| Topic Name: |
What careers would be best for me? |
| Message Name: |
suggestions |
| Date Posted: |
09/10/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
Currently 30 y.o. programmer. ISTP for you MBTI types.
This is what I want out of a career:
1. Offers good money. Similar to programming at the least, but I would like to have a shot at the really big money (solid six figures).
2. Offers a certain level of prestige. Doctor, lawyer, FBI agent, professor, psychologist, architect, etc...
3. Lets me use my brain. I like programming because it gives me a good mental workout. I'm particulary good at solving problems and analyzing large amounts of data.
4. Does some good in the world. All I do now is contribute to my boss' bottom line. I would like to provide a valuable service to people.
5. I like to build things, but I know not what part this may or may not play. I used to like to build software.
6. I like my independence.
I've enjoyed programming, and its been a good fit, but I dread spending another day in front of the computer. I don't know, maybe I'm just burnt out with my current gig.
I've thought about a lot of different careers, but nothing seems to really be pulling me. Well, there's one - the FBI. I'm ineligible though because of some of my background partying when I was in school.
Some of the options I've been considering:
MBA in Finance -> Hospital Administration. Could always go on to get PhD and teach.
JD -> Hanging my own shingle, or working my way to partner in a smaller firm.
M.Arch. -> Seems pretty risky. Doesn't seem like a lot of architects are able to make it.
PhD in CS -> Try to get a gig at a teaching college.
Does anybody have any specific advice relative to my situation? Can anybody think of other avenues I might want to explore?
grazie! |
| Message: |
Dear Seeker,
Have you read "Do What Your Are"? It uses personality type (MBTI) as a guide to career development.
I believe we need to pay attention to what "draws us." There are hints there. What is it about the FBI that so fascinates you? If you can identify it, perhaps you can begin exploring in that dimension -- either in your current job, in a new job in your field, or in your spare time... For example, you might do volunteer work assisting crime victims or other things in the legal or justice systems.... Or, if the "complex information analysis/pattern recognition" part of FBI work is of interest, in your spare time explore the new Artifical Intelligence efforts going on as part of national security programs..
Or perhaps you could explore jobs in the IT departments of police departments, law firms, federal government agencies, etc..
At age 30, you can certainly enroll in a graduate program, but I would suggest there be some passion behind your choice of program.. It's a very big investment of time, energy and money. Perhaps you can devote a year or two to discovering your"passion", through some of the suggestions above. And make your decision at the end of that period of exploration.
Best wishes,
Fellow Seeker
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