Care to share? :) (your career)

[Blackthoven]

Hey guys

I tried to search for this topic, or something related but couldn't find anything. So I decided to ask myself . I've been trying to figure out what I want to pursue in the future, but I'm too full of indecision to come up with a solid conclusion. I feel as though I need to stop finding so much things that I don't want to do, and focus more on what I would like to do, but I just have absolutely no idea!

I have applied to several University's mainly for Psychology as that is what I'm currently most interested in. I've been doing a lot of thinking and for the past while I've been considering clinical psychology, so the full Ph. D, other than that I've been contemplating careers in business, and careers regarding PCs.

So, I was just curious as to what my fellow vaporists do for a living ^.^!

If you don't feel comfortable sharing your career, even simply the field would be helpful, I just need some motivation / exposure to other types of careers besides those I've already considered.

Thanks!

 

[lwien]

Was a VP General Manager and Advertising/Marketing VP of a consumer electronics retail chain in SoCal. Now retired.

 

[Blackthoven]

Interesting! What made you want to follow that career path?

Also, how was it? What sort of education did that require, did you get an MBA or something similar?

I was actually thinking about business jobs, specifically marketing, because I think I could do well in that field, as I feel I'm pretty creative, and innovative. I suppose marketing is somewhat related to psychology or incorporates it in the least, perhaps not as much as HR (which I was also considering)...

But the thing is, even though I do enjoy math I don't see myself being an accountant, or working in finances, etc... Although I do hear accounting is a good field to work in salary and opportunity-wise.

One problem, or thing that I regret is not being smart about my education in high school. I guess I didn't realize what a difference doing well and just getting by would make. I didn't take any of the courses that so many programs require as pre-requisites.

Of course, it's not too big of a deal because I'm always able to complete them over the summer or through a bridging-program, however, it doesn't help that I cannot decide where my interests lie

 

[AGBeer]

I currently work as a network engineer (computer weenie type) I still do some computer work on the side (but not as regularly as I once did)

Interestingly enough, my career found me. Ive always had a small clue when it came to computers (or at least the patience to figure stuff out, or knowing where to LOOK) One job led to another and it led me to where I am today. At 22 years of age, I didnt know what I wanted to do in life. So at the time the best choice for me was the Navy. From there, I was able to further determine what direction I wanted to head. (Or at least what direction I DIDNT want to head)
Either way, I had a job, steady paycheck, 3 meals a day, place to live.... Yeah, at the time the military was the best job in the world

 

[lwien]

Interesting! What made you want to follow that career path?

My father owned a retail store which I began working in and helping out at the age of 12. He said, "Son, if I ever have any advice to give you, it's this. Don't go into retail. The hours are too long and the pay isn't that great.", and of course, like any good son, I did just the opposite. He raised a family of 3 just on the outskirts of Beverly Hills, so I thought, fuck, it can't be that bad.

When I got out of the Air Force, I got a job as a salesman in a retail clothing chain. Within a year, I became an assistant manger and 2 months later a manager, and then 3 years later, a district manager overseeing 13 stores, then a VP General Manager but clothing wasn't really a passion of mine. Ever since I was a kid, hifi/stereo's/audio was a hobby of mine, so I took a job as a salesman at a audio electronics store. Moved around a few times within the industry and ended up at a 40 store chain. Worked my way up from a store salesman to store manager to district manager to sales manager to VP of Advertising/Marketing to VP General Manger of the company. They awarded me part ownership and that was that.

Also, how was it? What sort of education did that require, did you get an MBA or something similar?

I worked myself up through the ranks ever since I was a kid, so a formal education in advertising and marketing was never really a requirement. I learned it all from on the job experience. I had some MBA's working for me and I can tell ya, that without practical experience, MBA's are pretty worthless.
With that being said though, it sure as hell can't hurt to have one.

My degree was in political science 'cause I never knew what in the hell I wanted to be when I grew up, and..................I still don't.

 

[Blackthoven]

I see! I'm not a big fan of school, I feel like it's waste of time. Although, I'm aware that in reality it's not completely useless and I acknowledge its importance and the difference it can make it some people's lives.

I could most likely tolerate another 7 years of University to get a Ph.D, however, I simply don't see why I should do that. I feel like there are probably thousands of other jobs I'm just not aware of that would be equally as interesting. I feel like I should have a job with plenty of freedom, yet which is still engaging... There is so much opportunity in the world today, I feel like I should take advantage of that. But I guess a lot of people would advocate similar conditions.

I currently work as a network engineer (computer weenie type) I still do some computer work on the side (but not as regularly as I once did)

Sounds interesting! Although, I'm not exactly sure what a network engineer is. I assume it has something to do with figuring out how to create networks within' companies, like configuring T1 connections and all that, right?

When I got out of the Air Force, I got a job as a salesman in a retail clothing chain. Within a year, I became an assistant manger and 2 months later a manager, and then 3 years later, a district manager overseeing 13 stores, then a VP General Manager but clothing wasn't really a passion of mine. Ever since I was a kid, hifi/stereo's/audio was a hobby of mine, so I took a job as a salesman at a audio electronics store. Moved around a few times within the industry and ended up at a 40 store chain. Worked my way up from a store salesman to store manager to district manager to sales manager to VP of Advertising/Marketing to VP General Manger of the company. They awarded me part ownership and that was that.

During your employment did you ever consider getting a job change, or was there anything that you were particularly interested in that you thought you could pursue?


I should just invent something revolutionary ^.^

 

[flanman]

i am in a very similar position as you black. right now i'm 23 years of age, working full time tiling making jackshit for money since i'm still new and have no experience. i also never really took advantage of high school and kinda shrugged it off as nothing big and didn't apply myself. what a fucking mistake that was. i did go to college a few semesters, made mistakes in that as well (bad choice in my majors [changed it twice] and just bad professors) and at this point and time i really don't have much to show for myself and it kinda freaks me out a lil bit sometimes. i'd like to go back to school, but like you, have no idea what i'd like to do with myself and am actually leaning towards the air force right now for a few years.

 

[lwien]

During your employment did you ever consider getting a job change, or was there anything that you were particularly interested in that you thought you could pursue?

Interesting question and offers up an opportunity to give you the best advice that I can, which is this. Do something that you REALLY like doing without any regard for financial gains, for if you happen to be doing something for a living that you have a passion for, than the financial rewards will come and will just be icing on the cake, with the cake being that you are totally committed to your passion, and that...........is a worthwhile endeavor.

I didn't do that. Wish I did.

 

[Blackthoven]

i am in a very similar position as you black. right now i'm 23 years of age, working full time tiling making jackshit for money since i'm still new and have no experience. i also never really took advantage of high school and kinda shrugged it off as nothing big and didn't apply myself. what a fucking mistake that was. i did go to college a few semesters, made mistakes in that as well (bad choice in my majors [changed it twice] and just bad professors) and at this point and time i really don't have much to show for myself and it kinda freaks me out a lil bit sometimes. i'd like to go back to school, but like you, have no idea what i'd like to do with myself and am actually leaning towards the air force right now for a few years.

I can see why the situation might be a little intimidating, especially because I'm somewhat in the same situation. However, I just thought I should note that you're still very young, and I guess as humans we have that obsession to want everything immediately, but you have still have a long time . And the same goes for me, I'm even younger than you are . Sometimes I find it hard to remember that, and not be afraid of time.

Most people don't really start their careers until their about 30 anyway, so even if you or I felt like getting a Ph.D by the time we get our degrees, everyone else will have just started their lives as well, and even if they've been working for those whole 7 years we weren't, I'm sure we'd catch up money-wise quick enough

You should also consider that it's never too late to go back to school! I know people who've done it in their forties, it's better to go back than regretting not going at all, especially if you're not satisfied with your current job.

Interesting question and offers up an opportunity to give you the best advice that I can, which is this. Do something that you REALLY like doing without any regard for financial gains, for if you happen to be doing something for a living that you have a passion for, than the financial rewards will come and will just be icing on the cake, with the cake being that you are totally committed to your passion, and that...........is a worthwhile endeavor.

I didn't do that. Wish I did.

That is very good advice ^.^, and I certainly do consider what I actually like doing in my career-search. Although salary always concerns me, probably more than it should. Perhaps the most difficult thing about this is that I don't really know what I really like doing.

I love music, piano particularly. But I'm self-taught and haven't had a teacher and there are just so many ridiculously amazing prodigy pianists out there that I feel as though chances of success are slim, and one of the employees at a music store I visited was trying to convince me to join the conservatory, but then went on to tell me how most musicians were poor, which is understandable.

Science is interesting, because it's logical, it makes sense, I've often thought of physics, astronomy and biology . Neuroscience as well, but I believe psychology would be better in my opinion. And the good thing about psychology is I do actually find it interesting , human behavior is very intriguing, and always has been IMO.

I think I'm a pretty good story writer as well , but that demonstrates the same predicament as becoming a musician, there are so many talented writers already, and sometimes even talented writers don't get recognized...

I like the arts in general, actually - acting, drawing, literature, and music. They appeal to my creativity, and sometimes they feel like the only ways I can really express myself.

 

[CombustionJunction]

I'm the Director of IT for the largest CCRC in the region. I really do what I love to do, and I think that is the single most important thing when choosing a career path. I, like you, think school is a waste of time, and I never set foot inside a college. There isn't shit that I can learn in a college that will help me do my job better in the real world. The IT industry is more certification-based anyway, and I do have plenty of those and experience to match, so it's worked out for me so far.

 

[Blackthoven]

I'm the Director of IT for the largest CCRC in the region. I really do what I love to do, and I think that is the single most important thing when choosing a career path. I, like you, think school is a waste of time, and I never set foot inside a college. There isn't shit that I can learn in a college that will help me do my job better in the real world. The IT industry is more certification-based anyway, and I do have plenty of those and experience to match, so it's worked out for me so far.

^.^, it's good to know that there are people out there who love their jobs, it makes me happy and allows me to believe that there is some hope out there . Would you care you explain more about what you do?

 

[crawdad]

sysadmin.

to touch on college, i think some careers can benefit from it but the best way to figure out if your choice would or not would be to speak with those already in your field to see what trail the blazed to get there.

something to keep in mind is that you need to not make your career something that would perhaps better suited as a hobby, like for pure fun without the hassle of profit or job security, it could ruin a passion of yours such as art or similar...just something to keep in mind.

 

[crawdad]

oh, and i do like what i do but honestly i could do without it and it would bother me that much...im immersed in computers, code, networking, etc all day long and rarely turn on a pc when i leave other than to...well, i guess post here and a couple other places. i dont "mess around" with computers outside of work, but before it was a job i did.

 

[Plotinus]

to touch on college, i think some careers can benefit from it but the best way to figure out if your choice would or not would be to speak with those already in your field to see what trail the blazed to get there.

I just wanted to reiterate this. Never underestimate the utility of an informational interview. If you're thinking of a particular career, find someone in the community you can buy lunch some time, and ask them to tell you the story of how they ended up where they are. Nine times out of ten it will be better than anything you would get out of a career counselor, and it can help you avoid costly detours (unnecessary degrees or trade school certificates, the wrong internship, etc.)

I'm between undergrad and grad school at the moment and have conducted a couple of these to sniff out different fields. They've been very helpful.

 

[Blackthoven]

I just wanted to reiterate this. Never underestimate the utility of an informational interview. If you're thinking of a particular career, find someone in the community you can buy lunch some time, and ask them to tell you the story of how they ended up where they are. Nine times out of ten it will be better than anything you would get out of a career counselor, and it can help you avoid costly detours (unnecessary degrees or trade school certificates, the wrong internship, etc.)
I'm between undergrad and grad school at the moment and have conducted a couple of these to sniff out different fields. They've been very helpful.

That's a very good point! I've actually spoken to a few people including a clinical psychology and chiropractor regarding why they decided to pursue that field and how they feel about it now. They gave me very useful information, and it was very interesting in the least.

I encourage doing this, as it's a very good method of acquiring answers to even questions you may not have thought to ask.