What career paths/changes have you considered? (bachelor's, computer science, skills)

[jobaba]

Just kind of curious about career paths/considered career changes others considered and why they did not ultimately choose them. BTW, I'm an Environmental/Civil Engineer.

1) Doctor - More when I was younger. I just like the idea of making a lot of $. Nothing else about being a doctor really inspires me and the hours needed to get through the MD/residency are just too much. Plus my first/second year grades weren't really good enough.

2) Electrical Engineer - I always felt I'd be most comfortable in a 'nerd' environment and I have a few friends who are EEs. The work seems pretty laidback. It seems really boring though and I hate hardcore computer science/math.

3) Lawyer - From the outside, the life of an attorney seems pretty nice. The work seems interesting and the pay seems decent. I considered going to law school for much of my mid 20s. Ultimately, I decided I did not have the people skills to be a successful lawyer. Put bluntly, I did not feel like I had the shmoozing/kiss arse/charisma necessary to do anything in that career.

4) Pharmacist - Later in life, I was drawn to pharmacy. Since my time outside work is more important to me now, it seems like the perfect balance of pay/hours worked for me. It does seem boring, but not having to deal with office politics and climbing ladders would seem to make up for that. I'm pretty sure this is what I would do if I could start over. It just doesn't make sense considering the amount of debt I'd have to incur to spend another 4 years to get a PharmD. I still think about it though.

5) Computers/IT - The pay seems nice and I like doing computers. I know friends who do well in this field, but I could never wrap my head around what they actually do at work and how they got someone to pay them for it.

6) Graphic Designer - I had a notion to do this after I got laid off from one of my jobs. I even looked into Masters programs at SVA. It seems like a fun job. Pay and job stability seemed poor though.

[Sally_Sparrow]

Oh I have had a bunch, but I am 41.

1. Veterinarian. This was my plan when I was in high school. I am weak in math though.

2. Translator -- I was going to master at least 3 foreign languages and travel the world. Reality killed that one, I am still struggling to learn Spanish.

3. Library science/librarian: really really sounds like ME and something I could be passionate about, but I was put off by the lower pay considering that a Master's is needed, and I really don't want to work in a public library. A friend does and says she is just a glorified babysitter for all the parents who have nowhere to send their kids in summer. She HATES her job. I am actually still on the fence here though and I haven't written off grad school for library science.

4. Dental hygienist; at first I thought I could do this with an Associate's degree, then I researched and realized I'd be most likely to need a 4 year degree and since it wasn't exactly a passion I decided against it. Plus, being an older student, I was concerned about all the complaints of back/neck problems I'd read about from being bent over most of the day.

5. Sonography tech; found out that my local community college offering this program does not have the proper accreditation so upon graduation I wouldn't be able to sit for the needed exams. Plus, a friend of mine is in a related field (x-ray tech) and warned me against it, says the field is becoming flooded.

6. The one I was most sure of, and the reason I am attending the particular university I am currently attending; speech language-pathologist (speech therapist). Only one state school nearby offered a 4 year degree for this, so I committed to commute over an hour each way for this program. I was ill-advised, however, and program entry requirements had changed drastically that first semester I transferred. I realized there is no effing way I can get into the program so now I am at a school over an hour away pursuing an English degree. Transferring again was just too daunting. I need 3 semesters to graduate, so I am moving to where my school is (with my wife and kids, thankfully my wife is a student also and will just transfer to my school).

7. Briefly, prior to my current degree plan (English) I was a psychology major, thinking of pursuing either a Master's in Social Work or some other psych related career. I switched to English though because at this point I just need to graduate and get out of there before I run out of Pell and other funding.

So after all that, I still have not made a solid choice and I am considering what to do after graduation, possible grad school options, etc.

How about some silly nonsense... pirate? traveling belly dance teacher? bass player in an all girl post-punk band? folk singer?

[ChargerMatt]

I want to take my science requirements to get into med school, but I'm done in December and the thought of adding 2 more years on to my schooling in combination with med school's duration... it's just too much.

So I'll stick with my public health degree, maybe do a stent in the peace corps, then decide where I want to go from there. I definitely want to do something in humanitarian aid though.

[futureATLien]

When I was in Middle School I wanted to be a lawyer...glad i chose something else
Then in high school I thought about becoming a doctor. I was put off by the amount of schooling.
I took an Intro to Business class my sophmore year of high school. I loved it and majored in business. It's ok, but sometimes I wish I became a Physical Therapist. I have cerebral palsy, so I'm really interested in the healthcare field. I'm in my late 20s, so I have time to choose I suppose.

[Sally_Sparrow]

Originally Posted by futureATLien

When I was in Middle School I wanted to be a lawyer...glad i chose something else
Then in high school I thought about becoming a doctor. I was put off by the amount of schooling.
I took an Intro to Business class my sophmore year of high school. I loved it and majored in business. It's ok, but sometimes I wish I became a Physical Therapist. I have cerebral palsy, so I'm really interested in the healthcare field. I'm in my late 20s, so I have time to choose I suppose.

Oh, I forgot my period of wanting to be a lawyer! I decided against it because I know I'd want to work for the underdog and I'd starve in the process.

In your late 20's you have tons of time to switch if you want to.

[bentstrider]

Engineering because I was always interested in how things work and also to get things fixed myself.
However, regular math was always a struggle x100 for me and that never panned out on time.

Now here I am about to turn 30 next month and all I could say was that during high school, I never for one minute ever pictured myself driving semi-trucks.
Eventually, I'm going to tire of this and something else will have to be done to support myself.

I'll most likely explore more vocational certifications within the next ten years.
Apart from Diesel/Auto tech, the renewable tech fields like solar and wind seem rather enticing and chock-full of some opportunities.

As for engineering disciplines, I'm not held down by any external obligations apart from work, so I feel I'm still good to roll the sleeves up and take on the math pre-reqs.

[Xplorer]

Geologist - I LOVE the study of the earth and the actual field work geologists get to do. After High School I decided to move to the mountains and be a snowboard bum for quite a while..

Forestry - While being a snowboard bum and being surrounded by Forest Service personnel for so long I thought the Forest Service would be a great path. But then started hearing about all the BS politics and if I wanted to gain ranks I would need to move all over the country to accept that next bump in the field. So I kind of forgot about it for a while..

Now here I am at 30 years old finally going back to school for Viticulture/Fruit Science. I love the AG field and everything it has to offer.

[mkpunk]

Management - After years as a boy scout, I thought that I had the skills to be a good manager and this was my only major in college. As of right now, I have to just get onto a track to do just this. I am in my mid 20's so I can work to continue this with my bachelor's degree.

[LexusNexus]

Doctor - this was my first choice. When I got to college, I realized that I really didn't have a passion for science as much as math.

Football player - I was exceptionally fast, powerful, and very athletic at a young age. My teammates and coaches said that I ran like Gale Sayers and had his level of agility. Decided I didn't want to risk my health, and opted out.

Boxer - I was an exceptional fighter since I had grown up having so many street fights. I never lost a fight. I thought the risks outweighed the rewards and chose not to go this way. I would've fought Ray Leonard...and beat him too.

Track - because I was so fast, I was targeted for the 100 and 200 meters. I again chose the academic route, thinking that a track career wouldn't be financially rewarding enough. I still run for physical fitness.

Electrical engineering - considered it, then felt it wasn't me.

Professional violinist - didn't think it would be financially rewarding. I still play though.

Business-related - didn't like any areas of business. Still don't.

Male escort for rich, older women. Yes I considered this before I was married. I was always being approached by these types, and it crossed my mind once or twice, especially after I was offered money for companionship a couple of times. I couldn't do it.

Writer - I always loved to write, but it wasn't until later in life that I began focusing on making money from my writing. This is ongoing.

Making exceptionally fine violins in a quaint European setting - I still dream about this.

I was a software engineer, then decided to become a patent lawyer/writer/violinist. This is what I do.

[hoffdano]

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I do not think I have read a more ridiculous post on C-D.

I am surprised you were also not an Olympic caliber swimmer. Your prodigious athletic talents could have been applied to swimming. And as Michael Phelps has shown, you can make seriously good money.