Wanting a career,but in college atm,saving for an apartment?

So long story. I'm in college atm in my (3rd year?) I took community college for 3 years but when I checked with a guidance counselor,I have a small handful of classes. So I could technically graduate in 1 semester if I wanted to but I have to take statistics and math is a big yikes for me...

I transferred to a 4 year this fall and have 5-6 classes left required to graduate. At the moment,I have a part time job in which I work 30 hours but when I graduate,i plan on going full time. My reasoning is I'm trying to get out of my home environment because it's been toxic my entire life and has affected me. I want to move out into a studio with another person so we can split the bill to make things easier. So my current priority is saving for an apartment,graduating eventually,and then working full time.

Now the thing is,I'm stuck between feeling comfortable where I'm at,but I don't know if having a job is what I want my entire life. I also feel a little drawn to a career in being a therapist/counselor of sorts. From what I read online (and correct me if I'm wrong) you need a masters at least and interships,etc to progress in the field of counseling,and possibly continue education past masters. Because my current priority is moving out ASAP when i can,and when I do,I'm on my own to pay for college. Despite my toxic environment,my parents (we have a bad relationship. Trust me...) is paying for my college classes. But once I move out I'm on my own for that field.

I feel a little pressured and unsure of what to do in life because I'm 22. I've always felt this pressure to fit in with others. Yknow,follow "life's plan." You're born,go to school,go to college for the general 4 years,graduate,get a job,find someone,marry and have kids,cycle continues. I feel pressured from society because I should have graduated by now or last year,but I had mental health problems,anxiety,and severe depression. I also feel pressured from my family. My mom is very close minded and traditional. A bit elitist? She told me when I went to community college that cc is for stupid people,slow people... (I come from an East Asian family background)

I'm worried if I do move out and graduate,by the time I work full time I'll want to continue my education to be a counselor,later in life,not at the moment. Being a counselor by 30 isn't too old or odd is it? :/ I see so many young (at least young looking) people already working in the career of their dreams and sometimes beat myself up over the fact that I could have graduated sooner if I got my **** together.

Hi,BrittyBird, I wish you so much success! I know you are wonderful! You have no idea how much I wish the the best for you! Lots of hugs to you!

First of all, you sound amazing. For any age. Juggling everything you have going on plus the mental health stuff is a ton. And you are doing it! That is awesome! Second of all, your mom sounds like a *****--sorry. She does. Reading what you wrote made me very angry. Tons of successful people came from our community colleges. So, forget about your mom. She doesn't know what she's talking about.

I went to school until I was 34 years old. Never took a year off. No breaks. Just school. And what I will tell you about that kind of career focus is that, even though I had invested an enormous amount of time, sweat, and money into it, I still wound up changing specialties when I was done with my third year of residency. Thought I knew what I wanted to do, but that changed as I learned more. Point is, all you can do in my opinion at your age is make the best decision you can with the information you now have and see what happens. You may decide in three years that you want to be a homicide detective, or a chef, or to teach kindergarten. There's no way to know. Life happens. We have experiences and meet people and those things influence us. It happens.

So, I would say that if the main, #1 priority right now is getting away from that house, then you should do that and see where the schooling goes. If, on the other hand, they would pay for grad school and there is one in you area (are you in the city?) AND if you think you could suck it up for a couple more years, well then, that could potentially be worth it in the long run. Short-term, long-term.

Whatever you decide, you will be successful. I can tell. You just need to figure out the balance of short-term costs and gains with long-term ones. Then, it will be clear what to do. All the best!