| Topic Name: |
What careers would be best for me? |
| Message Name: |
Be careful what you wish for |
| 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: |
I am a 44 y.o. attorney (successful practice, unfortunately, my partner is my estranged wife so I have to change jobs) also looking at a career change. Before you invest three years of your life (and untold thousands of dollars - most young attorneys we have hired are coming out of law school close to $100K in debt) think about whether you really want to practice law. First, there are too many attorneys out there (starting salaries at major firms are good, but you are effectively working 2 or more jobs since you will be putting in 80+ hours a week; but at most firms, starting salaries are in the 30K to 40K range); Second, most of the lawyers I know (including me) want to get out of the practice of law.
Good luck in finding what you are looking for (I believe that happiness in life starts with happiness/contentment in career - its where you spend most of your waking hours).
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