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Having finished High School younger than most, I was clueless as to what I wanted to do for a career. I took one year of college, then quit. Later in my 20's I went back to college, and got a degree in Business Administration, and found work as a manager of a large Housing Complex. After a few years I was able to move up by changing jobs, and took over a Government Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and here since I also had a background in building, I found what I really liked doing, because I was able to draw in State and Federal Funds and oversee the building of a lot of rental housing, and homes for folks who otherwise would not have had a place of their own. I enjoyed it, and was lucky to retire early. Its been great !!! YOUR TURN !!!!!!!!!

Education: Engineering
Current Career: Engineering/Sales/Marketing/Project Management

I love what I do. I feel really lucky I have a job that I love right out of university. I work for an environmental company that works with municipalities to use green technologies to treat their water. Many of you are probably drinking water treated with our systems.

Unlike a lot of other businesses, I know whatever we do will bring safe water to millions of people without harming the future generations.

Since I'm well situated -- my goal.

I'd like to finish spec'ing and writing a fully open sourced platform for fire and rescue emergency services; response, reporting, and training. A portable well documented system that was able to tie a large amount of resources together to make fire/rescue a much safer and more efficient feat and make reporting as error free as possible.

I am way beyond anything I ever dreamed to be wildly possible...

I want to finish my Phd this year, and retire/switch careers in another 5-10 years (A50 - 55).

After that my goal is to teach P/T and write.

All of that depends on what my partner ends up doing though, and the one thing I have learned is not to make those kind of plans for the future... something interesting ALWAYS comes along that just knocks the hell out of my life, sending me spinning in whole new directions.

When I have FINALLY finished catching up on my debt collectors and other small bills, I would love to go back to college and finish my Photography, Acting, and business classes. Been so long I think my brain is starting to turn into some type of jelly.

Going back to college to become a designer of some kind...I want to make something with artistic impact someday.

I'm studying psychology of now and am graduating with a bachelor of science degree in May. However, I'm leaning towards getting a second degree in civil engineering in the following semesters.

Well, I'm going for a English and Women's and Gender Studies degree, after which I'll probably go to get my phd (may stop at a Masters and then teach H.S. or college.

I will be done with a master's in genetics in may, but in the fall, I am going to start work on a philosophy degree. I kind of hope to bridge the divide between the empiricists and the rationalists... But smarter people have tried. I'm shooting to teach University level someday and get paid to talk and think with other people. What a dream job.

I have a Bachelors in English Literature, a Master of Sciences in International Management and a 2nd masters - MBA in International Finance / Business Marketing.

My goal always was to invest early and never have a regular job like most other people. Life is too short to be wasted in an office sitting behind a desk and doing the same thing 8-10 hours a day for the rest of your life. I am 30 and quit my first and only job at 26... now I have enough investments to live off from and travel all over the world.

I don't want a career, I want to work as little as possible. I prefer my leisure time and spending time with my family and friends. I think there's to much emphasis on work in our culture.

After retiring from the Army I got a BA in telecommunications with a focus on broadcast journalism and political science. I was hoping to become part of a major network news team overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan. No one has hired me to do that so I am an insurance agent.
I'd rather be working overseas but this is OK for now.
What I'd really rather do is go back into the Army. Civilian life is so boring and petty. Since I lost the hearing in one ear and am over 50, the Army appears to not want my services anymore. I'd rather shoot insurgents instead of photographing the bastards.

I think jasonmericson has a really good point. Still.......

Work has always appealed to me. When I was a kid I was selling greeting cards door-to-door, mowing lawns, setting up iced coffee stands (yes as crazy as it sounds).

I dropped out university after three semesters because it seemed like a titanic waste of money and I was dying to start my own business. That adventure took me out of Texas and off to the big city at 18.

This has all been such an adventure and my work has taken me to places that I never could have imagined as remotely possible.

The fundamental curiosity and restlessness that drove me at 13 is still with me (maybe more so today).

I love spending time on my boat but my competitive nature makes me want to race her (and I do, not too successfully but respectably). My partner wants to sail around the world but I just can't see that happening.

My goals these days are to keep up my health so I can keep exploring, making, and building new things.

My partner and I love India and the charity work we are doing there really excites me. I am pretty convinced that entrepreneurial charity, micro-business development, and similar things are out there on the horizon.

The frontiers of technology (where I have been privileged to spend most of my career) always fascinate and I really feel that we are on the edge of very exciting times. It would be great to be able to be a part of that.

An early love of mine has been architecture (at first modern architecture and then everything). That has morphed into a lot of work on historic preservation and I am hopeful that this might grow in the future.

I never stop thinking about what I want to do, and who I want to be when I grow up.

Cheers,
Terry

To all of you who dropped out of college...

Try again.

If you end up dropping out ...

Try again.

Education is the magic bullet to most of life’s big problems. Education brings with it increased opportunities, better employment, more stable working conditions, and CHOICE.

College graduates earn many times what non graduates do, it is a simple fact of life. But that doesn't tell the whole story. The more education you get, the greater your choices will be in life in terms of employment, housing, food, shelter, travel, and meeting new people.

I have a AAS, AA, BA, BS, MS and CAS while I am working on my PhD. I am not done, I don't believe in today’s changing world you can EVER stop learning if you want to improve yourself, or get ahead. I KNOW that I will never be done until the day I die.

Get ready for the future, the only thing that is limiting you is your own fears. The one thing I have learned in my life is that educating yourself is as nescessary as eating or drinking or breathing.



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ITjock - I'm guessing you work in Information Technology thats why the name ITJOCK - maybe in your field its true you need to keep educating yourself to stay up to date with the changing Technology.. however I don't think getting a bunch of degrees is EDUCATION in anyway. I have 3 degrees including 2 Masters and don't think I used any of them... also most successful people either have it or they dont - meaning either they have the will / desire and brains to succeed or they simply dont. Those who have it in them to succeed do so one way or the other and those who dont - keep changing careers and getting degrees to make it.. but rarely do...

I work in the fashion industry as a make-up artist, sometimes stylist and art director.

When I was in my early twenties I wanted to be the next big celebrity make-up artist, a life lived on airplanes and in hotel rooms, Europe, NY, LA, working all the major fashion shows, working with the biggest magazines, and the hottest celebs. Nowadays, a make-up artist at that level can make $5000-$10 000 a day, so you can understand my desire to attain that status.

That life doesn't interest me so much anymore. I've gone back to school to eventually change career paths, and now all I really want is my man, a dog, a nice house, and a quiet, happy life.

ItJock, you are correct, but I am siding with Travelstud.

Yes I am only 20 and I have not been to college because I have been busy traveling the world, but when I compare my life to others...Theirs Sucks.

I agree that you HAVE to go to college if you want to join the workforce. I have no idea why people want to join the workforce. I sure as hell don't. Working 9 to 5 for at least 5 days a week, and only 2 weeks vacation per year! That sounds like prostitution to me.

When I look at my friends and compare myself to them, I pity them. Most people go to college to get the piece of paper so they can have that job that will pay them a big chunk of change so they can be happy and rich. They do not go to college to Learn. They go to pass tests and get those pieces of paper that have a shinny seal in them.

This is my romantic side speaking right now...I wish people would actually go to school to learn.

(Romanticisms done)Most people that I talk to say "they can never take away your education." I always correct them and tell them "you mean knowledge."

I am not saying that college is bad. (I think it is horribly overpriced) I am saying the idea of going to college to learn has been lost because of materialistic views. I think I would like to go to college to learn a few things(God knows I need to learn proper grammar), but I will never go for "that piece of paper."

I've returned to school after an 8 or 9 year hiatus because i finally know what I want from school.
I want to get my degree in kinesiology so i can be a physical therapist.

And as someone who's doing it, I don't think the difficulty is returning to school, most of us have the habit down after 13 years of having no other option, it's the balancing act of making work and school cohabitate nicely that's the more difficult and daunting task.

I am a social studies teacher. As much as I love turning my kids from fat suburban capitalists to pinko socialists the profession is getting kind of old. New York state and the US government breathing down my back, telling me what I have to teach, making the whole mess less focused on the student and more focused on the school, it just makes me ill.

Anyone know any technical writing or editing gigs in the Portland area?

Finishing my international hospitality degree, i currently work as a receptionist, and i love my job like to deal with a variety of people from all backgrounds, its diversity after all. i am also working my way up to be a part time professional speaker and cannot wait to get there.

Professional Procrastinator


Okay, the truth...

I am currently the Business Manager for the Level One Trauma Center Emergency Department here in Richmond Virginia.

Prior to this I dabbled in patient care when I thought I wanted to be a nurse for my early midlife crisis. I've also managed two AutoZones and a Kmart.

I spent 6 years on active duty in the Air Force from 84 to 90. I think the proudest thing I've done which brings me the most job satisfaction is that I reenlisted into the Virginia Army National Guard in 06...and yes I am deploying to Iraq next month as a truck driver.

Goals: Finish my accounting degree at government expense when I get back from Iraqistan and live comfortably and not always trying to juggle bills.

gigman17b saidI am not saying that college is bad. (I think it is horribly overpriced) I am saying the idea of going to college to learn has been lost because of materialistic views. I think I would like to go to college to learn a few things(God knows I need to learn proper grammar), but I will never go for "that piece of paper."

I've never gone to college. I feel most of my skills are above average. I have a comfortable income and life. I have always been handed job offers and never had to seek them. I don't need college and feel that most of it is largely a waste of time and money. That said, I would like to attain a few degrees. I have sometimes felt that regardless of your talent and accomplishments, you are viewed with a prejudiced attitude if you haven't acquired a degree. It isn't that I need the crutch of a piece of paper, but it smooths perceptions.

For the usual person, college fills a need for more than the obvious reason of educating. There are social skills, job skills, and life skills that are learned in the process of attending college. For a lot of people you encounter today, you often wish they paid attention through their elementary years. The percentage of people that cannot use "your" and "you're", "their" and "there" etc, seems to be increasing significantly. It could simply be that more intellectually challenged folk are getting online. The growing awareness leaves me uncomfortable.

I don't think you need to attend college to learn most of what you need or want. I feel that you can learn everything you need prior to college, or via resources readily at your disposal. I.e. the library, the intertubes, etc. Advanced materiel is sometimes best learned by way of a specialised school. I'm the oldest of my siblings and the rest of them attended college. I have always been able to help them with their homework for core courses. For CS related courses I was often frustrated that very dated materiel and technology was the focus of the courses. Outdated hardware, outdated software, technology and programming theory long since discarded for a variety of reasons. I strongly felt that the CS courses held my brother back. Four years that he could have spent learning far more accurate and useful information and skills.

There is far more to say but this piece is done.

I don't think the value of higher education is so much in literally preparing people for careers. Its value is teaching people how to think, how to cultivate curiosity and even to understand the limits of knowing. It's also a way of being mentored.

I agree with you OB, but that doesn't seem to be the American style of education. People aren't taught how to learn so much as they are taught to memorize. This is the aspect I loved about my calculus teacher. Getting the right answer wasn't as important as getting the right path to the answer. If you give an 18yo a question he has already encountered, he may have the answer quickly. Give him a question he hasn't encountered and he often gives up without effort.

However I feel that this is something that should be taught early in elementary years. It sets the learning skills for the rest of life.

College taught me a whole lot more than just the major I studied for. It taught me how to make friends and keep them. How to treat people; how to respect them and be respected. I think college is more an experience and a way of socializing, rather than just going through a process in order to get a career. It was also a great way to have internships in order to see what I do like doing and what I don't. As well as a nice opportunity for tons of networking. I think without college, I would not be as mature or educated on the things that will help get me through social and economical challenges that I am sure I will some day face.

But I do not think college is for everyone. And people can survive and be successful without it. In fact, I do not think going to college will help me make any more money than had I not gone. And that is alright with me. Some athletes decide to go straight into professional sports and they will have and see more money than I could even imagine having. So I guess that is just one example of being extremely rich and successful without a college degree.

I just graduated in December with a BA in Art Therapy.

WOW !!!! I knew we are amongst an exceptionally talented group of men on this site, and ( Please allow me to generalize)I've frequently observed that being talented, artistic, and creative, is usually the case for gay men. (now don't yell at me those who aren't gay, cause I know we gay hold no "CORNER ON THE MARKET" of creative success) As for work there is a saying that I like !!! It goes-"find a job you love to do, and you'll never work another day in your life" I think this saying more than anything else is the key to being happy, satisfied, successful, and rewarded by life, mix this with frequent instances of recreation, and what could be better. Gigman !!! Your doing what I told my daughter to do, I may have been wrong, but, I told her - Don't be too anxious to jump into the working to pay bills grind. I told her to travel, work and save for the next travel adventure, do volunteering abroad, see some more sites, LIVE LIVE LIVE '!!! In the process be considering what you like to do, then when you feel the time is right, go for that which you love to do. now at 27 I think she has found what she wants to do, As for college it helped me get into the work I liked, but only after I had "LIVED" a while. What actually brought me the most success and personal rewards was what I did on my own time, investing in real estate. College may be the key for most but not by any means everyone. We should all do what we like for work, or "GET THE HELL OUT OF IT !!

I am working on my international business double degree. I have one more year to go.

I hope I'll be able to combine ethics with business.

If I won't be able to do this in a practical environment I'll continue with my master and PhD to eventually teach.

Monir saidI am working on my international business double degree. I have one more year to go.

I hope I'll be able to combine ethics with business.

There is so much growth on the way for ethics in international affairs that need is going to outstrip supply for decades to come. That is a brilliant course of study and something that will take you in supremely interesting directions in your professional life.

Cheers,
Terry

Thanks for the input Firefighter. Going to college for English was a joke BTW. Sorry I am bad at jokes

I do agree with the people that say you can obtain many of your skills without college.

Stevarino07 - (this is a nice comment)I hope college did more for you then teach you how to make friends and be respectful. That is a lot of money and debt to learn basic skills.

Realifedad - You must be one of the best fathers to promote your children to explore before they start the American dream of bills, debt, etc. The standard thought of most American parents is "high school then college, and no buts!" Go you!

ursamajor said[quote][cite]Monir said[/cite]I am working on my international business double degree. I have one more year to go.

I hope I'll be able to combine ethics with business.

There is so much growth on the way for ethics in international affairs that need is going to outstrip supply for decades to come. That is a brilliant course of study and something that will take you in supremely interesting directions in your professional life.

Cheers,
Terry[/quote]


Thank you for your positive response!

Gigman - I don't think I would have graduated if I hadn't learned more...but when you are a college graduate, it is obvious that you have learned academics because you need to have the knowledge to have passed all of your classes in order to get the degree. So yes, I did obviously learn a lot more than just how to make friends and respect people. However, when looking back at my college experience, I will most likely look back at the fun times I had with my friends and the things I learned through my socialization, rather than just the classes I took and the knowledge I gained from them. But I understand where you were coming from with that...it is indeed a lot of money.

I'm doing a double major right now. Psychology and Radiology. Although I'm not doing it just to pay bills, they are both fields that I love and would have fun working in. The money doesnt hurt though...

Pre-Law / Sociology with a concentration in Social Work, and the Law.

I'm just curious to see how the people who have not gone to college break down: Ages, family wealth, etc.

Not to really point you out or anything, but how do you afford to do all that traveling gigman17b?

Hopefully Radiology....

School's gonna suck but the future needs to be golden...

Like realifedad, I graduated high school early and went straight to college.. where I slacked off >< Until this semester, in december I went and saw my dad and decided i was not, in no way, never, ever going to end up like him. Henceforth, I am going to graduate with a bachelors in business at the age of 20 and hopefully get a job doing... something ><

I don't know what I want to do with my career yet, but I am quite sure that I don't want my career to be my life!

Travel has to be the most fantastic venture anyone could hope for, and I am going to see it all.

Graduated from college with BS in Chem engineering. Now finishing Masters in about a year or two part time. I would ultimately like to go to law school and become a patent attorney. In the end I think I will be done college by the time I am 35.

Salubrious - I have been saving my money ever since I can remember. I knew I wanted to travel, so I am. I can afford to Travel because I travel cheap. I am not traveling and staying in hotels or eating a good meal every day. Along the way I work for food and shelter, and maybe some money. I don't spend a lot of money because I am mostly bartering. You would be surprised what you can get for the swap of a tinny key chain flashlight.

Gigman, thanks for the compliment up above !!! and You at the perfect age to "barter" for travel, sounds like a lot of fun and great experiences. In Europe there are a lot of good deals for college age travelers, I've been there 4 times, and did it pretty cheap even without the benefits of your age group. Its a great education just traveling, I'll bet you have the "gift of gab", and while you may not be in college but your learning things about making it out there that are priceless, and will come together for what you want to do in the future. LIFE JUST WORKS THAT WAY !!!! One thing builds on the other!!! You and "the_geo" travel some for me while your at it !! ha !!!

Salubrious saidI'm just curious to see how the people who have not gone to college break down: Ages, family wealth, etc.

Age: 38, family wealth: $0

I grew up on rice and beans and cold nights in the winter. But it didn't cost money to go to the library. We came home from the library every week with 1-2 paper grocery bags full of new books to read.

I'm working on a fitness business. I'm in the business plan stage. I have three ideas for the business all of which work hand in hand. Besides this, I'm a business systems analyst and part time group fitness instructor.

I am a Sociology major with a minor in Women's & Gender studies. I would love to finish up my undergrad next year and go straight into grad school to get my Masters and Ph.D in the Sociology of Gender and teach at a university somewhere

I'm a Computer Science major in which I'm graduating in December. As for my career goal, it's take a year off and then go for my Masters in secondary education in math so that I can be a high school math teacher.

gigman17b, Travelstud and FirefighterBlu3,

I will agree with you all that there is a huge difference between Learning, Education, and collecting degrees.

I had hoped people would understand that I place an extremely high value on LEARNING.

I have known many successful people who have never set foot on a college campus, many more who have dropped out.

I believe that some people have the drive and determination and willpower to learn and educate themselves even if they never graduated from grade school.

Those people are, IMO, the exception rather than the rule.

Most people require a structured setting in which to learn. Most people are not capable of the extrordinary self discipline required to persue knowledge in a systematic manner on their own.

I believe the pursuit of knowledge is a fundamental necessity of human growth.

I firmly believe in Aristotle’s concept of Arête as a a significant part of the paideia of the development of a man (or woman) to their highest potential; including training and education in a variety of physical, mental, artistic, and philosophical/spiritual areas.

People who stop learning halt their own development and do nothing but take up space.

Without the DRIVE to learn, explore, experience, and better ourselves and the human condition, we are little better than the other animals.

If it is success you want in life there are many ways to get there, and having a college degree may or may not be one of them. But personally I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything. Yes, it was expensive, and there were classes where I was merely putting in time, but I also learned and explored things I never would have otherwise, and it was a great socialization process as well. Yes, I would have continued learning even if I hadn't gone to college, but I was definitely forced to read things I otherwise never would have read, and learn and explore ideas I probably wouldn't have on my own, or at least not been challenged in the same ways or at the same pace.

Neither of my undergraduate degrees -- Spanish and religion -- would have gotten me a job, but they did open otherwise close avenues to me. They have also given me other skills as well that I use every day in terms of thought patterns and processes, and in ways of dealing and relating with people and the world in general.

There are many ways to make your way in world, but the way I see it college is still worth the investment.

I have an undergrad in psychology and a law degree. Four years in complex commercial litigation was enough for me so now I manage the requirements gathering and implementation of anti-money laundering software in financial institutions in NYC, Dusseldorf, London, and Johannesburg.

As soon as this company sells I'll pay off all my debt, maybe bum around for a year or two, and then ... well, I'll probably go back to school and do it all again.

Working on a B.S. in Real-Time Interactive Simulation and a double minor in math and physics, to become a videogame programmer, hopefully with one of the larger companies.

SDcollegian saidRight now I'm finishing my bachelor's in biology and chemistry and working on cancer research for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In the fall, I'll be starting medical school at UCSD and I'm planning on going into one of the surgical specialties.
I think that the most significant part of my liberal arts education has been that I have had many opportunities to interact and exchange ideas with students and professors in non-science fields.

I did bio and chem major at a liberal arts undergrad! We're twins! This is what you have to look forward to....... run.

Well I had my career all planned out 20 years in the Army out as a LTC then possibly teach. Well an IED in Iraq ended my career in a hurry. I graduated from West Point in 2001, and got a Master's in education from Notre Dame. After I am released from outpatient status at Walter Reed I want my PhD, TBI has slowed me down a whole lot. I want to definitely teach if not USMA then U of North or South Carolina.

Have a college degree in Computer Science. Work as a Software Engineer. Would like to get into robotics or architecture.

I'm in my first year at university majoring in psychology and I hope to obtain a Ph.D so I can practice psychology somewhere in the world.

I haven't had a lot of exposure to all of the different fields in psychology, but I am most interested so far in developmental psychology.

I'm in a Masters program that is a combination of Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Chemical Engineering. It is very interdisciplinary, and I am really enjoying it so far. I'll eventually work somewhere in biotech, but I'm not sure where or what yet.

There are some interesting thoughts on this thread, and I guess I'll add my own. As for school... I love it. I love the environment, the people, and the conversations that are possible... I mean where else can you have an in-depth discussion about the application of quantum dots versus organic molecules to carbon nano tubes for use in high-efficiency solar panels? Maybe I'm weird, but I love to learn about the world... and the more that I learn, the more I realize that I really know so little, which makes me want to learn more!

I agree, many college kids are not here for the learning, but the degree, and the system makes it easy to do this. I encourage anyone who is thinking about going to college to do so... and choose a major that is interesting to you, not one that will only be good at making you money. You'll learn way more, and you'll grow as a person as well.

I went to university for a year, dropped out, worked fast food for a year, where they promoted me to manager. At 21, the pay seemed great and it was a pretty low key job. So, I spent five years partyin and made some awesome friends, then woke up and realized I didn't wanna work fast food forever.

So, now I have one year left in college. Finishing up a BS in Environmental Science. Going job hunting next week, and if I don't like what I find, then I'm goin on to get a Masters in EnvSci and either pick up a civil engineering or geology degree.

As for people wanting leisure, I picked my degree because ultimately, I'll get to spend lots of time hiking around outside. Which really wouldn't seem like work, but I'd still be getting paid.

I'm currently a Public Policy major at the University of Michigan. I want to work in Washington, DC as an advisor for a White House Administration or as a legislative aid to a Congressman. Then I want to work as a political analyst for a major media outlet such as CNN or MSNBC. If I get sick of that, I want to go into real estate. Quite the change of pace... I know. I'm that person who sits for hours looking at homes when those magazines come in the mail. I circle every single one I like, haha. It's almost an obsession.

After reading numerous other responses, I feel inclined to put this out there. College isn't for everyone. Knowledge and learning can be acquired in any setting, not just in a classroom and not just by reading textbooks. Success can be defined in many different ways, but a 4-year degree doesn't guarantee it. Plenty of successful people never went to college and some never even finished high school. There's a lot more to a college education than academics, though. Learning about yourself and who you are and the people and world around you are very much a part of college, but these things can be learned other ways too. You just have to know why you embark on your chosen path and be happy with it.

Musclelover--- I noticed your interest in Real Estate, the investing I did in real estate really set me up in life, its a great field. About 6 years ago I was talking with my Daughter-in-law who seemed really interested in my family's involvement in real estate, this girl has the gift of gab, so I talked her into going for her real estate license. she did, and my God it took off for her from the very start, and she is still doing really well even in this current slump. The key is to locate in an area where there is of necessity a constant relocating volume of families in and out of the area. My son is in the Navy, so of course they live in communities affected by service families coming and going frequently. So theres my "TIP FOR THE DAY" LOL !!! Best of luck !!!

I have a great job with The Disney Corp. as a carpenter working on sets and location building facades. I get to travel often and just back from Hawaii where we did work on the set of "Lost." Enjoying this for now, but would eventually hope to be designing sets and stage work. Set design and architectual studies are on going.
Most of you know about the writers strike and that has me doing nothing right now. Sure hope they settle soon. Right now playing a lot of volleyball on the beach. In a league down at Manhattan Beach, but the fridge is getting a bit bare and like to go clubbing in West Hollywood. That is not happening now.
Really enjoyed reading about all you guys and your hopes and dreams. Remember
"A dream is a wish your heart makes." ---Snow White.

Im thinking about studying to be a music journalist and minoring in graphic design/photography. Interviewing bands and getting into concerts for free, what could be better ? However, I also want to expand my knowledge of psychology and philosphy, everything essential to being a writer and reading peoples body language.

Studies in Tourism and operation for various aspects including hotel/resorts and airlines. I was business and marketing but I changed my major on advice.

I've been advised the only constants in job security is pleasure and health. There will always be a demand for doctors as well travel and tourism.

Since, I'm not english spoken, it's my 3rd language...so i belive e?jucation is mportant
mportant,...but i work (I'm from EU-SI) as a graphic designer-my father has enough money..to suport me...or he had...now i.m just me...proud of my work...happy of ma awoaeds?*)(/& but he still hjave enaugh $, to bee!!!! I dont have i life!
It's not nice ro be ....never alone...even in tw Dachi...ours weekent house? I'm so alone
Love everybody!
just ME

I have a BA in Geography and an MS in Atmospheric Science.
I use my BA for my "job" and my MS for my "hobby", because it is what I truely love! I would never want to give anyone in an "employment situation" the chance to ruin my fascination and enjoyment with the weather.

To those that dropped out of school or never did school, because you "didn't see the point"....do it! An education is not about getting a "technical expertise" in something, it is about being exposed to a wide variety of ideas, philosophies, and being taught a reasoned way of "thinking and analyzing" any situation and hopefully being able to do so on your feet as events change by the moment! Education broadens your horizons and opens your mind to think of things from a variety of perspectives, inside and outside of "your box". It opens doors of your mind and allows you to ask questions and try ideas in a relatively safe environment.
A "true education" is not the super technical sub-specialties, but the broad and open "liberal arts" type of program. By super-specializing your education at to early a point, you have "pigeon-holed" yourself and set yourself up for a single track in life. By having a "liberal arts" background, you are better able to morph, change, evolve and re-invent your career over time, as needed, if needed. Don't get me wrong...education is NOT a guarentee of success in life and likewise, a lack of formal education doesn't preclude success. But I like to put the odds in my favor. Also, we need the super-sub-specialized students..for they become the foremost authorities on that topic. If I need a doctor for cancer or some other illness, I would definitely want the formost authority on the topic treating me. But, I would hope that all of his technical knowledge is "tempered" by a liberal arts understanding of "the person" and their culture and emotions, etc.
Just my 2 cents...

Aren't there more from the construction trades in among us? There isn't any of us that don't need what you do !!!! Any Pics of the work of your hands ?

Finished my business administration degree with a concentration in finance. I haven't worked a day in my life because I've taken so much time off caring for my family. I have enough money to retire at 26 simply because my father started an empire and I've been mentored how to run the family business.

I am frustrated as I want to get out in the workplace. But I don't want to waste my time at a 9-5 job that pays peanuts. I want to be independent, the plan was to take over when my father dies, but I've been miserable watching his health fail and I've never moved out (scary). I guess im good at buying and selling, I've always been good at turning a profit on investments that make sense to me kinda like what my dad does.

professional muse

well, I left my job this week and now work a part time gig while I find something full time.

Apparently there are a lot of openings for house boys in town but I don't do windows.

I couldn't help jumping into this conversation. My primary projects is with the U.S. Department of Labor and it is to manage this website: www.CareerVoyages.gov.

Its primary mission is to provide information on the in-demand jobs over the next ten years. But, it also discusses the wide range of jobs that are available at all levels of education and training options - from apprenticeship to graduate degrees.

As a result of this work, I've been telling people, if I get canned for some reason, I'm enrolling in an electrician's apprenticeship!

As for the answer, yeah - too much education here. A BA from one of the "elite" New England private schools in government and French studies and an MBA from another 'top school' concentrating in IT. I plan on going into teaching when I get bored/fed up with the 'corporate' world.

I don't know what my major would be, I do plan on attending classes while my brother and sister are in College. I have four years to brush up on everything before then.

I went college, then dairy farmed for 6 years before going back to get my BSc. Then I did a MSc in quantitative genetics and genomics and now I am working on a PhD in the same area.
I love what I do and going to work is actually fun most days.

My goal is to work as a researcher or be a prof at a university.

I'm a double major in Biochemistry/Mathematics

Hopefully I can get the know how to study metabolic physics in grad school I want to become a biomedical engineer in the field of chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

I've always wanted to disease and how to stop it or deter it I just find bacterial and viral sciences interesting.

I don't know how that will translate into my life long career.

I majored in Biological Chemistry and Chemistry (yes, it was two degrees).

I thought I'd do a PhD in Biochem, but ended up hating bench research.

For now, I'm doing clinical research focused on HCV/HIV Coinfection. I'll be going to Med School in Fall '09. The goal is to shape public health policy while actually be involved in the field. hmm...

I did a BS in biology in undergrad, now I'm halfway through med school, getting ready for rotations. I've wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, for multiple reasons:
My 2 open heart surgeries, my brother's thyroid cancer, and my mother's breast cancer...

I have my bachelors in Health Care Administration. However, after I graduated I decided to go back with my "life long" goal of Marine Biology.

I got my degree in Theater Performance and have experience in Technical Theater (stage management, production management...basically everything except costumes and make-up), but I'm currently working as a Facility Manager at the Recreation Center at University of Illinois at Chicago.

I thought about getting a degree in a Kinesiology related field, but I already have practical experience, so a possibility down the road is certification as a Personal Trainer.

It is also a possibility down the road to get my masters' degree in Arts Management, which would be the business side of theater.

Education: BS / Psychology - Economics

Career: Venture capital - Managing Partner - investing in early stage (seed) and information technology companies. Also - Real estate - investing in residential and commercial properties.

Formerly worked as Director of Marketing in pharmaceutical sales - powdered reagents and instruments - in Silicon Valley, CA

I also do a good amount of volunteer work - and sit on the boards of my alumni association - as well as other companies and non-profit groups.

I work in the music industry. I manage a certain music royalty that goes to pretty much every artist and record label in the music biz.

Went to college for a year and half going for musical theatre..then decided college wasnt for me...then started performing in orlando, in community theatre..then onto professional theatre...and now going to be moving up to NYC to pursue Broadway as are many people. Would also like to try to get recording contract like Josh Groban...and maybe work in some movies...

BS in Nursing. Med school is the next step because I can only spend so much of my life bitching to surgical residents I may make double what they make as residents, but when all is said and done they'll make 4 times what i make right now. bah!

hey guys...
WAS LIVING THE LIFE OF AN INTERIOR DESIGNER/FAUX FINISHER BUT DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL...

CHEMISTRY MAJOR AND THEN ONTO PHARMACY SCHOOL. MY LIFE LONG GOAL IS TO BECOME A PHARMACIST AND TO DEVELOP DRUGS FOR PHARM COMPANIES.

BUT LIFE HAS BEEN REALLY TOUGH SCHOOL AND HOMEWORK IS KINDA OVERWHELMING AND WELL TO BE HONEST KINDA FINACIALLY SUFFERING. THE WORSE PART IS EVEN THOU I HAVE GOOD BODY AND WORKOUT AND AM REALLY PUSHING MY BRAIN CELLS TO BECOME BETTER GUYS WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH ME OTHER THAN A QUICK LAY...IM NOT DATING MATERIAL BECASUE IM NOT EARNING 6 FIGURES YET. AS SOON AS I GRADUATE I'LL START AT LEAST 150K A YR BUT IM NOT A FEASIBLE RISK...

Went to college for a business degree. Quit 4 classes short of my 4 year degree.

I own a sports photography business and am very successful but hoping to change careers in about 5 years. Not sure what but I'm sure something will arise.

Right now im in my Second year or my Nursing Degree.
Future plans include med school, but thats not a quite some time and things might change..

After I graduated from High school, I took a year off. When I was in a Community College in 2002, I was an Anthropologist student and study for a year and 3 months. Then I figure this isn't working for me because I want a fun job in the future. So I decided to be a Graphic Designer and an Advertiser at the Art Institute of Phoenix for three years. I got my degrees in 2006. Now my goal is to have my own Graphic Design business, after I pay off my school loan.

With an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences/Nuclear Medicine Techology. I became a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Look it up kids . No plans on going farther, but I think I will learn X-ray, CT, possibly MRI. Nuc Med is great, but I am restless.....

I make you glow!

BA: Anthropology and Spanish

Now I'm back again after 5 years in the veterinary field. Thought I wanted to be a vet but realized I was more into human health than animal. Plus I was not into working 5-6 days/week 8-12 hours a day PLUS be on-call the rest of my life.

Currently studying for my degree in Nutrition Dietetics, as well as getting certified to teach pilates and personal training. I will run my own health counseling company.

All the while running a music promotion/event production business that does upwards of 100 shows/year.

Oh, and I'm a dj.

and I work at a plant nursery.

After Graduating high school I was lucky enough to get a job working in a Seniors home working with Seniors who suffer from Alzhimers Disease and other memory imparemnts. I got the job without schooling and have applied each year to go back to school to get my PSW (Personal Support Worker) However having been making good money and enjoying life and not looking forward going into debit and being a broke college student, I put it off several times. I've been accepted to the program 3 or 4 times. I actually got my letter in the mail today. At the same time i'm waiting to hear if I got accepted to Nursing. I hear back just before july if I got in.

I plan on being a nurse, that is my long term career goal working in the Hospital. I love my job that I have now. I was always unsure what I wanted to be and this has given me so many experinces that i'm 100% sure of it.

Well, I think I am going to get a BA in political science at George Washington University in DC. Then ill intern with Senator Feinstein or something and work my way up. =D.

I went to college during the Vietnam war and couldn't handle the pressure of trying to make a living, pay for school, avoid the draft AND do well at school, so I dropped out. After many different jobs, I went back to what I knew; Photography, Audio Engineering and electronics.... combined them all and after a few years running a Production Facility started my career in Television as a Director of Photography/Camera operator and early on got into HD which has blurred the line between Film and Video.

As many have stated, College isn't for everyone BUT Education comes in many forms and I find myself constantly attending seminars, training sessions and constantly reading and trying new techniques.


Constant learning and educating yourself IS the magic bullet to success!

My Profession : Realtor

Education : Bachelor of Science, Business Admin.
Concentration: Finance


In Process: MBA (9 units down 15units to go)


My Goal: Southebys International Real Estate

Currently PMZ Real Estate

My website www.frankb.pmz.com

Current Education: B.S. in Physics, B.S. in Psychology.

Was recently accepted to the Neuroscience Ph. D. program at Washington University in St. Louis. I start in the fall.

I foresee a future full of low income and debt. I like to dable in everything but I find new and more interesting things after a while and change over to them, leaving the old stuff behind for a while. Then I change back. This type of behavior is not very conducive to a long-term career.

On the other hand I have acquired a variety of skills including strong analytical & creative writing skills, strong math / problem solving skills, all sorts of computer skills from a good bit of hardware knowledge to some intermediate (although far from expert) programing ability, and fairly proficient art skills (CG). Three and a half years ago I started improving my physical skills and doing pretty ok there compared to how I was, and have recently begun learning to play piano, although I wouldn't call that a 'skill' for a few more years until I'm actually somewhat good. I also love to tinker with electronics and mechanical stuff. Although I'm far from an engineer, whenever something breaks I always bust out my trusty screwdriver, open it up and mess around with stuff until it either works, or gets broken to the point of no return.

I was a bit concerned with myself at first, but after realizing I'm gay and seeing that it's unlikely I'll have any kids due to this, I decided it was OK to just keep doing whatever random thing I'm interested in at the time without worrying about income. Other than top-of-the-line computers once every 3 years I don't really buy anything expensive anyway so I figure I should be alright as long as I don't have kids.

BA in Psychology at Rice University (two courses short of bio major...Rice does not offer minors)

MS Physiology as a very selectie school in Killadelphia

Career goal: Orthopaedic surgeon...Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah!!!

At 25, I am a National Account Executive for one of the world's largest Financial Information and Media organizations selling their legal/regulatory platform to partners at law firms, compliance officers at the large banks. etc.

It is a great position and company where I get a month of vacation, my mba paid for when I am ready, and my benefits fully paid for. They truly look after their people.

Next step will most likely be to Management/Executive Consulting and helping people to determine what to do with their business.

I am nearly 16 years Active Duty Army and will retire from it at 20.

Working on a BA in Social Sciences with an emphasis on government and nearly complete with that. I'll also retire with a Masters in Public Policy or Public Administration.

I would like to retire to the East Coast unless something else is more attractive. After 5 years in my new career, I'd like to begin work on a PhD in the same field.

Education is key to an improved quality of life. Too bad it's not emphasized enough in our youth.

I traffic in human flesh.

Actually, sort of. I recruit ridiculously overpaid executives in the insurance industry and get them to change to ever-more wildly overpaid positions, for which the acquiring companies then pay my firm a truly obscene amount of money.

Then we go out and bash homeless people over the head with our empty champagne bottles while we jump into our Bentleys and laugh.

I want to be an ice cream man and drive around in the truck.

jprichva saidI traffic in human flesh.

Actually, sort of. I recruit ridiculously overpaid executives in the insurance industry and get them to change to ever-more wildly overpaid positions, for which the acquiring companies then pay my firm a truly obscene amount of money.

Then we go out and bash homeless people over the head with our empty champagne bottles while we jump into our Bentleys and laugh.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Well we are blessed with talent and inteligence here aren't we !!!! But where would we be without this "HEAD HUNTER" !!! ---our friend jprichva---If we have to be HUNTED---its nice to know---he's the HUNTER---all we ask JPRICHVA---is leave our HEADS on during the HUNT !!!!

HI guys, Saturday I was one of the Cameramen for the GLADD awards at the Kodak Theatre. It was a great show and an eye opener for gay people.
Please watch it when it airs on BRAVO soon.

There was some good entertainment and lots of poignant stories and celebrities.


---- Ron

New Here.......first post

Mortician for the US military

Started out as a poly-sci major. Then decided I was going to apply to art school in musical theatre. then realized I hate being poor. Took a few years off from school, fell in loved, managed an interior deisgn center in NC full time while going to school full time. Graduated with a degree in intepersonal communications. Got my post-grad certificate in business management. Now I work in tech public relations.

I totally slacked and partied my first go at college. The second time around i worked my ass off. I took 18-21 hours of classes year round and worked 30 hours a week. It taught me how to prioritize and work hard for myself. That in itself was as important as my degree, though I could not have gotten a job wothout my degree.

My goal is to get to a place where I can charge enough to freelance and live well, coach swimming, do some personal training and life coaching. In other words, experience the things I excel at and enjoy while making money. I know education will be part of that equation, I am just trying to figure out how. Luckily my company pays for 5500.00 of tuition a year.

BE MY OWN BOSS. SET MY OWN TIME. WORK FOR ME.

im double majoring in accounting and marketing now, but im