Education and career, if you could do it over...

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Education and career, if you could do it over...

Posted: 11/10/2001 9:24:45 PM EDT

...What would you choose, and why?

Posted: 11/10/2001 9:31:53 PM EDT

[#1]

Maybe engineering. It was annoying to see friend's being fought over for jobs almost paying 6 figures, when nobody was even hiring geologists (my profession)

Posted: 11/10/2001 9:36:23 PM EDT

[#2]

teehee, I'm an engineering student. Electrical specifically. It is hard has hell and a lot of fun.

radioman

Posted: 11/10/2001 10:59:16 PM EDT

[#3]

Three of my buddies graduated with EE degrees in the late-80's and none of them found jobs in engineering. And they all had good grades. The current economic situation can have more impact in locating work than your major -- although hiring managers still appreciate the effort it takes to graduate in accounting and engineering/cs.

Posted: 11/10/2001 11:04:39 PM EDT

[#4]

Engineering is a good field with usually stable employment prospects. However, there are two prominent downsides to the field. The first is that pay tops out pretty quickly. You might think that you start off making a lot, but 15 years later, you'll realize that your pay has barely increased. The second downside is that old engineers, for the most part, are worthless. If you don't make it into management by the time you're 45 or so, chances are good that you'll be laid off in favor of a younger engineer.

Posted: 11/10/2001 11:04:42 PM EDT

[#5]

Modeling..seriously!!! I am 6'5" and about 200lbs. I have a nice square jaw, great smile and always had a 32" waist. Not saying I'm a pretty boy but I do have rugged good looks[:D].

Sgtar15

Seriously!!!!!!!!

Posted: 11/10/2001 11:43:25 PM EDT

[#6]

OK, go ahead an laugh, but here it comes...

Opera Singer...

Yeah, I've got the pipes (lyric baritone), and had I known that I would spend 20 years getting to the top of my current profession, I could have spent that time geting to the top of my "dream" profession, and into the "big" money.

Now I'm simply working on settling for a very 'local' and limited career.

Ok, you can all start making the snide comments now [;)]

Posted: 11/11/2001 5:38:06 AM EDT

[#7]

I'd have gone to a name university, gotten a liberal arts degree with some biological science study, spent some time in the army or marines, and then come out and gotten a job in wildlife or conservation with a state agency so I'd have a job in the forests.

Posted: 11/11/2001 5:42:48 AM EDT

[#8]

I'd have gone to law school while my parents were willing to pay for it. I really do love to argue.

Posted: 11/11/2001 5:48:05 AM EDT

[#9]

Diagnostic Imaging

X-ray tech. I am in the computer/networks field, worked with the DI department for a few years and non-invasive diagnostics is really cool.

I never had the grades to be a doc, but a radiologist would be what I'd try.....

Too bad I had to go to work to support my folks at 19....

Posted: 11/11/2001 5:50:38 AM EDT

[#10]

Maybe a lawyer. For me it is very difficult to read all these laws on guns and understand them. Maybe after studying law for a few years, I could decipher it better. [;)]

Posted: 11/11/2001 5:52:08 AM EDT

[#11]

I'm an EE. Never had a hard time finding work.

I would like to be a professional hunting guide.

Or deep woods hermit.

(Doesn't that fit some kind of profile?)

Posted: 11/11/2001 5:52:25 AM EDT

[#12]

I have a great job. i own a full time gun shop in Pa. Making decent money, have lots of nice toys, but ZERO time off. This business requires you to be there ALL the freakin time.

If I were gonna do it all over, I would have skipped the 4 years of college. Getting a degree was a WASTE of my money. Instead I should have learned a trade like plumbing. I would have started a business and hired good help. Plumbers bring home big $$$ and generally have lots of free time. (those that own thier own business that is)

However if i was single and money was not an issue. I would have joined the Army and tried to get in the AMU. I want the time off so I can go compete in regional matches and of course the Nationals every year. If i was in the AMU I could shoot for a living. Ahhhh that would be pure bliss! Seriously I could make it too. I was high scoring civilian at The Nationals this year during the NTI match.

john

Posted: 11/11/2001 8:44:46 AM EDT

[#13]

I've also thought of going to law school. Get a degree in Environmental Law (specialising in the oil industry) and have it augment my geology degree. This guy I work with sometimes did that and he's making 6 figures easy.

Posted: 11/11/2001 9:03:56 AM EDT

[#14]

If I had to do it all over again, I would have become a photographer...possibly photojournalist.

Posted: 11/11/2001 9:19:38 AM EDT

[#15]

Make pornographic movies. Seriously, the industry has never suffered a downturn. If you go to the CES(consumer electronics show) convention, those folks have a whole section just to porn.

Posted: 11/11/2001 9:21:03 AM EDT

[#16]

Would've finished college the first time around. Would've majored in Math or Economics. I majored in Communications and its not helping me dick to be a bond trader. Most wirehouses and asset management firm want their traders with either a Math or Economics degree. Once I get another firm to hire me that will pay for at least some of my education, I will either undertake my CFA or go back to get my MBA That should get me a job with JP, Merrill or AG Edwards. I would really love to get on their Debt CapMkts Desk and make the real money. Those guys make bank in annual bonuses alone, not mention salary and commission they make thru out the year.

Posted: 11/11/2001 9:24:22 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
I'm an EE. Never had a hard time finding work.

I would like to be a professional hunting guide.

Or deep woods hermit.

(Doesn't that fit some kind of profile?)

View Quote

The UNABOMBER!!!!

Posted: 11/11/2001 1:16:22 PM EDT

[#18]

I was studying Criminal Justice which I finally switched to after 3 years of Business/Managment in the hops of going to Law School, then the money ran out. SO basically I would change by going right into CJ, then the police force, possibly even the Feds, instead of waiting to go to Law School that never happened.

Posted: 11/11/2001 1:50:08 PM EDT

[#19]

SOG is right on target. Degree in Mech. Eng. 21 years ago. Company I worked for is starting graduates out more than I was making when I was severed as a manager.

To do over?? Forrestry degree. Purchase small 4-wheel drive and cruise the woods. In so. Ga. earn about 50-75k without all the corporate "fertilizer".

Posted: 11/11/2001 7:22:37 PM EDT

[#20]

If I could do it all over...

I would be the smartest kid in grade school. [;D]

Posted: 11/11/2001 7:26:58 PM EDT

[#21]

A stand-up comedian

Posted: 11/11/2001 7:36:51 PM EDT

[#22]

If I had it to do over, probably would be for my hobby - gunsmithing. I'm an agronomist and manage a veg seed production company. I really enjoy working w/the customers, growers, and getting to see some of the world while traveling on business. Some things suck though, like not having complete say for everything the company does that causes problems occasionally. And for all the effort & time, not much $$.

NMSight

Posted: 11/11/2001 7:49:02 PM EDT

[#23]

Would have gone to college and become some kind of BS paper pusher rather than work for a living. Love mechanical things but you never earn anywhere near what you are worth!!

Was accepted into EE @ OSU then was unable to raise the money to go.....

Posted: 11/11/2001 7:51:28 PM EDT

[#24]

If I could do it over again I would stay in school and get my masters in architecture.

Posted: 11/12/2001 12:52:36 PM EDT

[#25]

One of two choices for me, I would have either signed on the dotted line when I qualified for BUDS/SEAL training or I should have gotten into the Porn field a long time ago.

Posted: 11/12/2001 1:06:58 PM EDT

[#26]

I should have gone pre-law then law, or gone after my MBA. Instead I double majored in Computer Science and Philosophy before completely burning out and dropping out. However, as a college dropout, I made six figures this year after severence, contract jobs and side work. I'm going to get raped on 1099's come tax time though. [:(!]

God Bless Texas

Posted: 11/12/2001 1:36:11 PM EDT

[#27]

I would have gone with an electronics engineering degree first instead of messing with criminal justice which is basically worthless unless you want a low paying job with 80% of the population hating your guts unless you are helping them out.

My classes now are a lot harder, but when I get finished it will be a lot harder to carry my wallet around too. Also, I would have went back to school sooner so I would already have this stuff finished.

Michael

Posted: 11/12/2001 1:47:09 PM EDT

[#28]

I wouldnt change a thing. I have no education, but I got the career I always wanted.

Posted: 11/12/2001 2:12:44 PM EDT

[#29]

Figger I would have retire'd as a solider, wait! I did that. I'd do it again. What I know, and what I'm good at.

Posted: 11/12/2001 8:57:45 PM EDT

[#30]

I should have ditched civics in high school and never taken American History in college. I could have then had a rewarding career in the ATF, LE, or some other government "yes man" job.

Posted: 11/12/2001 9:02:38 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
I should have ditched civics in high school and never taken American History in college. I could have then had a rewarding career in the ATF....

View Quote

You're not enjoying your telemarketing job?

Posted: 11/12/2001 11:35:15 PM EDT

[#32]

It's somewhat odd that I'm never truly happy doing what I'm doing even when I think it's what I want (or is actually a good career; I'm a newly-minted lawyer right now). I suppose the grass is always greener... Having said that. I thought about it in college but not until I was a senior and ready to graduate so I didn't pursue it. If I could go back, I would go through ROTC in college and would fulfill my obligation as an Army Infantry Officer. Ranger, SF if I could get it. Would make every effort to stay in the field as long as possible and be involved with Airborne or elite troops only. Hey, I'm only 30. Maybe there's still time. Go into the JAG corps., do that for a while. Transfer out to infantry officer school...

Posted: 11/13/2001 12:51:53 AM EDT

[#33]

It wouldn't really matter. I'd fuck up whatever I'm doing.

Posted: 11/13/2001 10:06:10 AM EDT

[#34]

I would not have wasted 4 years of my life going to college. I wasted a degree in business aministration working in the restaurant business. Like someone mentioned earlier, I would go to a trade school and become a mechanic, plumber, mortician etc.

Posted: 11/13/2001 10:32:15 AM EDT

[#35]

A Gigilo. I'm gonna kill my guidance counselor...

Posted: 11/13/2001 11:16:17 AM EDT

[#36]

Weel I have been doing this for over 20 years and I can tell you that Engineering and Aerospace sucks. In the 80's it was booming and it was quite enjoyable but it's been in the toilet since. Like someone mentioned before the raises have been almost non-existent. I keep thinking of those that dropped out of Engineering and majored is business and probably make a lot more than I do.

Posted: 11/13/2001 11:23:27 AM EDT

[#37]

Kung Fu Master.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Education and career, if you could do it over...

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