Career advice requested

[Fear The Spear]

This question is usually something a person can only answer themselves, and not needing the help of others, but I have been unable to do so, and just asking for guidance.
I'm over 40 years old and still have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life. Here I am at an age, where most people have gotten a good start on their retirement (and my brother is actually retired in his mid-40's, thanks to 20 years working for the county) and I havnt even started on a career, much less a retirement. I have simply bounced from job to job all my life and nothing ever stuck.
I'm not asking anyone here to make a decision or even a suggestion on a specific career for me, but mainly a suggestion on how to "find myself" in a career. Too often, I've heard about guys (and ladies) just naturally "stumbling" on their career path naturally or almost by accident, either that or simply having a conviction about knowing that's the career for them, almost all their life.
But I have no such conviction. And I'm sure a lot of people would respond to my question with the reply, "Well what do you LIKE to do ?" When I think of what I would like to do, a LOT of things come to mind, mostly with "moderate" interest, but nothing really stands out to convince me that's the choice for me. So, I kind of get overwhelmed with possibilities when thinking of it.
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The other thing that keeps me from selecting one of the many things that "moderately" interest me, is concern over whether I can make a career out of it, and retire from that career, in a stable way. Either because it's not the nature of that job to become even semi-lucrative, or - this is my biggest concern - the job may become obsolete due to constantly advancing technology which reduces or eliminates the need for much "human labor".
So, while I'd love to do something as a career that I totally enjoy, I'd rather have a job that I don't enjoy so much but has a stable future, than a a job I really enjoy, that only lasts short-term til it becomes obsolete (and end up back where I started - bouncing around again, only at a later age). In other words, if at all possible, I'd like my next "career choice" to be my last, or at least long-long-term.
I feel like the only option is to take some kind of personality test, which determines what career is best for my "type". But are those accurate ? If so, can anyone recommend one, or any other suggestions, to get me closer to this decision, which is so time-sensitive at this point in my life ?

 

[Nobody]

I would suggest trying one of those tests, it couldn't hurt. I don't know if it's coincidental, but it was dead on accurate for my wife and I. 10 years ago she did one that said her perfect career would be as a teacher. That was the furthest thing from her mind at the time, but oddly enough, she bounced from major to major in school and is now a teacher.

When I did mine, it said my best job would be as a Mechanical Engineer. Oddly enough, I took courses on it in high school, and even in vocational school, and I loved and miss it. It was super accurate for the two of us, so it's worth a shot.

This test seems pretty accurate for the most part....

http://www.whatcareerisrightforme.com/career-aptitude-test.php

 

[Fear The Spear]

So, this test you speak of - is it mainly the ones that colleges/schools offer, or a test offered by some private business, or either one works ?

 

[Fear The Spear]

Yea, the thing I like about those private tech schools, is they offer their own private financing, and you're automatically approved for their loan regardless of credit - at least the ones near me. So, you don't have to worry about whether you get approved for Federal Aid, or if you do get approved for that, you don't have to wait for the money before you start school. You can start school right away there, with no money and no credit.

 

[Miles Monroe]

The last time I took one of those tests, It suggested either a floral designer, or a cabinet maker. For the hell of it, I took the test posted by Extreme. I'm happy to announce I'm going to go into Clinical psychology....

My point is, sometimes they work well, and sometimes they don't. It gave 5 different jobs that people in those fields have similar attributes as I do. There were two fields that I actually have some experience in that were listed.

I understand exactly where you're coming from FTS. I hopped from job to job, but not looking for what was right for me, but something stable in the field I love, repairing mechanical things. Being happy at what you do does have it's merits, as I went that rout almost 7 years ago. My dream job fell into my lap. Unfortunately, the dream has turned into a nightmare at this point. I love the job, but the company has gone to hell. Yes, it's partly due to the economy, but complacency is as big if not a bigger problem. I've been looking at the job market, even though I really love my work.

I've come to the conclusion that if I want a stable job, a major retailer ( Lowes, Home Depot, WalMart....) is one of the best bets out there. Then the municipalities... state, county, school system, and such. I'm lucky, being I've done my work out of my house for many years, so a job in one of the areas I listed isn't out of the question. I'll never stop wrenching on motorcycles.

I also love art / photography, but unless you're hooked up like Goaldeje with a major company, it's not going to replace my mechanical job, but is a supplement for the moment.

The biggest thing for me, keeping me from walking away is, do I want to do mindless work of sorts in comparison to what I do now. I may come off as a boob when it comes to football, but I'm a thinker... a problem solver. Will I be happy not stimulating my mind most of the time ?

It's an amazingly tough choice, and I've been pondering it for some time now. You seem to be at the same juncture in life, but not having a passion for anything in particular, to me, you choice isn't that tough. Go with the stable job... jump on the first city, county, or state job you can get. They have the better hours, but with the economy, many are cutting people. That's why I ranked major retailers first.

Best of luck in your quest.

 

[Sarge]

Someone once said if you do what you love, you never have to go to work

 

[Fear The Spear]

This test seems pretty accurate for the most part....

http://www.whatcareerisrightforme.com/career-aptitude-test.php

Thanks for posting that.

I see a common theme in my results :

Producers
Public Relations Specialists
Talent Directors
Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio
Program Directors
Public Relations Managers
Interior Designers
Music Composers and Arrangers
Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities
Commercial and Industrial Designers