Choosing a career

DarthFasa

Currently I am 17, and in my Senior year of high school. So far in my life one of my focuses has been to get myself into a position where if I choose to, I can go to college, and thus have the most choice in the path that my life takes. I did it, I already have been accepted to by safety school, the University of Towson and with my grades more are likely to come.

Now I have a problem. What do I want to do with my life. There are a few different careers that I have entertained, including video game production, IT, and robotic engineering. Basically everything that involves technology interests me. The other idea I have for my life is doing something to make the world a better place. I don't mean creating a better video game, or a more efficient toaster, but be a part of something that drastically improves the standard of living for people who need it.

All of this is build up to my question, what types of jobs are there that fit those requirements, and how do I get one?

I apologize if this topic has been covered previously, I did search and was unable to find any.

YoshoKatana

I am in no position to talk, but I think you should go for what interests you and you don't get bored with easily. That's the main thing. If you love music, but get bored by, say, practicing piano, don't go to a music school.

Me, I'm trying to do some awesome techy stuff, political stuff, and psychological stuff. But I'm also pursuing photography, and I can go either way. I leave the rest up to coincidence. Basically, I will strive to be the best in as many things as I can be. If I become a war photojournalist, I will be the most badass photojournalist in the world. If I go the IT/Politics route, I will try to do the most towards changing how governments use technology as I can.

Basically, be awesome at whatever you do.

(Oh mans, doctoring is really cool, but I get bored by medicine.)

Railith

The other idea I have for my life is doing something to make the world a better place. I don't mean creating a better video game, or a more efficient toaster, but be a part of something that drastically improves the standard of living for people who need it.

Have you considered teaching? We really need more geeks in the education system and less dumb blond girls.

Cramit

I am finding that being a geek teacher can be frustrating. Schools are full of people who see technology as just one more thing that the state makes us put into lessons. In the school that I am currently at I only have 2-3 people that I have anything at all in common with. I will try to explain how wikipedia may be used only to be told that, since anybody can edit it, it is not reliable. These people "know everything" and will not listen when I try to explain some of the systems built into prevent defacement.

The one thing that does make teaching fun is finding those little proto-geeks and showing them a wider view of technology.

whatever

What subject/grade level do you teach?

Cramit

I teach technology (Principles of Engineering, Small Engines, Robotics, and possibly Programming in the near future) at the High School level (grades 9-12). I've been teaching professionally since last February, at two schools.

onewild

I am finding that being a geek teacher can be frustrating. Schools are full of people who see technology as just one more thing that the state makes us put into lessons. In the school that I am currently at I only have 2-3 people that I have anything at all in common with. I will try to explain how wikipedia may be used only to be told that, since anybody can edit it, it is not reliable. These people "know everything" and will not listen when I try to explain some of the systems built into prevent defacement.

The one thing that does make teaching fun is finding those little proto-geeks and showing them a wider view of technology.

Teaching kids that they can use wikipedia as a reliable source is just setting them up for a fall when or if they get to university.

Mr. Eric

I am finding that being a geek teacher can be frustrating. Schools are full of people who see technology as just one more thing that the state makes us put into lessons. In the school that I am currently at I only have 2-3 people that I have anything at all in common with. I will try to explain how wikipedia may be used only to be told that, since anybody can edit it, it is not reliable. These people "know everything" and will not listen when I try to explain some of the systems built into prevent defacement.

The one thing that does make teaching fun is finding those little proto-geeks and showing them a wider view of technology.

Teaching kids that they can use wikipedia as a reliable source is just setting them up for a fall when or if they get to university.

However, teaching them to look at Wikipedia, and then if they find something relevant, to use the source it links to, is genius.

Sail

They've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years, then they expect you to pick a career!

tokkimo

The best advice I can give with regards to the career search is to go to a university with well known CSE, EE, CE programs. Your first two years at the university will be general education, but during that time, I would highly recommend sitting in on lectures. This is what I found was the best way to actually get the experience in technology related areas, a glimpse into what is really involved. I originally wanted to go CSE upon first entering college, but then found that the topic almost completely bored me. I love to program (I am doing it for a living now), but EE was much more suited for me and my profession.

HungryJoe

Join the Army if you fail.

Cramit

Teaching kids that they can use wikipedia as a reliable source is just setting them up for a fall when or if they get to university.

However, teaching them to look at Wikipedia, and then if they find something relevant, to use the source it links to, is genius.

This is what I meant by using wikipedia. Many teachers tell students that wikipedia is effectively the anti-christ. I try to explain that wikipedia is great for getting an overview of a topic and the sources section is a good way to find actual sources for their papers or projects.

Wings

Wikipedia is one of my favorite tools. I'm not dense enough to use it on anything that's important, but if you need some general knowledge before you begin to do in depth research, or you just want to learn something because you're curious, Wikipedia is the stuff of the gods.

As for the career search, I'm having some worries about this too. I've got 4 years to think on it, but it makes me nervous to not know what direction to go in, however vague. I've got a lot of interests, but none that I enjoy doing enough that I would want to do them on a daily basis. My two favorite ideas right now are to write a best selling novel to get that out of the way, or to think about doing some freelancing, such as writing or graphic design.I've got a friend who is dead set on being a freelance graphic designer, and I wouldn't mind jumping onto that ship with her if it came down to it.

Of course, I still have time. If by my senior year of high school I'm still dumbfounded as to what i want to do with my life, I'll look into things some more.

gomidog

Freelance is tough, man. Real tough.

Do you have the nerves of steel it takes to freelance? You never know where your next rent check is coming from.

djfooboo

Join the Army if you fail.

Air Force or Navy is better for a self-described geek in my opinion.

Wings

Freelance is tough, man. Real tough.

Do you have the nerves of steel it takes to freelance? You never know where your next rent check is coming from.

Mm, well, there's nothing to say that it couldn't be a second job while I get my bearings, right? Currently my dad is working in freelance web page design just as an extra source of cash. As far as I know, it doesn't bring in too much money, but then again, he only has two or three clients.


EDIT: I quoted what you said to my freelance minded friend, and she said

Ra: Worst comes to worst
Ra: prostitution.

MrRoboto

You like tech and want to make the world a better place, robotics is where it's at. You can work for a company developing prosthetic limbs, robots for clearing mine fields, robots to help the elderly, robots for deep sea exploration, etc.

gomidog

prostitution

DaaaaMEEEEeeeeee! Don't do eeeet! Better to be a starving artist than a well fed hussy. Of course, I can say this because I am not staving, but I can hope to say that you'll never see me whistling from a street corner unless I'm trying to sell you portraits.

Wings

prostitution

DaaaaMEEEEeeeeee! Don't do eeeet! Better to be a starving artist than a well fed hussy. Of course, I can say this because I am not staving, but I can hope to say that you'll never see me whistling from a street corner unless I'm trying to sell you portraits.

Oh, Ra could sell you portraits and have sex with you at the same time. She's one of those people who manages to be a 10 in the sexy department even though she's about a 2 with looks. I've tried to convince her to join the forums, but she hasn't yet, with "Too Lazy" as her excuse.

Also, I disagree... In some cases, sex IS a person's art.

Walker

Also, I disagree... In some cases, sex IS a person's art.

Monet... Picasso... Ron Jeremy!

kage_rod

Damn, I had tried to decide, and I'm already in my first year of college (upgrading though).

You could, if you want, take IT or something and then do a bunch of volunteering. That's what I'm always doing. I don't want to help just one thing, I want to help everyone in some small way, so volunteering's the way to go.

Does someone wanna tell me whether to go into Fashion Design, Concept Art (for video games and animation) or Politics? Politics is just a very small maybe - mostly because I want to be the PM of Canada.

Pseudocidal

Join the Army if you fail.

Air Force or Navy is better for a self-described geek in my opinion.

*COUGH*Air Force.*COUGH*Better educational opportunities and the service actually treats you like an investment.

HungryJoe

Join the Army if you fail.

Air Force or Navy is better for a self-described geek in my opinion.

*COUGH*Air Force.*COUGH*Better educational opportunities and the service actually treats you like an investment.

Doesn't anyone know where the phrase "join the army if you fail" comes from?

Nuri

*COUGH*Air Force.*COUGH*Better educational opportunities and the service actually treats you like an investment.

Then maybe you can join the SGC if you get lucky...

For real though, working for a company is not so bad. Small companies may not pay as much, but they are generally a little more flexible. Large companies have the benefit of pretty clear expectations and generally larger paychecks and benefits. Free-lancing is fine, but as Emily said, it is tough. But definitely look at the things you've been doing your whole life. Look at what you've never lost interest in. There are lots of things I like to do, but many of them are cyclical. I go through months at a time where I don't want to do them. Those are not things I base my career goals on. Instead, I base my career goals on things that I see as interesting and challenging with a huge opportunity to learn and discover. (Science, law, and politics) That way I don't get bored.

Sir_Xander

I too am a Senior but I've had my mind set on programming for several years now. I did go though a culinary phase but I discovered that technology was my true passion. I've made my decision and have set in a college and everything. I know my course, but I can't help but feel bad for a friend who can't make up their mind. I know that computers are in my future, but I also know it can go one of several ways. I suggest you do like I did; I though about it for a good long while, but when the moment came I went with my gut.

DarthFasa

Have you considered teaching? We really need more geeks in the education system and less dumb blond girls.

My current life plan does include teaching, but doing that after I have some “Real world experience” so that I can teach people the way it actually is, rather then just theory.

You like tech and want to make the world a better place, robotics is where it's at. You can work for a company developing prosthetic limbs, robots for clearing mine fields, robots to help the elderly, robots for deep sea exploration, etc.

I have been thinking quite a bit on robotics. Working with people like Dean Kamen (robotic arm, runs FIRST) would be my dream job, and I am going to pressure it, but I would like a more realistic fall back, since science is hard.

Air Force or Navy is better for a self-described geek in my opinion.

As someone who sponsors (lets them come over, play video games, and eat pizza) midshipmen from the Naval Academy, this does not seem like a great choice. Most of the midshipmen seem an egg away from an omelet, and I suspect this is the Academy's doing.

djfooboo

As someone who sponsors (lets them come over, play video games, and eat pizza) midshipmen from the Naval Academy, this does not seem like a great choice. Most of the midshipmen seem an egg away from an omelet, and I suspect this is the Academy's doing.

I didn't say he had to be an officer, going to a military academy is seriously hard. I'm enlisted corp in the Air Force and love it. I have plenty of time to go to school and get treated with respect even though I've only been in three years.