writing, so maybe you should say that too? Because I’m sure it helps in your blog writing, right??
And yes IIN is pricey so that’s definitely something to take into account.
Yes, I just need to write more about fitness and nutrition! I really want to get my nutrition certification through NASM since that is the topic I am truly interested in.
If it helps, I’m still trying to figure out what I want do when I grow up. 🙂
I would say be patient (so much easier said than done) and enjoy the moment and/or pick something and move full steam ahead with it, regardless of what may come. It will all work itself out. Things always do. Usually when we’re not even looking. 🙂
It will all work out for sure! I just need to get better about not letting the daily stuff get in the way of long-term planning. And try to forget about the fact that we could be moving at any moment. 🙂
Thanks for your wisdom, lady! <3
I loved reading this post and all of the comments. I’m about a month away from my NASM exam, and I’m already getting a little nervous about the “next steps” because I’m not quite sure being a personal trainer is the perfect route for me, but I feel like I need to have something to show for all of the hard work I’ve been putting in. I quit my corporate job a few months ago to pursue my passion in health and fitness, and IIN has always been part of my plan, along with the NASM certification, but my ideas of a perfect “career” are always changing. It’s hard not to focus on what others think, but ultimately, we have to just relax, enjoy the ride, and know that it will eventually all fall into place!
It’s challenging coming up with a master plan for LIFE, right?? So awesome you quit your full time job to pursue what you love! I still feel like I have one foot in and one foot out of my passions, but I’m hoping that can change soon! 🙂
Oh, have I had these conversations in my head (and maybe out VERY loud…) before. I don’t have any magical answers for you, but know that you aren’t the only one! My cert is through ACSM, but I really do not want to be a personal trainer. I just want more of a dependable schedule, for the most part! Keep on keepin’ on and you will figure everything out. Or not. But you’ll be great either way. 🙂
It’s funny that not a lot of those who get certified actually go on to train! If anything though, it is great information to know and it comes with a little more credibility! 🙂