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Chip Away Boy
= Cult of Ray =
914 Posts |
 Posted - 11/27/2004 : 18:21:41
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I'd like to know who (if anyone) is doing what they want to do, happily, to pay the bills.
I'm in college for a couple more years - and am dreading entering the "real world" of careers and whatnot. It's hard enough to be able to do what you want to do successfully, but I don't even know what I *want* to do. And it seems like many of my peers are on some kind of track. What a big mess. |
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slaveish
= Cult of Ray =
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2004 : 19:59:16
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| what are you studying in school? |
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dayanara
* Dog in the Sand *
Australia
1811 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2004 : 20:32:09
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I graduated a few years ago with a bachelors degree in music performance (classical) and now I'm a nurse, so take that as you will. Doing what you love often seems to equate itself with poverty, sadly. I prefer to have a job that pays the bills and a very cool hobby. I'm also interested to know what you're studying. Keep in mind that very few people know what they want to do with their lives when they're 20, and even those who think they do often change their minds.
Around here, intolerance will not be tolerated |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2004 : 22:24:58
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Here's how my therapist put it, and it's so true. There are three types of people. There is the person that likes their job and is doing what they want to do and that job is their life. There is the person who has a job, generally enjoys it, but uses it as a means to an end...to pay the bills...and does what they really want to do on the side (hobbies...such as guitar, comedy, painting, whatever). Then there's the person that hates their job but has to work cause, well, it's reality. I'm that second person. I never went to college. It's something I'm considering, but not necessarily to get a degree...more or less to learn more and benefit myself. Ultimately, it's not what you know but who you know when it comes to getting anywhere. You obviously have to know what you're doing, but the best proof is not a degree, but a person to back you up or help you out.
I guess I just wasn't made for these times. |
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Daisy Girl
~ Abstract Brain ~
Belize
5305 Posts |
Posted - 11/27/2004 : 22:58:04
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Well Chip Away Boy, what you're feeling is totally normal and tons of people feel that way in college or even after their careers haven't ended up being what they expected.
What always makes me feel better is the stat that the average person in our generation will have something like 4 totally different careers and 11 jobs.
Right now, I fit in El Barto's career classification #2 I really like my job and my manager, but on the side I am also working to start my own business up in the next few years-- so that lets me focus more on what I really care about, but for now it's really just a hobby. I have also at certain points and other jobs fit into category 1 and category 3.
Right now, I dig number 2 because I like my job, but I leave it at work and I have time and money to focus on things outside of work. For me and where I am at, that is totally cool.
Good luck with what ever you decide, but sometimes it even takes a few years after college to figure out what you want to do so don't worry about it, it will come to you :)
http://www.campervanbeethoven.com/gearstolen/ |
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n/a
deleted
4109 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 00:51:10
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Chip Away, I really like what I do, my job, but I wasnīt always sure about what to do, sometimes I wodered if I was on the right place! But I think that you have to find your way and beleive on your skills...and then things just happen naturally!
(And now it pays my bills, but it wasnīt always like that), so be patient, thatīs what I would do!
Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena
Se a alma não é pequena.
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Edited by - n/a on 11/28/2004 00:51:42 |
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whoreatthedoor
> Teenager of the Year <
Spain
2873 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 01:23:27
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Sometimes the best job of your life isn't the one you have chosen. I had some of the best moments I can remember transporting vegetables in a lorry. You'll find little surprises in the walk of life.
Caminar sobre las hojas del otoņo es romántico y resbaladizo |
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bumblebeeboy2
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2638 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 03:13:41
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well i don't agree with el barto's rules... i'm a different kind of person. i have a job that i don't dislike *that* much, but it's crap pay and not very challenging, it's not something i intended to do (after Uni)... but it tides me over at the moment, pays the bills, no hassle outside of working hours... just until i get a proper job, i will probably dislike that too a bit, but will hopefully be better pay and allow me to enjoy myself more outside of work time.
The Monkey Helper has arrived http://www.monkeyhelper.co.uk (that is my band) |
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Monsieur
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1688 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 03:29:09
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Yeah, I'm not really a part of any of El Barto's categories, though I find his classification interesting. I like my job - I've tried several things before and this is the one I like the most. But I really work insane hours and I don't have time for anything else...
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
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whoreatthedoor
> Teenager of the Year <
Spain
2873 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 03:44:55
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quote:
Originally posted by bumblebeeboy2
I have a job that i don't dislike *that* much
You have a job!!! A complete surprise for me!!! I always thought you were a bohemian.
Caminar sobre las hojas del otoņo es romántico y resbaladizo |
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Monsieur
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1688 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 04:00:32
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You mean a bohemian like you?
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
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whoreatthedoor
> Teenager of the Year <
Spain
2873 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 04:34:45
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Whoo-hoo-ooo!!!
Caminar sobre las hojas del otoņo es romántico y resbaladizo |
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GypsyDeath
Zapped Profile
3575 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 11:57:39
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The text you sent me, sounded like you despised your job more than anything in the world!!!!
Im at college. recently quit my part time job. I think im allergic to jobs. Well, not so much jobs, more people. I think the people really make or break it with me. I dunno. Im gonna see how long i can go with out having a job at all (with the exception of intern and stuff like that - useful stuff that will get me somewher ei want to be!)
so yeah. jobs suck. im staying in edu. as long as humanly possible.
God forbid I exude confidence and enjoy sex |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 12:25:58
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you're young, now's the time to take risks and be adventurous. don't worry if you don't know exactly what you want to do, but you should try and find something you like and get involved with it. if that changes, ok. as long as you're following some kind of path.
otherwise, like most people, you'll just get sucked into a whatever job and think "i'll figure it out", and then the next thing you know 10 years will pass and you'll still be at the same job, only now married and with 2 kids. that'll be okay for a while, but eventually your career unsatisfaction will drive you to have an affair with some young woman at your work, just so you can remember what it feels like to be young and alive again .. but your wife will find out and your kids will hate you, and now you'll have to work overtime at the job you hate just to pay child support and alimoy, eating frozen pizza every night (not the good kind, like DeGiorno's or Trader Joe's .. no, the generic .99 cent ones that taste like ass) and drinking low-grade beer because you can't afford anything imported - not even Amstel (maybe Henry Weinharts, if you're lucky. but that tastes like shit anyway, even though they try to make it seem like it doesn't taste like shit).
and the young man you once were, full of life and dreams, will be a distant memory .. just like the last time you had a decent, home-cooked frozen pizza by a reputable brand name like Wolfgang Puck or Red Baron.
don't let that happen to you.
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
Edited by - floop on 11/28/2004 12:38:55 |
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n/a
deleted
4109 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 12:35:52
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Thatīs a terrible vision about how future can be...although unfortunatly itīs what happens with most of the people!
Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena
Se a alma não é pequena.
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Chip Away Boy
= Cult of Ray =
914 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 12:39:45
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Haha, thanks everyone. And thanks for the vivid image of the worst possible scenario Floop - haha! I'll try to steer clear from that.
I'm studying English (no aspirations to be a teacher), which is pretty much equal to Liberal Arts or even Undecided. |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 12:44:24
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I fit pretty much exactly into El Barto's Second Rule of Jobativity. I never particularly envisioned an office job, but I enjoy it fine and I have time to do fun stuff outside work.
Although, I do agree with Mel that its the people you work with that make a job - I work with a really nice group of people, which makes the more irritating aspects of the jobs bearable.
"You ever seen a man say goodbye to a shoe?"
"Yes, once..." |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 13:54:39
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I like my job(s) pretty well, but I don't get enough hours or make enough money. I don't think I could ever live for my job, even if I really liked it. That just seems kind of silly to me, like you're earning money, but you never have the chance to enjoy it.
And I'm about an eighth Bohemian. Not the kind of Bohemian Whore was referring to, though.
"Signature quotes are so lame." --Nathan |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 15:24:51
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quote:
Originally posted by bumblebeeboy2
well i don't agree with el barto's rules... i'm a different kind of person. i have a job that i don't dislike *that* much, but it's crap pay and not very challenging, it's not something i intended to do (after Uni)... but it tides me over at the moment, pays the bills, no hassle outside of working hours... just until i get a proper job, i will probably dislike that too a bit, but will hopefully be better pay and allow me to enjoy myself more outside of work time.
You just totally described number 2. Stop fooling yourself, you're not a different kind of person.
I guess I just wasn't made for these times. |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 15:29:30
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He's "different", but not in that way.
"You ever seen a man say goodbye to a shoe?"
"Yes, once..." |
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bumblebeeboy2
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2638 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 15:38:27
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quote:
Originally posted by whoreatthedoor
quote:
Originally posted by bumblebeeboy2
I have a job that i don't dislike *that* much
You have a job!!! A complete surprise for me!!! I always thought you were a bohemian.
Caminar sobre las hojas del otoņo es romántico y resbaladizo
afraid not! live in a nice flat with the girlfriend in a very nice area, in massive debt, been at uni for 5 years (can't really stay any longer) so i've had to get a job so i can afford to live, and drink...
The Monkey Helper has arrived http://www.monkeyhelper.co.uk (that is my band) |
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bumblebeeboy2
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2638 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 15:40:40
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quote:
Originally posted by El Barto
quote:
Originally posted by bumblebeeboy2
well i don't agree with el barto's rules... i'm a different kind of person. i have a job that i don't dislike *that* much, but it's crap pay and not very challenging, it's not something i intended to do (after Uni)... but it tides me over at the moment, pays the bills, no hassle outside of working hours... just until i get a proper job, i will probably dislike that too a bit, but will hopefully be better pay and allow me to enjoy myself more outside of work time.
You just totally described number 2. Stop fooling yourself, you're not a different kind of person.
I guess I just wasn't made for these times.
i do *not* 'generally' enjoy it jimbo. life isn't simple enough to shove everyone into categories...
The Monkey Helper has arrived http://www.monkeyhelper.co.uk (that is my band) |
Edited by - bumblebeeboy2 on 11/28/2004 15:43:28 |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 18:38:34
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I have been thinking alot about my job recently. I work at Ruby Tuesday as a cook. Not very glamourous I know. However, the starting pay for a manager is about $34,000 per year, about $14,000 more dollars a year than what I get as cook. I have had managers talk to me before about going into management, because I am pretty good at what I do and have ran shifts before. It would be very easy for me to become a manager, I know it would. I would work about 55 hours a week, which wouldn't be a problem.
The dilemma arises when I take into consideration the fact that I go to school and becoming a manager would leave little time for such an endeavor. I would like to think that the person I am now is like El Barto's number 2 personality type, where I am working towards an ultimate goal, but all the fields that I am interested in are very difficult to break into and it feels like I'm living in a fantasy world right now thinking that I will ever get out of restaurant work. Originally I wanted to draw or write comic books for a living, but I don't know much about their pay scale and it seems like you'd have to make it really big in order to make enough money to quit your day job. Then everyone was shouting, "Computers are where the jobs are!" So I got into graphic design and 3D animation (the latter being a much maligned job on this forum.) I don't know how likely it is that I will get a job in one of those fields; it's very hard to believe that it will happen.
Going to work now really discourages me, because one manager in particular (whom I have known for a good long while from working with her at another restaurant) cannot seem to understand why I'm not a manager yet. She constantly reminds me of the difficulty in obtaining jobs like I want, and how I'll have to move, and whatnot.
My school is part of the problem. I'm spending quite a chunk of change on an Associate's Degree in Multimedia at ITT Tech. It's too late for me to quit going now, but I'm not really sure I made the right decision. ITT is pretty good at finding jobs for their graduates in fields such as electronics and network security, but it's Multimedia program is relatively new and they don't have jobs like Pixar lined up at the door trying to get at their students.
I guess what I'm saying is that being a #2 type of person would not be so bad when you know exactly what it is you want to do, and devote every spare moment to that goal. But, when you have the prospect of having a good, steady source of income offered to you (like restaurant manager) and you are passing it up because you want to do something else, you want to feel confident that what you are passing it up for will pan out and make it all worth it, which I don't. I guess maybe I should just have more conviction in my own decisions, and stop letting what other people say or think influence me in life choices.
So what does everyone who took the time to read this overly long speil think? Should I let go my dreams and do what I know would provide me with a substantial raise? Or should I try to work through this awful feeling of discouragement that I've been feeling recently and not let the words of others affect me so heavily?
What could be better than a swan dive into the asphalt?
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n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 18:42:52
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I thought you were working on a thingy now glacial, all comic wise, didn't you mention that before?
Frank Black ate my hamster |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 18:49:11
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Well, yeah, I was working on that in my spare time. I would still like to do it. But, the Multimedia is what I'm going to school for.
What could be better than a swan dive into the asphalt?
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n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 18:53:54
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[addition] in my opinion (a drunken rambly one tonight) it's a case of measuring up short term goals and long term prospects, if you take the pay rise and the full time job in the short term your life will be richer (cash wise) and seem more exciting but 30, 40 years down the line there will be a lot of what ifs? At the end of the day it's you, you have to answer to. Will other opportunities like this arise if you follow your 'dream' for a while? Do you really want to do this for the rest of your life? Sometimes it is hard to break into whatever it is you want to break into but it's a perseverance issue, and if you try try and try again at least when you're 99 you can say you gave it your best shot.
I've been discussing this tonight with my housemate, I've sacrificed a lot of my last few years following my geeky dream. I like what I'm learning, I'm going to be a student for at least the next four years, I'm funding myself and it's damned tight. If I wanted to I could have stayed in the job I had (working in operating theatres) and progresed very far in the health service, I know I could have, it would have been easy and by now I could be on a comfortable salary and picking my jobs in exotic (well, nz) places, but I chose to stick with the molecular stuff. But I chose it out of, I guess laziness, I want the comfortable life, I've no career aspirations, I don't want riches and ladders to climb, I want a nice job where I can use my head, where there is job garauntee and job satisfaction and with flexible enough hours (in case I want to travel and do the family thing) I want to be interested and I don't want monotony and this is why I've decided to go this way.
If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Would it hurt trying to do what you want to do most for a while and then finding a job with promotional opportunities?
Sorry, long post, really incredible amount of vodka ( )
Frank Black ate my hamster |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 19:04:47
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mmm...vodka. Sounds nice. I'm 25, by the way.
Tre, your "comfortable life" sounds a hell of a lot better than what I am doing right now at Ruby's. It sounds as though you made a conscious decision to pursue what you are interested in, and not let your former job dictate your policy. That's admirable.
BTW, what "molecular stuff" do you study? I got way into particle physics a couple of years ago; reading about quantum mechanics and cosmology, the composition of all things and the origin of the universe. Pretty interesting stuff. Unfortunately I'm a total dunce at math and it never progressed beyond a passing interest.
What could be better than a swan dive into the asphalt?
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n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 19:13:25
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I came close to letting my last job become my career twice though, I had to be pushed into university, which I'm greatful for now, when I was 19 I came close to doing the training, but it would have been a wrong move for me, I know that now.
I'm doing an MSc in biomedical basis of disease with (currently) particular interests in cell cycle/DNA-chromosomal-genomic damage/repair mechanisms/cancer and hereditory disease, geneticsy sort of stuff. So the biology/chemistry end of molecular rather than the physics end. And it is a bastard, I'm having to apply for a bank loan because I anticipate running out of funds by christmas and I don't have the time to work because the study load is a total bind. Once I've finished this I'm hoping to do a PhD although it's looking like I'll have to take another year out so I will be 28 by the time I finish, scary stuff.
So how is your side project going?
Frank Black ate my hamster |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 20:02:01
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It's coming along pretty nicely, although I don't get to work on it as much as I would like.
What could be better than a swan dive into the asphalt?
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5456 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 21:49:50
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Tre, 28 isn't old for finishing a PhD. I know people that have started their PhDs in their late 30s.
glacial, I don't think you want to throw-away your future prospects for a $14,000 raise. Co-workers will tend to pressure you to follow the career path that they have chosen. They're probably not bad people, but it's human nature to try to discourage people who are trying to climb their way out of a career-path that one has settled for. And, you're obviously bright. You can later get a managing job if that is what you end up wanting. |
Edited by - darwin on 11/28/2004 22:06:00 |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 21:57:28
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fortune favors the brave
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 22:01:56
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Thanks, Darwin. I don't know about the bright part, but I appreciate the sentiment. I don't really want a managing job; I think most of my doubt as to the future I've set for myself stems from the fact that I don't want my family to have to suffer because there's no guarantee that I will achieve my goals. My wife is incredibly supportive, and she would be so in anything I set my mind to do. But, I just don't want to let them (her and my daughter, and my child that will be arriving any day now) down.
What could be better than a swan dive into the asphalt?
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Apesy
= Cult of Ray =
USA
411 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2004 : 23:56:21
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In a few weeks I'm going to be receiving a letter dismissing me from my school for poor grades (I've been on academic probation twice already, so it's inevitable). I've spent at least four terms at college since the fall of 2002 trying different classes and whatnot, but nothing is interesting me; I've either stopped going to classes or withdrawn each time.
I don't know what the heck to do with my life. But in a few weeks, I'm going to have to figure something out. I'd have no problem not going to college, if I could find a line of work that could support me well enough so I can persue my actual dreams.
I want to be a writer, but I want to write stories -- not articles or instruction manuals. And I want to be a musician, but I'm nowhere near being good at any instrument yet.
So I need a job that'll ensure I'm not living on the streets and starving, while I can do what I really love on the side.
I guess this isn't much different than the first post, but can I get some input from those in similar situations to mine? What are your lives like? Jobs, housing, etc...
-=Apesy |
Edited by - Apesy on 11/28/2004 23:58:31 |
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n/a
deleted
4894 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 00:04:14
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(Darwin, I feel old though, thinking about it that could be the hangover maybe)
Frank Black ate my hamster |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5456 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 00:54:31
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Glacial - I also face the angst of providing for my kids. I have a pretty good job right now, but I'm underemployed and its not a long-term (tenured) job. I often worry about whether my kids are going to be well provided for. Not so much now, because babies are pretty inexpensive, but more longterm with college expenses and teenage wants and desires. I could probably make more money if I changed my career goals and worked in a corporation or government agency, but I usually enjoy what I do and I have incredible flexibility about when I work and have been able to spend alot of time with my kids. So, I try to not worry too much about being a good provider for kids or family, and focus more on enjoying the kids while they're young and still like me. But I still worry sometimes.
Kids do make it harder to take the "follow your dreams" approach. But if you can help it you should avoid settling for a job to keep yourself from worrying. The kids will be ok and they'll be happier if you're happier. |
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n/a
deleted
4109 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2004 : 01:07:45
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Darwin, I know how you feel, itīs really hard trying to do something you like and have to provide for your kids, I know exacly how that feels...and as you said when they are babies itīs easy, but when they start growing, it becomes harder.
I work on my self with my husband and Iīm just very lucky because I donīt have a boss around, I work how and the way I want, but it hasnīt always been easy, sometimes I have to work more than if I had a regular job...and when you have kids everything changes.
So, my oppinion is that people should take profit while they are young and without kids,or other obligations to look for what they really want to do, for a job that can fulfill their dreams and just take that risk. Because after that itīs much more difficult.
Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena
Se a alma não é pequena.
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Edited by - n/a on 11/29/2004 01:49:27 |
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Topic |
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For those with jobs....
