So here I am. I'm not far from being 25 years old, I have two technical certifications I'm learning don't mean crap without relevant experience (of which I, apparently, have none), I've completed the equivalent of maybe two years of college but even if I started school again I'd just be an inexperienced guy with a college degree (and the economy is likely to be even worse by the time I was done). I might be able to manage a halfway decent office-type job in a major city, but I really do think I'd prefer jumping in a volcano to wearing a tie and making money for the Man. Consulting is a halfway decent gig, but there isn't enough work in my city to make enough to move where there actually is work. I'm at a crossroads but none of the potential paths look the least bit appealing.
I know plenty of pursuits that would satisfy me, but there's a fundamental problem with each and every one of them. Being a research scientist would be pretty neat, but I'd have to go to school for another 10 years to gain the credibility I'd need to research topics that interested me. I could probably develop into a fairly talented programmer, but I'd rather not help develop the targeting system for the orbital cannons that will one day vaporize protestors, making video games based on Disney licenses isn't much better, and I wouldn't really want to relocate to India, anyhow. I'd enjoy the hell out of being a professional poker player, but my luck is abysmal. I can't think of a better job than being a photographer for SG or any of a dozen magazines, but I've never owned a serious camera. I've always thought I would make a good musician, but as it turns out I have what are colloquially known as "stupid fingers". I might have the potential to become a successful designer/inventor, but when you actually rummage around in the USPTO archives you realize that everything that isn't available to the public yet is just sitting in some vault waiting for the proper market conditions. Maybe I could be a professional writer, but I kind of suck at it. I was a pretty good actor in high school, but Id have a greater chance of success if I stayed here and played the lottery every day than if I went to L.A. seeking my fortune. And I have plenty of big, expensive ideas that could have a noticeable impact on the world, but because Im only 24 and I have no collateral, the only funding Im going to be able to secure is sitting inside a porcelain pig a few feet away.
Where do I turn? Which road should I take even though they all look to lead to the same painfully annoying job that I suffer through for the privilege of living a pointless, unfulfilling existence? And what would your job be if you could choose it?
I know plenty of pursuits that would satisfy me, but there's a fundamental problem with each and every one of them. Being a research scientist would be pretty neat, but I'd have to go to school for another 10 years to gain the credibility I'd need to research topics that interested me. I could probably develop into a fairly talented programmer, but I'd rather not help develop the targeting system for the orbital cannons that will one day vaporize protestors, making video games based on Disney licenses isn't much better, and I wouldn't really want to relocate to India, anyhow. I'd enjoy the hell out of being a professional poker player, but my luck is abysmal. I can't think of a better job than being a photographer for SG or any of a dozen magazines, but I've never owned a serious camera. I've always thought I would make a good musician, but as it turns out I have what are colloquially known as "stupid fingers". I might have the potential to become a successful designer/inventor, but when you actually rummage around in the USPTO archives you realize that everything that isn't available to the public yet is just sitting in some vault waiting for the proper market conditions. Maybe I could be a professional writer, but I kind of suck at it. I was a pretty good actor in high school, but Id have a greater chance of success if I stayed here and played the lottery every day than if I went to L.A. seeking my fortune. And I have plenty of big, expensive ideas that could have a noticeable impact on the world, but because Im only 24 and I have no collateral, the only funding Im going to be able to secure is sitting inside a porcelain pig a few feet away.
Where do I turn? Which road should I take even though they all look to lead to the same painfully annoying job that I suffer through for the privilege of living a pointless, unfulfilling existence? And what would your job be if you could choose it?
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
whatever job you do, make yourself irreplaceable, and work harder than the other guy. sage advice from a smart guy i know. you would love his job i think.
I'm a certficate student , too. I've been passed over on a lot of jobs that I was way overqualified for. They went to much younger punks with degrees and no experience, so I'd have to say school is worth it, even if you're bored there.
I'd choose to be a photographer in a perfect world, but you still have to put on the act, kiss up to clients, hustle your ass off... It takes a big chunk of cash and a lot of good promo to hit it big as an artist.
Consulting can be a really good gig if you have what they want and they're willing to shell out for it. I do strategic planning for nonprofits from time to time. Other people make huge bucks doing it. I just get the satisfaction of a job well done.
Anyhow, the boards are kind of boring without stockula to rant at...