I think its time for a dose of reality in this thread. There are literally billions of people in China and India trying to get away from poverty like you have never experienced. If that means pushing the guy trying to make a living out archey into ditch its not going to be contest. By walking away and do something you enjoy you risk being the 40 year old guy doing something no one is willing to pay for anymore and no qualifications worth damn. There hard times coming and the welfare state that the west has lived in the past 50 years isn't affordable anymore. You are probably going to have to work until you're 70 before getting a much reduced level pension than is available now. The question is do you want to risk spending 50 years of your life living a hand to mouth existence just because you are bored with computers?
Career Choice Worries
- Thread starter TriGGeR_HaPPy
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Why not try and combine the two? Work in programming/IT and have your own Archery website on the side or work for an existing archery site and try to develop it for them. You could review archery equipment and keep the website running at the same time, something that a company might find pretty useful. And if you have spare time do some work on the side to make a bit of extra cash. Since you could work from home over the internet then you can live whereever you need to to have your low cost living as long as there is a decent web connection.
Also good to see another archer on the site
Also good to see another archer on the site
To be honest, I think the best way to respond to your problem is this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lkn8MS3n8Q
I would also recommend that if you just want to feel better about your life or the world in general, I urge you to watch the many videos of the man in that link, John Green.
Seriously, I think the man spews out good feelings like a reverse-sponge.
I would also recommend that if you just want to feel better about your life or the world in general, I urge you to watch the many videos of the man in that link, John Green.
Seriously, I think the man spews out good feelings like a reverse-sponge.
I chose biochemistry for my major because I thought I wanted to be a forensic lab tech. I was never sure about it from the beginning and the work load was a kick in the nuts. But by the end of my sophomore year I didn't really have any doubts about continuing it. I decided I didn't really want an easy major or career (ironic considering I'm so lazy) and I'd rather push myself to learn more valuable things. I just like the prestige of working in a lab and I always love the people who work in this field like my professors and classmates.
But to help you out, I don't really think people have that "one special job that's right for you." That's biggest bullshit I was ever fed growing up. I like my major I but work in tech support at my school right now and love that too. I could have also gone into computers if I wanted to or maybe biology and I bet I'd be just as happy. Of course, you're deciding between 2 paths that seem opposite so my advice might not be very helpful. I think you should stick with computers right now though because you can always get into archery later. I imagine you're 20 so you've got a long life ahead to set up your life doing what you want to do
But to help you out, I don't really think people have that "one special job that's right for you." That's biggest bullshit I was ever fed growing up. I like my major I but work in tech support at my school right now and love that too. I could have also gone into computers if I wanted to or maybe biology and I bet I'd be just as happy. Of course, you're deciding between 2 paths that seem opposite so my advice might not be very helpful. I think you should stick with computers right now though because you can always get into archery later. I imagine you're 20 so you've got a long life ahead to set up your life doing what you want to do
Ummm, why don't you get a teaching degree and work in a small town. Almost every country in the world need more teachers rurally...IndomitableSam said:
I can tell you from experience that anyone can do a teaching degree. I'm not saying you can walk in off the street and get a qualification but the stuff you learn (not the content which needs to be taught; the actual teaching side) is all pretty straight forward if you think about it for longer than a moment.
If you truely want to be a teacher, you can do it. It might take a couple of goes at some units but provided you actually put in effort I see no reason why a literate person who can understand and apply basic concepts can't become a teacher.
Just quickly, inb4 denigrating teaching as a profession: I'm a fourth year education student and I will be working full time in a school on my final prac starting next week. I'm not saying it's not a lot of work, I'm saying it's easy enough stuff to get your head around.
Build your own house? Most people in your position would be worried about getting out of debt, but i'm assuming that's already taken care of since it didn't come up.
After leaving school i went straight into working as a computer builder and fixer since it was something i could do, turns out as a job i absolutely hated doing it, my approach to working now is every job i have i'm going to hate, just make sure i get decent hours so i have enough free time to enjoy life.
As far as university goes i only have my sister to talk about, she spent several years doing photography and now works not in photography so... yeah.
Sorry, no easy answers from me.
After leaving school i went straight into working as a computer builder and fixer since it was something i could do, turns out as a job i absolutely hated doing it, my approach to working now is every job i have i'm going to hate, just make sure i get decent hours so i have enough free time to enjoy life.
As far as university goes i only have my sister to talk about, she spent several years doing photography and now works not in photography so... yeah.
Sorry, no easy answers from me.
I should clarify that when I taught, I was still a librarian. I taught library classes, story-time, library use and research skills. I don't want to be a classroom teacher. At all. I know too many and the hassles they go through and I rspect them immensely for what they do. They all love it and wouldn't trade it for the world, but I can't put in 8 hours a day at school, then go home and work a couple+ more hours in the evenings as well as attend school events, coach teams, do lunch events... I did that for a year and was exhausted. That's not me... I want to go in and put in my 8 hours and be done.StBishop said:
I love librarianship, and I love working with people and doing a variety of work... which isn't what I get here. I mean, yes, I work with books that are centuries old, do in-deapth research into weird interesting topics and such... but most of my job is sitting at a desk dealing with ordering books, magazines, and working on spreadsheets. It's not as interactive and friendly as schools or public libraries. And everything is a lot more 'policy policy policy' and rigid. That's not me at all.
Try following your studied career path first. Doubts are all too natural. Who knows, you might end up liking it after all. Work and studies are quite different after all. And if you don't, you can still decide to do something else - and you'll have more money to do so.TriGGeR_HaPPy said:
It's usually easier this way than the other way round - starting/continuing a career after a long break - and the life you're dreaming of right now might not turn out as good as you imagine it right now. Many people try to turn their hobby into their profession, their dreams into reality, but it doesn't work out for everyone. Which doesn't mean you shouldn't try, of course - but think carefully about it.
Your two alternatives might not be that exclusive in the first place. Companies in rural areas often have troubles finding qualified people, and might offer relatively generous working conditions. Shorter hours, perhaps, which would leave you more time to pursue your hobbies.
I say follow what you're passionate about. It's something you're going to be doing every day so you're gonna wanna be happy while you're doing it.
I saw this, knowing I'm in a similar boat. I have a communications degree with a specialization in sports broadcasting, unfortunately where I live sports broadcasting is in short demand. Rural South Carolina doesn't really have a whole lot going for it outside of small-time college sports (with the exception of Clemson and USC) but most of those programs already have established broadcast teams and don't want an "inexperienced" broadcaster to bring on.
I also want to get into film school but find myself lagging in funds right now. It's tough. I work part time at a gym, am looking for a second job or a full-time one to replace it, and still can't find work in my field of study.
I saw this, knowing I'm in a similar boat. I have a communications degree with a specialization in sports broadcasting, unfortunately where I live sports broadcasting is in short demand. Rural South Carolina doesn't really have a whole lot going for it outside of small-time college sports (with the exception of Clemson and USC) but most of those programs already have established broadcast teams and don't want an "inexperienced" broadcaster to bring on.
I also want to get into film school but find myself lagging in funds right now. It's tough. I work part time at a gym, am looking for a second job or a full-time one to replace it, and still can't find work in my field of study.
I have a Software Engineering degree.
I like programming. I get paid well, which means I can spend my free time doing other things I like doing. Sure my job can be boring (Testing) or even frustrating (Support), but overall I'm satisfied and happy.
Then again, I did start out with the intention of going to law school and becoming a lawyer, until I decided I didn't really want it. Which is why I quit my degree program with only a semester left. People thought I was crazy, my wife was definitely not happy.
But now? So fucking glad I did. Software development, for me, is infinitely more rewarding than busting my ass as a lawyer would have been.
Then again, you can have days like today, where I literally can't do a damn thing because the device I was working on coding the interface for decided to freeze up and the manufacturer isn't responding. I'm literally sitting here playing Poker Night at the inventory because I can't do anything else on my project until the manufacturer tells me how to reboot the damn thing because none of the buttons do anything, and I'm not about to take it apart looking for the battery since there are combustible gases inside.
I like programming. I get paid well, which means I can spend my free time doing other things I like doing. Sure my job can be boring (Testing) or even frustrating (Support), but overall I'm satisfied and happy.
Then again, I did start out with the intention of going to law school and becoming a lawyer, until I decided I didn't really want it. Which is why I quit my degree program with only a semester left. People thought I was crazy, my wife was definitely not happy.
But now? So fucking glad I did. Software development, for me, is infinitely more rewarding than busting my ass as a lawyer would have been.
Then again, you can have days like today, where I literally can't do a damn thing because the device I was working on coding the interface for decided to freeze up and the manufacturer isn't responding. I'm literally sitting here playing Poker Night at the inventory because I can't do anything else on my project until the manufacturer tells me how to reboot the damn thing because none of the buttons do anything, and I'm not about to take it apart looking for the battery since there are combustible gases inside.
I'm not sure yet. If you look at the map on their website, you can see there are a lot of locations to choose from. I guess I'll probably do a shorter one near by, south California, to start. After that I'll try something farther away. California's nice, but I'm getting tired of the weather never changing.Kenami said:
That sounds cool. That was something I was looking into before I took my last job (Graphic Designer at a production company) but now that this job is done (I want to do different things) I might consider that route again. I'm in New York City and as much as I love it here it does get to a point where you get a strong desire towards having a different area to be around and a different pace of life.Zombie Sodomy said:
Im 40 myself i dimly recall the time and issues myself i was all set heading down the investment banking route, Then abotut half way through my A levels i cracked under the pressure of living with an abusive alcoholic father, found the joy of self deletion through drinking and spiraled into crippling depression, ended up not even making it to Uni and taking a job as a mechanic, it was horrific , nightmare boss everyone there was a total dick but the money! id say i stayed just for the cash but in truth i was too scared to try and move on to. but after 7 years i had bought and paid for my first house.
Took a year off working then got a job in a pizza shop through a friend of a friend. horrific hours working all hours of the night all weekend ever week and most of the days inbetween. Conditions you couldnt keep a dog in the heat the hours, the barely minimum wage, it was FREAKING AWESOME! the boss was a tight ass but a great guy and the whole staff were a team , like a second family after a while, used to wake up looking forward to going to work , and even better going to bed not dreading the next day for the first time in my life. And i found out something , i love cooking food i love making great food for people to enjoy theres a great and immediate feedback on feeding people. I had never really enjoyed or even cooked much at all before here, heck they had to show me how to peel an onion.
My sister did a biology degree, took a job with a food testing place, hated it did some web page design , veraious otehr stuff and finally settled as a tech writer for google.
whats my point? well im not sad i did that horrid job the money set me up, but knowing what its like to do something you love i couldn't go back now. money is no substitute for spending your days doing something that rewards your own drives and needs and you will be amazed at the places people find those things, so follow what you think you want to do and if it doesn't work , change it.
myself i was all set heading down the investment banking route, Then abotut half way through my A levels i cracked under the pressure of living with an abusive alcoholic father, found the joy of self deletion through drinking and spiraled into crippling depression, ended up not even making it to Uni and taking a job as a mechanic, it was horrific , nightmare boss everyone there was a total dick but the money! id say i stayed just for the cash but in truth i was too scared to try and move on to. but after 7 years i had bought and paid for my first house.Took a year off working then got a job in a pizza shop through a friend of a friend. horrific hours working all hours of the night all weekend ever week and most of the days inbetween. Conditions you couldnt keep a dog in the heat the hours, the barely minimum wage, it was FREAKING AWESOME! the boss was a tight ass but a great guy and the whole staff were a team , like a second family after a while, used to wake up looking forward to going to work , and even better going to bed not dreading the next day for the first time in my life. And i found out something , i love cooking food i love making great food for people to enjoy theres a great and immediate feedback on feeding people. I had never really enjoyed or even cooked much at all before here, heck they had to show me how to peel an onion.
My sister did a biology degree, took a job with a food testing place, hated it did some web page design , veraious otehr stuff and finally settled as a tech writer for google.
whats my point? well im not sad i did that horrid job the money set me up, but knowing what its like to do something you love i couldn't go back now. money is no substitute for spending your days doing something that rewards your own drives and needs and you will be amazed at the places people find those things, so follow what you think you want to do and if it doesn't work , change it.
I'm going for engineering technology. I have no idea what I 'want' to do, so I'll just keep doing this. Yeah, I'm hopeless.
You should totally do archery stuff. I think it's better to be homeless doing something you love for the rest of your life than it is to make a lot of money doing something you don't have much feeling for, and if you can do the thing you love and not be homeless that's even better.
I'm in my third year of university, pursuing a Bachelor's in Software Engineering. This is the thing I've wanted to do more than anything since I was about eight years old, and it's the only thing I really enjoy doing. People tell me I'm lucky because jobs in this field pay well, but honestly I couldn't care less, I'd still do it if it didn't pay a thing. Hell, it might not pay a thing, given my ethical ideals (read: my extreme discomfort with the thought of charging people for software), and I'm perfectly okay with that. It's better than spending my life doing something I don't derive much joy from.
I'm in my third year of university, pursuing a Bachelor's in Software Engineering. This is the thing I've wanted to do more than anything since I was about eight years old, and it's the only thing I really enjoy doing. People tell me I'm lucky because jobs in this field pay well, but honestly I couldn't care less, I'd still do it if it didn't pay a thing. Hell, it might not pay a thing, given my ethical ideals (read: my extreme discomfort with the thought of charging people for software), and I'm perfectly okay with that. It's better than spending my life doing something I don't derive much joy from.
So I didn't read the whole thread....which I shouldn't be admitting to I guess. Having said that, yes, you should go with your heart and do archery and houses made out of materials that I've never heard of.
You know, as long as you're fine with not having kids or a significant other. The latter is a bit more flexible (you'd have to find the right person) but the former is not. Assuming you're in a position where you're still not making money and are kinda...doing whatever, that is your choice (and your very, very understanding partner's). But you shouldn't be condemning kids to the same. Sometimes responsibility means giving up on your dreams for other's sake.
Having said that if you pursue it for a couple years and it works out well, then kids are fine.
I just....generally speaking there is more to your life than just you. That's all.
You know, as long as you're fine with not having kids or a significant other. The latter is a bit more flexible (you'd have to find the right person) but the former is not. Assuming you're in a position where you're still not making money and are kinda...doing whatever, that is your choice (and your very, very understanding partner's). But you shouldn't be condemning kids to the same. Sometimes responsibility means giving up on your dreams for other's sake.
Having said that if you pursue it for a couple years and it works out well, then kids are fine.
I just....generally speaking there is more to your life than just you. That's all.
I've made it a point to be utterly flexible in a "career". FACT: What you studied in college shouldn't necessarily define your career path. I may have a degree in Computer Engineering, but after graduating, I felt that any person with a willingness to get trained can hold my job. After a grueling 250+ units of studies, you know how many of them were used in my job right now (software engineer/ETL/BI Consultant)? A grand total of FOUR.
I've realized this quite early (going on 4 years since getting employed), so what I decided is that I'll be doing whatever gives the most cash at any given point. I made it a mission to extract the most dollars in the least amount of time (other than my day job as a consultant, I'm also involved in sales, part time). The sooner I earn big, the sooner I can get that money to work for me, freeing up 8 hours of my day to just do the things I want.
What you studied in college does not necessarily represent how the rest of your worklife is gonna turn out. Seize every opportunity, be wise with money and just do what you feel is the right thing to do for you. I have a workmate who was originally a Business Administration graduate, but now codes applications for more than 6 years now. I even have some friends who graduated and are licensed Chemical Engineers but work in the IT Industry writing code for bank systems.
I've realized this quite early (going on 4 years since getting employed), so what I decided is that I'll be doing whatever gives the most cash at any given point. I made it a mission to extract the most dollars in the least amount of time (other than my day job as a consultant, I'm also involved in sales, part time). The sooner I earn big, the sooner I can get that money to work for me, freeing up 8 hours of my day to just do the things I want.
What you studied in college does not necessarily represent how the rest of your worklife is gonna turn out. Seize every opportunity, be wise with money and just do what you feel is the right thing to do for you. I have a workmate who was originally a Business Administration graduate, but now codes applications for more than 6 years now. I even have some friends who graduated and are licensed Chemical Engineers but work in the IT Industry writing code for bank systems.
To a certain extent. Currently I am planning on entering the Air Force after I get my Physics Degree at the Citadel. Currently I am shooting for a pilot's slot, but I am honestly just conflicted over other things I love. I have 50 flight hours under my belt in Cessnas and I've absolutely adored it. However, I also love the idea of working more on the ground as Security Forces or something of that nature. Seeing as decent officers are in fairly high demand for security forces(if I hear correctly) and pilot slots are a little on the difficult side to get, I might not get a choice in the matter. But still, its worth thinking about.
In addition to all of that I feel like I'll never get to really work with one of my great passions; history. I was originally going to get my degree in it, but the Air Force doesn't give money to people running after Liberal Arts, so I had to make a call on that which I wish I didn't have to.
In addition to all of that I feel like I'll never get to really work with one of my great passions; history. I was originally going to get my degree in it, but the Air Force doesn't give money to people running after Liberal Arts, so I had to make a call on that which I wish I didn't have to.
Sounds like you'd probably be a good school librarian. A good librarian can make reading so much more fun as a kid. I have had librarians from schools I've gone to (We moved a lot) see me years later and recognise me and ask how I'm going, really nice people. Perhaps this could be something you could do? Seems like working in a school library at in a small town might be what you're looking for.IndomitableSam said: