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2004/02/17, 08:09 PM
Agamble (hey what's yer name?), I'm thinking about following your path. I've taught at a career school as the lead electronics instructor doing math and computer stuff. Liked the crowd, liked teaching, hated the subjects.
And as far as that goes, I'm ready to get out of my field altogether.
I like the language. Editing, writing, fiction writing or articles, proofreading, etc. Is there promise out there for this? Is giving up I.T. smart? Are you happy?
Are any of you really happy at what you do? If not, what do you REALLY want to be?
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--There are no versions of the truth.--
Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park II
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2004/02/17, 08:20 PM
I'll go to school forever if the government keeps loaning me money for it. I do I.T. part time and don't like it. It is probably just the whole office cubicle atmosphere I dislike with all its politics, etc.
A lot of places in Ontario are in need of teachers. It's cold up here though.
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2004/02/17, 09:10 PM
I work in radio.... only say work because that is the social standard, but really, it's not a job... 'beats working for a living' is what I typically say to people... been at it for ten years and couldn't imagine doing anything else!
t
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Tim
"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self."
Aristotle
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2004/02/18, 12:34 AM
love it
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May the lift be with you.
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2004/02/18, 02:29 AM
I'm very happy with my job. :)
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It's not a case of telling the truth/ Some lines just fit the situation
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2004/02/18, 07:47 AM
I hate my job, but with my degree and with my schooling being 10 years ago I really m stuck since this pays the bills and the benefits are great. Well pays the bills sorta. I would love to be teaching history or archaeology..but I would need money for that.
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LIFT HEAVY! BECOME STRONG, LIKE BULL!
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2004/02/18, 08:12 AM
Not happy with my proffesion at this point. I am only 27 though and a career change is going to happen in 2 years.
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Hecdarec in full effect.
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2004/02/18, 08:17 AM
I am a Systems Engineer Programmer, and I hate it been doing it for 7 years now. I would like to go into Paint and Body work. Something more hands on. The reason I stay with Programming is the pay is pretty good and benifits are aight.
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2004/02/18, 09:44 AM
I kind of got into my job late and by accident. After getting out of the Navy (Avionics/aircrewman), I became a machinist (CNC Lathes/Mills/Drills). Blew out my back so I started going to school to be an engineer. After 2 years I realized that I really didn't want to do math all the time (ironic) so I looked at teaching (History). About that time my youngest son was identified as Learning Disabled and the rest is history. I went into special education. I now teach consumer math to students with disabilities (Mental Retardation, Emotional Problems, Behavioral Problems, Learning Disabilities). I love it although at times it can be extremely difficult and stressful. One thing, you won't get rich but you will be rewarded in other ways. You know-making a difference. I almost quit after 2 months but I hung in there and I am glad I did. Plus I love the summers off. I know in our state we really need good Language/English teachers. I wouldn't be surprised if that's not the case every where. My biggest problem was my age when I began teaching. There was a pretty big gap there. I was 35. So I had to do quite a bit of adjusting. Hope this helps.
Tony
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2004/02/18, 09:48 AM
ANy hints on how to get started? We have a huge budget problem here which is one reason why I am scared to go into the teaching field.....a lot of layoffs in the last few years......
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LIFT HEAVY! BECOME STRONG, LIKE BULL!
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2004/02/18, 10:53 AM
I loved my job, but now my company is closing so I have to move on. Eventually I would like to be a financial counselor for at risk families.
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2004/02/18, 11:31 AM
I love the I.T. world IBM AS/400 operations all the way lol.
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I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it is gone past me I will turn to see fear's path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain
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2004/02/18, 12:07 PM
I love my job, most days!!!! I am a R.N. and choose that field as to the flexibility, the amount you can work, the areas, the places ect. I have switiched it up alot. I currently work in mental health in the community. Plan on getting my Masters and working as consultant.
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2004/02/18, 12:46 PM
I am a Certified Massage Therapist and couldn't be happier!
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2004/02/18, 01:22 PM
Ohgoon, thats a tough question . I like my profession for its: 4 weeks holidays, wonderful pension plan, $$, and 7:30-3:30pm workday. Don't like the lack of creativity it once had, not very brain stimulating :( Oh well, I guess it gives me a lot time to be here on FT lol :)
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2004/02/18, 03:00 PM
Well, since I don't have a profession yet (but getting closer and closer), I must say that being a student is ok. I mean, I'd love to be done with the University and have a good paying job, but then again, I think I would miss these years too. I dont have too much free time, but since my schedule is so varied, I don't have to worry about a monotone 9-5 lifestyle. By the way Ogun, thanks for your message :) It was sweet.
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2004/02/18, 04:04 PM
Yo Ogun,
My background is in Electrical Engineering, assembly language programming, math, and physics, but I’ve been a technical writer for roughly 14 years. I also did the teaching thing (math and sciences) for a short time. If you’re considering a career move to writing/editing (or any other career), my first piece of advice is to be passionate about it. Passion is what’ll get you through the tough times. I really respect that you’re considering doing something about your unhappiness in your career.
My second piece of advice (if you’re moving into writing/editing) is to think “broad” (LOL). In today’s marketplace, a technical writer and/or editor must also be an expert at developing help systems, be able to design web sites, have experience developing training programs (instructor led, computer-based, etc.), be a graphic artist, be a skilled indexer, have familiarity with every software package known to man, be a project manager, have impeccable organizational skills, diplomacy skills, and 10,000 other skills that can pop up at a moment’s notice.
I enjoy my job as a technical writer.LOL It is much less stressful than writing assembly language code or working in a nuclear plant. It is (for me) more stressful than being a general laborer or being a bartender. I have done all five. I can tell you that the pay is better than engineering or programming, and way better than teaching or bartending. I don’t mean to sound like a mercenary, but be sure to (1) be passionate first, and (2) pay the bills second! (...and yes I know I just split an infinitive.). Fortunately for me, I enjoyed a school system that stressed English grammar in 2nd grade... 3rd grade... 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. For some reason, they were still teaching parts of speech, sentence structure, and grammar in high school. Now, this stuff comes naturally and is really no big deal. Even more fortunately, there aren’t many people who share my feelings. So employers are happy to get somebody to do this job (and pay me well), and for me, it’s no biggie (Delighted? No. But it doesn’t suck). Everybody wins.
Now, the real down side? Well, I remember growing up, watching my dad bust his a$$ in a very physically demanding job. I saw how tough it was on him. As a result, I was very excited to have a more-or-less white collar job (and Dad was excited for me, too) with a paper cut being my worst on-the-job fear. But, as I sit on my a$$ doing my thing, day in and day out, I can’t help but wonder (14+ years later) about having a job in construction (for example), or masonry, or anything that is physically demanding. I’m sure the guys at FT who fall into the “demanding physical job” category probably think I’m on drugs, but that old adage about the grass always looking greener was never more true.
Anyway, another epic rambling from the saxman. If you have any specific questions about writing or editing careers, email me. I’d be glad to share my experiences if you think they’ll help.
TSMD
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2004/02/18, 04:06 PM
Ogun, I wouldnt give up IT all together. With all the people like me out here you will always have a future. I need my own personal IT guy on a daily basis. My brother-in-law started his own business with a friend of his doing systems and network installations and a lot of IT stuff. They are very busy and make pretty good money. But I imagine there is more personal satisfaction (and great vacation)in teaching. Both of my parents were teachers. good luck with that.
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~Victoria~
...Do not be discouraged; everyone who got where he is, started where he was.--anon
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
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2004/02/18, 04:19 PM
HOLY CRAP Batman! A saxman sighting!
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LIFT HEAVY! BECOME STRONG, LIKE BULL!
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2004/02/18, 05:19 PM
I LOVE MY JOB!! Not only is my job fun and I get to do different things all the time but, the people I work for and work with are amazing!
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2004/02/18, 05:25 PM
...yes, Commissioner Gordon (Mutt)! I saw Ogun's "bat signal" and just had to show up (and provide my usual lengthy diatribe).
And no I'm not finished with the "project". But, soon...
TSMD
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2004/02/18, 05:44 PM
Yo Ogun,
AZ (Yo AZ!) brings up a great point about the satisfaction involved with teaching. That was the most difficult part of teaching to give up. Remember, though, that a sense of satisfaction from "teaching" someone something can result from creating a technical manual, writing a training guide, or developing a computer-based instructional program, too. While those reward counterparts are instantaneous with teaching, you can still derive similar satisfaction from writing -- and from other careers as well.
In my humble opinion (after already ramming my humble opinion down everyone's throat), teaching is a vital aspect of ALL careers -- and is not something unique to school "teachers" (whom I incidentally admire and respect). For them, teaching is their job full time. Look at what each and every one of us does when we post a comment on FT... Actually, I find it difficult to think of a single career that does NOT have some form of mentoring program or teaching/training component.
I agree whole heartedly with AZ that the world needs more computer gurus... (BTW, anybody here an expert at Macromedia's Authorware?) but, there comes a time when you gotta do what's right for you... for your own sanity and longevity!
Okay, I swear I'm done! Good luck (again) Ogun.
TSMD
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2004/02/18, 09:07 PM
My Gawd! It'll take millennia to absorb all of this :))
I'd LOVE to get paid to write anything! But it has been my experience that writers (short of big names, no pun) are only doing part-time work. So I'd like to maybe combine it with an editing or even, gulp, technical writing job (scare me now, tenor, or forever hold your sax).
And I'm frankly SHOCKED to hear how many of you are so happy at your jobs. I thought job satisfaction was nearly a thing of the past, and that now, we were just wading through each day to get to the next. Wow. I'm happy (aye, and a tad bit envious, to be sure) for all of you who love your professions. Rawk On.
Sometimes I wonder what the best philosophy is. I'm inclined to follow that tenor is correct about passion. It's the only thing that'll push most through. But there's also apathy. Peter principle. Comfort. How many work because they know their job and it pays, period? Nothing else needed? That's fine as well, but not what gets my heart beating.
I'm 31, and only recently have I realized how much of a romance I've had with the English language my whole life. Oddly, I studied French, too. But that was just an affair.
In the end, I know that if I'm going to be happy while earning an income, it's going to be doing something with the language (or one of a few fantasies I have, involving jungles, guns, skydiving, and Jane March) whether it's editing, writing, or speaking about it, or teaching.
Hmmm. Anybody, can you hire me?
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--There are no versions of the truth.--
Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park II
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2004/02/18, 09:10 PM
Twas my pleasure ;) What will you be?
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Quoting from Diana123:
Well, since I don't have a profession yet (but getting closer and closer), I must say that being a student is ok. I mean, I'd love to be done with the University and have a good paying job, but then again, I think I would miss these years too. I dont have too much free time, but since my schedule is so varied, I don't have to worry about a monotone 9-5 lifestyle. By the way Ogun, thanks for your message :) It was sweet.
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2004/02/18, 09:12 PM
Amazing story. I worked Avionics in the Air Force, too (PMEL). I'm sure you must be passionate about your work. What do you mean by the adjustments you had to make because of your age?
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Quoting from agamble:
I kind of got into my job late and by accident. After getting out of the Navy (Avionics/aircrewman), I became a machinist (CNC Lathes/Mills/Drills). Blew out my back so I started going to school to be an engineer. After 2 years I realized that I really didn't want to do math all the time (ironic) so I looked at teaching (History). About that time my youngest son was identified as Learning Disabled and the rest is history. I went into special education. I now teach consumer math to students with disabilities (Mental Retardation, Emotional Problems, Behavioral Problems, Learning Disabilities). I love it although at times it can be extremely difficult and stressful. One thing, you won't get rich but you will be rewarded in other ways. You know-making a difference. I almost quit after 2 months but I hung in there and I am glad I did. Plus I love the summers off. I know in our state we really need good Language/English teachers. I wouldn't be surprised if that's not the case every where. My biggest problem was my age when I began teaching. There was a pretty big gap there. I was 35. So I had to do quite a bit of adjusting. Hope this helps.
Tony
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2004/02/18, 09:24 PM
Victoria, I'll be your I.T. guy anytime :D (Is that a Laser Office Printer in my pocket or am I just glad to see you?)
O my gawd! Somebody shoot me before I get cornier.
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--There are no versions of the truth.--
Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park II
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2004/02/18, 09:27 PM
Teaching shure is a calling. The wife is a elementary school teacher. The amount of time she has to put in to planing and correcting is another 40hrs out side of class time. Plus NY state and the Feds are constantly putting mandates on what they have to teach and how. I could never keep up. Funny thing I never thought I would marry a school teacher. When I was in school I couldnt stand them lol.
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I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it is gone past me I will turn to see fear's path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain
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2004/02/18, 09:48 PM
Ogun, by adjustment I meant that I had to get used to a younger generation. They were quite a bit different from when I went to school. I think the high school students of today are, for the most part, smarter, more mature, more focused, bolder, more serious, edgier, mouthier, etc than my peers and I were when I went to school. It took some getting used to. Just my opinion though.
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2004/02/19, 01:48 PM
Awwww shucks Ogun, ya makin' me blush. I can't get my MSN to cooperate :( , could it be that size DOES matter?
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~Victoria~
...Do not be discouraged; everyone who got where he is, started where he was.--anon
...There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.--Beverly Sills
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2004/02/19, 01:53 PM
With my diploma(s), which is in American Studies and Teaching, I will be able to work in many fields, including being an english teacher, a translator, a job at the US embassy....many things. However, I honestly dont want to teach (i'm scared!!) and i would much rather do something which involves fitness. But I will most likely teach for a few years and save up some more $ to go back to school and study for what i REALLY want to do.
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Quoting from Ogun:
Twas my pleasure ;) What will you be?
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2004/02/21, 11:20 PM
From the geezer.. Find somthing you love doing and all else will fall into place. My wife has her degree in journalism and masters in education. She never worked in either field. She retired as a VP/Controler for a manufacturing company last year. I finished high school, did a hitch in the navy and became a cabinetmaker.
My employees get a huge rush when we are featured in Better Homes or Womens Day. Thats really neat but the greatest satisfaction I get is teaching my boys and girls this trade
Some lucky folks make tons of money from their jobs. Most don't though. If you want money, spend less than you make....For a long time. LOL. Above all do what and who you love.
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Some times life is like herding cats.
Charlie
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2004/02/22, 12:53 PM
What and who. HA
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--There are no versions of the truth.--
Jeff Goldblum, Jurassic Park II
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2004/02/28, 07:48 AM
i'm just a dumb grunt so this is really all i know(security)the benifits can be good have met alot of great people (musical and others)but it has serious draw backs.at 31 i'm getting kinda old and really tried of having to go toe to toe with people in violent ways but now i kinda get to pick and choose my assignments.as for tattooing i love it it gives me great satifaction to see my work on others and know usually it will be permanent.besides art of anytype is great stress relief.bartending can be fun&very profitable but temping since i try to stay away from drinking (woke one day and reliezed almost a gallon of southern comfort was empty by me and none of my buddies drink it was a sign)" hey stupid your gonna kill your self this way"i told my self and remembered alcoholism goes many generations back in my family.
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Dave "lost viking seeking Valhalla"
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2004/02/28, 08:44 AM
I just switched jobs. Have been in social services for the last 16 years, and well it was time to leave. I returned to my roots working on a farm. I have been fortunate enough to land a farm managers job working with thoroughbred race horses. Have two of my own. I am loving it. Outside most days (even the really cold one's). :big_smile::love:
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