Topic: What do you do for a living?

[Nick DiMola]

I've been curious to know what everyone here does for a living (or what they are going to school for)? Be as broad or specific as you like. I'll start.

I am a programmer for the SUNY system in New York state. I am one of 4 programmers who write the human resources applications that many of the individual campuses use to manage their staff. We provide these applications as Java web apps.

[Caliban]

Living at my dad's house, well legally it's mine but he pays the bills for now, and I am studying for a "Mechanical Technician - CNC" diploma.

[DAaaMan64]

I am a web developer out of Spokane Washington working on finishing prerequisites for DigiPen.  I have a degree in Web Development and am pretty good in several languages.  I currently work for a company called CBSI and develop their website.  Pays well and is easy.

  I have extra time on my hands as of now and would be happy to help with the site if someone wanted some help.

[NWR_pap64]

I am actually a professional homeless guy. I go around collecting garbage, looking for food, I throw crazy tantrums  to scare the crap out of people and if I'm lucky I ride the nice police car!

In all seriousness, I was studying to become an elementary school teacher. I finished my practical last December, will graduate in June and right now I am looking for a job. Sadly, no luck . Plus I pretty much have to wait a year till I can work in the schools.

So at the moment, I am unemployed .

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

I'm a Water Resources Engineer for the California Department of Water Resources.

I study the hydraulics of the rivers, levees, and flood control structures in the Sacramento region; and draw maps.  We examine deficiencies in our various flood projects and design maintenance work (rebuild levees; or remove dirt that clog up rivers) to ensure Gov. Arnold's carpet stays dry.

Since I can't play video games at work, I come here to angst all day.

Today is pay day.  AWW HELL YAH

[bustin98]

I am a web designer/ web master / VP. I manage our server as well as custom build websites and applications. Mostly in PHP with MySQL, though sometimes ASP. Flash is used, too. I did not go to school for what I do and for that I am glad.

[Plugabugz]

I'm studying for a degree in business studies.

I work in a recruitment company the rest of the time, dealing with job applications and telephone interviews.

[ShyGuy]

I'm a professional flunky for a small computer place in Spokane. I do a lot of contract work. I used to do web design but the market has squeezed out the little guys.

I also do contract killing, but that's more of a hobby.

[UltimatePartyBear]

I'm a programmer working for a small company that sells software designed for the electrical distribution industry.

[oohhboy]

Come to New Zealand Pap64. We are busting to get teachers. Unfortunately even under such conditions, we still don't pay that much 

I am training to be a pilot. I am a flight test away from getting my private license and about a year away from my commercial/ATPL license. My dream job would be flying for Cathay Pacific. They have some really Hawt flight attendants. I plan to take two with me after every flight for err.. relaxation. Yeah, relaxxx....

[Ian Sane]

I'm a programmer.  Over the years I've discovered I really don't like programming or working with computers anymore but I have no plans to start my career over.  Why?  Because I hate school even more.  I've gotten very used to years of no tests and no homework.  I may not like my job that much but I'll deal with 40 hours of hell a week to have complete freedom the rest of the time.  And I do like pretty much everything about where I work EXCEPT for the work itself.  Go figure.

Deep down though I suspect I just don't like working for a living in general.  But that's life and I'll live with it and earn my own way but I've never had a job I've enjoyed in any way and have never liked school.  Odds are it wouldn't matter what I was doing for a living, the stuff I'm FORCED to do will always suck and the stuff I choose to do won't.

[Ceric]

I'm officially a Database Analyst but, in all actuallity I do support on all the products of the Nashville Branch of my company.  Fortunately I am a programmer but my job consistenltly takes me out of my comfort area, most of my experience is not originally web based, and I'm routinely asked to jump into the middle of something where they have kept me totally out of the loop and perform like I was totally in the know the whole time.  Even though they know they will be giving the work to me.  On top of that they take away things that I did all the leg work for and assign to someone who is less qualified to work on it but higher ranking.  My department is the least respected department but, the only reason the company is not bankrupt.

[NuclearSpeed]

I currently work in retail and in my final year at school, graduating in December, for a degree in Computer Science with a focus on Software Engineering.

[ShyGuy]

Ceric, I think you need to request a raise/promotion.

[DAaaMan64]

I'm officially a Database Analyst but, in all actuallity I do support on all the products of the Nashville Branch of my company.  Fortunately I am a programmer but my job consistenltly takes me out of my comfort area, most of my experience is not originally web based, and I'm routinely asked to jump into the middle of something where they have kept me totally out of the loop and perform like I was totally in the know the whole time.  Even though they know they will be giving the work to me.  On top of that they take away things that I did all the leg work for and assign to someone who is less qualified to work on it but higher ranking.  My department is the least respected department but, the only reason the company is not bankrupt.

That is going to be quite the work experience when you don't have to work there anymore.

[Ceric]

Ceric, I think you need to request a raise/promotion.

I probably will but everyone is only reviewed for that in July.  Plus to make things more difficult the boss that will be giving the review for that rarely interacts with me (Too busy and abstracted far away from what I do.)

That is going to be quite the work experience when you don't have to work there anymore.

Yes it will be.
I'm going to try to get my certs and experience.  Once I have enough I'll probably move on if things don't start making good sense.

For the record I have the utmost respect for all the people in my department and there knowledge of there respected areas are impeccable.

I guess I should say that I work in Asp - ASP .Net 2.0 Framework using VB (we would all love to us C#) when not in the database.

Sorry I brought the thread down work is frustrating at times.

[DAaaMan64]

Understandable Ceric. 

I hate .net languages, so frustrating and complicated.  I do a much better job with the open source and the simpler scripting languages. 

I am sure there are plenty out there that feel the complete opposite though

[Caliban]

I'm surprised at the number of people that are involved with computer programming.

[Ceric]

I'm not to much.  On a side note I think .Net is getting less confusing.

[DAaaMan64]

I'm not to much.  On a side note I think .Net is getting less confusing.

Thats good to here. So SICK of error messages and .NET

[EasyCure]

This thread makes me feel inadequate with my "career" and academic achievements, or lack there of

[Athrun Zala]

Computer Engineering student... probably will start working this year, and finish my English studies, at last...

I'm not to much.  On a side note I think .Net is getting less confusing.

sorta... getting better, but being windows only kinda kills it (as great as mono is, it will always be behind)... I really like C# though.

[decoyman]

Many of you probably know this already, but I'm a graphic designer. My specialty is print (brochures, newspaper, magazine ads, displays, promo materials like magnets and bags and shirts, etc.), but I was hired at my old University about 7 months ago as their Multimedia Designer, meaning I do pretty much whatever they need done, design-wise, including the Web site, video, photography, and marketing strategy/tracking.

I've been trying to improve at Web work - flash, dreamweaver, content management systems, ... - since I'm technically the Webmaster of our site. It's not as hard as it seems though, especially at a large organization like a University, since there are lots of other people who can help me out if I don't know how to do something.

I knew I was in the right field when, in school, I could go into the graphics lab on a Saturday morning, work there all day, and routinely get so involved in whatever I was doing that I'd forget to eat. I still feel that way, mostly, though I've been feeling a pull to do something else, something drastically different... but I'm not sure what it is. I very nearly signed up for the Peace Corps a month or two ago. So, if I ever disappear from the boards suddenly, maybe it's because I'm teaching English in francophone West Africa:P

[ShyGuy]

Almost everyone here is in a technology field except for the teacher and the pilot. We're a buncha nerds.

[EasyCure]

he-he now i feel better cuz im not a nerd

dead-end job having college drop-out ftw!

 

[Maverick]

dead-end job having college drop-out ftw!

 

You are not alone my friend.  I couldn't hack it in college and now waste what's left of my life working in my father's motorcycle accessory shop. 

Any suggestions on real jobs that make decent money so I can kick out my roommates?   

[DAaaMan64]

dead-end job having college drop-out ftw!

 

You are not alone my friend.  I couldn't hack it in college and now waste what's left of my life working in my father's motorcycle accessory shop. 

Any suggestions on real jobs that make decent money so I can kick out my roommates?   

I hear this a lot, but I have a possible cure...

This is a list of 20 jobs that don't need a college degree, but still pay well.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/Careers/02/24/cb.no.degree.jobs/index.html

as well as this link:

http://careerpath.org/jobhunting/change/20051024-coombes.html

Have fun!

[Nick DiMola]

he-he now i feel better cuz im not a nerd

dead-end job having college drop-out ftw!

 

Meh, college is over rated. I personally barely made it out. I had a pretty low GPA, and struggled the entire time I was there. Now that I'm out and working I do extremely well within my job and have made myself a vital part of my organization. Both of my parents attended only 2 years of college and have both done very well for themselves. My father is a restaurant owner/chef and my mother is a retired dental hygienist (has rheumatoid arthritis, she works with my dad now). There is a job out there for everyone, and college isn't necessarily the path to getting it.

[Maverick]

You Da Man, DAaaMan! 

I was actually thinking about taking some pilot training courses, the problem is training for that sort of thing is also expensive.  When you're barely cutting the rent every month, it's hard to dream of getting specialty training in any sort of field.  I guess I'll have to hold out until the girlfriend gets out of college and gets a decent job so I can bum off of her until I can afford to get some training for an actual career.

[Bill Aurion]

Medical student, though my main job is constantly trying to find the right balance between studying and playing videogames... ='D

[NWR_pap64]

Almost everyone here is in a technology field except for the teacher and the pilot. We're a buncha nerds.

Oh, my first degree is actually an associates degree in light computer programming. I did stuff in C++ and Visual Basic while I used sheets to program in COBOL.

The reason I later on studied education was because I wanted to get a higher degree, and figured that if I can't get anything in one field I can go to the other and vice versa, and maybe even combine the two.

So yeah, I'm still a nerd .

[ShyGuy]

Mr Jack is right about college. I like what David Mamet says about college:
http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2007/02/12/2/a-discussion-with-playwright-and-filmmaker-david-mamet
(at about 14:00, few seconds before)

[Caliban]

In the USA, college is inferred to be university, or am I wrong? Because here in Canada, or at least where I am, college and university are two completely different sects of the post-secondary life.
I love college (Humber is where I am now) more than university (York is where I went to). In college classes are much smaller in number of students, so there's more interaction between student and teacher, but then again my program needs such conditions. I also like it because I can at least get to know my classmates in contrast to when I was in university and there were classes of 500 students which I think is just ridiculous. Also college is more inclined to have programs that are focused on trades which I think is quite underappreciated in Canada when there are many job opportunities in trades. Instead of the 4+ years at university I am spending 3 consecutive semesters, september to august, to learn a trade that most likely will push me towards the job marketplace much quicker than if I had stayed in university all those years. Meh, that's just my opinion.

You are not alone my friend.  I couldn't hack it in college and now waste what's left of my life working in my father's motorcycle accessory shop. 

Any suggestions on real jobs that make decent money so I can kick out my roommates?  

Since you work in a motorcycle accessory shop I presume you know or have at least heard of the tool and dye industry, or at least know what a CNC/Conventional (Lathe, Mill) machine is? Look into it. It is something that I see that has a lot of potential to be able to work for a great variety of industries that require such services.

[Nick DiMola]

Yeah in the USA college = university, we don't distinguish a difference. The equivalent of Canadian college would be a trade school (sometimes referred to as Technical College). Glad you mentioned that there is a difference between College and University there, definitely something I never knew.

[RABicle]

In all seriousness, I was studying to become an elementary school teacher. I finished my practical last December, will graduate in June and right now I am looking for a job. Sadly, no luck . Plus I pretty much have to wait a year till I can work in the schools.

Legendary. I'm studying Primary Teaching too.

Right now though my money comes from working as a waiter at a café and welfare.

[Plugabugz]

Almost everyone here is in a technology field except for the teacher and the pilot. We're a buncha nerds.

And me, don't forget me. The one slaving to get everyone else a job. And taking pleasure out of failing them all.

[vudu]

Legendary. I'm studying Primary Teaching too.

Never going to happen.  Your ass is plastered all over the Internet.  It will shame you for years to come.

[odifiend]

The nakedness slowed this one down...
I am not a programmer - I like going out in the sun, I get my hair cut, the girls I know, know of me too.  j/k
I am a chemical engineering student and during the summer I am a door-to-door salesman.  I used to have the same job as Bill, too, but school has pretty much won.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

loli-shota-stalking?

[odifiend]

No, that market is too niche to support more than just Bill.

[Svevan]

I'm a student studying to get degrees in Art History, Political Science, Theatre Arts, Journalism, Photography, Film Studies, and Marine Biology. I think I might have to lop one of those off the list, though.

[vudu]

I'm a student studying to get degrees in Art History, Political Science, Theatre Arts, Journalism, Photography, Film Studies, and Marine Biology. I think I might have to lop one of those off the list though, and replace it with something that might actually earn some money.

Fixed.

[Svevan]

I know you're kidding vudu, but I get this all the time. People say "what are you going to DO with that degree" when I say I'm studying art history. Then, with derision, they'll say "I suppose you could TEACH art history, hurr" as if teaching isn't noble, and art history isn't worthy.

Today I just read a nice little paragraph from Robin Wood's introduction to his book "Hitchcock's Films: Revisited."

As for education: the term has changed its meaning since I studied at Cambridge in the early 1950s. Then, it meant (to me at least) something like "defining oneself in relation to our cultural history, our living past, and in relation to the world today; developing oneself intellectually, emotionally, culturally; learning to make choices, to discriminate; discovering oneself, developing oneself." Today (to judge from the responses of many students I have encountered) it means "Will this help me to a career? If not, will I at least get a good grade?" There must have been some defining - and disastrous - moment in the evolution of the modern American university when it was decided to attach the writing of essays and the awarding of grades to lecture courses (the contamination spread, a long time ago, to Britain). At Cambridge we attended a course because we were interested, and for no other reason.

...

Nowadays I have not infrequently been approached by students on the first night of a course who asked, "What must I do to get a B plus?"

I am curious (yellow). Those who went to college (and beyond), did the experience feel more like a trade school, giving you skills necessary for a job? It is interesting that, at least in Robin Wood's mind, and in the minds of a few other intellectuals I know of, this is not  the way it has always been.

Are we becoming too specialized? In America and the western world, are we too obsessed with jobs and work, giving little care to the value of the work we're doing?

[oohhboy]

That does look a bit much Svevan. But if enjoy it and excel at it I got nothing against it. With that under your belt you can become an intellectual bad ass like Clark Kent with none of the Superman.

I did try out University myself, but dropped out after a semester. I joined up really only because it was the "it" thing to do once you left school. I had no goals or direction other than "Go to Uni". Having done that bit of Uni, I too saw a lot of your quote Robin Wood around and in me, I didn't even have a career to aim for let alone a lust for knowledge. The environment and the shear pointlessness of what I was doing quickly caught up with me.

It was only years later that I found something that didn't test my patience just for the sake of testing it. Something that moved as fast as I did and has a most agreeable payoff at the end. Something I really enjoyed with a passion that matched my energy for gaming.

Also I didn't want to be a nerd anymore 

[IceCold]

I hope you achieve your pilot goal, but isn't there a lot of work to get there? With hours and the rest?

[Kairon]

I know you're kidding vudu, but I get this all the time. People say "what are you going to DO with that degree" when I say I'm studying art history. Then, with derision, they'll say "I suppose you could TEACH art history, hurr" as if teaching isn't noble, and art history isn't worthy.

Today I just read a nice little paragraph from Robin Wood's introduction to his book "Hitchcock's Films: Revisited."

As for education: the term has changed its meaning since I studied at Cambridge in the early 1950s. Then, it meant (to me at least) something like "defining oneself in relation to our cultural history, our living past, and in relation to the world today; developing oneself intellectually, emotionally, culturally; learning to make choices, to discriminate; discovering oneself, developing oneself." Today (to judge from the responses of many students I have encountered) it means "Will this help me to a career? If not, will I at least get a good grade?" There must have been some defining - and disastrous - moment in the evolution of the modern American university when it was decided to attach the writing of essays and the awarding of grades to lecture courses (the contamination spread, a long time ago, to Britain). At Cambridge we attended a course because we were interested, and for no other reason.

...

Nowadays I have not infrequently been approached by students on the first night of a course who asked, "What must I do to get a B plus?"

I am curious (yellow). Those who went to college (and beyond), did the experience feel more like a trade school, giving you skills necessary for a job? It is interesting that, at least in Robin Wood's mind, and in the minds of a few other intellectuals I know of, this is not  the way it has always been.

Are we becoming too specialized? In America and the western world, are we too obsessed with jobs and work, giving little care to the value of the work we're doing?

I'm thinking... I'm afraid the answer is yes. I wonder if sometime in the past, the defenders of education decided to attach education to future income as a way to justify school to underperformers, and since then education has been seen as only a means to an end... though it's not surprising that for many people, it'd end up being such. Not everyone has the demeanor to be an actual academic, and these people probably deserve to go to school if they want to just like everyone else.

I wonder if most of the population considers "learning" as a luxury, and their job potential as the more immediate concern (often justly so).

...I mean... seriously... who actually goes to college for an accounting degree for any other reason than that they want to make some good money???

[Caterkiller]

I like to think I'm not so much of a nerd, but when it comes to games and comics I definitely am. I  think some of you know this but I'm a Martial arts teacher, Wushu specifically. Also a stunt man and actor. Its super fun, and what got me into all of it was Soul Calibur 2. You know how Kilik gets to the top of his staff like upside down? then comes crashing down with a smash? I can do that!

Befor Jan 1st 2008, I use to play Spider-Man at Universal studios, it was great, but now there are no more super heroes! oh well!

But I couldn't go to college, like Ian, I just couldn't deal with tests and things like that again. So i decided if I'm going to make a living, it has to be fun, and I have to  be able to do things like Mario and Link. And I'm being totally serious. Hahaha.

[Kairon]

Wow... Caterkiller... you are AWESOME!

Myself, I'm trying out this totally new major called GSP... Game & Simulation programming. Yeah... so... I'll let you guys know how it goes... I'm scared!!!

[ShyGuy]

The pure joy of higher learning is fine except you can drop $50,000 (OR A LOT MORE) to do it. Somebody has to pay for it, otherwise the teachers starve.

[Kairon]

But just because you're not in college doesn't mean you can't have an enriching education. It's just less... convenient to pursue those things when you don't have teachers pushing you and exposing you whether you like it or not.

It's still possible to live a full and enriching academic life when you're not in college... isn't it?

[ShyGuy]

With the wealth of information easily available today, it's more possible than ever!

[Caliban]

I know you're kidding vudu, but I get this all the time. People say "what are you going to DO with that degree" when I say I'm studying art history. Then, with derision, they'll say "I suppose you could TEACH art history, hurr" as if teaching isn't noble, and art history isn't worthy.

Today I just read a nice little paragraph from Robin Wood's introduction to his book "Hitchcock's Films: Revisited."

As for education: the term has changed its meaning since I studied at Cambridge in the early 1950s. Then, it meant (to me at least) something like "defining oneself in relation to our cultural history, our living past, and in relation to the world today; developing oneself intellectually, emotionally, culturally; learning to make choices, to discriminate; discovering oneself, developing oneself." Today (to judge from the responses of many students I have encountered) it means "Will this help me to a career? If not, will I at least get a good grade?" There must have been some defining - and disastrous - moment in the evolution of the modern American university when it was decided to attach the writing of essays and the awarding of grades to lecture courses (the contamination spread, a long time ago, to Britain). At Cambridge we attended a course because we were interested, and for no other reason.

...

Nowadays I have not infrequently been approached by students on the first night of a course who asked, "What must I do to get a B plus?"

I am curious (yellow). Those who went to college (and beyond), did the experience feel more like a trade school, giving you skills necessary for a job? It is interesting that, at least in Robin Wood's mind, and in the minds of a few other intellectuals I know of, this is not  the way it has always been.

Are we becoming too specialized? In America and the western world, are we too obsessed with jobs and work, giving little care to the value of the work we're doing?

I don't think that it's about being specialized. I think it's first and foremost more of a factor for survival. It has always been, and it shall always be no matter what kind of geopolitical system we live in.

[odifiend]

With the wealth of information easily available today, it's more possible than ever!

Yeah but is it good information?  To get at higher learning stuff and current research, you often need official publications and databases which pretty much all cost money.  What is worse, is that you never know when research useful to you or your curiosity will be published.

Svevan:  Yes the reason why students learn can be sad nowadays.  It isn't at all romantic.  But at university (not sure if you are making the international distinction), you are forced by seniority and timeline to often take courses that don't interest you.  Graduation requirements suck and can be a complete waste of time.  On top of it, to some students they are a threat to their GPA which STUPIDLY is the basis for getting hired by an employer or going on in school.  I consider myself a learner, but for subjects in which I'm not interested - the "what must I do to get a B plus?" applies.
Not to tool you, but why are you getting formal degrees - seven if I counted right - if you just want to learn?  I agree with Kanye West when it comes to the amount of degrees.

[Nick DiMola]

I am curious (yellow). Those who went to college (and beyond), did the experience feel more like a trade school, giving you skills necessary for a job? It is interesting that, at least in Robin Wood's mind, and in the minds of a few other intellectuals I know of, this is not  the way it has always been.

Are we becoming too specialized? In America and the western world, are we too obsessed with jobs and work, giving little care to the value of the work we're doing?

The problem we have here in America is a huge one. First of all, what we have done by placing such a strong emphasis on attending College/University, we have migrated so much of what high school should be teaching to the university level. The result; people come out of High School with a worthless piece of paper. Because we have moved to a very specialized society, we no longer place any value on those with just a High School diploma. High School counselors will tell you, you need to go to college if you want to be worth a damn to society. Because we place such value on specialized skills, the same is happening with a Bachelors Degree. That is no longer worth what it used to be worth, and now you need to get a Masters Degree just to be considered in some fields. Soon people will need a PHD just to work at McDonalds.

Since America is so focused on knowing a trade to it's fullest we need to really trim the fat and fix the system. High School should set you up with some preliminary skills if you plan to learn for a trade after school. College, will be used for higher level, broad learning. Trade Schools would become more prevalent, offering 4 year degrees that focus solely on the skills of the trade you desire to learn. By the time you leave you will be fully prepared for the field you went to trade school for, because you focused exclusively on learning those key skills.

Unfortunately, College in America has become a business, not a learning institution. Students are willing to pay huge money to have someone give them the resources to teach themselves a skill that will make them good money when they finish. Students, in essence, pay for a piece of paper that says, "I'm good enough, hire me."

The problems with American education drive me so crazy I can't even fully gather my thoughts on it. Bottom line is, our progression through Middle School and High School is a worthless test to tell college "I'm good enough, accept me." and college is another scam where you pay for a piece of paper that says the same to some business out there. How much you know is practically irrelevant, because your job will train you to know what you need to know anyway, at least in an entry level situation.

[UltimatePartyBear]

Wow, good job derailing this thread, Svevan.

People say "what are you going to DO with that degree" when I say I'm studying art history. Then, with derision, they'll say "I suppose you could TEACH art history, hurr" as if teaching isn't noble, and art history isn't worthy.

A friend of mine has an art history degree.  She's a reference librarian at a university now, but I think that required her master's degree, too.

[decoyman]

Svevan, you make a good point. I think the reason, at least in America, that the impetus to pursuing higher education has changed is because of increased costs (or at least the perception of increased cost - I'm not sure how much more expensive things really are today, inflation factored in). I mean, you go to school for four years, racking up massive debt, relying on debt (loans, credit cards, etc.) the whole way through. SO, when you get out, you've got to be planning to be able to pay it all back. The old institution of "parents paying for their kids to go to college" is less and less possible these days, at least in part because of our collective and growing propensity to spend Spend SPEND and not save near enough for our OWN retirements, let alone to pay our kids' ways through college. We've moved from being more ant\-like to more grasshopper-like.

In places where education is free, you'd think that this wouldn't have the same effect... but I can't speak for that.

Achievement unlocked: Derailment successfully extended.

[EasyCure]

I like to think I'm not so much of a nerd, but when it comes to games and comics I definitely am. I  think some of you know this but I'm a Martial arts teacher, Wushu specifically. Also a stunt man and actor. Its super fun, and what got me into all of it was Soul Calibur 2. You know how Kilik gets to the top of his staff like upside down? then comes crashing down with a smash? I can do that!

Befor Jan 1st 2008, I use to play Spider-Man at Universal studios, it was great, but now there are no more super heroes! oh well!

But I couldn't go to college, like Ian, I just couldn't deal with tests and things like that again. So i decided if I'm going to make a living, it has to be fun, and I have to  be able to do things like Mario and Link. And I'm being totally serious. Hahaha.

Caterkiller is officially the man

[nitsu niflheim]

Technically I work for a trucking company, but in actuality I do payroll and accounting for various other types of companies at the same time.

I work in the accounting field.

My typical week is I do 1 payroll on Monday, usually between 3-5 on Tuesday, and then 1 payroll on either Thursday or Friday depending on when it's called in.  I do accounting work basically when I feel like it when it comes in. 

[Svevan]

Not to tool you, but why are you getting formal degrees - seven if I counted right - if you just want to learn?  I agree with Kanye West when it comes to the amount of degrees.

I was mostly joking. I have taken so long to get through what little college I have now, that I'm not afraid of staying in it for as long as I find it beneficial. If I can get two degrees (Art History and Poli Sci are my highest priorities) then I'll be happy, but I may end up like everyone else and get one. The rest will come as it comes. Marine Biology was a joke, too.

I'm interested in getting all these degrees for two reasons: one is that private learning has done me a lot of good, but institutionalized learning has done me a lot better, and everyone hopes the degree somehow correlates to actual knowledge. Spending several years focusing on very disparate fields (art, politics, journalism) is valuable in the way Robin Wood said it is in my quote above: it contextualizes you within your world.

The other reason is that, yes, I want proof that I'm involved in this stuff. As someone who's worked at volunteer journalism for awhile and tried to move up the ladder, I've seen how important a degree in (at least) English or Journalism can improve your chances at getting a job. So having a couple of degrees that, taken cumulatively, say "I care about the liberal arts, about broad thinking, about multiple facets of the world," coupled with actual work like the stuff I do here and regionally, I hope will propel me to a terribly underpaid job with great social impact.

Sorry to derail the thread. On topic again, jobs I wouldn't mind having once I'm done with all this shizzaz: N'Gai Croal's, Chris Matthews', Annie Leibovitz's, or my old Art History Teacher Ms. Strain's.

[Kairon]

I'd love to program/design/work on Games for many years, and then shift to teaching. I've always had this nagging inability to say "no" to helping people out, I'm a tutor in my school right now in fact, so at some point in the future when I want to slow down, I could see myself grabbing a teaching position somewhere... hmm...

[Ian Sane]

The reason education that does not relate specifically to a career goal is crapped on by many is simple.  College costs money.  Lots of money.  Most people get to start their adulthood in debt because of college.  So unless you're rich if you're going to go into debt for something it might as well provide you with some assistance in paying off that debt.  Willingly spending more money than one earns is generally regarded as a very stupid practice regardless of whether the person in debt thinks it was worthwhile or not.

Besides I think the whole prestige of education for the pursuit of knowledge and bettering oneself is an antiquated idea.  Go back in time and the people who treated education like that were sons of upper class rich parents who never had to do any real work in their entire lives.  So when money is no object and you have as much free time as you wish education with no career ambitions sounds like fun.  But education isn't limited to the upper class now.  It's open to everyone and now it's EXPECTED of everyone.  So if you have to support yourself with some sort of career and most careers require you to go to school for four years it makes sense to have that career you need to avoid starving to death as your priority.  These are the days of the working class going to college.  Thus college is justifiably seen as a job-related tool.

It's like how some privledged people own a car purely for sport but most of us own a car because getting from point A to B is a necessity for survival.

[Kairon]

These are the days of the working class going to college.

That's... that's a good thing, right?

[Caterkiller]

Wow praise from Caesar!

[Ceric]

These are the days of the working class going to college.

That's... that's a good thing, right?

Not Necessarily.  If everyone is Special then no one is.

[DAaaMan64]

These are the days of the working class going to college.

That's... that's a good thing, right?

Not Necessarily.  If everyone is Special then no one is.

Especially retarded.There are a couple of things I am glad I didn't learn in college. Such as politics.

[ShyGuy]

With the wealth of information easily available today, it's more possible than ever!

Yeah but is it good information?  To get at higher learning stuff and current research, you often need official publications and databases which pretty much all cost money.  What is worse, is that you never know when research useful to you or your curiosity will be published.

I guess it depends on what field you're entering. It's not like much info is locked away nowadays. Maybe for hard sciences.

[oohhboy]

I hope you achieve your pilot goal, but isn't there a lot of work to get there? With hours and the rest?

Sort of back on topic. I am a flight test away from Private License which allows me to fly under visual conditions anywhere in the country. For me, achieving my goals is not the issue. It is a matter of when. I have singularly invested more resources into this than any other endeavor I have ever embarked on and thats after excluding the loan I have with the government. Money, time, opportunities, girls.

It requires great personal commitment and a constant push for perfection. If I got a dollar for every time I have kicked myself for doing something stupid or wrong, I would have a Wii by now and a nice chuck of the catalogue. When doing this, focusing on the hours is a poor way to learn and fly. Hours merely mean final costs and unless you were never meant to fly in the first place, you can do everything you need in a reasonable amount of time.

It my not look like it, but it is a very personal thing to do. You don't go to class (Well you do in the beginning), you go out and fly with someone you trust implicitly, more than anyone else you thought you could trust. The same comes back to you. People have died from the lack of trust. The hours don't matter. Being as close to perfect is. Everything is a test. All the time.

As hard work as it is, it beats the living **** out of going to University for 3 years and finding out you have to do even more years. I will be done with this well before the next generation of console are out. I will be sure to visit some of you guys when that happens.

If any of you guys like more information regarding this, I think I can continue using this thread to reply in. Most of the Information would be New Zealand specific, but translate pretty much straight cross to most countries.

[EasyCure]

Willingly spending more money than one earns is generally regarded as a very stupid practice regardless of whether the person in debt thinks it was worthwhile or not.

Kairon

[Kairon]

If I got a dollar for every time I have kicked myself for doing something stupid or wrong, I would have a Wii by now and a nice chuck of the catalogue.

Now you know how I afford all those wonderful third party games.

[Toruresu]

This is a very interesting thread. I guess it's my turn. *tries not to break the forum rules*

I'm currently in my 2nd year of studying Theology at a university, and work as a youth pastor at a local church. Next summer I hope to start my CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) next summer or wait for the next year (yes, money is an issue). Currently it's my job to help troubled teens with everyday life issues and decisisions. You won't believe their faces when I say "Hey, want to come to my office next Sunday? I got Mario Kart. We can play while we talk about..." Works like a charm. Religion and Gaming?! Yes, times are changing. My goal is to become a professional chaplain, so I still need a few (thousand) more
 years of university.

Here's a link for the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education if anyone is interested in learning more http://www.acpe.edu/.

[BranDonk Kong]

Restaurant manager/"chef" (no, not McDonald's or Red Lobster or anything like that).

[Maverick]

Dang, I was gonna ask you for some free Quarter Pounder coupons.

[animecyberrat]

Right now I just work on my website and that's it. I was making a movie after my recording studio failed, but that got put on hold due to a number of issues. I would like to open my own store but it's a little complicated what I want to do so I don't see it happening any time soon. I earned a diploma in business management which hasn't done a whole lot of good getting me a decent job, so I just work on my website while I look for a real job.