Reconsidering career choices

[Stretch]

I've been working for about ten weeks now. Lately, I've started to feel like there's just something missing. On the drive home, I've been thinking about what I accomplished that day, and it feels like I haven't really done anything meaningful in the grand scheme of things.

I took this job with the mindset of getting some meaningful work experience, formal training in things like SAS and Six Sigma to make myself more marketable, and start saving some money for law school. I can't complain about anything, really. I'm treated well, and there has been a lot of emphasis placed on my own personal development since I started. They're covering the costs of my CFA certification, and I get along great with the people I work with.

Yet at the end of the day, I just don't have a sense of fulfillment. I did my job, and I'm satisfied with my progress. I guess what it comes down to is that the most I can ever really expect out of my job is to save the company X amount of $$, or identify new areas/segments to make more money.

I've been thinking a lot about a job offer from a non-profit organization (Operation Smile). I'd be taking a pay cut of about $40K, but their mission statement is something that really resonates with me. I'm thinking of taking a leave of absence in 2007 to go on one of their missions to gauge things.

Is it stupid of me to even think about doing this? I know that at some point everyone wants to quit their job and do something fun, but have any of you done it? There's a 99.9% chance that I'm not going to accept the full-time job, but I can't stop thinking about it.

[Sean of the Thread]

Welcome to the real world post graduation.

Bottom line.... Do what makes you happy.

[Ilvane]

No, money isn't everything. Operation Smile is great too, so you'd probably find it really rewarding, and you would definitely be accomplishing something good.:)

I wish you luck with your decision.:)

Angela

[HarmNone]

If a leave of absence is a possibility, it sounds good to me. Going on a mission for Operation Smile could open a door to something more rewarding than you ever thought possible.

I, for one, could probably make more money doing something other than what I do, but I really love the work I do, so I opt to continue. For me, it's about a lot more than the money. :)

[Jazuela]

Ten weeks doesn't sound like a lot of time invested in a career. A job, sure. But not a career.

On the other hand if you've been offered this other position, and it sounds like something that really catches your attention, AND you've done the research and can trust that they back up their claims, it's definitely something to consider. Taking a paycut of $40k is a huge chunk of change but it depends on what you're making now, and what you can afford to enjoy your chosen lifestyle.

[Jorddyn]

Is it stupid of me to even think about doing this? I know that at some point everyone wants to quit their job and do something fun, but have any of you done it?

I haven't, but I wish I had.

That's the thing about accounting, and other such jobs. They're fulfilling monetarily, but tend to offer nothing (or next to nothing) in terms of that... well... feeling that you're looking for.

There are three really obvious paths you can take. One is to stick it out, and continue to try to get better and higher paying jobs. The second is to stick it out and do so for the next few years, then switch over to something more fulfilling. The third is to switch now, and work your way back in later if you so choose.

In the end, it is a choice that you alone can make. I often regret not having taken the second or third choice.

If your employer offers a year long leave of absence, and it is pulling you, I'd say take it. However, it would be ridiculous of you to take such serious advice off a message board from someone you've never met.

The good thing, however, is that you have your intelligence and your drive going for you. Whatever you decide to do, you'll be ok. You just might not make your first million by 25.

~T

[Stretch]

Oh I know it's ridiculous to take advice from someone I haven't met.

Just wanted to see if anyone else has acted on a similar impulse, and how they've felt about their decision.

At the end of the day, I'm still 21, and I have a lot of time to accomplish everything I want to in life. The practical side of me says that money buys happiness, but I don't know if I can do this long enough to make some crazy l00t.

[Jorddyn]

Oh I know it's ridiculous to take advice from someone I haven't met.


It wasn't meant as an insult. It was meant as me realizing just how silly my post was.

~T

[Lassiter 506]

I don't know your financial state ie, student loans, family obligations, or anything of that sort. But if you can afford to take a year and do something personally meaningful, go for it.

If I could have afforded to take a year off after graduating this past spring, I definitely would have.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Do what makes you happy, the money comes eventually.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

BTW, I take advice from folks I've not met before all the time. Ever read a management book? It's not wrong or inappropriate... you can learn something from anyone.

[Daniel]

I say go for it. I'll talk to you more on AIM, but the end reality for most people is that you have to find something that gets you out of the bed every morning.

If you're dragging yourself to work, and dreading the alarm clock every day then you're doing something wrong and no money can fix that.

It's a hard lesson that most people don' t ever get until its too late. I say go for it full force. The reality is that there is plenty of money out there, while doing constructive things.

I.e. If you like the child impact, development type thing. I'd highly reccomend looking at Chemonics. They have a 1 year junior professional program for people interested in international development and you'd probably be competetive. It pays something like 35k a year too.

[Artha]

Money buys happiness.

Especially in Richmond, you can get like 10 trannie hookers (complete with goatee) for like $800 total.

[Hulkein]

Money ain't everything, but it does help.

As Lassiter said, if your loans are paid for and aren't in dire need of money, go for it. You never know who you will meet, how much of a difference you'll make, etc. If you have the ability to and you can't stop thinking about it, then do it.

[AestheticDeath]

Im still hooked on the part where you lose 40k from your income.. and supposedly can still make a living. I am afraid to know what you actually make right now...

Other then that, I am thinking 10 weeks is a short amount of time to base a decision upon. Although, the longer you stay the harder it will be to leave - in some ways.

[Sean of the Thread]

At the end of the day, I'm still 21, and I have a lot of time to accomplish everything I want to in life.

That's the key. The older you get the more you realize money doesn't really mean shit. Be happy in your choice nipple boy.

[Hulkein]

Im still hooked on the part where you lose 40k from your income.. and supposedly can still make a living. I am afraid to know what you actually make right now...


Judging from his major and the school he went to, I'd say ~70k before bonuses.

[Stunseed]

< I took this job with the mindset of getting some meaningful work experience, formal training in things like SAS and Six Sigma to make myself more marketable, and start saving some money for law school. >

This is one of the smartest things you can do right now. Make money early and invest it, since your job is helping with alot of credentials you can use for your future.

< I'm thinking of taking a leave of absence in 2007 to go on one of their missions to gauge things. >

If your company allows it, go for it. Provided when you return you have some type of job security, you should go forth and venture, but not at the sacrifice of what's going to put a roof on your head. It's a good life to live, but living off of ramen packets in some shithole isn't the way to do so, especially if you have the potential for more.

If you want to make an impact in a more local sense while keeping the good job, perhaps look into mentoring a teen, or volunteering some time for a good cause? I'm not rich by any means, but something I do over the course of a year to help out, I take any tip/gift I get at work and stash it away, and when Office Depot sells the holiday bears that contribute to Toys for Tots, I buy as many as I can with the tip fund, then donate the bears themselves to a downtown X-mas toy drive for the needy.

Food for thought, I suppose.

[Stretch]

Judging from his major and the school he went to, I'd say ~70k before bonuses.

Nah, my base is 60K, although performance incentives and 401(k) matching (once it vests, anyway) can push total compensation up to 80K. Still about as good as it gets for no experience, outside of investment banking/private equity.

I'm leaning towards taking three months off late next year to do a campaign. That way I (hopefully) don't burn any bridges, and I can get a feel for whether or not it's something I can put myself wholeheartedly in to.

[Skeeter]

welcome to the real world. working sucks, and you do it to survive, not to have fun.

[ElanthianSiren]

Do what you enjoy, and find a niche. I had a whole post typed out about how you should research the market, but that's what's worked for me. You have to find what's best for you. Charity work looks good too on your resume, and if you don't burn bridges and return from the "job", it may not look like an interruption, more like you enjoy working.

I wish you the best of luck with it.


-M

[TheEschaton]

The practical side of me says that money buys happiness, but I don't know if I can do this long enough to make some crazy l00t.

This is a lie which is forced down our throats daily by a capitalist system which otherwise cannot justify itself. Money ain't a thing, or, as Biggie said, as one's monetary stockpiles enlarge, one's problems also increase on a proportional scale.

Edited to add: Not that anecdotal material is justification, but some of the richest people I know are the most miserable, whilst some of the poorest who I worked and lived with in Africa are the most content and happy.

I'm in law school. I am set, and dedicated, to doing public interest work for my career. Average for graduates of my school who do public interest work is 45k a year...if I'm lucky, I'll get 60k a year doing some gov't lawyer work. Compare this to the average starting salary of people who graduate from my school and go to work for corporate, doing something which is never personally fulfilling: 140k a year. Almost 100k more a year - but you know what? I can live comfortably on 45k, and I will love my work in the morning and in the afternoon, and night.

That's when it stops being work, and becomes a passion. And I'm always one for promoting passions.

-TheE-

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I definitely say take some time to at least do something that feels right and makes you happy.. the E is utterly correct that nothing material matters if you lack contentment with your own life.

I thought that I wanted to go to a nice university then go to a nice grad school and get my PhD in law and go into politics.. so I worked my ass off through High School. Then I got accepted into NYU and wouldn't you know, I didn't go. I still may or may not decide to take up Law School and that dream, but the truth is I have no fucking clue. And while I'm still young I'm going to see what's out there and figure out what I really want to do, and then sink in and spend the money on what's important.

I guess sort of like you, I'm young. Though, something my father always told me is that if I always wait until I have the money to do shit, then I'll never do it. So I'm going to go see a lot of the places I want to see before I turn 25, even if that means it takes me longer to go through college. I'd rather go into a career a little later and be happy with my life than rush into it and always wonder what else was out there.

And seriously, as cliche as this sounds, if you do what you love you will make the money work. You may not be fabulously wealthy and rich but money can create a lot more problems than it can actually solve, and at the end of your life you're dying, just like every billionaire and every bum on the street, and the only thing that matters is what you made of your life. The rest of the shit gets left behind.

[Warriorbird]

I'll never get into a law school like Alok's. I don't have the GPA (I partied way too hard), and my LSAT's above average but not brilliant. I got into the same undergrad that Stretch did, but perhaps like an idiot I didn't pursue it. I've done well doing sales, but it makes me hate myself. I'm working at a low management position now, making but a fraction of what Stretch will. I'm going to attempt to get into a less prestigious law school and probably make what Alok makes at public interest work doing corporate type work, if that. Sometimes you have to make choices that maximize monetary potential. It isn't popular to say, but you have to consider both sides of the coin. If you've got a chance to go back to school for shoot for higher potential, go for it. As unthrilled as I am by certain prospects, I'd much rather make three times as much as I am now doing something I may enjoy less. It'll actually provide for a future (post divorce) whereas I'm going through most of earnings now.

[TheEschaton]

You never know until you apply, WB - my GPA wasn't all that hot either, though I did do decently (168) on the LSAT, and I was uber-involved in extracurriculars my whole college career.


And yeah, I guess it's different when your school can pretty much guarantee you a 6 figure job if you want it, versus whether you don't want it.

-TheE-

[CrystalTears]

People keep saying do what you like and have fun. How many actually have jobs like that?

[Daniel]

Almost everyone in my field.

[HarmNone]

People keep saying do what you like and have fun. How many actually have jobs like that?


I do. However, I don't think it's true for a lot of people, sadly.

[Daniel]

The question is, how many sabotage their chances are happiness because they tell themselves that that extra 10k is going to be the difference between poverty and lavishness.

The reality is that, most people don't do the things they enjoy because they are never willing to take a risk and go for the things they enjoy. They take the safe, "Smart" route and wake up one day 35 years old wondering how they wasting 13 years in some corporate sham.

If you want it. Go for it. You're young, and the time to do it is now, before you find yourself with *real* responsibilities that you can't mitigate such as kids.

Also, you don't have to look at spending a couple years doing non profit work as a hinderence. It will undoubtedly make you more attractive for law school and will definately help that resume out in the future.

[AnticorRifling]

SAS sucks and Six Sigma is the dumbest fucking idea ever. Actually that's not true, whoever is getting rich off of having these companies believe in Six Sigma is great, but Six Sigma in and of itself sucks something horrible.

We need to streamline our processes, cut back on errors, and save money.

I know! Let's spend a ton of money making more processes that talk about our current processes and listen to people who don't know what they are talking about because surely they can reduce errors!

Everytime someone mentions Six Sigma, their "belt", or anything else related to it I generally laugh until my boss makes me leave the meeting.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

People keep saying do what you like and have fun. How many actually have jobs like that?

I do, and have for the last 12-13 years. There are times when it sucks, but 95%+, I love my job. And they just keep paying me more and more, which cracks me up.

[ElanthianSiren]

People keep saying do what you like and have fun. How many actually have jobs like that?

I love my job currently. I also love going to school, and I will love my career when I graduate. Of course, I have way more vested in genetic and autoimmune research than the average person, but you can definitely say it's a passion of mine.

-M

[Sean]

People keep saying do what you like and have fun. How many actually have jobs like that?

I really enjoy what I do and where I work. Like SHM said there are times when it sucks but for the most part I'm happy and have fun. I took a paycut to be here but as long as i can pay my bills and have some cash to enjoy myself i'm content with that.

[Hulkein]

Nah, my base is 60K, although performance incentives and 401(k) matching (once it vests, anyway) can push total compensation up to 80K. Still about as good as it gets for no experience, outside of investment banking/private equity.

I actually originally had 60-65k in my post, but edited it because I didn't want to seem like a dick if it was higher, heh.

[Drew2]

as Biggie said, as one's monetary stockpiles enlarge, one's problems also increase on a proportional scale.


I'm pretty sure he just turned in his grave.

[Drew2]

It's sad that Edaarin makes over twice what I do.

It's not sad that his job sounds boring as shit though.

And money does buy happiness. Treehuggers Eschaton and Latrinsorm can shove it. Right now.

[Latrinsorm]

Vin Jackson - Male Gigolo.

[Jazuela]

I don't have a career but I do have a job. Make fun of being a Burger King cashier all you like, but I get a kick out of it. It's a lot of fun, working with young adults, listening to their outlooks on life, their goals, learning about their families, watching them interact with each other, the joking, singing (yes, we sing), the drama (lots of that, heh). It's fun being on the receiving end of the practical jokes *sometimes* (after the 7th time of them smearing mustard on the fry scoop I had to call a stop to it), decorating the dining room with the shift manager for holidays, and mostly the customers. They come from all over the world since we're located right off the highway between two international airports. So when we get foreign customers during off-peak times, I'm the volunteer to clean the dining room so I can say hello to them and learn a little about their country (while I'm emptying their tray or refilling their soda for them).

Sure it's a dead-end job, and it comes with piss-poor pay, but it beats the hell out of pushing pencils in an office all day as far as I'm concerned. I've done the corporate thing. I've owned my own business. I have the college degree, and a bunch of certifications in assorted subjects, and could probably find "real" work somewhere else without much effort. But I'm content where I am, and that's all that matters.

[AestheticDeath]

I do, and have for the last 12-13 years. There are times when it sucks, but 95%+, I love my job. And they just keep paying me more and more, which cracks me up.

Whats your job?

[Hulkein]

He's a glory hole attendant.

[Drew2]

He's a glory hole attendant.

I didn't know I had a competitor.

[Warriorbird]

I like my job at the theater. I don't make nearly enough to consider it a career.

[Amaron]

I love my job.

I teach 7 & 8 grade classroom music. I co-direct the marching band and I direct the middle school musical. I direct a small vocal ensemble and a large choir as well as a recorder consort and an ORFF group.

While not a professional in NYC playing in pit orchestras (which I would love to do), I still get a chance to play out in a local orchestra and for HS's pit orchestras. And I did get a chance to tour with a small theater group for a summer.

I love my kids (yes I call them that because I see them more than their parents most days and who do they come to with all their teenage problems? The music teacher).

They work hard and I love helping them to have fun in music.

Its nice when you can find that passion and have it be your job.

I will never be rich as saleries are low in my rural area, but as long as my family is taken care of I am happy.

J

[Kranar]

The reality is that, most people don't do the things they enjoy because they are never willing to take a risk and go for the things they enjoy. They take the safe, "Smart" route and wake up one day 35 years old wondering how they wasting 13 years in some corporate sham.


This couldn't be more true and I'm glad someone mentioned it.


People keep saying do what you like and have fun. How many actually have jobs like that?

I love being a Software Design Engineer at Microsoft.

Because the company is so big and involved in so many areas of computer science, you get to work on your own schedule on whatever projects are of interest to you.

The pay is amazing, the environment is very high tech, everyone gets their own office and decorates them in whacky ways, and best of all when you're bored, you can always find something fun going on at MS Research or attend a lecture on an interesting topic.

Sometimes I wonder how this company can even make any money, but apparantly every developer earns the company an average of $1.2 million per year so it all works out somehow and I don't have to feel guilty for having fun at work...

The only other Mecca for a geek like me would be Google.

[CrystalTears]

I asked that question, by the way, not because I didn't believe it happens because I do, but mostly to see who does like their job around here, considering how we had been hearing lately about those that don't. :)

I like my job. I've been here for 4 years and not because I feel some sort of obligation to be here for the money, which isn't the greatest either for customer support. The benefits are great and the people are awesome. If I can't work with the people, the job sucks for me no matter how fulfilling the tasks may be.

We laugh all day, play jokes on each other, laugh behind our customers' backs, have company outtings, little perks here and there. I just can't imagine being anywhere else.

AND I get to work a few feet from my husband. Most couples would cringe at the thought, but I truly love it. We get to carpool, have lunch together, and share stories with each other about our departments. If we have a rough day or a bad experience with someone, we support and comfort each other. When we go home, we don't talk about work. No complaints here.

[Artha]

Hey Kranar want to get me a job when I graduate?

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Whats your job?

Right now I'm in charge of compensation at a fortune 500 company. But my primary experience, background and passion is analytics.

I'm really beginning to enjoy public speaking lately, and managing people, so I will likely migrate to that over the next few years.

[Latrinsorm]

I'm really beginning to enjoy public speaking lately, and managing people, so I will likely migrate to that over the next few years.Dude the migrator is way too slow, just use the fixskills in May.

[Mistomeer]

I've done both the fun route and the smart route and what I learned is that at the end of the day the fun job is still work and happiness at a job really depends on how much you like what you're doing and how much you like the people you work with. I've had jobs where I hated the employer, the job, etc. but liked the people so much that I was actually really happy. I've also worked in environments where the job is alot of fun but the people aren't so much fun so what could be a really cool job ends up being really uncool.

My advice then would be to go in with a couple of friends and open a strip club.
Win/Win.

[Apathy]

My advice would be to stick with your current job. The feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, and nothingness will slowly fade away, as you become more and more numb. The pain of going to work will slowly turn into a state of apathy, very similar to a buddhist's nirvana but completely different.

Eventually you will no longer be able to feel any kind of hope, nor dream of anything greater. This is the point where you will be a well-adjusted citizen. Work will simply be a chore to be completed, like going grocery shopping or painting the den. Acceptable spare-time activities include mowing the lawn, walking the dog, and reading a book (or watching a movie, have to keep up with the times!) about war.

After some time of being well-adjusted, you will suddenly retire, and all these emotions and dreams and hopes will flood back into you all at once. You will be filled with an urgency to experience everything you had once wanted to.

Shortly thereafter, you die.

So stick with your current job.

[Usurper83]

^^^

:coughemocough:

[Stanley Burrell]

Sex it up with the corporate whore?

[Stanley Burrell]

Oh, oh!

And also; maybe avoid all-the-time asking teh text-based internet forum usernames for assistance.

They will tell you teh bad, evil advice.

.

Teh'ing it up with the corporate skanks,

- Manuel

[Drew2]

I wish I was a woman so I could sleep my way to the top of some corporate ladder and sit on an easy job for the rest of my life.

Or, I wish I was a Page.

[Berylla]

Rather than asking who has a job they really love - why not ask who has worked crap jobs and put in a lot of hard work for little pay just to get to where they are now?

What crap jobs have you worked?

Here's my list:
Ice Cream Shop Salesclerk (at least I didn't have to SING when they put tips in the jars - but then we didn't get any damn tips!)
Temporary Clerical Assistant - 3 weeks revising a company's filing system. oh joy
Bank Collection Agency Clerk - sending out form letters to people who are down on their luck and having their cars repossessed all day
NJ Transit Railroad Ticket Clerk
Corporate Information Associate - in other words, Mail Room!

Those are the worst jobs I had. But you know, it pays to start out at the bottom. From the mail room job I got promoted to Administrative Assistant and then to Project Task Manager in the space of 4 years.

Where am I now? VP of Sales for my company. And yes, I love it.

The only thing that irks me are the people fresh out of college who come in and cry and whine that they can't IM their friends all day and they're not allowed to listen to their music. There's no sense of having to work their way up or learn the business. No, they want to be on the same level as everyone else in the office without going through the learning process. We just had one guy quit because his cubicle was smaller than everyone else and it's just not fair!

My parents always taught me that if you work hard and constantly strive to improve yourself - all your hard work will pay off. I believe in that.

The money is secondary. I appreciate the money I earn and I'm glad for the opportunity I have been given to earn it. I feel I deserved it after all the hard work I've done to get to this point. And I've been on the other side of the equation. No money, no food, no nothing. It is NOT a fun place to be and takes a terrible toll on both your mental and physical health.

Getting a job that is low-paying and low-skill doesn't have to be demeaning or beneath you, as long as you are learning from it and taking every opportunity to better yourself. All I ever wanted was to learn as much as possible and it's taken me far!

[Shari]

This is SO unrelated but,





WHERE AND WHEN THE FUCK DID YOU MAKE THAT YOUR QUOTE!?!

[Apathy]

I wish I was a woman so I could sleep my way to the top of some corporate ladder and sit on an easy job for the rest of my life.

Or, I wish I was a Page.

You like old men with ED?

[Warriorbird]

I wish I was a woman so I could sleep my way to the top of some corporate ladder and sit on an easy job for the rest of my life.

Or, I wish I was a Page.

Move to Hollywood (Become Colin Farrell 2!) or DC (Internships!).

[Keller]

Don't. Go. To. Law. School.

Longshot gave me this advice 2 years ago and I'm giving it to you in turn. Don't. Go. To. Law. School.

There is no better way to pidgeon hole yourself into a grinding career with little redeeming social value than taking out 100k in loans.

[Warriorbird]

Less sanguine about life?

[Artha]

There's nothing wrong with a grinding career as long as you go sword spec.

[TheEschaton]

Well, that's if you wanted to do corporate firm law in the first place. No one I know or met who's worked at a firm has liked it. Most are too tired and busy to even formulate an opinion of it. I plan on having a very satisfying (if not monetarily rewarding) career in law and policy and politics.

-TheE-

[crazymage]

What? the 12th man job doesnt pay well?!

[TheEschaton]

Yes, it does pay well. But the rewards are not monetary.

Beer: $5
Jersey: $30-70
Being a Part of YOUR team: Priceless.

-TheE-

[Stretch]

I do my work well.

I got promoted last week.

I go to bed every night thinking, "God, I don't want to go to work."

I wake up every morning thinking, "God, I don't want to go to work."

Anyone want to hire a disillusioned workhorse?

[Skeeter]

miserable feeling

[Jorddyn]

I go to bed every night thinking, "God, I don't want to go to work."
I wake up every morning thinking, "God, I don't want to go to work."


You might be in the wrong field. Welcome to the world of highly paid, overworked, under-satisfied accountants. You're hardly unique in that respect.

It's up to you to decide if you can do this every day for the rest of your working career (30 years or so).

If not, it might be in your best interests to take advantage of whatever educational opportunities your workplace offers.

Or, do like most of us, put in your two years, and find a place that you can work that you actually enjoy :) I don't love work, by any means, but I love my boss and the company I work for. I couldn't say that with a straight face until my current job. Of course, it means making less than I otherwise could. It also means that I don't wake up wanting to slit my wrists.

Jorddyn

[Daniel]

THis is why I laugh @ 90% of all business\accounting\lamefuck people in college.

[AestheticDeath]

I would say I feel your pain, since I hate my job as well... But I think you get paid 10x more than I do. So STFU. :) Nah, really though. Just like was most likely said before in this thread, you have to figure out what really means the most to you. Happiness, money, or whatever.

Everyone needs both(plus alot of other stuff, but I am trying to simplify it)

If you can get your money from this job, thats great. You can still find happiness in another area that would hopefully get you by. A hobby, or a relationship etc..

But if you think you just can't keep going where you are, well you seem to have a brain. To put it simply. I don't really see you having trouble finding another job if you put your mind to it.

I guess the question you need to ask yourself, is what kind of job could you actually tolerate, or possibly even enjoy, that still gives you a decent income that allows you to pay the bills. I think you mentioned some sort of charity work before.. but you need some sort of income. Right?


Anyhow, if all else fails, I will pay you minimum wage to powerhunt this rogue I have. But if you don't make 1-3m per hour to put in my bank account, YOUR FIRED!

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

It's because you sold Edaarin

[Gan]

I'm finally working for the company that I hope to retire from in 20+ years. The nice thing is that this company is large enough to offer a multitude of different options, all revolving around the career field I've come to enjoy.

And by the way, accounting isnt so bad if you can make it through the grind years with one of the big 5. I have CPA's in the family as well as friends who eventually moved into comptroller and higher positions with medium sized companies and are doing quite well for themselves (after moving on from the big 5 firms)... only downside is that they are still beancounters.

[Gan]

THis is why I laugh @ 90% of all business\accounting\lamefuck people in college.

I wouldnt necessarily laugh at people pursuing this educational track. Because with additional education, they provide a necessary function in the marketplace.

However, I am advising my nephew (as I will my son in 10+ years) to seek a degree associated with a trade specialty. Even if that specialty requires post-grad work. Being a generic business/accounting/arts/science degree holder will usually only serve to get your foot in the door at an entry-level position in a generic career. In order to move past mid-level management you'll need a post-grad degree or a specific certification.

[Keller]

You might be in the wrong field. Welcome to the world of highly paid, overworked, under-satisfied accountants. You're hardly unique in that respect.

It's up to you to decide if you can do this every day for the rest of your working career (30 years or so).

If not, it might be in your best interests to take advantage of whatever educational opportunities your workplace offers.

Or, do like most of us, put in your two years, and find a place that you can work that you actually enjoy :) I don't love work, by any means, but I love my boss and the company I work for. I couldn't say that with a straight face until my current job. Of course, it means making less than I otherwise could. It also means that I don't wake up wanting to slit my wrists.

Jorddyn


As a plug -- I think tax law is the one area of the law that I actually enjoy. With your tax background I'd think about this possibility. It's exciting work and you've obviously already got the network to get into the right jobs.

[Stretch]

I'm an analyst, not an accountant.

I got the HELL out of accounting after my internship.

[TheEschaton]

Just find what you're passionate about, and do it. It's as simple as that.

If what your passionate about doesn't pay money, do it as a major hobby while putting a modicum of effort into the job you don't like, until your major hobby can pay off.

I enjoy writing, so I write on the side. Do I ever think it'll make me money? Probably not, but I still do it to keep me sane.

[Jorddyn]

I'm an analyst, not an accountant.

I got the HELL out of accounting after my internship.

Eh, potato, potahto.

Jorddyn, whose official title is "Business Analyst"

[Miss X]

Hating your job is an awful feeling. You're definitely young enough for a career change though. I made a huge career change at your age, I probably earn less money than I would be earning had I stuck to my original plan, but I wake up every day and look forward to work.

The other option is to look for something you prefer, in the same field. My first job as an RN was on a surgical unit, and I hated it so much I felt sick at the thought of it. I applied for my current job, it was a bit of a long shot, but luckily things worked out. I don't earn a fortune by any means, but I earn enough to afford to live somewhere nice, go shopping etc.

I think it depends what you're made of. I hated sitting behind a desk, I found it meaningless. That's really why I became a Nurse. I've been doing some MSAT practice papers though recently, just to see how I get on and I'm more and more tempted to fill in a medical school admission form!

[Kranar]

THis is why I laugh @ 90% of all business\accounting\lamefuck people in college.


I know exactly what you mean. I'd definitely say 90% of people in business aren't passionate about business or doing it out of genuine interest but doing it because they think it's the way to make money in life and be happy.

It's not just some balogna clich&#233; statement... people are serious when they say do something you love and enjoy and forget about the money. If you're good at what you do and are passionate about it, you will find a way to make money doing it, just focus on the enjoyment.

[Daniel]

Exactly. The way I see it, you spend AT LEAST 8 hours a day at work, often more. That means you're gonna spend more than a third of the rest of your life in something that you absolutely love for a few fleeting moments of enjoyment. That assumes you have the time to actually take off. Whereas, you can find something you enjoy and then spend over a third of your life doing that.

[Ignot]

I'd be taking a pay cut of about $40K

Huh?


No, money isn't everything.

Huh?

I want to live in your world.

This reminds me of something funny that happened to me today. A client of mine asked me how the market did and i told her it was down. She said it can't be down and I said no, it is cleary down today and then she said "well, it isnt down in my stock market....."

I may not have felt fullfilled on the drive home, but i sure did laugh when i thought of this. Damn some people are stupid.

[Daniel]

I think it went over your head.

[Faent]

>>I don't have a career but I do have a job. Make fun of being a Burger King cashier all you like, but I get a kick out of it. It's a lot of fun, working with young adults, listening to their outlooks on life, their goals, learning about their families, watching them interact with each other, the joking, singing (yes, we sing), the drama (lots of that, heh). It's fun being on the receiving end of the practical jokes *sometimes* (after the 7th time of them smearing mustard on the fry scoop I had to call a stop to it), decorating the dining room with the shift manager for holidays, and mostly the customers. They come from all over the world since we're located right off the highway between two international airports. So when we get foreign customers during off-peak times, I'm the volunteer to clean the dining room so I can say hello to them and learn a little about their country (while I'm emptying their tray or refilling their soda for them).

>>Sure it's a dead-end job, and it comes with piss-poor pay, but it beats the hell out of pushing pencils in an office all day as far as I'm concerned. I've done the corporate thing. I've owned my own business. I have the college degree, and a bunch of certifications in assorted subjects, and could probably find "real" work somewhere else without much effort. But I'm content where I am, and that's all that matters.

Are you serious?

[Gan]

^^^

I find that funny on so many levels.

[Miss X]

>>I don't have a career but I do have a job. Make fun of being a Burger King cashier all you like, but I get a kick out of it. It's a lot of fun, working with young adults, listening to their outlooks on life, their goals, learning about their families, watching them interact with each other, the joking, singing (yes, we sing), the drama (lots of that, heh). It's fun being on the receiving end of the practical jokes *sometimes* (after the 7th time of them smearing mustard on the fry scoop I had to call a stop to it), decorating the dining room with the shift manager for holidays, and mostly the customers. They come from all over the world since we're located right off the highway between two international airports. So when we get foreign customers during off-peak times, I'm the volunteer to clean the dining room so I can say hello to them and learn a little about their country (while I'm emptying their tray or refilling their soda for them).

>>Sure it's a dead-end job, and it comes with piss-poor pay, but it beats the hell out of pushing pencils in an office all day as far as I'm concerned. I've done the corporate thing. I've owned my own business. I have the college degree, and a bunch of certifications in assorted subjects, and could probably find "real" work somewhere else without much effort. But I'm content where I am, and that's all that matters.

Are you serious?

She's serious, she's happy. That's all you can ask for in life.

[CrystalTears]

She obviously doesn't need the money. It's a whole different story when you don't HAVE to be there. Find me someone who has to work for a living, doing it at Burger King and loves it.

[Latrinsorm]

That's all you can ask for in life.Revolutionary Comrade Marx would be very displeased with that sentiment. :nono:

[Augie]

I can totally relate to this thread. That's exactly the sentiment I've been feeling about my current job and I look so forward to moving in to my new job. Sure I'm taking a pay cut and almost starting at the bottom again, but it's doing what I love with the potential to move up to bigger and better things.

I'd say just try to prioritize what you need versus what you want and take a chance. You'll never regret it later on if you took that chance.

[Sean of the Thread]

Like to flirt?

Looking for a "fun" phone actress! Set your own hours!


Blackbelushi@yahoo.com for more info.

[peam]

sling herb.

[Stanley Burrell]

/finest Mongorrrian poppy.