Foo - Off Topic!-jobs

So i have been wondering what i plan to do with my life. I still have two years of highschool left but i do not want to get left behind. I really cannot believe that soon i have to make choices that are going to shape the second part of my life (it freaks me out!). So i thought i might post a discussion about everyone's jobs. I would really appreciate any descriptions of what any of you do for a living.

Thank ya!

-slow

Grow up..... and get a job!

So i have been wondering what i plan to do with my life.

The short of it: No one can tell you what to do with your life.

The long of it: School systems, peers and family are probably on your case about 'what you wanna be when you grow up' but at your age it can be hard to know. I happen to be doing what I liked when I was 15 (advertising) but it actually took me nearly a decade of assorted jobs (from data entry to being in a band) before I decided to study and excel at my chosen field.

My best advice is getting a job that puts you in with admirable adults even if you're not passionate about the labor.

Some people take a year or two off before going to University. I think this makes a lot of sense. Whether traveling or working at a job, you get a glimmer of the real world. Not just the 'party' world or strictly 'academic' world. By the time you hit the books you've got some experience as a responsible adult.

Good luck.

Just to let you know. You are never really left behind. It might get harder but worrying all the time about stuff just cause you problems and gets you know where. If you have to even take a year off to figure things out.

The average person will change careers 4-5 times or more in a working lifetime.

Lots of time to experiment and try things.

My goal was to be a beach comber, but, alas, the rigorous training required was just too much for me. I settled on teaching instead. It didn't help that I lived 800 or so miles from the closest beach.

After working fulltime for eighteen years as various kinds of mechanic, I realized I should have been a millwright. College is good but don't forget the trades.

I don't know what your definition of success is, but to most people my definition has a lot to do with finding a balance between monetary gain and personal happiness.

Find what you like to do, see if you are good at it, see if it is profitable, learn as much as you can(i.e. college/grad school/trade school/internship/travel abroad), get your foot in the door of the best companies(internships are great for this) and start living the American dream.

Of course, as other posters have stated, everyone has different paths so take these suggestions with a grain of salt.

Just find what makes you happy like collecting bicycles. ;-)

Miyataphile

What ever you do, make sure you follow your heart. Social pressures (as good intentioned as they may well be) from family/carers, friends, community, country and the advertisers it ultimately messes with your mind.

If you don't know what you want to do that's perfectly normal!

Most people (myself included) felt a general disillusionment with the education process. What are you actually doing all this stuff for anyway? You're probably doing it now only because you have to do it (or think you do) to get a good job.

Why do physics and maths I thought, nothing I'm going to be doing with that... Well, here I am on a recreational level with do-it-yourself tube hi-fi gear. Geography/history, well now I'm reading history books and interested in local history. I'm even close to bird watching. Music, well finding out about classical music theory, candences, cadenzas.

I was lucky in that school etc was very easy for me in almost all subjects and never had to knuckle down (except football where I was just hopeless! :)). However, even as an academically lucky person going through the education process was mind numbing and virtualy killed all passion and desire I had about anything. It's taken years for it to come back in the 'real world'. I could only imagine what it would be like to have difficulty with traditional learning. What would that do to your self esteem....

Try and seize the opportunities that present themselves or create your own opportunities. Take advantage of your teachers and tutors and suck their brains (not literally). Become enthused in what you're doing now and everything will sort itself out.

Remember, having a loving partner, children, travelling around the world, expensive cars, large houses, lots of bikes (of course) and anything else you may or may not achieve will not bring you any happiness. Therefore, don't work for money - work for life. You're going to spend more time at work and with your work colleagues than you will your family!

You'll get passionate about things, learn what you like and what you hate. Just don't let all the things you learn (and have learned) about the world make you a bitter old man. It's too easy to complain about the bad stuff, if it really makes you upset why not try and change it...

Try to stay positive about your life. Go visit an old friend or family member you haven't seen for a while, try your hand at something new... paragliding? scuba diving? wood working? sailing? walk in the forest? whatever floats your boat.. do it with some friends or do it alone...

Maybe your calling is working with homeless, providing medical aid to second and third world countries, maybe its gardening, hairstylist, makeup artist, model, doctor, lawyer, nurse, president, maybe even controlling the de Beers diamond empire, banker, wine maker, or nothing at all...

If it makes you happy just do it(tm) and don't forget to say you love your mom/dad/carer at least once unprompted.

...

hmm, i think i went off the track a bit there... wasn't this a discussion about what i do for a living? :) well, i'm second in charge at a small software/database development company based in australia that works internationally. the thing that provides me satisfaction about my job is that we offer really innovative, quality products that deliver, work and are incredibly cost effective. knowing we can offer a real product and service that really helps people as opposed to the usual 'used car sales' attitude of many people and companies in the IT sector. also, working with the great team of people we have here. we all have our moments but we're really like an extended family... but maybe one day i'll be living in the country running a micro brewery with a pub/bar serving the best damn beer in the southern hemisphere. ;)

This economy is tricky, service industry is probably your best bet as opposed to manufacturing. Also, while I served in two branches of the military-- Army Reserve and Navy, my best advice is don't do the military because the times are changing and you WILL be in a shooting war. If you do go military go Airforce, more like a real job and they let their officers do the dangerous stuff.


Dude, I've done lots of different jobs, Lab tech, computer tech, Security , currently I'm a janitor for the city. I don't define myself by my job, my job is where the money comes from and kills a few hours of my day. It's the other stuff that I do that gets me going.

Find something you like, and get good at it, the money will eventually come.

hey thanks guys! You have all given me much to think about. And adrainB is right, i am doing all this stuff because my school and parents are pressuring me and i think i have to do this to get a good job and be merry.

Trying to define my later life is really confusing. So many things to worry about. Hearing from people like you has given me some insight however. Money is always nice, but I do not think i am the kind of person that has to have money to be happy. Granted, there are so many things i want to do now that i wish my parents could pay for, so i have worried about never being able to do such things because I will have to work to make ends meet.

I am really hoping to be be able to work outdoors. I have looked into Landscape Architecture. I designed my pond last summer and i really enjoy it.

anyway, I thank everyone who posted. It definatley helped.

Agreed, Trade school. Learn a Trade and Keep America working. Lets hope the GWB hasnt done us in already with his bad politics with the "ILLEGALS" .

howdy slow,

well, first thing to ease your pressures a little -- i am now 33 and i am still struggling with the "what do i want to do with my life/career"... and i don't think many people would consider me "left behind" and i make a good living as a software developer...

most of the comments are good here... don't "waste" any time, but also don't let the pressure from others get to you. do what YOU want, although listen to any advice people might be willing to offer...

as someone above said, life and career are about finding a balance between a) something you like, b) something you're good at, c) and something society values so you can earn enough money for what you want/need ---- at 18 i used to say i wanted to be a millionare by 30 and i think i could have been, but i didn't want to do the things i would have had to do in order to attain that- give up things, do things i hate, work TOO much, etc. --- but for some people they happen to love doing something that earns them a lot of money...

at this point in your life you should be:
1) exploring lots of different things and different experiences to find what YOU like and what you're good at
2) getting any and all training and experiecne you can, both in and out of school
3) try to develop some kind of a plan or a goal, but remember that it is flexible

for example, at 18 my "goal" was to go to college and double major in Environmental Engineering and Liberal Arts (special honors program) and then go on to law school and do some kind of environmental law work (oh, and i was very UNSURE about this)... I did do a double major, althogh in Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Liberal Arts program. during my junior year i quit engineering and wanted to work for the National Park Service, but went back to engineering. i had 4 internships during college, plus other jobs and took 5 1/4 years... then worked for 1 year as a software developer after graduating... then applied to law school (age 25) - decided that wasn't for me... almost started my own company (age 26)... then after another year (age 26-27) applied for MBA... then after lots of serious thought decided that wasn't for me... then after 3 more years (age 30) started a PhD in Geography with the goal of becomming a professor... after 1 year decided that was wrong... now i have been working for 3 years in Germany working as a software developer (i have 9 years experience now) and on the side i am a Mountain Bike Guide... and i have considered becomng a teacher... my current options:software developer as a career with MTB Guide/ski guide on the side... or try and do MTB Guide/ski guide/mountain climbing guide full time, but i am still not courageous enough to take the risk...

anyway, remember that life is a journey -- you learn, change and grow your whole life, so you don't have to feel some huge pressure to figure out everything RIGHT NOW! but do prepare for the future...

-Nathan

There are a couple of things to consider. First, what are your gifts, talents and areas of interest? Second, what are the job trends?

Talk with your school counselors. They have been through this many times before, so they might be able to give you some common sense tips. The first tip I'd give you is to get prepared by continuing your education. The more knowledge and skills you have when you enter the workforce, the more options you will have available to you. The more options, the better chance you'll find something you like, or if you don't like what you find, you'll be more able to find something better.

This economy is tricky, service industry is probably your best bet as opposed to manufacturing. Also, while I served in two branches of the military-- Army Reserve and Navy, my best advice is don't do the military because the times are changing and you WILL be in a shooting war. If you do go military go Airforce, more like a real job and they let their officers do the dangerous stuff.

More like a real job? I can't even believe you had the balls to say something like that. You may have been in the Navy and Guard, but by that comment, you didn't serve - you were there for a paycheck and the college benefits, which you obviously didn't take advantage of, since all your experience and training has led you through a series of jobs culminatig with being a janitor.

slow - I wouldn't listen to much advice from this guy. I don't know if military service is for your or not, but it certainly merits your consideration. Yes, we do live in times that make seeing combat more likely. But, if you do well, you'll also develop leadership skills, solid decision making skills, confidence and a host of other benefits that will serve you for life, whether you stay in the military for a career or not.

You can enlist right out of high school- do get anything promised you by the recruiter in writing or go to college and accept a commission as an officer. There are great training paths either way. You want to work outside? What about SeaBees? They're the Navy's combat construction corps. Infantry types obviously spend a lot of time outdoors, as do special ops (SEALs, Rangers, etc). Rescue Swimmers or Parajumpers are outdoors a bunch and jump out of helicopters even. Aviators are outdoors sort of, but nothing quite like rolling and banking and pulling Gs. Lots of options in the military.

My recommendation if you do go military - take the college route and a commission. I only say that because that's the way I did it. I have lots of friends who went in right from high school and have done very well.

You won't get rich doing this. No question there. But, you'll probably have more responsibility than any of your friends you graduate with and a lot sooner. You can PM me if you'd like more information on this; I'm active duty Navy and have been in for 16 1/2 years now.

Also, while I served in two branches of the military-- Army Reserve and Navy, my best advice is don't do the military because the times are changing and you WILL be in a shooting war. If you do go military go Airforce, more like a real job and they let their officers do the dangerous stuff.


Oh, I have a big problem with this. Some people are content to let life happen and others chose to be a part of it. Don't make a decision just because its easy and doesn't involve a little risk, make a decision because its right for you. Challenges force you to grow in ways you can't understand until you've been through them. The military is great for me and many others and just like everything else in life you get out of it what you put in.

Good Luck, Dave

So i have been wondering what i plan to do with my life. I still have two years of highschool left but i do not want to get left behind. I really cannot believe that soon i have to make choices that are going to shape the second part of my life (it freaks me out!). So i thought i might post a discussion about everyone's jobs. I would really appreciate any descriptions of what any of you do for a living.

Thank ya!

-slow

I'm an engineer. It is a lot of fun to gain an understanding of how things work and how to make them better. Either easer to produce, or use you know. But that is me. If you don't get a reply direct to this PM cbhungry she's a Dr and therefore has a whole different set of interests and drivers. Also KoffeeBrown, a trainer will have a different out look on what is fum. Both ladies are very helpful so if they don't see this PM them directly. What spexy said about being yourself is right on, but also be realisticpick something that will get you a way to make money. I mean not many succeed as rock stars or actors so unless you are really driven in those directions find something more practical. If you can;t find anything else go into the military. 1 you may like it but more likely it will start you on a skill that you can build on-and help pay for more training including collage.

My daughter told me this weekend that I told her wrong when i said only science matters, but I still believe it.

HTH
Joe

If you want to see the world and make good money join the merchant Marine.

eh, your in school for a reason, to learn how to learn. I have learned its not what you know now, its what you can learn. If you can learn this or that, and you like to do one of them, then do it. You also have 2 years of school (as do i) I'm sure your life will strighten out a little in 2 years.

good luck
-Ross

So i have been wondering what i plan to do with my life. I still have two years of highschool left but i do not want to get left behind. I really cannot believe that soon i have to make choices that are going to shape the second part of my life (it freaks me out!). So i thought i might post a discussion about everyone's jobs. I would really appreciate any descriptions of what any of you do for a living.

Thank ya!

-slow

I would say, if you get caught up in worrying, you'll perhaps force yourself to figure something out, and that something may be the wrong thing for you. I know right now, it seems like there is alot of pressure, but to tell you the truth, hardly anybody really really knows what they want to do at your age. no matter how much they seem like it. Don't worry so much, when you find the right thing for yourself, it will come to you when its time. Until then, don't force or pressure yourself, you'll miss out on too much.

Also, this is a discussion about everyone else's jobs, I'm 21, graduating this semester with a B.A. in Studio Art with a concentration in Metalsmithing (can you say "framebuilding"???), I've worked in the metals studio, and I also work 3 shift at FedEx Ground loading trailers. I love it! (Oh yeah, I'm a girl, too....he he)

Seriously, be responsible, but don't force anything. Enjoy yourself. You'll never get these years back! Good luck to you, as well.

Jessica

Think about starting your own business. I'm 17, and I have 2 businesses. I enjoy not having to work for someone else pesonally, and like LittleBigMan said, think about what your interests, and talents are. You are not stuck with your first career choice either.

I started college in 1988 and finished in 2000. All for a BA in English/Philosophy. No doctor here: Went to college 1 year, I worked roofing for 3 years, served my country for 3 more and then went to college for 2 years using GI Bill/ACF and IVG, lived in Korea as a Teacher for 1 year, and then finished my degree(s). Now I work as a computer dork who can kill in close combat and up to 900m, effectively. Think about that for a Resume builder.
Do what you need to do to get yourself where you want to be in life. And do it respectfully. Or I'll kill you. A lot.

I wanted to play first base for the Yankees at your age. I was Varsity baseball player with a wicked arm and one of the best batting averages. Then I broke my back during a martial arts competition and was paralyzed for a year so my plans changed....but not because I was a woman.

Anyhoo, I had no idea I was going to be a doctor until way after college. I used to laugh at all the premeds and think they were geeks. Of course I was a bigger geek since I was a chemist. I got a job working as a pharmaceutical chemist for 6 months and said this sucks!

Then I got a job as a lab supervisor(a Phd woman on maternity leave ) at Cold Spring Harbor labs (home of 75+ nobel prize winners) as well as Dr. Watson (as in Watson and Crick) and worked in a nobel laureate's lab, Barbara Mclintock. Realised basic scientific research was as cutthroat and political as Wallstreet, always grovelling for grants and became a Paramedic in New York City.

Then for a year, Ford Modeling "discovered" me and got me quite a few jobs for for Claude Montana (a uppity designer) , Vanity Fair etc. and I learned I could get paid alot of money for being anorexic. I made my cash, (close to six figures one summer), paid off all my parent's debt and split since it was such a sleezy business.

So now I work in the best job in the world, medicine...... exciting, my own boss, I hire and fire who I want, get to teach excited eager medical students, get great homemade baked goods from my patients, reset my own dislocated shoulders after a mountain biking accident, suture up my husband when he gets all cut up so he doesn't have to rot in an emergency room etc....the only caveat .......you don't get much sleep or vacations. (Despite the stereotype) However, you can still find time to race mountain bikes , have children and have a great life with your spouse if both of you are creative and energetic about making things work for both of you.

In other words, most of us did not have a clue about what we wanted to do, just follow your heart and talents...shoot for the stars, though you may never reach them, you might just land on the moon!