I hate my job. I loathe it. If I got laid off today I would do a happy dance and worry about what to do later. Some of it has to do with 2 years of layoffs at the company I work for. However, we never seem to have a shortage of VPs - the ratio is 3 peons per VP in fact. No wonder we don’t have any money for raises. I’ve been looking, but I’m in IT and there are practically no jobs unless you have an active security clearance. I have experience with Oracle, SQL, NT, etc… I’ve been doing this for 6 years now. I used to enjoy it, but now… meh. I hate sitting in a cube all day long trying to tune out the incessant blathering of my co-workers.
I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was in college, but I partied a bit too much my freshman/sophomore years and couldn’t get my GPA back up enough even though I kept a 3.6 avg after that. I sure wish I could do that over again. I have a BS in Psychology, but let’s not go there. I also have a minor in Biology.
So this is the suggest a new career thread because about the only thing I enjoy about IT anymore is the money - and seeing as how I’m massively underpaid compared to my male co-workers, that ain’t all that great either…
I did find a job opening at Fort Detrick working with Anthrax. Now that’s gotta be interesting. :dubious:
I suggest reading the book Do What Makes You Happy.
It has a test in the book of about 100 questions. It compiles, knowledge, personality, ability, etc… and at the end of the book tells you what career path you should take that would make you sucessful.
I suggest reading the book Do What Makes You Happy.
It has a test in the book of about 100 questions. It compiles, knowledge, personality, ability, etc… and at the end of the book tells you what career path you should take that would make you sucessful.
If the salary thing is correct, that ain’t right and should be corrected pronto.
Ever thought about applying to vet school anyway? You never know - sometimes admissions folks do look at grade trends. Depending on how long you’ve been away from the bio, you may have some catchup work to do. Or you can look into becoming a vet assistant/tech. I don’t know what the pay would be, but it’s at least one step closer to what you think you want to do.
How 'bout teaching kids in public schools. They need teachers with real life experience. I am sure your corporate horror stories would instill some valuable lessons on impressionable minds. Some states have lowered teacher entry requirements to attract professional folks seeking a career change. They may allow you to teach at some level while enrolled in a Masters of Teaching program for a couple of years.
I have a friend who has been doing contract programming for years while raising a kid. She is now finishing up a graduate nutrition degree and still programming.
You can also volunteer your time helping needy non-profits with their networks and databases. The connections you gain from that may propel you into a more rewarding career. I went from psychology and social work into IT 12 years ago.
Suck it up and go back to University at night. Yeah, it’s a bitch - I’m doing it to make up for getting a BA in Latin - but it will be worth it in the end…
Precisely why I asked this question. I too am in IT. I’m tired of working for the man. I’m tired of working holidays. Systems suck ass. I leave everyday thinking I helped no one. All I do is push 1’s and 0’s through a freakin’ computer. I want a job in which I feel good going to and from it (with guaranteed holidays off). I’m stuck hear at work right now working for Scruge (4th of fcking July people). You’re lucky I don’t IPL this bitch right now walk the fk out!!! But that would be irresponsible.
I need like a blue collar job. But like IT, there’s no money in it. Sometimes I feel like just saying, “I’m heading out to the bathroom, I’ll be back in a sec…”. Meanwhile I’m at O’Hare boarding a plane for Amsterdam. I don’t have the balls though, I wouldn’t know what to do for work anywhere else. If someone has advice on this very thing, let me know. I would LOVE to just up and start another life in another country (I’ve been saving…).
Then there are those who say we’re lucky to have a job. Well if I’m so damn lucky, why don’t you take it. People shouldn’t be miserable in their job. Yeah the moneys good, but where’s the satisfaction? What’s the point if I don’t enjoy it? Stressed out all time, feeling like I’ve contributed nothing. I’ve been looking for a job too, there just isn’t anything out there. Oh well.
I am thinking about finishing up my bio degree and getting a job as a microbiologist or something. Trying to get into vet school would be difficult since the school is 4 1/2 hours away.
As for school teacher - EEK! I don’t have enough patience to deal with myself most days. Besides, my MIL is one and she tells horror stories all the time.
If this oil & gas thing goes wonko again (which will happen) and I wind up on the street, I think I may try a t-shirt shop at the beach.
Not too capital intensive - I’d guess $20K could get one going with an operating budget for the first two years of around $100K. I don’t need to make a whole lot of money, and if I’m eating right and spend my days talkin’ to bikinis…, well, it could be OK.