Career advice...

[elwesso]

Well I was hoping to have some ideas of stuff I might like to do later in life by the end of the summre, and I have sucessfully not done anything.. School starts back up in 3 weeks and I need to have some ideas... Most everyone else I know of knows exactly what they want to do, and a lot of people have already sent in applications.....

Main thing is, I just dont know what sorta job options are out there... Seeing theres so many things to choose from I can hardly pick something I think id like to do...

I was going to post this in the general chat section, but I prefer to get responses that mean something, and I think everyone is a lot more personal around here.. We all know each other so well I think we would recognize each other without knowing what we look like...

I would appreciate any leads to certain careers or schools.....

Thanks a bunch guys.....

[louiegz]

Wes, We know you like golf & Qs. You already mentioned that you wouldn't like working on cars for a living, and your not about to join the PGA tour, so what are your interests.

[elwesso]

Well you basically nailed it there

I like designing stuff, but I would only want to do something like that if Id get to build it or at least like manage its construction... I woudlnt like being able to design somethning and not know how it turns out and such..

I do like tinkering with things... Taking things apart and putting them back together... I remember when I was about 8 my parents got a new toaster and gave me the old one, and I was set for about 2 days... Even yesterday I took apart a broken digital camera just for fun (BTW did you konw that canon uses a LOT of sony components in their cameras, the CCD on the digital was a sony)..

I dont really see myself working a job where I am not in a lot of control.. Basically in everything I do I have a lot of free reign... Sort of a deal, if it gets done, people dont say anything... The idea of having a lot peoeple telling me what to do and how to do it doesnt appeal to me... Restraints are one thing but I cant stand nagging.....

[Jesda]

Well you basically nailed it there

I like designing stuff

INTERIOR DECORATOR!(Or architect.)

I do like tinkering with things... Taking things apart and putting them back together...

You could always become the next unabomber.(Or an engineer.)

[quote=" elwesso Restraints are one thing but I cant stand nagging..... [/quote]

Well that pretty much leaves you with living alone in a shack in the woods and hunting and fishing for sustenance.

Note to self: NEVER EVER choose "Guidance Counselor" as a career.

-Jesda

[Jesda]

Oh yeah, also consider studying medicine.

[elwesso]

My dad and my grandpa have been doctors, and thats DEFINITELY somehting I dont want to do...

I dont like sick people, and just the amount of schooling and such required (4 college, 4 graduate, 3 years residency) doesnt seem worth it to me... Plus I just dont enjoy medicine like that.....

[rydwhite]

Wes, sometimes careers aren't something that are really planned. I went into college as a biology major and quickly learned that I wanted nothing to do with biology so I became a geology major. Well, that didn't work out either, turned out I needed a bunch of chemistry and physics, which I hated. So, I found my calling in Political Science. The only problem with Poly Sci is there aren't many jobs out there for Poly Sci majors. That then leads itself to where 80% of Poly Sci majors go, Law School. Next thing you know I am a Paralegal at a law firm and get offered a job as Program Manager at one of our clients. Now I'm in upper management of a medical device company. It all just happened out of some luck and some hard work.

So my point is, you're probably not going to know what you want to do. Choosing your career path at 17/18 years old is not something that should really be a priority. You will find what you want to do along the way. Explore different things, classes and then whatever you find yourself enjoying is what you should follow. Some people know right away what they want to do and exactly the path they are going to take. I wanted to go into marine biology when I left high school and look where I ended and the path that got me here. I never could have predicted it.

Follow your interests. If you like golf so much, but aren't going to be on the PGA tour, maybe you should look at something along the lines of Golf Course/Club management. If you like taking things apart and learning how they work, take some mechanical engineering courses. There are plenty of jobs in the engineering field that allow the engineer to take something from inital thought all the way through distribution. The engineers that I work with come up with the idea of the device, design the device, test the device, and then provide ongoing support once the device has hit the Dr.'s hands.

So, don't limit yourself right now. Once you get into college take a very eclectic course load and see what you enjoy and follow it from there. You never know what you'll find.

[elwesso]

I can say after working in the golf industry for 3 years, its a LOT of work and while I guess its OK, its still not something I would want to as a living... Making golf my job would take away the fun.....

With mechanical engieering and maybe some sort of fabrication degrees, I think that would have a lot of opportunities...

I guess that would put me at purdue for engineering...

[rydwhite]

Mybrother started out at Purdue for mechanical engineering and now he is working in video production and computer animation. Purdue is a very good school. Also don't forget about Rose Hulman Institure of Technology (R HIT), it is an excellent school. I know that all of our engineers and many of the engineers we deal with went to R HIT. Don't forget about IUPUI. I think it is an excellent school for exploratory options. They have pretty much every degree that IU and Purdue has, so there are many more options than at just IU or Purdue.

I would also suggest from talking with my brother that you be careful about going to Purdue your freshman year as a mechanical engineering major. The course load is tremendous I guess. He had 2 mandatory classes that were ranked in the top 5 courses at all US Universities in drop out and failure rate. He had no life except for studying that first year. That is one of the big reasons he decided to take a different based in computer animation.

[elwesso]

I would personally prefer not going to such a large school..... No particular reason just prefer the small school atmosphere more.....

[louiegz]

I'm with you. I don’t like being told what to do. In a way, I'm lucky. I took over the family business. That's why I can be irresponsible and be on NICO all day because I'm the boss. We don't always get to do what we want. I studied photography and the year that I worked in it, it paid $hit. Now I sell rice and beans to restaurants, and make some good cash. Go figure. I don't exactly do what I want for a living, but I own two homes, an investment property, I’ve traveled to places as far as Japan, and got my wife a new BMW, and yes, I'm starting to save for a large down payment to get a new M45 in 5 years or so. If I would have stayed with what I like doing in photography, I'd be happy with my work but I'd be poor. It all depends on your priorities.

Well, enough of me. Lest see about you. Correct me if I’m wrong, you graduated high school already and you’re going to start college, right? It sounds to me from your first statement that you haven’t even applied to college yet. Isn’t it too late already for this coming semester? It’s been a long time since I did it back in 1986, but I think I already knew where I was going by June. What colleges are you interested in going to? College is not a guarantee, but it’s a must. It sounds to me though that you’re more interested in a trade and working with your hands. Are you into computers? Electronics? Automotive, maybe as working for a manufacture and involved in designing cars? You’re a good student, right? Study engineering. I was going to study engineering, but when I saw it had nothing to do with driving trains… Insert rim shot here. Enough of my bad joke. Wes, when I was a little kid, I use to love drawing cars. Back in the late 70’s when I was in grammar school, I use to love the Triumph TR7. I use to draw it constantly. I would make my own designs. I use to build model car. I loved and I still do. It would have been great if I would have gone in that direction if I had better grades. I was more inclined to the arts. I’m a musician, (I play bass and guitar and, yes, I played tuba for my HS marching band) and I studied photography. If you have good grades and you’re studious, then engineering sound good for you. See what you need to study to apply it to the automotive industry. Of course the whole nagging and deadlines come into that line of work but the rewards will outweigh the bad. If you don’t want to take orders then start your own business that makes custom cars. Call it the Wessymoblie, or the W45, making crazy 600hp g50s with 6 speed manuals and twin turbos. Yes. in a perfect world.

[WAMP]

There are several ways to go about it. You can try to be versetile, an engineering degree then law or MBA, for example. Or focus and be specialized in one field, 5yrs in architecture school.(which is what I did) Of course there are pros and cons to each. Either way college is definitely the place to try and find out what your career interests are. Don't worry about getting locking into a major at first. Try to get into co-ops and summer jobs/internships to find a field that may interest you and to build up work experience. Like rydwhite said though, there are plenty of people in great positions who ended up there unexpectedly and in a round about way. Good luck.

[rydwhite]

I would personally prefer not going to such a large school..... No particular reason just prefer the small school atmosphere more.....

Well that rules out Purdue, IU, IUPUI, Ball State, and Notre Dame at least for in state schools. Do you want to stay in state? Butler, Wabash, Depaw and Univeristy of Indianapolis are a few extremely good Liberal Arts schools in state.

[Rex]

Figure out what you like to do & I don't mean law, medical, architecture, engineer, etc. I mean math, logic, theory, language, problem solving, etc. The traits/habits/"disciplines" you enjoy should be key parts of helping find a career arena.

You can find some interesting information here or maybe decide on a VoTech school?

[louiegz]

I would personally prefer not going to such a large school..... No particular reason just prefer the small school atmosphere more.....

I always felt that you should go to the most reputable school, in the field that you plan to go into. It always looks good in your resume. The better the school, the better job you get considered for. My brother and I friend of both went to University of Pennsylvania, under grad, and my brother went to Columbia Law & my friend stayed at U of Penn law, all Ivy League schools. It goes without saying that these two guys have good jobs that make very good money. Another friend went to Fordham in NY, he does well, but not as well as the other guys. It also help that you’re a smart guy. My friend that went to Penn law is very smart and he’s doing the best of all of them. You’re a bright guy, so you’ll do well.

[Highway Q45]

If I had it all to do over again at your age I would take 2 years off and travel the World. Americans can find short term jobs all over Europe today. Everyone today acts like it's career death to not jump right into college with a game plan after high school. What's the difference if you are turned down for a job 2 years later than sooner...you're still turned down. No one I know has ever taken enough time off right out of college...too many student loans to pay back and the fear that someone else will get your "job" if you don't hustle. I just feel taking a break right now is more of a maturation process than trying to decide where your life or career will lead you. Open your mind to other cultures and environments; maybe some of your perspectives on your future just might get clearer...if not you got a chance to meet a lot of chicks and party before entering the real world of academia and the almighty buck.

[elwesso]

I am going to be a HS senior next year, so thats why I havent been going too crazy... I still have to sorta konw what Im doing though.....

I see what your saying louie, and if thats the case going to a big school may be necessary.... Itd be a shame to be as well prepared as the next guy but not getting a really good job ebcuase i didnt go to an as reputable college...

A custom shop like that would be, yes, in a perfect world... Maybe when Im loaded in 30 years I can open it up just for fun...

[louiegz]

As Ryan made it crystal clear in his posts, there are many fine school in Indiana. Choose the best one you get into and you will do fine. Man, it's great to be young. So many options. You have your whole life in front of you. Don't be worried about mistakes. You'll make them. I know I've made a lot. All in all I'm happy. Your a good kid and I hope all works out best for you. I'm sure it will.

[Jesda]

Good god, I keep forgetting how young you are. Fascinating thread.

I've majored in: Business administration, psychology, law, political science, and one other thing I dont recall. The more things I try, the more things I seem to like/hate, the more I change my mind.

I wanted to be a doctor since I was a child but opted out when reality set in. My folks seem to work 65 hour weeks. That would likely kill me.

So I chose business as a compromise. You can go into any field with an MBA. Its valuable in and of itself but also functions as a stepping stone. My folks are in medicine but also run a medium sized corporation.

So keep your options open.

-Jesda

[911/Q45]

A smart person told me once that if you have a passion that can feed you, follow that. Otherwise, find a lucrative job that can support your passion. I loved cars, but couldn't see any position I'd fit into that would feed me. So I found a job that paid well and let me retire at 46. Now I can play with my passion, but regret wasting so much of my life at a job I didn't like.

[1992Q45A]

If I had it all to do over again at your age I would take 2 years off and travel the World. Americans can find short term jobs all over Europe today. Everyone today acts like it's career death to not jump right into college with a game plan after high school. What's the difference if you are turned down for a job 2 years later than sooner...you're still turned down. No one I know has ever taken enough time off right out of college...too many student loans to pay back and the fear that someone else will get your "job" if you don't hustle. I just feel taking a break right now is more of a maturation process than trying to decide where your life or career will lead you. Open your mind to other cultures and environments; maybe some of your perspectives on your future just might get clearer...if not you got a chance to meet a lot of chicks and party before entering the real world of academia and the almighty buck.

That i some of the best advice that could ever be given

[rsiwicki]

Wes...don't concentrate so much on the future and have more fun ($hit...you are even stressing my 31 year old a$$ out)...The future will come soon enough with your career path finding you or you finding it. I know it is good to plan ahead, but at your age take the advice from others above....that is why you have about 2 years of general college courses to take before you really need to hammer down and select a major. No matter what you do, you will always have somebody telling you what you can and can't do...either from a boss, board of directors, stockholders, and lastly but not the smallest person...the US Gov't always loves to tell you what you can and can't do (especially if you own your own business). I took those damn physco aptitude tests in high school and they were no help what so ever and told me I should be a repair man or a doctor becuase we both liked taking things apart/fixing them/and putting them back together again. Go figure....

Find a career you enjoy or find a career that allows you to enjoy life outside of the work environment. If time permits...take some time off before getting into the work force after college...I did for 6 months before started looking for a job and loved every single second of it...but have yet to find the time to take 2+ weeks off to go traveling across the world.

[Highway Q45]

Find a career you enjoy or find a career that allows you to enjoy life outside of the work environment. If time permits...take some time off before getting into the work force after college...I did for 6 months before started looking for a job and loved every single second of it...but have yet to find the time to take 2+ weeks off to go traveling across the world.

Good Advice- I was able to travel for 18 months, sometimes alone sometimes with company but enjoyed it all. It helped me overcome the constant pressure of parents and "concerned" friends with the bottomless advice bucket. After my travels I did better than I'd ever done in school before and put behind all the really stupid behavior that seemed to plague me right out of High School. You have a long life ahead of you, don't waste it all when you are young, you never get to go back and take that time over until you're too old like me!

[Jesda]

A two year break after high school is what I did as well. Except I found other activities :beer and kept my traveling within US and Canadian borders.

Its not a bad idea to get the "Who am I and why the hell am I on this earth?" nonsense out of the way before you dive into college. It takes a lot of motivation and self-determination to want to stay in college and finish it, especially at the price it is these days.

-Jesda

[elwesso]

As I was expecting this is very good advice...

Wow, i couldnt even imagine a year just to travel and such... That would be awesome, go across the country in the Q... Oh man!!!

I think more/less I need to figure out what SCHOOL i want to go to now, and then I can figure out the career path and such..

[VimyJ]

If you have the aptitude for math, take engineering. It seems to lead to the widest variety of jobs. Science would also be a good choice. If you find you don't care for your initial choice, you can transfer your courses to other areas.

[sultan]

i just took the exam for my last summer class (50 questions, took 15 minutes to do), now i have 1 semester left of college until i get a bachelors in business administration. what will i do after that? beats the hell outta me, right now i make jack s*** working in a phone center and i certainly don't want to stay there long. business major has got to be the easiest thing to do. i would have chosen something else, but i dislike everything else my school offers.

that's not really advice, but whatever. maybe i can get a job at the new discount tire they're building near me.

[natsoundup]

maybe you could go to school for business....

.....and open T3 Midwest.

That seems to be your true passion.

It's pretty clear to me.

[driverdriver]

Wes,

Don't sweat it you got lots of time. I ended up studying political science in university, couldn't find a job after finishing school and then went on to study a bit of marketing (while working as a Toronto cabbie). These days I really do neither, I went back to school a good many number of years ago and did IT and work in the profession as a consultant (even in IT I held different jobs over the years, application architect, programmer/analyst, DBA, project manager, manager, etc). I can tell you though that in recent years my marketing education and political science education/knowledge/background has put me head and shoulder over other job candidates in landing assignments working IT in both advertising and the political "industries". When I'm in between jobs (tech was really bad in 2001 and 2002), I worked at a buddies used car dealership as a salesman, and at another buddies shop that specializes in tuning Acura's and Honda's in the Toronto Area.

My advice get a versatile education in a school where they give you as much "hands-on" or related to the "real world" education as one can possible get and never shut an open doors, explore everything related to your interests.

I will probably change careers again in a couple of years and do something completley different.

[elwesso]

Actually, I think Nat hit it on the nail..... That is my dream there, to open an exotic car shop where people with really different cars (old Q45s, BMWs, Mercedes, jaguar, etc) can bring their car in and get better than dealer work done, and have something where the people are specialized in that specific car and know it inside and out.....

We would have the Q45 covered ( )...