High School, College, Career... then what?

How does one get started on career? I fell into what I am doing at this point. I haven't really made any decisions for myself in regards to my career. I started working for my uncle basically by default. I worked for the family business so that was easy. Then I got a job doing accounting work. I got that job because I was friends with the boss' daughter-in-law. After I started and continued to hate upper management there I moved on to my current job at the law office.

Do I like my job? That is an interesting question. I like the majority of the people, I like the challenges that I face at work on a daily basis, and I like the new things I learn all the time. However, I do not understand nor like the management. I am like a 3 year old who is constantly asking why? I want to know why policies are put in place, how and why things work, and the reason behind some of the monotonous tasks the support staff have to endure. The larger the firm gets some of the more ridiculous policies that arise.

Sometimes I feel over worked and under paid... everyones complaint right? My biggest problem is that I am the young one on the totem pole. I feel like I am a good team player and I constantly contribute above and beyond my job description. However, does my paycheck reflect my efforts? I don't think so. I have only been a legal secretary for 2 1/2 years but I feel like I am just as good of a secretary with the same case/work load and I get paid WAY less then them. My attorney did give insight on the whole experience aspect and that I should really reflect and be appreciative of the amount of money I make per year for only being 22 years old.

So is this the career that I really want? Do I see myself in this field for the next 40 years? My ambition to go to school got a huge boost when I realized how much less I was being paid for the same am out of "experience" as a fellow secretary as she has a BA with emphasis in an unrelated field.

Where am I going in my studies? Where am I going in my career? How do you choose your goals?