So what are your careers? School? Was it hard to get a job? I'm a senior in high school right now and not totally sure what to do. I was thinking computers (IT) since it's pretty easy. But I realised that a lot of people are going in this field, so it will probably be hard to find a job, and the wages will be lower. I live in Chicago so if I would go into comps I'd go to Devry or IIT. But I've talked to a friend and I'm thinking of going into automotive. He's going to UTI I was thinking Automotive/Diesel & Industrial Technology or just Automotive Technology. But it says diesel will get you a more secure and better paying job. I really wouldn't mind collision repair, but that place is in Texas, so screw that. I'm thinking that I'll have better chance of a good job by going with automotive. Probably end up working at a dealership at the end or something. He said the school only lasts like a year and a half. I think it qualifies like 4 years of college. He said they'll find you a job too. What's your experience people?
-Mike
Career Choices
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BB Turbo
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My brother went to UTI for a little bit. He didnt like it, many, many reasons, including financial. They know their stuff, they teach good. Lots of hands on. He was aiming for the Diesel program also. He currently works at a collection agency is making plenty money without ever stepping a foot inside a college room.
Re: Career Choices
Slider wrote:So what are your careers? School? Was it hard to get a job? I'm a senior in high school right now and not totally sure what to do. I was thinking computers (IT) since it's pretty easy. But I realised that a lot of people are going in this field, so it will probably be hard to find a job, and the wages will be lower. I live in Chicago so if I would go into comps I'd go to Devry or IIT. But I've talked to a friend and I'm thinking of going into automotive. He's going to UTI I was thinking Automotive/Diesel & Industrial Technology or just Automotive Technology. But it says diesel will get you a more secure and better paying job. I really wouldn't mind collision repair, but that place is in Texas, so screw that. I'm thinking that I'll have better chance of a good job by going with automotive. Probably end up working at a dealership at the end or something. He said the school only lasts like a year and a half. I think it qualifies like 4 years of college. He said they'll find you a job too. What's your experience people?
-Mike
My dad recommended that I shy away from computer stuff. He mentioned that foriegners are using their cheap labor efforts and lowering the demand for domestic computer techies. He also mentioned that working on diesels would be a great way to go because diesels are very specialized, high pay, and have decent demand.
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Repo Man
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I've been a tech for over 3 years now. I was at Saturn for 3 years, Nissan for 2 months, and I start Land Rover Wednesday. I get great satisfaction knowing that I can fix stuff. But being a tech isn't for everyone. Having to buy all of your tools is a major turn off. Also, it is hard to find a place that will give you good benifits. Most don't offer a matched 401k and health insurance for the field is crazy high. I was paying 50 bucks a week for single coverage. Now I'm down to like 30 a week. Not awesome, but better than 50. Just do what you like. And if you can make lots of $$ doin' it, awesome.
Hopefully my similar dillema will help the original poster as well.
Well ok not to take this thread from this dude but I have a similar delimma. In actuality, I have a great thirst for knowledge but only for personal gain. Automotive experience was fueled by the notion of working on my vehicle and other science and mathmatical knowledge was fueled with the fact that I didnt understand it and wanted to make it work. Also computer technician or even computer engineering was a prominent thing for me for awhile until I made a website and i stayed up 72 hours straight for it. Not including the consecutive days after words tweaking it. But in all after that for about 1 year my attention has directed itself to everything scientifical and technological again. Vehicular technology other than being a curiosity, does not seem like a feasable facit for me to pursue because im disabled. So something to stimulate my intellect without physcially exerting myself for others benefit seems the correct path. I am really into theoretical anything that is why I was interested in Philosophy but that wouldnt be a plausible course of study either, due to the career placement. I enjoy art and things of an art nature but I dont know if there exist a load of people in placement for vehicular design concepts. Or how hard it would be to get a job as a design artist for cars. Seems like a "THE BEST" get the job kinda thing. I would hate to spend 4 years doing that and find out im not worthy in the community of artist eyes. So right now im deliberating over computer facits or maybe even commercial art/design. Which inherently they do resemble the same notions just different chunks of the same pie. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Troy
Well ok not to take this thread from this dude but I have a similar delimma. In actuality, I have a great thirst for knowledge but only for personal gain. Automotive experience was fueled by the notion of working on my vehicle and other science and mathmatical knowledge was fueled with the fact that I didnt understand it and wanted to make it work. Also computer technician or even computer engineering was a prominent thing for me for awhile until I made a website and i stayed up 72 hours straight for it. Not including the consecutive days after words tweaking it. But in all after that for about 1 year my attention has directed itself to everything scientifical and technological again. Vehicular technology other than being a curiosity, does not seem like a feasable facit for me to pursue because im disabled. So something to stimulate my intellect without physcially exerting myself for others benefit seems the correct path. I am really into theoretical anything that is why I was interested in Philosophy but that wouldnt be a plausible course of study either, due to the career placement. I enjoy art and things of an art nature but I dont know if there exist a load of people in placement for vehicular design concepts. Or how hard it would be to get a job as a design artist for cars. Seems like a "THE BEST" get the job kinda thing. I would hate to spend 4 years doing that and find out im not worthy in the community of artist eyes. So right now im deliberating over computer facits or maybe even commercial art/design. Which inherently they do resemble the same notions just different chunks of the same pie. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Troy
You can have the best of both worlds. Im an IT guy that works in a car dealership. They pay good because as an it person they no longer have to pay for support from their DMS. The automotive it field is wide open because it is a non traditional IT job. 99.999% of the people that try to get jobs at a car dealership are not looking at the it aspects. If you can get your foot in the door some where its a great job plus you get to check out all the new cars. For salary i get 1/2 of what i save the company each year so the more ways i can save the company money or make the company money the more i make. Its just something to think about.Later
apoorboy would you be willing to elaborate as to how you ended up in this position and who you work for? If not here then maybe in an email? I am curious about all jobs and by knowing what I have available makes me more knowledgeable about what path I wish to take.
[email protected] <- my email.
[email protected] <- my email.
the general rule of careers, from what I have heard and understood (and dont take this the wrong way anyone), is that people who work with their minds are generally more respected and paid more than people who work with their hands.
It depends on what you're looking for, and what you're going to be happy with, but understand that a real college education is becoming so commonplace nowadays that the people who dont have it (or have just tech training) are in the minority. IMO, you dont really want to be in that minority.
I say pursue your interests - no doubt - but dont close doors that can remain open till you decide for sure. Go to college, take a wide range of classes, figure out what you like, and get a degree. You will be more marketable for whatever you want to do, and you will be better respected in most communities. Not to mention the stuff you learn/experience in school.
IT is cool, but its not a very secure feild lately... I dont know how thats going to change, but keep in mind that it is a VERY fluid profession: meaning new stuff is coming out all the time, and you are going to have to constantly train to stay on the ball... how would you feel about being replaced by some just out of school kid who's up to date on the newest stuff after you've been working at a company for 15 years (assuming they even keep you that long...)? Not very good. Thats why I decided against IT... (and btw, its NOT "easy" once you get into the more involved stuff.)
Some info about me: I'm in my senior year at college, double major in philosophy and psychology. I dont expect to have a career in either of these feilds, they're just interesting. I found a great interest in medicine about a year and a half ago and decided that thats what I wanted to do with my life. Took me till I almost turned 20 before I came to this realization.
Just some ramblings, hope this helps.
It depends on what you're looking for, and what you're going to be happy with, but understand that a real college education is becoming so commonplace nowadays that the people who dont have it (or have just tech training) are in the minority. IMO, you dont really want to be in that minority.
I say pursue your interests - no doubt - but dont close doors that can remain open till you decide for sure. Go to college, take a wide range of classes, figure out what you like, and get a degree. You will be more marketable for whatever you want to do, and you will be better respected in most communities. Not to mention the stuff you learn/experience in school.
IT is cool, but its not a very secure feild lately... I dont know how thats going to change, but keep in mind that it is a VERY fluid profession: meaning new stuff is coming out all the time, and you are going to have to constantly train to stay on the ball... how would you feel about being replaced by some just out of school kid who's up to date on the newest stuff after you've been working at a company for 15 years (assuming they even keep you that long...)? Not very good. Thats why I decided against IT... (and btw, its NOT "easy" once you get into the more involved stuff.)
Some info about me: I'm in my senior year at college, double major in philosophy and psychology. I dont expect to have a career in either of these feilds, they're just interesting. I found a great interest in medicine about a year and a half ago and decided that thats what I wanted to do with my life. Took me till I almost turned 20 before I came to this realization.
Just some ramblings, hope this helps.
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OneFastStanza
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Ok well I will give some insight from the IT side of things. I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BBA in Decision Science and Info Systems (basically a CIS degree) and I work for Colgate/Pamolive in their IT department.
IT is a great field to get into if you like computers and such but right now the market is pretty tight and kinda has been since the .coms started dying out so that means a lot of folks with a decent amount of experience have been out of a job lately.
At least for me starting out trying to get a job sucked and it was a long process cause I graduated with pretty good credentials and it took me a year to even get a intern position in which I worked for a year and finally got a full time job. However not everyone I know is that way either. I have plenty of friends that got jobs straight out of college in IT and they are doing great.
On the other hand I have other friends who have graduated and still haven't landed a full time job and are either co-oping or went back to grad school.
My personal philosophy is to do what you like cause you are going to be stuck doing it for a long a$$ time so you should at least partially like it. Money isn't everything in life although more money always helps. And if you do go to college for a degree go ahead and do the co-op program cause the more experience you can gain while you are in school the better off you will be coming out cause companies look at things like that and see if you have any practical experience opposed to book smarts. I have met lots of book smart people who aren't worth a crap when it comes to attributing their knowledge in a work environment.
IT is a great field to get into if you like computers and such but right now the market is pretty tight and kinda has been since the .coms started dying out so that means a lot of folks with a decent amount of experience have been out of a job lately.
At least for me starting out trying to get a job sucked and it was a long process cause I graduated with pretty good credentials and it took me a year to even get a intern position in which I worked for a year and finally got a full time job. However not everyone I know is that way either. I have plenty of friends that got jobs straight out of college in IT and they are doing great.
On the other hand I have other friends who have graduated and still haven't landed a full time job and are either co-oping or went back to grad school.
My personal philosophy is to do what you like cause you are going to be stuck doing it for a long a$$ time so you should at least partially like it. Money isn't everything in life although more money always helps. And if you do go to college for a degree go ahead and do the co-op program cause the more experience you can gain while you are in school the better off you will be coming out cause companies look at things like that and see if you have any practical experience opposed to book smarts. I have met lots of book smart people who aren't worth a crap when it comes to attributing their knowledge in a work environment.
I'm really not decided yet, but going to regular college seems like a good idea. First I would have to go to some crappier community college and transfer to a better one. My GPA is kind of crappy, even though my ACT is pretty decent (24), so the better colleges won't accept me. I'd have to go the the community college for a little first then transfer to a better one. But if I slack of in high school, I don't know how I'll do in college.
Learning just what I need to know would be great for me, since I'm intrested in that, and don't mind learning about it. So it would stick with me.
Also been debating about being a claims adjuster for an insurance company. Investigating and analyzing situations. Don't know where that would take me and how far. But I'm intrested in it.
Thanks for everyone's replies they are very helpful to me, and I appreciate it.
-Mike
Learning just what I need to know would be great for me, since I'm intrested in that, and don't mind learning about it. So it would stick with me.
Also been debating about being a claims adjuster for an insurance company. Investigating and analyzing situations. Don't know where that would take me and how far. But I'm intrested in it.
Thanks for everyone's replies they are very helpful to me, and I appreciate it.
-Mike
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captain nismo
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It may be the most practical way to get through college, but deciding what you want to do for a career at 18 years old seldom works out - for many reasons. I began as a pharmacy major and ended with a history/poli sci/ethnic studies degree.
My advice, as I beleive Fiznat already said, is to go to college with an open mind. Look through the course catalogue, find courses that interest you. You have 4 years, it will be a struggle taking courses you dont enjoy for the sake of a degree. Eventually you'll find a major. Also, I would suggest taking 12 credits a semester and taking 6 over the summer or winter if possible. A lighter load durring the semester makes a world of difference in GPA and time to relax/drink.
If it turns out you get a non-technical degree (e.g. history/poli-sci/ethnic studies, or some other liberal arts degree) you're not screwed. One, you're better for it in gaining a broader base of knowledge. And secondly, there is a ever diversifying global economy and plenty of things to do w/ just a BA. And there's grad school - masters programs, PHDs, law school, med school - to further explore your interests. Tenured professors make great money. Good luck.
My advice, as I beleive Fiznat already said, is to go to college with an open mind. Look through the course catalogue, find courses that interest you. You have 4 years, it will be a struggle taking courses you dont enjoy for the sake of a degree. Eventually you'll find a major. Also, I would suggest taking 12 credits a semester and taking 6 over the summer or winter if possible. A lighter load durring the semester makes a world of difference in GPA and time to relax/drink.
If it turns out you get a non-technical degree (e.g. history/poli-sci/ethnic studies, or some other liberal arts degree) you're not screwed. One, you're better for it in gaining a broader base of knowledge. And secondly, there is a ever diversifying global economy and plenty of things to do w/ just a BA. And there's grad school - masters programs, PHDs, law school, med school - to further explore your interests. Tenured professors make great money. Good luck.
I agree with alot of what people have said on here. I started college as a biology major. I took a wide range of classes my freshman year and found out that I really enjoyed Poly Sci. I ended up majoring in Poly Sci and Legal Studies. I also got an associates degree in Paralegal Studies and worked as a paralegal for nearly 4 years. I am now a vice president of a biomedical company, doing nothing that really relates to my specified majors. I start law school next and will be working on my MBA as well.
You never know what you really want to do or what jobs may come. I say go to college, find out what you're good at and what you like and then go for it. I have always been a believer in that you start out in a small job somewhere, maybe not doing what you want and then work your up by having a really good work ethic, appearance and the yearn for knowledge. That has worked for me. I started as the office supply boy at a law firm and then worked my way to paralegal and eventually that led me to my current position. You make your own luck in life. You just need to be able to get in the door somewhere and that is where the hard part is.
Good luck.
You never know what you really want to do or what jobs may come. I say go to college, find out what you're good at and what you like and then go for it. I have always been a believer in that you start out in a small job somewhere, maybe not doing what you want and then work your up by having a really good work ethic, appearance and the yearn for knowledge. That has worked for me. I started as the office supply boy at a law firm and then worked my way to paralegal and eventually that led me to my current position. You make your own luck in life. You just need to be able to get in the door somewhere and that is where the hard part is.
Good luck.
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Mr1der
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prigo wrote:Hell, I'm 20 and in college, and I still don't know if my career choice (Police Officer) is what I really wanna do
I thought about it too, I copped out because I'm greedy and want to find a way to make more money...
That's a serious dedication to be a police officer, not much pay to put your life at risk and put up with the morons in the world that hate cops for no good damn reason other then the fact that they do something illegal to warrant being on the wrong end of the law...
If you really want to do it though, go for it, and prove some of these jackasses that cops kick ***!
I would say that a business degree in Management or Accounting will get you pretty far. If you are really ambitious then I would suggest getting an MBA. I am currently an accountant trying to pass the CPA exam. Accounting can lead to many things, just like management can as well. Look at the number of CPA's in the upper managment level of companies and you will see where Accounting can take you. If you like mechanical things, like to take stuff apart and see how it works, and problem solving then engineering would be a good choice. I have often thought that if I didn't get in business I would be a mechanical engineer.
Also remember, you will have to work for everything you ever get out of life. Don't graduate and expect for a job to just fall in your lap and that you will be starting out at $60k a year. It just simply is not going to happen that way. Do internships and co-ops to gain experience in your field. An internship will teach you a lot and it will look really good on your resume.
Also remember, you will have to work for everything you ever get out of life. Don't graduate and expect for a job to just fall in your lap and that you will be starting out at $60k a year. It just simply is not going to happen that way. Do internships and co-ops to gain experience in your field. An internship will teach you a lot and it will look really good on your resume.