OT: What's your job/career??

[Renegade 13]

Ok, I'm wondering what everybody's job or career is. You see, I'm trying to find some inspiration for what I want to be when I graduate next summer, and to be totally honest I have absolutely no idea right now. So I was thinking that if people post their jobs or careers (or what they're currently going to college/university to become), then maybe I would hit on something that would feel right. I need to apply to university soon if I'm going to go, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ty

[Will]

Student

If you don't know what sort of job you would be doing after graduating high school, I would say go to university. Not only will it help narrow down what it is you want to do for a career, it also opens up several that you would not have been able to get. Just about any job where only a HS diploma is needed is a wage-slave job. A degree makes things a lot easier to get a living wage.

But, some of the "jobs" I've had so far (some paid, some volunteer):

• web developer (get webpage design and content, then make it so)
• internal helpdesk support (inside the company, not with customers)
• public relations coordinator (basically keeping around 650 people updated on various events)
• front desk at the building I live in (mailroom, maintainence requests, lockouts, etc.)

What I'm attempting to become is a software developer, probably as a consultant. So instead of making shrink-wrapped software, visit a client, see what software automation can be used, see how people would use it, then create a tool to do the job. I think right now that would be the best fit for me since I like to keep moving on to new problems, rather than spend years focused on one thing. Traditional software companies don't have that flexibility.

Anyway, not sure if that helps any... but do at least apply to university. It will help out in the long run (spoken as someone who is first in the family to go beyond high school).

[Raging Deadstar]

Sorry Renegade, I'm a student as well

I'm in the same position, to be honest I have no real aspirations for a job, I'd much prefer a simple life, Once I finish this year of college i'll be down less courses so i plan to get a part time job and then do some charity work for a year or so. (Samaritans/Mencap/Mind/Red Cross/Ammnesty International, anything really)

Good Luck finding something that catches your interest Renegade

[Alneyan]

You don't get a cookie for guessing I am a student as well. And my contribution will be... how shall I put it... not exactly the most helpful you could wish for.

I am currently in my freshman year in English, a course I love so much I am thinking of going elsewhere. (Why can't we have Creative Writing here, or similar subjects, in any language?) And even if I do stick with that course, my most likely fate would be the one of a teacher - either teaching English to fellow Frenchmen, or the other way around.

The other way would be Pol Sci, but that would be slightly harder, and may not appeal to me either. At least, you would be better off if I went this way; it would mean less Alneyan on these Boards. Don't open the bottle of champagne yet though.

[tesco samoa]

systems engineer at a big company... and grocery clerk at another big company

would rather get out of big company and do something enjoyable in life.... ( you will see )

[Colonel]

Professionial Assasin: I work for a secret company that leases soilders of fourtune to High price Companies in need of protection..

or

I am a Nuclear Weapons techichian, I am responsible for disarming former Soviet Nuclear Weapons that are past there warrenty life in former Soviet Republics

or

I am a student in High School...

Can anyone geuss which one of these is the truth?

[Makinus]

Lawyer, specialized in civil lawsuits...

[Timstone]

Aaahhh!!! Lawyers! There are lawyers on this forum again!

*Screams some more and runs like a lunatic through the entire Cantina*

Calmly Raging Deadstar walks up to Timstone and gives him his medication with some brewski.
Timstone returns to normal and begins:

I'm a mechanical enigneer with a company that produces pump, generators and more of those big thingies.
I'm head of one of three teams that goes around the world to fix machines we delivered. I do this job for two years now and I really, really enjoy it. For a while I even had my personal secretay (who was also my GF, yes I said WAS ). For a short period I was called back to homebase (Good old Holland) for some more updates on machines and to begin another study. Coming april I'll be graduating from that study and then I can be called doctor (well at least I think that is the proper title in English terminology, in Dutch it is "Doctorandus").

[David E. Gervais]

In case your're interested I'm a graphic artist. I work exclusively on the computer and don't have great skill at the 'traditional' school stuff. But given some good software tools and lots of creativity I manage to do some good stuff.

I started my 'work' career doing hard time in the textile industry. During that time my hobby was computer games and artwork. After leaving the textile industry I worked as a computer salesperson and eventually moved up the ranks to manager. That taught me alot and gave me many connections in the computer industry. Now I work on computers, doing art and for games. I lucked out, I'm currently doing exactly what I love.

Today there are lots of options in the computer industry. If you love working and playing on computers, it might be good to gear your education towards that. Any company can use other skills too,.. marketing, management, sales, and accounting are found in most companies. Basically, think of what you would love to be doing and work towards increasing your chances in that field.

Have a great day, Cheers!

[Gandalf Parker]

This is what I do. I sit on forums. Web forums, local newsGroups, support forums, channels, chats, support email accounts. Also computer security response. Anything where a "presence" is desireable and immeadiate reaction is preferred. I telecommute from home with DSL (many advantages but it is fattening). I can watch TV, or play games, or anything I want as long as I can stay responsive to any other windows that call me.

As for suggestions... this was more true a decade ago but still might be true. DO NOT try to force yourself into something you dont like. Get creative. I get asked alot about "getting a computer defree" and my usual response is that if you dont already know you should then you probably shouldnt. High interest in computers is useful but attach it to something you want to do. No matter what it is; art, english, fireman, policeman, doctor, lawyer, teacher, coal miner, etc etc.. you can move yourself up in the line for hire if you can firmly attach computer to it. EVERY job nowadays needs SOMEONE who knows computers.