Career related discussion/questions...

[s1ngletracker]

I'm not sure if I was clear... I want to explore different career paths. If I wanted to have another development job, I would have had one the week after I got laid off. That isn't the case. I do have it as a fallback, and I don't absolutely loathe it, but I just know it isn't where my strengths lie.

[4seasons69]

I mean wrenching isn't for everyone and I would much rather prefer working in the performance side of the industry for me it is still very rewarding when someone comes in with problems with their car and I can figure them out and fix them. if you love cars and love working on them and want to look at other career options I would recommend it. you'll prolly never be really rich wrenching but thats not why I do it

[Tachyon]

Originally Posted by s1ngletracker

I'm not sure if I was clear... I want to explore different career paths. If I wanted to have another development job, I would have had one the week after I got laid off. That isn't the case. I do have it as a fallback, and I don't absolutely loathe it, but I just know it isn't where my strengths lie.

We appear to be in the same boat. I am currently a webdev for an outfit in Savage. The pay is ok and I am good at what I do, but the work just is not something that I feel benefits my life or society. I've been going though some of the free online course work at MIT (http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm) trying to figure out what appeals to me. I would really like to be involved in R&D for the next phase of technology (something with advanced lightweight energy storage sounds beneficial to society).

I further echo Scheides in saying try not to force your hobbies into your source of income or you will feel nothing but pressure instead of enjoyment.

Off the cuff: have you thought of a degree in anthropology?

[s1ngletracker]

Originally Posted by Tachyon

We appear to be in the same boat. I am currently a webdev for an outfit in Savage. The pay is ok and I am good at what I do, but the work just is not something that I feel benefits my life or society. I've been going though some of the free online course work at MIT (http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm) trying to figure out what appeals to me. I would really like to be involved in R&D for the next phase of technology (something with advanced lightweight energy storage sounds beneficial to society).

I further echo Scheides in saying try not to force your hobbies into your source of income or you will feel nothing but pressure instead of enjoyment.

Off the cuff: have you thought of a degree in anthropology?

Ah, I knew I wasn't alone

As for the forcing hobbies into income, I see where you're coming from, but it is a balance. I don't want to stifle my passions, but I also want to enjoy what I'm doing more. I'm just a mechanically minded person. I think deep down I am ok with not working with cars, but I'd like to engineer some sort of machine.

Anthropology would be really interesting... but what the hell would I do with that degree?

[Tachyon]

Originally Posted by s1ngletracker

Ah, I knew I wasn't alone

As for the forcing hobbies into income, I see where you're coming from, but it is a balance. I don't want to stifle my passions, but I also want to enjoy what I'm doing more. I'm just a mechanically minded person. I think deep down I am ok with not working with cars, but I'd like to engineer some sort of machine.

Anthropology would be really interesting... but what the hell would I do with that degree?

Yea that's the catch... although you could probably get a nice grant for niche research like the study of modern cultural phenomena, for instants: how social networking influences cross generational communication, or how World of Warcraft effects breeding patterns of adolescents

[sleepydsm]

Originally Posted by s1ngletracker

Anthropology would be really interesting... but what the hell would I do with that degree?

Get jobs that don't pay anything, but travel the world for free?

(My sister has an anthropology degree)