Goals for the future

[The D]

I am stuck right now trying to figure out what the fuck to do with my life. You would think that I would have figured that out by  now, had a nice career by now, be making money and getting hos. Nope.

When I was a kid, I was like all other kids who dreamed of being different things, I wanted to be a cop, a fireman, an astronaut, dig up dinosaurs, explore jungles, be president. However, I loved reading science magazines and stuff when I was in my early teens, so I dreamed of growing up and being an inventor or scientist and creating the cure for cancer or a perpetual energy source or a way to stop wars or some shit.

In High School I was good with computers so they encouraged me to go into that. When I started college I tried a few computer classes and found I enjoyed them. But now I'm not so certain. Computer programming jobs 10-15 years ago were either in research or business, the work was liesurly, the programs simple, the pay good. Nowadays you're in stuffy cubicles, working 40-50 hours a week, lots of deadlines and stress, and you'll be lucky if your job doesn't end up in India.

But that makes me wonder what else I could do for a living. I have no idea. To help, I took the Myers-Briggs test on campus. The results said I'd be good at, get this, being a religious leader. Bullshit. I'd be rewriting the bible if that was the case. The results also said I'd be a good teacher or doctor, two fields I'm not even remotely interested in.

So now I'm back at Square One. I have no idea if I should stick with Computer Science or CIS, go to networking or hardware, or pick something else entirely.

It doesn't help that the economy is shitty, jobs are being cut left and right, jobs are going overseas, Bush is still in powet, terrorists are trying to kill us, the enviroment is shit, the religious right is trying to take over, we're running out of oil, and we're all gonna die soon anyway. Might as well work at fast food and wait for the apocolypse.
 

[Extra Zero]

When I was a kid, I was like all other kids who dreamed of being different things, I wanted to be a cop, a fireman, an astronaut, dig up dinosaurs, explore jungles, be president.

I somehow feel safer at night, knowing that you're none of those things...

[Rodent of Unusual Size]

So now I'm back at Square One. I have no idea if I should stick with Computer Science or CIS, go to networking or hardware, or pick something else entirely.

Go with networking.  It's a jerk-you-around-by-the-balls job, but at least they're hiring.  But sadly a CS degree is shit compared to a CPE degree when it comes to competition for work.

It doesn't help that the economy is shitty, jobs are being cut left and right, jobs are going overseas, Bush is still in powet, terrorists are trying to kill us, the enviroment is shit, the religious right is trying to take over, we're running out of oil, and we're all gonna die soon anyway. Might as well work at fast food and wait for the apocolypse.

There are jobs out there, but most people aren't willing to work them.  Bush being in powet doesn't really make a difference with the business world, so that's a bullshit excuse.  Terrorism has jack shit to do with it, either, and it's not as if they haven't been coming after us for years already.  

The environment is still quite nice; it'll take more than a country of asshats decreasingly venting CFCs to destroy it.  There's plenty of oil available...the cost thereof is the fault of those shriveled Middle Eastern foreskins who subsidize said terror through oil proceeds.  And everyone dies...life treats everyone differently, but death treats us all the same.  So that's nice to know.  And I'm ready for the end of the world, so I'm not worried about it.  

You're no better than anyone else.  Get your ass to work.

[IDE]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you except I'm hiding from the real world in college.  I think after this I'll either face reality and go look for a job in the motion picture industry or ....OR....I'll join the jet program and go teach english to hot japanese highschool chicks for a year...except I won't just teach english, I'll help them with their problems with my off beat over the top style and get them into all sorts of zany adventures and what not. Great Teacher IDE is what they'll call me or GTIDE for short.

[Wickedly Yours E]

G-Tide....Sounds like a hentai. Ba Dum bum.

[B E C K]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you except I'm hiding from the real world in college.  I think after this I'll either face reality and go look for a job in the motion picture industry or ....OR....I'll join the jet program and go teach english to hot japanese highschool chicks for a year...except I won't just teach english, I'll help them with their problems with my off beat over the top style and get them into all sorts of zany adventures and what not. Great Teacher IDE is what they'll call me or GTIDE for short.

 Damn, well you just have it all figured out.

[Rama]

I was in the same boat for a long time, but now I feel like I have purpose. Even though I havn't actually sold anything yet, I know some day I will though. But just the idea I'm not hanging in limbo anymore has made a huge difference. No more crazy pills for me. It's like the entire world changed.


Well I guess that won't make you feel any better....but I don't care. ^_^  

[Wickedly Yours E]

God bless you, Rama Sha-man, God bless you.

[Chopper Face 69]

If you like computers you can still have a variety of options as jobs. I mean you can do things with such skills in a variety of ways, not just in a stuff cubicle atmosphere.  From a strictly "I need to get a good job" point of view it's pretty much the easiest way to go.  Then you can work on your own and have your own little business, work for someone else, teach, do whatever kind of just it's just well... so many jobs need you sitting at a computer doing something technicaly these days.

[Faye Valentine]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you except I'm hiding from the real world in college.  I think after this I'll either face reality and go look for a job in the motion picture industry or ....OR....I'll join the jet program and go teach english to hot japanese highschool chicks for a year...except I won't just teach english, I'll help them with their problems with my off beat over the top style and get them into all sorts of zany adventures and what not. Great Teacher IDE is what they'll call me or GTIDE for short.

 Damn, well you just have it all figured out.

that's what 99% of the graduated students i know are planning to do  <_<  

[Rodent of Unusual Size]

Practically every job asks for "strong computer skills" these days...I'm betting that it won't be long before ditch diggers have to be screened with the mandate that they all be able to fill out spreadsheets and read email.

And GTO spawning GTIDE would be awesome.

[Rama]

My Penis won't let me associate anything, other then one of the finest American made sports cars, with the letters GTO.

[Guest]

My plans for the immediate future are getting 2 game pad controllers  for my computer for christmas and then pirating super mario bros. 3 off the INTERNET.

[Chopper Face 69]

My plans for the immediate future are getting 2 game pad controllers  for my computer for christmas and then pirating super mario bros. 3 off the INTERNET.

I'll bring the sushi and the skirt...

[The D]

Go with networking.  It's a jerk-you-around-by-the-balls job, but at least they're hiring.  But sadly a CS degree is shit compared to a CPE degree when it comes to competition for work.
 

What's a CPE?

I'm suprised no one's complaining about me whining like you normally do. I'm also suprised no one has taken the fact a test told me I'd be a good priest or doctor or teacher and run with it.


My uncle has been insisting over and over that I start my own job. The problem with that is twofold, First I have to figure out if there's something out there I can do well that I can start my own business in and be sucessful. Second thing, starting a business sometimes costs thousands of dollars.

He works in stocks. I think working in the stock market is shaky at best, the instant your stock plunges, you loose money. It's not a good thing for primary income. I'm also avoiding those "get rich quick" seminars on tv, no matter how much they say they work, and even when they say the seminar is free.

Also, a lot of people have been telling me to work in construction. Fuck that.

[IDE]

My plans for the immediate future are getting 2 game pad controllers  for my computer for christmas and then pirating super mario bros. 3 off the INTERNET.

I'll bring the sushi and the skirt...

 :wub:  

[Chopper Face 69]

I don't think anyone but a guidance counselor would put any kind of faith in those retarded tests and no one's gonna look down at you for being confused about what you want to do with your life for the simple reason that everyone goes through something like that.

[Rodent of Unusual Size]

Go with networking.  It's a jerk-you-around-by-the-balls job, but at least they're hiring.  But sadly a CS degree is shit compared to a CPE degree when it comes to competition for work.
 

What's a CPE?

CPE = Computer Engineer.  Computer Science is a bit more involved in the programming side, but Computer Science is essentially an Electrical Engineering degree with CS emphasis.  And some of the higher level EE classes are cut and replaced with computer courses.

I'm suprised no one's complaining about me whining like you normally do. I'm also suprised no one has taken the fact a test told me I'd be a good priest or doctor or teacher and run with it.

You obviously didn't read the rest of my post  

My uncle has been insisting over and over that I start my own job. The problem with that is twofold, First I have to figure out if there's something out there I can do well that I can start my own business in and be sucessful. Second thing, starting a business sometimes costs thousands of dollars.

He works in stocks. I think working in the stock market is shaky at best, the instant your stock plunges, you loose money. It's not a good thing for primary income. I'm also avoiding those "get rich quick" seminars on tv, no matter how much they say they work, and even when they say the seminar is free.

Your uncle is looking at what HE would do.  Don't listen to him...you don't know shit about shit yet (that's not a slam...it's a matter of experience and savvy), much less enough to start your own business.  You need either a steady job, a return to school, or both.  Sure, you can get loans to start a business, but before you jump headlong into such things you need a frank understanding of what you will be doing and if it stands any chance of working out.  As you've already figured out, making it with stocks isn't actually real world...and if you're not ingrained in it already, you're not going to succeed there.  

Also, a lot of people have been telling me to work in construction. Fuck that.

I work in construction, essentially.  I sit at a desk 75% of the time and go outside the rest.  It isn't what I went to school to do, but I'm making it pretty well.  I wouldn't want to work on-site with a crew, but that's part of what having a degree does for you.  Then again, work is work, and if you need money then there's nothing wrong with working what you think is a low on the totem pole job.  Personally, I worked in a factory for a while before I found what I would call a good job.  So don't be afraid to swallow your pride or start out on the low end.

[Merla]

Stop Complaining!!

It doesn't help that the economy is shitty, jobs are being cut left and right, jobs are going overseas, Bush is still in powet, terrorists are trying to kill us, the enviroment is shit, the religious right is trying to take over, we're running out of oil, and we're all gonna die soon anyway. Might as well work at fast food and wait for the apocolypse.

The economy is not so bad.  There are jobs out there if you are willing to work hard.  Do you even know what the meaning of work is?  Yes, jobs are being lost but at the same time new jobs are being created.   I don't have the time to research statistics on how many and what types of jobs are going overseas, but it is probably blown out of proportion in your mind.  What does Bush have to do with this?  Terrorist trying to kill us is nothing new.  What do environment and religion have to do with seeking employment?  Despite popular belief we are not running out of oil.  Certain powers choose to with hold it.  If by die soon you mean in the next 50-70 years you are right. No matter we are all going to die one day but we still have to live.  

Stay in school and finish your degree.   Hell you have all ready come this far.  So you don't know what you really want who cares!  I don't think most people know themselves.  Finish your computer degree, get employment, and earn a paycheck.  It will be much easier to make a career change if you want later.  Quit making excuses.  The only one holding you back is yourself!

[IDE]

It's not that it's drying up it's that the demand by other countries is increasing. I forgot in how long but soon there will not be enough oil for us and china.

Let's you and I start some sort of  pre-emptive strike force to stop those commie bastards from purloining our oil.  You can distract them with your whining powet while I attempt to single handedly breed the communism out.

[B E C K]

I think we should use people as energy.  Soylent oil.

[Rama]

Keanu Reeves is just one giant battery.  

[Wickedly Yours E]

Coppertop!

[The D]

There are three reason why I'd be worried to go into a computer field...

1. Not sure I'd enjoy the job.

2. I'm worried I don't know enough about whatever I go into. For instance, I took a PHP calss, but if you were to put me in front of a computer and tell me to code a board, I'd be stumped. I forgot half of what I learned.

And I see people who know so much more about computers than I. Half the people on IRC talk about linux and networking like it's their religion. Even I don't know as much as them.

3. Computer jobs seem to require long hours. I was reading an interview about a guy who started a popular forum. The forum started out as small as ours, but within a year exploded to enormous size. Now this guy says that he works 16 hour days and sleeps for only a few hours, even sleeping in front of his desk, and he has no free time to himself, he's completely devoted to the site.

Sorry, I'm too lazy for that. Give me 20-30 hours or I'm not happy.

[Sam]

Sorry, I'm too lazy for that. Give me 20-30 hours or I'm not happy.

An entry-level, 30 hour/week job that you can support youself on?

Good luck.  I hope you're prepared to be unhappy the rest of your life.

[Extra Zero]

Pretty much every job I've ever worked at, I had to atleast work 40 hours just to make what I needed or work in a position that I wanted.  Hell, I've finally just found a career and they're making  me start off at 45 a week...

[Bernie]

Also, many job benefits are only extended to full-time employees.  I've never seen/heard of a workplace that considered anything less than 35 hours a week to be full-time.  The standard is 40, of course, but some are sneaky, like my former agency, and base the work week on less to avoid paying overtime.   If I was in the middle of a problem with a client when 4:30 rolled around, tough shit.  They usually got 2.5 free hours from me every week.  <_<  

[Rodent of Unusual Size]

1. Not sure I'd enjoy the job.

Your other option is to get out there and find what you do like.  But bear in mind that most working people aren't satisfied with their careers.  Not many get (and keep) their dream job.

2. I'm worried I don't know enough about whatever I go into. For instance, I took a PHP calss, but if you were to put me in front of a computer and tell me to code a board, I'd be stumped. I forgot half of what I learned.

And I see people who know so much more about computers than I. Half the people on IRC talk about linux and networking like it's their religion. Even I don't know as much as them.

That's why these boards are built by teams, with each handling separate categories of functions.  And the reason these people know so much is because of experience in the field.  School only teaches you so much, so don't expect to quit learning just because you got a degree....

3. Computer jobs seem to require long hours. I was reading an interview about a guy who started a popular forum. The forum started out as small as ours, but within a year exploded to enormous size. Now this guy says that he works 16 hour days and sleeps for only a few hours, even sleeping in front of his desk, and he has no free time to himself, he's completely devoted to the site.

Depends on the company.  I personally don't have a huge problem with overtime if I'm expecting it.  Just don't spring it on me all of a sudden.  In this world, you have deadlines and goals to meet, and sometimes it takes planning ahead to see how much time you'll need.  Sometimes you'll need more.  But that's why they have comp/flex time.  And if you don't get it, find a better employer.

The key to the example you quoted is "he's completely devoted to the site."  When I worked at...another board, I sacrificed a lot of free time (and some school time, too) to both work at it and be a part of it.  And I wasn't even paid.  So I understand the feeling.  But you don't have to share that devotion.  A job should just be a job, something to make a living with...not an obsession.

Sorry, I'm too lazy for that. Give me 20-30 hours or I'm not happy.

Laziness won't get you anywhere but the poorhouse.  There's no easy way to make money.

[Extra Zero]

Yeah, my new job isn't exactly my "dream job".  While I'm still with Verizon right now, at least for the next couple weeks, then I start my career at Zimmerman Atlantic as a "Surgical Resource Supervisor", a fancy name for Medical Inventory Manager.  Tracking and documenting surgical implants and prosthetics isn't exactly what I saw myself doing as an adult, but it at the very least pays well.

[Faye Valentine]

Pretty much every job I've ever worked at, I had to atleast work 40 hours just to make what I needed or work in a position that I wanted.  Hell, I've finally just found a career and they're making  me start off at 45 a week...

WHAT?! and here i thought that the minimum amount of hours per week was 50 hahah <_<