What you do for a living

[Xasthur]

So, I'm half-way through a Bachelor of Arts degree which I started because I have no idea what I want to do for a living, thinking I would get an idea of what I wanted to do fairly easily.

Half-way through my degree I find myself no closer to any sort of idea of what direction I want to take with employment. (I'm majoring in Sociology and Philosophy if that means anything to anyone)

The reason I mention this is because I am wondering what you all do for a living and how you enjoyable or fulfilling you find your work?

Thanks for your time, gents

[eagl]

I r a jet piolot.

No matter what you decide to do, get the degree finished first.  It's worth money...  Lots of money.

[Rolex]

If I told you the jobs I've done in my lifetime, you wouldn't believe me. I did return to work using my major, eventually. I don't think your situation is too unusual. The odds are pretty good that you'll do more than one type of job in your lifetime.

Have you ever listened in on a conversation between a middle-aged uncle and his young nephews or nieces? Sooner or later, he'll ask something like, "So, little Johnny, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

He's looking for ideas.

When people get deep into middle age, they start looking back at their lives and tallying their regrets. Some regret not having learned to play the violin, or followed their dream in a sport or other field when they were young and fit. They regret not having spent more time with some of their family or friends. They regret not having learned to paint, climbed that mountain or flown that plane.

No one ever sits back and sighs, "Gee, I wish I'd spent more time in the office..."

You might as well try to do the exotic while you're young. You can always go back to your degree field.

[Scherf]

Hmmm.

Figured out how to make a living at your chosen field? Might want to give that some thought as you approach the second half of your degree.

Cheers,

Scherf
[Official Curmudgeon to the Stars]

[Dinger]

Bah, university education isn't vocational education, or shouldn't be. A smart employer is one who recognizes intellectual curiosity and professional drive as assets. You don't get any do-overs in life, and there's no guarantee there will be  a tomorrow, so don't let employment concerns cheat you out of an education.

Philosophy is a great field to get an undergraduate degree in: law schools love classics and philosophy dudes; many companies hire professional ethicists for whatever reason. Being trained in systematic thinking has applications for all kinds of stuff.

My work keeps me busy beyond full time. I'm perpetually behind in projects and trying to get everything done, while satisfying my obligations to others in several countries. The pay's not great, but it keeps me living well, and I've been able to live in the US and many places in Europe. My office down at the department of Philosophy isn't big, and I have to share it with some others, but it's got a pretty good view of the Alps.

[eskimo2]

I went to college for six and a half years before I chose a major.  I enjoyed school, but decided that I had to move on.  I went to school a second time when I decided what I really wanted to do and earned a degree in that field.  While looking for a job, I worked as a substitute teacher.  Subbing made me decide to go into education; so I was then off to grad school.  Now I’ve been teaching for eight years.  It can be very rewarding.  Knowing that postmen and school bus drivers make much more than I sometimes leaves me wondering why I do what I do for a living.

- Key things to consider:
- Listen to what “they” tell you about future career demands.  (I.E. we have a huge nursing shortage in the US now.)
- If something appeals to you, look into how most folks in that field spend their time.  (Do you really want to work nights, travel, stick your arm up a horses butt, etc.)
- What percentage of graduates find decent jobs in their field?  (When I was hired for my first teaching job, only 1% of applicants in my district were hired.  That’s a huge investment to not get a job a poor paying job.)
- Many fields only pay well if you are willing to start/own your own business.  -  Most folks seem to think that architects earn a great living.  My wife has a degree in architecture yet earned a very modest salary while working in a firm.  Almost all of her classmates found themselves in the same situation.

[Nilsen]

Atm im a daytrader and are investing in some properties. Who knows what ill do next year, but prolly almost the same.

[lasersailor184]

Originally posted by Xasthur
So, I'm half-way through a Bachelor of Arts degree which I started because I have no idea what I want to do for a living, thinking I would get an idea of what I wanted to do fairly easily.

Half-way through my degree I find myself no closer to any sort of idea of what direction I want to take with employment. (I'm majoring in Sociology and Philosophy if that means anything to anyone)

The reason I mention this is because I am wondering what you all do for a living and how you enjoyable or fulfilling you find your work?

Thanks for your time, gents

Do you want fries with that?


I'm just kidding.  There's a demand for people with your major in the CIA and NSA.  I rag on my friend for being a history major all the time, but he's already got a post in the CIA.

[Ripsnort]

Many HR departments from major companies will pick you up in a heartbeat.  HR is big business these days, especially in the dept of ethics.

[Maverick]

I don't do anything for a living. I get paid to do nothing and have been since 94 at the age of 40.

Well at least that's the first time I retired. I flunked retirement. So far the number of retirements is up to 3 and holding.

The world is a big place and has jobs / careers for many fields. The trick is to pick one that you would enjoy doing for 20 to 40 years. The main crux is not how many $ you get each check, just that you get enough to be comfortable, plan for the time when you won't be working and that you ENJOY going to work each day. It won't matter if the check is big if you hate getting up every day to go to work. It will eventually kill you if that's the case.

That's not to say every day will be all roses. Even a rose has to deal with a bunch of salamanders, but if yo can still enjoy the day and the job in spite of them. You are ahead of the game.

Do some analysis of your own head. What do you WANT to do. What do you HAVE to do to get there. Then go do it. Don't be afraid of changing your mind and doing different things. You can change majors, heck you can change the entire focus of your career. One degree does not make an education. Spread yourself and look in as many directions as you can. Just don't wait until you are 50+ looking at retirment or have a house full of kids to support and then decide you didn't like what you did.

[midnight Target]

I majored in Bio-Sci and now I manage at a manufacturing company.

It all makes sense somehow.

[Hornet33]

A degree will get you this job........

A job for a person with a degree

Good luck:D

[nirvana]

I fix cars and I don't even have a high school diploma yet:aok

[Leslie]

Not sure you could call it a living....more like a mission from God.   Professional artist for 27 years in the pursuit of fine arts.  Some day I'll paint my masterpiece (Bob Dylan.)  If I measured success by income, I would be in a world of hurt today.  Tomorrow may be a different story.

First majored in Psychology at Auburn University.  Did well with Statistics and the math part.  Experimental lab work was not my cup of tea.  Did not want to experiment with rats and monkeys.

Changed major to Foreign Language (Spanish) because I already had 2 years  required by the school of arts and sciences.  For me, Spanish was enjoyable and I knew I better choose a major soon.  Went to Spain for 6 weeks and attended the University of Madrid on the Alabama-Auburn abroad program, and it was there (in Spain) I was inspired to be an artist.  Dropped out of college with about 25 hours remaining (couldn't wait to get started,) and apprenticed to a professional artist for a year.  Went back to school after 12 years and completed my degree in Spanish.  Class of 1990.  Should have been class of 1978.

My devotion is to my artwork.  I don't make much money from it.  What I do is comparable to a gold prospector working on his claim every day...maybe the next strike with the pickax will reveal pay dirt.  It is a dream I live for.  Foolish perhaps, but it keeps me occupied and happy.  Guess artwork is my full time job.  I've been called an entrepreneur.   Far as Spanish goes...am very rusty at it.   Seems many people do not find jobs in their field of study at college.  Even for art majors, only 3 out of 1000 end up being working artists.



A college degree is valuable no matter what the degree is in or whether the degree is related to the job.  Employers feel anyone capable of getting a degree is capable of handling more responsibility.  Now this was some time back I remember hearing employers in all fields were seeking Liberal Arts graduates because of the nature of their education involving the humanities.  And they were having a hard time filling these positions.  As to why, is up to speculation.  Could be these majors go into the teaching field rather than the business world.  

Not trying to tell anyone what to do but, right now, just get the degree.  It will be valuable to your income.  Compatibility with whatever you do for a living or spend all your time at will be of more importance in the long haul.  Good luck.





Les

[eskimo2]

Leslie,

Post some pictures of your work please; I'd like to see it.