University Life

Radtgaeb · 03-08-08, 09:05 PM

Hi all; I'm being kind of curious tonight about my future potential compared to everyone else's experience. You see, I'm going off to college next year (Indiana Univeristy) and I'm still rather confused as to what to do as far as a profession goes. I've continuously toyed with the idea of being an attorney, but I don't truly belieev I'd be happy with that profession. Far too greasy. Money, yes, but too much bickering and nitpicking.

I've always, always, always loved flight. I love aircraft, love flying during vacations, love being up in the air....and I'm getting pretty good at doing it myself on FSX

. I know that flying a sim is nothing like the real thing, but I feel like flying aircraft is something that I really would enjoy doing every day.

So my quesion is, how many of you changed your major/profession plans after spending some time at college?

fatty · 03-08-08, 10:24 PM

If you knew what you were going to do when you got to college and stuck with it the whole way, I bet you'd be in a really small minority.

Most people I know didn't settle down until after first year when they got a taste of everything, especially since we came from a small and poor high school which didn't offer much beyond "math" "science" or "english."

I started out in journalism but it wasn't for me; I'm too shy in person and am not a real 'go-getter.' I always loved military stuff so I transferred after first year into political science. My subfield is specifically defence analysis and maritime security. Thankfully all of my previous credits were applicable so I did not have to make up any work. The more drastic the change, the more make-up work you will have to do.

Even still, I know folks in their third years who are still swapping majors. I would not recommend this, creates too much work.

bradclark1 · 03-08-08, 10:42 PM

My daughter went from veterinarian to biologist after first year. She's having a blast doing government temp jobs for experience before going for her masters. In fact right now she's riding around the prairies of Kansas on an ATV after prairie chickens

My advice? Find out what the up and coming fields are, choose one that you would actually enjoy doing and go for it. Life is so much better when your job isn't work but something you look forward to doing every day.

nikimcbee · 03-09-08, 12:37 AM

You just need to survive the first year. Get all of the dippy required stuff out of the way, then you can take classes you enjoy and are relevant to your area of studies. I took all of my required classes during the summer, when they trimmed the content down for the short summer terms

.

PeriscopeDepth · 03-09-08, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radtgaeb

Hi all; I'm being kind of curious tonight about my future potential compared to everyone else's experience. You see, I'm going off to college next year (Indiana Univeristy) and I'm still rather confused as to what to do as far as a profession goes. I've continuously toyed with the idea of being an attorney, but I don't truly belieev I'd be happy with that profession. Far too greasy. Money, yes, but too much bickering and nitpicking.

I've always, always, always loved flight. I love aircraft, love flying during vacations, love being up in the air....and I'm getting pretty good at doing it myself on FSX

. I know that flying a sim is nothing like the real thing, but I feel like flying aircraft is something that I really would enjoy doing every day.

So my quesion is, how many of you changed your major/profession plans after spending some time at college?

I remember hearing that the average person changes their career about five times now... As to what to take in college, do what you enjoy. You'll figure out how to make money off of it later. I've been out of school for almost a year now, and am in the "figure out how to make money" stage of things now. Lucky me, I now have a job I enjoy where I can support myself well enough and still take the time to say...learn a programming language or start writing seriously (both of which I am in the process of). And good on you for not being a lawyer just for the hell of it. This nation has more than enough of them.

I was a poli sci major as well, btw fatty.

PD

TarJak · 03-09-08, 05:22 AM

I'm 43 now and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

I started out wanting to be in the Navy, never made it, then went into a number of jobs doing various things and finally I've ended up in IT because I love messing with technology.

Don't sweat about what you want to be in life, just find something in life that you enjoy and want to do for a while and do it. If it doesn't work out don't worry cos if you are smart enough to get into college then you should be smart enough to do pretty much anything you want and you'll know when to change tracks and do something else.

melnibonian · 03-09-08, 05:57 AM

I'm one of the few (I guess) that I knew what I wanted to do ever since I was a kid. I always loved science and I wanted to do research for a living. With this in mind I went to the University and made sure I stay in the track that could potentially lead me to my goal. I was one of the lucky ones that made it and now I am doing (almost) what I always wanted.

My advice is not to panic. Being in the University is not only about the particular subject you're reading. It's more to do with the general experience and the education of the mind. It's true that you will learn a lot on the chosen subject but more importantly you will learn to use your mind, ask intelligent questions and know where to look for answers to your questions. In my opinion that's what the university is about (trust me because I do that for a living). During your years there you will come across topics that you like, topics that you hate and topics that you never knew they exist. You will get an overall picture of your chosen area and by learning to use your mind in an ordered and analytical way you will start formulating more concrete ideas about what you want to do in the future. Always try to remember that you will get your "dream job" by your "soft skills" (i.e. how you think or how versitile you are in your approach to any problem) and not (only) by your knowledge of any particular subject. Finally I would suggest to try to enjoy the experience. You're in the best years of your life and you have a unique opportunity to meet people, experience life in a protected environment (you have responsibilities only to yourself after all now, later you will have for others as well) and set the bases for your future (personal and professional) development.

Good Luck and I'm sure everything will be fine in the end. After all it's not the final destination that counts but the travel to get you there. Enjoy it as much as possible

Kapitan_Phillips · 03-09-08, 06:09 AM

I'm pretty sure I know that I want to be a therapist of some kind when I work, but as long as I'm doing something worthwhile, and I'm enjoying it and making enough to live comfortably with my girl, then I wont complain

Platapus · 03-09-08, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radtgaeb

I've continuously toyed with the idea of being an attorney, but I don't truly belieev I'd be happy with that profession. Far too greasy. Money, yes, but too much bickering and nitpicking.

I've always, always, always loved flight. ...I feel like flying aircraft is something that I really would enjoy doing every day.

So my quesion is, how many of you changed your major/profession plans after spending some time at college?

Some worthless advice from an old guy.

1. The legal field is very wide and varied. Not all attorneys are greasy and slimy. Are you basing this on your impressions of court room attorneys? If so, then yes, defense and prosecution attorneys are slimy. However there are more careers than that. There are many legal careers where attorneys work contract and policy issues where slimy is not required. If you are truly interested in the legal career, check out some of the non-court room careers. You might find something you like.

2. Attorneys don't make a lot of money. Some do, many more don't. Unless you want to be a slimy defense or prosecution attorney do not go into the legal career thinking that you will be rich. I know many good attorneys who make "ok" money and a bunch that don't.

3. As a matter of fact, don't go in to any career with money as your motivator. It won't work in the long run. Find something you have a passion for. Money is nice and you will need a minimum amount to live. But job satisfaction and self actualization will be worth much more.

4. If you love flying don't get a job flying. As a counter to rule 3. Keep your hobbies and your job separate. Hobbies quickly stop being fun when you have to do it every single day and do it in a manner not of your choice. Early in my military career, my job was to blow stuff up using high explosives. What fun!!!! Except when you have to do it every single day. Believe me, even something as fun as blowing stuff with high explosives gets old if it is your job (Too bad I can't have a hobby of blowing stuff up LoL). So you need to find a career that will provide you with the time and money to allow you to explore your hobby of flying.

As the other posters stated, few people end up in the career they planned. This is one reason I advise young people to get their BS degree in a versatile field (math, sciences, computers, etc.) as what they learn will be usable in many diverse career fields.

I am assuming that you are in your 20's. If so, you have many years to go. You may not find your life career until you 30's. Still plenty of time.

Good luck and get back to sinking ships!

Why yer wastin time thinkin about that edumacation thing when you can be sinkin boats???????

Best of luck to you

Etienne · 03-09-08, 03:59 PM

All college application, choice and orientation publications should take off the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, as far as covers are concerned.

DON'T PANIC

Seriously, you're young. You've got plenty of time to turnaround, make up your mind and do it all over again.

CCIP · 03-09-08, 04:13 PM

I never technically switched specialization, but I have to say, I had NO idea whatsoever what I was getting myself into, at all levels of university so far. Don't go in thinking you will know or need to know everything. Pick it up as you go and keep open-minded.

Just be ready to learn, be resourceful and strategic in getting information and help as needed. There are a LOT of resources at any university for that, so don't lose track of them. Profs, TAs academic counselors, writing centres and other such campus features should be pretty much your best friends when getting a sense of direction. Talk to them lots, get help when needed (I've been a TA and writing advisor for the past couple of years, and you can get a lot of "mileage" out of us as far as advice - a shame so few students actually come to approach us). And to have a good idea of what you want to do, you need to go out and DO.

I say that as someone who's spent the past 6 years of university (bachelor's and masters) and now looking forward to 5-6 more (PhD), and enjoyed each one of them. Always enough to learn

Kapitan_Phillips · 03-10-08, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etienne

All college application, choice and orientation publications should take off the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, as far as covers are concerned.

DON'T PANIC

Seriously, you're young. You've got plenty of time to turnaround, make up your mind and do it all over again.

03-08-08, 09:05 PM	#1
Radtgaeb Frogman Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Muncie, IN Posts: 300 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	University Life Hi all; I'm being kind of curious tonight about my future potential compared to everyone else's experience. You see, I'm going off to college next year (Indiana Univeristy) and I'm still rather confused as to what to do as far as a profession goes. I've continuously toyed with the idea of being an attorney, but I don't truly belieev I'd be happy with that profession. Far too greasy. Money, yes, but too much bickering and nitpicking. I've always, always, always loved flight. I love aircraft, love flying during vacations, love being up in the air....and I'm getting pretty good at doing it myself on FSX . I know that flying a sim is nothing like the real thing, but I feel like flying aircraft is something that I really would enjoy doing every day. So my quesion is, how many of you changed your major/profession plans after spending some time at college? __________________

03-08-08, 10:42 PM	#3
bradclark1 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA. Posts: 2,794 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	My daughter went from veterinarian to biologist after first year. She's having a blast doing government temp jobs for experience before going for her masters. In fact right now she's riding around the prairies of Kansas on an ATV after prairie chickens My advice? Find out what the up and coming fields are, choose one that you would actually enjoy doing and go for it. Life is so much better when your job isn't work but something you look forward to doing every day. __________________

03-09-08, 12:37 AM	#4
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	You just need to survive the first year. Get all of the dippy required stuff out of the way, then you can take classes you enjoy and are relevant to your area of studies. I took all of my required classes during the summer, when they trimmed the content down for the short summer terms . __________________

03-09-08, 05:57 AM	#7
melnibonian Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reading UK Posts: 3,473 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I'm one of the few (I guess) that I knew what I wanted to do ever since I was a kid. I always loved science and I wanted to do research for a living. With this in mind I went to the University and made sure I stay in the track that could potentially lead me to my goal. I was one of the lucky ones that made it and now I am doing (almost) what I always wanted. My advice is not to panic. Being in the University is not only about the particular subject you're reading. It's more to do with the general experience and the education of the mind. It's true that you will learn a lot on the chosen subject but more importantly you will learn to use your mind, ask intelligent questions and know where to look for answers to your questions. In my opinion that's what the university is about (trust me because I do that for a living). During your years there you will come across topics that you like, topics that you hate and topics that you never knew they exist. You will get an overall picture of your chosen area and by learning to use your mind in an ordered and analytical way you will start formulating more concrete ideas about what you want to do in the future. Always try to remember that you will get your "dream job" by your "soft skills" (i.e. how you think or how versitile you are in your approach to any problem) and not (only) by your knowledge of any particular subject. Finally I would suggest to try to enjoy the experience. You're in the best years of your life and you have a unique opportunity to meet people, experience life in a protected environment (you have responsibilities only to yourself after all now, later you will have for others as well) and set the bases for your future (personal and professional) development. Good Luck and I'm sure everything will be fine in the end. After all it's not the final destination that counts but the travel to get you there. Enjoy it as much as possible __________________ http://www.thegreywolves.com/ http://wolvesatwar.com/ Download GWX and other goodies: http://hosted.filefront.com/melnibonian

03-09-08, 06:09 AM	#8
Kapitan_Phillips Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Swansea Posts: 3,903 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	I'm pretty sure I know that I want to be a therapist of some kind when I work, but as long as I'm doing something worthwhile, and I'm enjoying it and making enough to live comfortably with my girl, then I wont complain __________________ Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into.

03-08-08, 10:24 PM	#2
fatty The Old Man Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,448 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	If you knew what you were going to do when you got to college and stuck with it the whole way, I bet you'd be in a really small minority. Most people I know didn't settle down until after first year when they got a taste of everything, especially since we came from a small and poor high school which didn't offer much beyond "math" "science" or "english." I started out in journalism but it wasn't for me; I'm too shy in person and am not a real 'go-getter.' I always loved military stuff so I transferred after first year into political science. My subfield is specifically defence analysis and maritime security. Thankfully all of my previous credits were applicable so I did not have to make up any work. The more drastic the change, the more make-up work you will have to do. Even still, I know folks in their third years who are still swapping majors. I would not recommend this, creates too much work.

03-09-08, 05:22 AM	#6
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	I'm 43 now and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I started out wanting to be in the Navy, never made it, then went into a number of jobs doing various things and finally I've ended up in IT because I love messing with technology. Don't sweat about what you want to be in life, just find something in life that you enjoy and want to do for a while and do it. If it doesn't work out don't worry cos if you are smart enough to get into college then you should be smart enough to do pretty much anything you want and you'll know when to change tracks and do something else.

03-09-08, 03:59 PM	#10
Etienne Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	All college application, choice and orientation publications should take off the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, as far as covers are concerned. DON'T PANIC Seriously, you're young. You've got plenty of time to turnaround, make up your mind and do it all over again.

03-09-08, 04:13 PM	#11
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	I never technically switched specialization, but I have to say, I had NO idea whatsoever what I was getting myself into, at all levels of university so far. Don't go in thinking you will know or need to know everything. Pick it up as you go and keep open-minded. Just be ready to learn, be resourceful and strategic in getting information and help as needed. There are a LOT of resources at any university for that, so don't lose track of them. Profs, TAs academic counselors, writing centres and other such campus features should be pretty much your best friends when getting a sense of direction. Talk to them lots, get help when needed (I've been a TA and writing advisor for the past couple of years, and you can get a lot of "mileage" out of us as far as advice - a shame so few students actually come to approach us). And to have a good idea of what you want to do, you need to go out and DO. I say that as someone who's spent the past 6 years of university (bachelor's and masters) and now looking forward to 5-6 more (PhD), and enjoyed each one of them. Always enough to learn __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)