(Part 2) Best products from r/findapath

After reading everything here are my thoughts.

• you sound smart
  
• you sound defeated
  
• you sound like someone who doesn’t believe in themself
  
  That third point is what I’m going to bring to the table because you know the other two.
  
  We are all ultimately alone in this life. That’s scary, because it makes us feel unsafe. But no one ever promised safety, and in modern times that becomes more apparent every day. No wonder your scared to live, living is scary. And as you put, dying is easy.
  
  I can’t tell you why you should live. But I can tell you why I live, because I’m already here. And because it’s the hard thing to truck on. Dying is easy but it’s the coward’s way. But there are exceptions to every rule. In some cases, life is completely unbearable and as such I would understand someone making that choice.
  
  But for you, after all of the things you tried, it seems like you feel you’ve tried everything. But this is just how the hero in every story ever told feels just before a huge success. You may think that’s the movies but that’s a theme known as the hero’s journey. All hero’s pass through this phase. Which is why we see it in movies, because people write them, and the journey heros undergo is practically a fact of life.
  
  So my suggestion is to embrace the hero’s journey. Become the hero of your own story. In your story it may seem like you’ve tried everything but then you will find it, and be able to share it with others in a similar space. This is how I approach all challenges in my life. But I’m not going to leave without my suggestion.
  
  You don’t seem to believe in yourself. If you’re acknowledging this then think of the implications of that. We don’t need to think of them because we see it potentially playing itself out in your life.
  
  If you believe in yourself, it doesn’t matter what happens around you, you will endure and prosper. If you don’t, you will feel stressed and hopeless (you are here). But there’s plenty to believe in. You listed great personality traits and are clearly in the process of making yourself a better person. YOU are great.
  
  But it’s not enough for me to tell you that. You need to believe it. And perhaps there’s no better way to believe it than to repeat it over and over. Might as well not knock it til you’ve tried it. I really enjoyed this book which suggests this method.
  
  Love yourself like your life depends on it:
  https://www.amazon.com/Love-Yourself-Like-Your-Depends-ebook/dp/B0086BX8UE
  
  Here’s another good one by one of my favorite authors:
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0931580242/
  
  Good luck, you got this.
  

You are doing fine. Here are some thoughts...

Keep your current job! Do not quit until you have your next opportunity lined up. Your work experience isn't bad and the employed look more attractive in both the dating and hiring pools.

Love the hobbies. Particularly working out and reading - Keep your commitment to these everyday. (Consider adding a social/networking aspect by joining/starting a business book club and looking into league sports/meetups/fitness classes)

Job Transition Idea 1: Beer/Beverage Industry

Look for analyst or operations positions with goal of getting into account management (sales-ish but sales isn't so bad when you love the product).

Standout from the crowd: Start writing Beverage Industry/Co research on LinkedIn (similar to the project you enjoyed)

Apply to this today: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=bf45becfe9f077f3&

Job Transition Idea 2: Personal Trainer

You like working out so get certified and help others with their workouts.

Will be tough at first as you build a book of clients so you might need a good part time job - Starbucks would put you in coffee with okay part time pay and benefits.

Check this out for an idea of PT opportunities: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=part+time+personal+trainer&l=los+angeles%2C+ca

Job Transition Idea 3: Officer in The Chair Force

Commitment and big change.

Physical fitness matters. Readers are leaders. They allow coffee in the morning and beers after work. Other branches if AF isn't for you.

https://www.airforce.com/careers/browse-careers/

..


Bonus! Book recommendation: https://www.amazon.com/History-World-6-Glasses/dp/0802715524


Choose one of these or another path and fucking go for it. All in. All about it. All the time. But keep fit and well read.

Good luck!

Hey fellow failed artist!!! I've been in almost exactly your shoes, with the exception that I wanted to be a musician (the next Primal Scream or Chemical Brothers) instead of an actor. It's equally tough.
The closest I got was a fairly decent project studio where I had paying customers (enough to keep me in new gear when I needed it) and an admin job within the music industry, which I "worked" at for 10 years.

If you're like me, then drugs are a no go. They just can't happen. They'll only fuck you up. So if you want to make any progress in life and you haven't stopped yet you need to stop taking drugs now, stop drinking too if need be; especially if that leads you on to drugs during the night, which in my case it usually did.

In my case that meant I needed to stop hanging around with my friends for more than six months, unless it was a drug/alcohol free event, which was never the case. And when I did start hanging with them again it was only if there was no weed being smoked (passive weed smoking is a great way to get drawn back in). Also if we were out for a beer and coke or speed arrived I'd finish my beer and make my way home.

Anyway, if drugs is still a thing in your life you need to stop it. Expect that process to take at least a year. If you fall off the wagon one night just climb back on again. If you don't stop with drugs, then yes, this is it for your life from now on, most likely.

Next - no one is going to change you life for you but you. Get that into your head, it doesn't matter how hard or easy your life has been, how wronged you've been or how many chances you did or didn't get in life - it's ENTIRELY on you, no one else.

Start thinking long term. If you want to change something, like move career to something more meaningful, you need to have a long hard think about that. Forget about fame, forget about getting rich, forget about easy street. Look for something you are interested enough in that you are willing to put in the work long term and start taking MEANINGFUL steps towards that goal. Does that mean going back to school? some other sort of training?? beginning as a hobby? joining local community groups or going to meetups maybe?? Start there.

If you're really hating your job right now, can you look for something even slightly more related to the field you're interested in to help you along the path then do it. How about joining a community drama group, and do acting as a hobby while you fix yourself?

Truth be told, when I was at where you are at now it took me almost 3 years to clean myself up (drugs, drink, paranoia and other fallout after nearly a decade of drug abuse) to the point where I felt confident enough to get a job I was interested in, then I worked that job for almost 10 years until I got bored and finally made the decision to go back to college at 35 years old. Now I couldn't be happier. Things are great.

But it's all down to planning, long term thinking, grit and determination.
Also, get proper sleep and exercise. Seriously, if you're not doing it already it'll make a massive difference.

I also would have been lost without this day planner. It helped me maintain the focus I need to get where I needed to get, check it out and give it a try. I still use one daily:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Action-Day-2019-Management-Thread-Bound/dp/9935480569/ref=sr_1_5?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1549795962&sr=1-5&keywords=action+day+planner+2019

Read the instructions and philosophy of how to use it and get started.

Finally, as others have said, if you're trying to avoid drugs then working at a beach bar isn't ideal. But otherwise, working at a beach bar is fucking easy if that's all you want. Save a few grand for tickets, a few grand to get started and away you go. It's not rocket science. You could probably find a job before you leave if you really wanted to.

Edit: A quick edit for the "Hah, yeah, like it's so EASY to just get a few grand together" crowd - yeah it is, OP had no problem getting money together for drugs/alcohol/cigarettes, drop any one of those and save the money it'll add up quickly.

First off, well played on recognizing that you are facing a challenge and reaching out for guidance. That alone is a sign of a personality trait that will help you live successfully, so good job. Since you are demonstrating initiative, then you might want to look into some self-help resources-- this is a personal journey and I recommend just browsing a bookstore or library self-improvement section for a book or author that speaks to you and begin putting that advice to work in your life. A title that you might find interesting is What Color Is Your Parachute which provides a useful decision making framework that you can tailor to your situation.

On a personal note, I've found it useful to have a feeling of success at something somewhere in life is a confidence builder that carries over into my professional life where I have tons of room to improve. For example, physical exercise (for me running) allows me to be in control, gets me healthy, and allows me to set personal goals that I can work towards-- The only improvement that I care about is versus my past self and internalizing a sense of improvement is an incredibly liberating confidence builder for me. Enjoy the journey friend and good luck.

You and /u/chief0717 have picked a hard career. It didn't use to be this hard. The internet made it much harder. The internet has completely changed the economics of the profession and to such a degree that it's essentially a different profession than it was 15 years ago. The internet has changed a lot of businesses of course but arguably none more than journalism (although music comes close.)

What journalists produce is information. Cheap (free) copying of information makes monetizing that much harder and means that traditional ways of monetizing it don't work. I'd strongly encourage you to read “Information Doesn't Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet Age” by Cory Doctorow. I know neither of you are swimming in money but it's not too expensive on kindle and I bet your local library has a copy. There's some audio here by Cory that is basically about the same topic. The book describes how to make money from creative work in the face of the internet. It's more about 'art' than journalism, but the principles and discussion are very similar.

The book, although I think very accurate, is not particularly optimistic about your plight but I recommend it because you should know where you sit, and I'm not a good enough writer to condense it into something meaningful in a reddit post.

So going forward from here I'm going to assume you've at least listened to the audio.

If I was in your shoes I would decide whether I was going to fish or cut bait; whether I'm going to pursue journalism or go do something else. I would only pursue journalism if I absolutely loved it.

If I didn't want to pursue journalism, I would apply to every entry level position in government or a Fortune 500 company that doesn't require a technical degree that I could find that doesn't seem completely outside my skill set.

If I wanted to pursue journalism, I would start a blog / website. I would cut out the middle man and become the best damn resource for X on the internet and I would follow the advice Cory gives for monetizing it, which basically says 'become famous'. I'd become famous by being the best. If it was me personally, 'X' would probably be 'drones'. I'm interested in them and could see spending a lot of time doing research on them. I'd find it fun. For you, 'X' should be something you're interested in and has people who'd be interested in it too.

(I'm assuming a graduate degree is out for both of you, but I'm in favor of as much education as you can stand, so if I could stand it, I'd do that – although likely not in journalism.)

But read the book.

Good luck.

So I struggled with this also when I was in my 20s. My family all went to college and we have numerous professionals in my family so the momentum was to go and study accounting....Dad kinda forced us all into that major. But I was miserable. It wasn't exciting enough for me....until I got my first job as an accountant working for a manufacturing business.

So I HATED cost accounting in college....like it was one of my least favorite classes and I struggled to get a C in the class. However this job was real world cost accounting and I LOVED IT!! Like literally was excited as hell to go into work each day because I got to use my brain to figure shit out.

So this right here taught me that there is a HUGE difference between the educational experience and how that will translate into post educational satisfaction on the job. This is something that aptitude tests can't possibly hope to measure let alone direct anyone into a major that will be satisfying. Now sometimes sure....people take those tests and magically find their path but most people I know or have talked to have struggled to find meaningful work....even with these stupid tests.

OK so where does that leave us? Well I think we need a better approach. For me, I had to start allowing myself to "do what I want" meaning, I started asking myself and noticing what was attracting my attention when I wasn't focused on working or accomplishing something......I found that I was drawn to computers and had always been drawn to them.

So while I was working, still miserable and in a job I fucking HATED, I started to ask myself what I wanted to do with computers. This questioning took many forms but it basically boils down to, "Ok SW, you can do anything and computers are a wide branch of study....what do you really enjoy or what would you think you might enjoy doing with them?" And the more I probed around this question I remember that I had always wanted to know how to fix them, how they worked internally, what were all those parts and pieces inside and what did they do and could I learn all of that stuff? I dunno but it sounded interesting to me so I'll spend a little time with it and see how I feel.

But I didn't know where to start with any of that so I headed to the bookstore to see if they had anything. This was back in the late 90s and I didn't have access to the WWW except at work so the bookstore was the best bet. I found out about A+ Certification and the more I looked into that the more appealing it was......so I bought a book and committed to studying it.

Every night I would come home exhausted from work, eat, exercise then plop down for a few hours of reading. I was totally absorbed in the material and 2 hours would pass like it was 5 minutes!!! This happened over and over again and somedays I didn't want to study but I'd committed myself so I did and over time I learned a LOT!

Now my story goes on and on from there but I'll skip a lot of the details. What it led me to was first building my own computer....then building them for work, then I wanted to learn about Linux so I started playing around with that and then I wanted to learn about programming so I started playing around with that which led be back to University at 36 to pursue a Comp Sci degree and here I am, some 9 years after graduating.....unemployed and happier than I can remember being in my life! :)

What's the point in all of this? Well follow your bliss. That's what I did and while you may think, "Wait you're unemployed why would I follow your suggestion?" just know that my unemployment was a choice....a new path and I needed time to give birth to my next area of focus....which is starting to emerge. :)

I posted this video a few days ago and it's a beautiful way of saying what I've said.

I know from experience how difficult Calc 3 is and Linear Algebra came right after that and kicked my ass like no other class I've ever had in my life. Holy shit that was an ass reaming!! What kept me going? My desire for that silly piece of paper and my commitment to getting my degree. Degrees have value precisely because they are hard to obtain!! Most people get pissed off at having to take so many classes that don't relate to what they want to do and over time, even the most highly motivated students will struggle.....I was more motivated than most and it was an absolute BITCH!!

However just because something is difficult doesn't mean I quit and go looking for a different path. I used to think that.....that if something was difficult or if I was struggling, I was off course and needed to find something better where I didn't struggle. WRONG....sometimes we need to press onward, dig deeper, STAY THE COURSE because we're on the right path but paths can be tough as fuck.

I KNEW I was on the right path because I had given myself enough time to explore and try on different ideas and paths and all that so I was willing to commit to the degree. Once committed, giving up wasn't an option because once you start quitting in life, it will forever be an option. NOPE, I wouldn't do that and I knew I had to press on.

I can't tell you if you're in the right degree or not or whether another one will be a better path for you. Only you can decide that but hopefully all these words will help you figure it out.

I found a couple of books to be extremely helpful when choosing a path and they are:

What color is your parachute

And

Zen and the Art of Making a Living

I wish you all the best on your journey.

Not much here to offer in the way of advice but thought I'd express a bit of sympathy. I'm an electrician and naturally persuade people into working in a skilled trade. Maybe something to consider over retail until you get your ideal gig. Maybe climb the chain of another field of interest using existing skills while acquiring more. I love my job, fresh air, no customers, exercise, feeling of accomplishments... I'm testing for my Master Electrical License and would love to have your skills in addition to my own to aid in getting my company going and looking more professional right off the bat.

Best of luck friend, life isn't defined by falling down, it's defined by how you get back up. Read this while you ponder how you'll get back up http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Class-Soulcraft-Inquiry-Value/dp/0143117467

Let's see how you can connect your interests to your degree:

• genetics - goes without saying
  
• medicine - goes without saying
  
• learning languages - nope, keep this as a hobby
  
• geography - spatial epidemiology? Quite a narrow field, requiring statistical knowledge and coding skills. Other than that, environmental science, ecology, possibly geology..?
  
• math - yes - depending on how inclined on math you are, as some fields of biology are very math-heavy. However, I believe such fields of study consist of mathematicians entering the field of biology rather than biologists entering the field of mathematics. They're also very academical/theoretical.
  
• coding - absolutely - and it's becoming an in-demand skill for biologists!
  
  Why not bioinformatics? You like to code and you have your degree, it might be the best way to use the knowledge you already have. It also pays quite well, especially compared to other Biology jobs. You can probably easily go for an MSc in bioinformatics, but to give you a taste in order to decide here's some (carefully structured :)) advice:
  
  
• Learn some Python if you haven't (Codecademy is really not enough, and I can recommend the following books as they'll all give you plenty of practice and practical knowledge: Introduction to Programming Using Python (try to solve as many exercises as you can), Dive Into Python and Automate the Boring Stuff With Python in that order.)
  
  
• Learn how to use Jupyter notebooks as well (free, easy, popular and useful tool to code in - all you need to begin is here). You can do this as step one and use it to solve book exercises in.
  
  
• Practice a bit on Codewars - even when you know how to solve some problem, you will improve much faster if you inspect other people's code and learn from them.
  
  
• This is where the real fun begins - try and solve some Rosalind problems, see if you like it.
  
  
• If you do like it, there's an entire series of Bioinformatics and Genomic Data Science courses on Coursera to give you a taste of the "real" stuff.
  
  Here's some more advice from people in the field: https://www.biostars.org/p/188038/ (the op is considering switching fields, but you might find something useful to yourself)
  
  Even if you find you don't like bioinformatics you'll end up with enhanced programming skills which will likely be a plus in whatever other career path you choose.

Hi there,

With a sociology degree, you can do more than just be a professor or work in social services. Check out here and here for some ideas. The good news is that a sociology degree is very flexible, and gives you good transferable skills (the ability to do research, synthesize complex ideas, write reports, etc.).

You say you're "average" at everything, but don't forget that there are many different types of strengths out there! For example, look at this list. You're probably really good at some of these things - the key is to recognize both your strengths and weaknesses. You should promote your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

I know I've mentioned it a million times on this sub, but What Color is Your Parachute is really useful - your local library will likely have a copy. Your library should also have a careers section with other useful books.

Best of luck!

Aim to have several revenue streams rather than just one.

Learn day trading and play the markets where and how you can, understanding that yeah it involves computers but it doesn't have to be the only thing you do, you don't have to do it full-time, and it's definitely not in danger of being a dying industry. If you can make it online gambling, you have the patience and self-restraint to net gains day trading.

Otherwise, invest some of your nest egg in a portfolio that pays dividends. Again, won't be enough on its own, but as one stream among many, helpful.

Hound government/health insurance/the state/etc. for long-term disability income, that's another potential one.

Youth sports referee, paid focus groups, mystery shopping, and other ideas/jumping-off-points available in this thread.

Also worth reading The Four Hour Work Week, again as a jumping off point, but there's lots of great ideas in there about stuff like steps to take to make yourself look/seem/be an "expert" at something that qualifies you to sell your services as a consultant, contribute paid online content based on your expertise, etc.

Ever considered going back to school for accounting, or aiming for investment banking?

Best of luck.

Get out of my head! I've been trying to deal with the same issue for years.

I found this book helped me put it in perspective... The Devinci Curse by Leonardo Lospennato

https://www.amazon.com/Vinci-CURSE-design-interests-talents/dp/1523244879

Basically, the book goes over how to combine or choose some interest over others.

I found it refreshing over the old "work your passion" advice.

Can't say I don't have days where I feel lost, or that I'd rather focus on new interests, but I've found ways to combine many of my interest into a business and I make time for a couple hobbies as well. It's made my day to day pretty satisfying.

Letting go of the hobbies that don't fit my current lifestyle was tough but once I came to accept it, it was a relief. Let demands on my time ment I can spend more time on the hobbies and interests that I decided to focus on.

Anyways, I hope you consider checking out the book and that it helps you sort things out a bit.

I just finished reading a book that I really wish I'd read five or six years ago: So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport. Basically, it points out flaws in the "follow your passion" ideology and offers an alternative route of developing marketable skills and selling them. You sound like you have some decent skills, so if you focus on honing the skills you enjoy to the point of being able to innovate them and push to the next opportunities, you can do well.

Dan Miller's 48 Days to the Work You Love is also handy for cross-transferable skills and career-hopping.

Hope these help!

If you really want to make the most of your free time, get good at doing nothing. Unscheduled time is hugely important for generating new ideas, reflecting on your life, observing what's around you, and enjoying what you have.

Then, get good at doing less. I recommend reading about essentialism so that you don't become a burned out, unfocused college graduate with 50 different and unrelated things on your resume.

You sound like a naturally talented, smart, engaged person, so life will probably be kind to you. It'll be up to you to find where your key areas of interest are and nurture the hell out of them.

who are you taking CS2 with?

my best advice is if you are struggling with the data structures in Java, get this textbook it's a Java DS & Algorithms book that is very easy to follow along with and the code is very well organized!

I used it when trying to build a Binary Tree Data Structure and it helped so much!

don't feel bad about failing, just keep moving and ignore anybody who tries to put you down. I failed out of college and things are going okay for me, things could very well be way worse, so just be happy as best you can. Use failure to better yourself and motivate yourself.

I took CS2 with Jason Smith, I do not recommend him for that class, he will just expect you to teach yourself everything, his projects also get a lot harder. He is only good because he covers a lot of material, not because he is a good teacher.

also avoid Zuilian Khan, that man lies out of his teeth, just be cautious about who you take, so many people just go into CS and expect good teaching at UTD and so many people fail because the profs are just not there for you, at least the ones i had so far.

learn as much as you can from class and be nice to people, work with others and you will be in better shape for the road ahead!

best of luck to you!

Browse around on the fitness subreddits: /r/fitness, /r/bodyweightfitness, /r/running, /r/weightroom

For someone who is just starting out, I would suggest a beginner program like Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength. It consists of basic compound lifts (squat, bench press, overhead press, deadliest, power clean) that'll help build a foundation of muscle. I've been messing around in the gym for years, but actually having a program to follow was better than figuring out what I wanted to do once I stepped foot in the gym. If you can afford it, read the Starting Strength book or watch a bunch of videos on YouTube to learn about proper form technique. If you do decide to go with SS, you're gonna want to start out very lightweight, then add 5 lbs to each lift every single workout until you can no longer do that. The website I linked should explain more. Stick with it for about 2 years or until you can no longer add on weight, then find another program to follow in the /r/Fitness FAQ.


I've also found that when one addiction gets shut down, another might try to take its place. My main addiction has always been porn, masturbation, and orgasm (but primarily porn). When I was a junior in high school, I realized how many hours I wasted watching porn every day. I'm not saying that everyone has this problem; some people can be functional while still being able to join those kind of pleasures, it was just that I couldn't function at all. With that being said, I'm also gonna leave a link to a subreddit that has been helpful to me over the past couple years: /r/NoFap

Good luck on your journey, friend!

You sound like several Electrical Engineers I've known that got their degrees, then left and started coding. They're impatient and can easily put down a few lines of code, run it and see the working product.

I would recommend starting to teach yourself. CodeAcademy, Coursera, Lynda.com are all great resources to start teaching yourself.

I'd also HIGHLY recommend getting Python for Kids. I know your not a kid, neither am I. I wanted to get into coding and all the sites assumed you already knew the basics. This book teaches you everything from the ground up, and while it is titled "...for Kids" the author also wrote it with adults who are brand new to coding. It is amazingly well done. Python is also commonly used by server admins and database guys. Since you like the electrical stuff, those go hand in hand. Get the book, teach yourself some Python. Then go to community college and take a course or two (very part-time student) for your COMPTIA and server stuff. Within a year/year and a half you'll have a solid foundation for Junior Admin/Ops/Database.

P.S. If you do get Python for Kids, it tells you to use the official Python IDE, it sucks, I hated it. I'd recommend getting PyCharm instead. Both are free.

Your brother probably has your best interest in mind. To me, it sounds like you are a bit dependent on him. I might be wrong.

Anyway, here's what you can do:

• Move in with your parents in AZ
  
  
• Enroll in community college
  
  
• Get a part-time job that won't interfere with school
  
  
• Get straight fucking As. Do not fuck around. You can have fun and get perfect grades. It is completely doable. I did it despite being a shit high school student. Start with a two classes your first term, and then add a third class your next term. Go full time as soon as you are ready. Focus on getting those perfect scores on everything you do. I recommend you read this book.
  
  
• Get fit and healthy.
  
  
• In 2 years, which will go by quickly if you are locked in and focus, you can transfer to your choice of college in Washington -- U of W, Whitman, Gonzaga, whatever. If your grades are high enough, you might get your pick and maybe some money thrown your way. All it takes is discipline and patience.
  
  
• Once you're in Washington, don't slack off because if you fail out, your ass will be back living with your parents in AZ. Kick ass in college and you can get a job in Washington and stay there permanently if you'd like. All it takes is discipline and consistency. You will have to transform yourself.

So you cant get a job in the local industry & you got dumped..
hm, it sucks.. It's a reality of life though and now you are a free man !

Ok, that does sound like a sob story to me. People survived the holocaust & after they got liberated they picked up on life as well. People in Rwanda got raped & their limbs got cut of by people with Machettes. Yet they moved on and carved out an existenc for themselves. You know why

They had no other option.
Here are some quotes: https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2782.Viktor_E_Frankl

Right now you feel like bad, the things you went through were shit and if you stay depressed they your whole life will be shit and that would be a waste of your life. A good place to start is to change the ideas that you have.

Watch stuff from Bob Proctor, go and see Bob Proctor he lives in Canada if im not mistaken ! See Tony Robbinson on Youtube, watch stuff from Brian tracey (in short get inspired)

Work on getting passionate about stuff again, watch motivational video's, investigate the things that previously made you feel passionate. Heraclitus (old greek philosopher) said that there is only one constant in the universe and that is change.
From personal experience i think that a psychologyst can not really help you in getting you there with questions that make you zoom in on your uncertainties. If you pay to attention to that then your uncertainty's will grow on the inside of your mind. In turn i sugest that you try to pay attention to what you want to manifest in your life.

You mentioned an ambition to get into IT, is that software developement ? If it's programming then you can self teach yourself by regulary taking time to study this topic. There are many good (and free) courses available online.

Here:
http://www.stanford.edu/
https://www.coursera.org/
https://www.khanacademy.org/
https://www.udemy.com/
http://courses.caveofprogramming.com/
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/php
https://www.udacity.com/

Sales is also a good job, also a field in which you have to educate yourself in order to get better at it.
I found this to be a good book: http://www.amazon.com/Never-Lose-Again-Negotiator-Questions/dp/0312643489

Other than that, you can watch videos that discuss the type of mentality that you need to propperly do sales on youtube. (google Zig ziglar & sales training etc) The "you need this sofa" arguments would be insulting to anyone with an IQ above roomtemprature. But what about :"In my opinion this sofa could be a good choice for you considering the space in your house and your budget" (thats of course after you asked questions at that customer in order to get an idea about what they need) Sales is about helping people to make a purchase decision (Zig Ziglar is quite religious about this) i think though that it can be a wonderfull job! And you can also go a long way if you really do it well & you dont need a degree for it.

(although getting a degree against a favorable loan would be a good investment) 8% study loan is not a favorable loan though and neither is 4 %. Education is getting really expensive on your side of the globe (although i dont know how this is aranged in Canada)

You fell from your horse, get back on it.

I hope that helps,

Many jobs as Digital Marketer for small/medium companies will require you to know how to use social media and a good knowledge of adobe software. Here where I live (UK too) we have a startup accelerator and many tech hubs with many marketing jobs available around. It could be a good idea to look for those people and ask...

Also, there's a great book on social media/graphic skills you might find interesting. Should you get a job as 'social media guy' in any company, this would help you a lot: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jab-Right-Hook-Story-Social/dp/006227306X

good luck!