Career help? I need direction BIG UPDATE

Just going to share my 2 cents with my experiences, as I am kind of in the same boat as you.

I went to school at UW Whitewater to major in marine biology. It was my first choice because of their study abroad program in Australia. However, after my first year my heart and head were so far from being into the schooling deal. The thing that sent me over the top was talking to some of the other marine bio majors who knew literally nothing about the ocean. Im talking people that have been pursuing this major for 4-6 years. I realized the degree I wanted would ultimately take me atleast 8 years to get with no guarantee of a decent paying job. I personally, dont need to make a huge amount of money to be happy, but Im a guy that loves projects and building things. To do so a big enough budget is required of course.

My family is self employed, we do epoxy flooring related work. Ive been lucky enough to have a decent paying job since I was 14, but I can only really attribute that to my family. Picking up something in the trades at an early age leaves alot of room to learn and grow. Electricians makes good money, so do plumbers and steamfitters make really good money! However, the work can be physical. For example, when Im working I generally work 12 hour days until the job is done, sometimes more. Most trades dont work this way, but we arent unionized of course. The union guys on commercial jobs pretty much sit around and drink coffee for the first part of the day, pretend to work for a couple hours, then leave by two or three. lol If you can get into a line of work like this, put in your time and move up the ranks to be a project manager or expediter the money is good and you arent beating the crap out of yourself everyday. Im currently at the same crossroads where you are. Im giving it a bit more time to decide if Im going to go back to school for chemical engineering (for epoxy related applications) or stick it out a bit longer and work my way towards being a representative for an equipment manufacturer or chemical company. Either one can make for a good salary if you know what you are doing. Job experience is KEY to being GOOD though. So many guys have no idea what they are selling or doing. Its such a pain in the ass when you are dealing with reps that are less qualified than you... lol


Well the moral of my ramblings are, the trades are a good option. There are alot of people that get into it and dont move up, however there are also alot of smart guys that can flourish and do very well. Opportunities are there, you just have to work hard at it, progress everyday and show your worth. Good luck man. Im sure you will find whats right for you.

 

I think a degree that encourages analytical thought is the right way to go. I have a degree in Marine Biology from the University of Miami. I worked in a fisheries lab, and as a diver for NOAA while I was in college. Beyond that, I have not worked in the field at all. I immediately went into the business world after graduating. I work for a healthcare IT company, selling and implementing hospital wide EMR's. What is interesting is that my company hired my (17 years ago) specifically because I had a science degree, even though I would not be doing "science". They like the concept of being analytical, and they feel that it expands well into other fields. In my case it did. I was a DB analyst, then an Architect, then Project Manager and now an executive on the sales side of the house. My point here is that a 4 year degree is a good idea regardless of where you want to go, and if you are going to do a degree, do something that is attractive overall both to you and the market place. I LOVE marine science, and I am so happy I got my degree in that field. I had some amazing expereinces doing it. But it also prepared me for a professional job that really does a nice job of providing for my family (and allows me to have a nice fish tank). The other thing is if you are going to do that, do it right. Focus on your grades, and come out on the top of your class. It will open more doors for you.

On another note, the other thing I would look at is being an airline pilot. It also requires a 4 year degree, and the intial training investment is high...but once you get on with an airline and work for a few years, the salary grows quickly, and the work is light. My brother is a pilot for Delta, has been there about 15 years. He is in a very solid 6 figure job and works about 3-4 days a week. The demand for pilots is going to sky rocket in the coming years as well. They are predicting a major shortage of pilots in the near future.

 

I agree with those that say if your job is your hobby/passion, then it will stop being your hobby/passion. Work has a way of sapping that over time. Sometimes it leads to a very one dimensional person. Agree with the notion that folks don't like bringing work home w/them. . .

I view work as a way to fund my life, not as my life. Important to do something you like, find challenging (on your own personal scale), and has room to grow. I like giant companies because they are full of opportunity to move around and do different things. So you don't get bored.

As far as schooling, IME, I have found what your degree is in, doesn't really matter (as long as it's not some liberal arts degree - sorry to those who dig those). Nor does your grades. All employers care about, quite often, is that you have it. (unless you are going for some highly specific career choice). Any technical, business, or science degree will get your foot into almost any hiring door.

Some fields - take the diesel mechanic example. You may love that, but hate getting your nails dirty (to over simplify). Sometimes, to move up in a field (like have your own diesel mechanic business where you're the white collared boss) requires you to "pay your dues" at the bottom - earn your chops so you are taken seriously later. If you were going to do that, I'd say earning your chops is much easier in your 20s than your 30s, etc.

good luck
P

 

It's funny how perspectives differ. I'd be at the front of the line screaming "Get a trade! Not a degree!". Pick something that makes pretty good money and something you can tolerate doing pretty well. Give it 10 years and it's all the same whether you're serving coffee or performing surgeries. Of course there are exceptions, but where you are very undecided and fearful of dropping out, I don't know if I would invest in that many years.

Our daughter is the most educated receptionist in the world......

 

Yea I also went to community college, but again was not in the right state of mind (drinking/drugs) to be in school. Now i am 23, been in a relationship and living with my gf for 2 yrs. have held a steady job for the past year and a half, and we are both in the same boat of having no clue what to do for a career.
I think i could handle going to school, and sticking with it just to get the degree even if i decide i hate it. I already have a semester completed at my local community college for automotive, perhaps i will just finish it up.

and thanks for all the great advice so far!

would also really like to be a personal trainer, but not sure of the demand for that in upstate ny, and in this economy.

 

Community college is good! Is that what we are calling a degree? Where I'm from our school system is not set up the same and the terms are different. A degree in my home is basically 4-5 years of University.

 

Good advice so far.

When you get some time, go to your local big book store, grab a coffee and a pile of 100 top jobs for 2013 or 2020 career type books and peruse them.
They'll tell you the education you need, growth outlook, salary and responsibilities the jobs entail. It'll give you a lot of good ideas to think about.

Globalization is constently reshaping the country so I'm a big believer in the thought, if you have a trade, hvac or electrician etc..., you'll physically be needed and you're job isn't in jeopardy is being phased out.

If you're really driven, you may want to consider a business so you can go the self employed route. Why? Because you MAY realize you'll never "get rich workin' for the man"!
Heck, many folks that own a successful local pizza shop do incredibly well.

What ever you choose, give it 110%!

 

Went to community college for two years, earned assoc. degree
Went to Florida State University, earned B.A.
Worked 14 years as a project manager for builder until the economy took a dump a few years back then lost my job.
Now working as a store manager/field tech for pool company.

Work will always be a 4-letter word! That's why we have scuba diving, surfing and our tanks!

 

Sooooo looks like i have a lot of thinking to do, i work for my uncle, and when ever i get an idea in my head as far as a career path he goes "well do you love doing it?" and then tells me how if i don't love doing it its not worth doing and gets me all off track! its terrible. and i just wanna get out of here working for him. i make like $300 gross a week. Its not enough.

 

Don't go to law school. Whatever you do, don't go to law school.

Look man, I'm going to be contrary. Stop worrying about your career choice. If you don't know what you want to do for the rest of your life then you don't know. Do something for now. You sound like you're perfectly capable of holding down a job and enjoying your weekends, so do it.

I flunked out of college at 22. I was sure I had to have a path all figured out. I flunked out big and for a lot of the same reasons you had trouble. I'm now 43, have two undergrad degrees, a law degree, and I do great work. I also got to go screw around in Europe and Africa for a while then come here and work and enjoy being young with friends for a while after that.

Relax. Do something and see if you like it. If you don't, do something else. People invest some decisions with way more mistique than they deserve. If you buy the wrong house, sell it. If you do the wrong job, do another. Sure some bad decisions will cost you time or money or both; but thats just life and you usually have more of one and if you keep a good attitude and work hard, there will probably of the other.

What should you do with your career? Who cares. It'll come.