Career Change?

Hey everyone! In advance, sorry for the long post I'm quite literally just pouring out my thoughts.

This is my first post, I actually made an account just to ask around this community because I'm curious and kinda lost tbh. I'm currently 22 and looking for a more fulfilling career. I've been a cashier at a pizza shop, an administrative assistant at an urgent care, a warehouse associate for a small clothing business, and now currently an administrative assistant for a trade school. I like my current job, it's stable and has full benefits, I have two raises a year guaranteed, my coworkers are cool, and for the most part I get to do my own thing in my office as long as I get my work done if that makes sense. The problem is, everything is the same every day and I don't feel a sense of purpose here. Yes, I'm the backend of creating a learning environment and running part of the school program, but I feel stuck in my personal growth. I know that I want to go to school next year but I'm lost on what I actually want to do or what career to choose.

I feel like I've lost my sense of passion for anything, however I've always been drawn to creative careers. For example, I've been a social media manager for my local church for a year, and it was really fun but quit due to management change and extremely burnout and don't think I'd want to do that type of. I've always considered free-lance graphic design to be my "adult" career but now I'm worried about job security with AI and advanced tech becoming more popular so now I'm looking for something different.

I randomly thought a few days ago about Estheticians and I think the idea of the career is so interesting. I love the aspect of helping others feel confident and working in a calm, stress-free environment which is what I need right now (I'm trying to be in my girly stress-free era after an extremely stressful and financially hard year). I currently struggle with acne and have since my beginning teens and I think it would be fulfilling to help others like me, feel like the best version of themselves. I also love the idea of going solo as I've always wanted to have my own business, make my own schedule, and have that flexibility. The problem is, I don't necessarily have a passion for it if that makes sense? I've never thought about it before a few days ago and I've been researching like crazy into schools, what to expect, TikTok day in the life videos, facial demonstrations, and want to learn about the skin before I make a decision. I think if I decide to go this way, I'll take the program at my community college because it's cheaper so if I ultimately don't use my license at least it's not a big waste of money. I live in Arizona and I'm open to any careers that may have this same lifestyle.

I guess what I'm hoping to get clarity on is if someone who doesn't necessarily have a direct passion for skin care, but could see themselves getting into it when starting school, could have a successful career in Esthetics? Is it worth it to go to beauty school or community college? If beauty school, what schools in Arizona do you recommend? I've heard so many conflicting reviews on places like Penrose, Aveda, etc. Also, VERY minimal concern, but I'm a little nervous to start school with my acne and not "fit in" with a program based on skin health and prosperity Any help or insight into my situation would be wonderful!! Again, sorry for such a long word vomit post haha

Posted Oct 28, 2025, 4:46 PM UTC

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