What do you do as a career?

contraband629

contraband629

Member
So I’m a recent college graduate and am contemplating about my career choices. I know that not everyone ends up working in their initial career field of choice; so I’m wondering what everyone does and how they got there. So basically answer the following questions:
1.What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)?
2.Was this your initial career choice?
3.How did you end up there?
4.Anything you want to add…
My response:
1.I’m an assistant civil engineer working in the field of telecommunications and construction engineering.
2.This was not my initial career choice.
3.I was originally an aerospace engineering major but I switched into mechanical engineering during my junior year of college. After accepting an internship doing civil engineering work I got a job as a civil engineer after I graduated.
4.I’m not sure where to go in my career. I have a degree in mechanical engineering but I work in the civil engineering field. I might decide to go get a masters degree in civil engineering. I recently turned down a good job to work with a biomedical device company (which would have put my degree to good use) and now I’m having second thoughts.
 
fenrir

fenrir

Member
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)? I am a Systems Administrator (IT Guy)
2. Was this your initial career choice? I originally attended OSU to get a degree in Zoology. Decided there wasn't much of a job market and changed to Computer Science.
3. How did you end up there? Decided that I would rather be able to find a job rather than do something I like to do. Hince my Hobby.
4. Anything you want to add… If you can at least get a job that can keep you interested and not miserable you should be fine. Besides having any kind of decent job is a big plus.
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)? Own mY own Demolition/Bulk Trash Company. Started with a pick up now I have 2 dump trucks and 13 roll off dumpsters.
2. Was this your initial career choice? Had no clue. Only went to College because I was able to play football and it was free.
3. How did you end up there? I blew my knee out while in school lost my scholarship. I left school and went to work. I was working for the county as an Inspector and saw these dudes just rolling in with roll off dumpsters. I though hmmm easy money. Its been hard but its paying off now. 5 years later.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)?
Been working in IT for about 12 years now. Started out building computers, have been a Systems Admin for IBM and Computer Associates and am now the IT Manager for a mid sized manufacturing business. Also run my own business as a licensed home inspector. Trying to build that business up enough so I can get out of IT
2. Was this your initial career choice?
Nope. Went to school for business admin without really knowing what I wanted to do, but computers werent even on my radar till a year or 2 after I got out of college.
3. How did you end up there?
My father started his own software company with a friend of his and his clients started asking them where they could get good, inexpensive PC's from. This was back in 95 or so, when building a computer from scratch was a lot cheaper than buying a name brand one. He hired me and taught me how to build PCs.
4. Anything you want to add…
IT as a career is OK, but only go into it if you have a true passion for the technology since there is ALWAYS something else to learn... I dont have that passion anymore which is why I am looking to get out with my Inspection business
 
ironeagle2006

ironeagle2006

Active Member
1 Stay at home Father. Social Security Disablity helps that and the few small jobs I can get doing Tune ups on the side.
2. No I devolped Epilepisy at the age of 25 and that ended my career of an OTR truck driver forever.
3. Father was an OTR trucker he trained me I followed in his shoes made alot of money around 50-60K a year the last 2 years 40-50 the first 2 years.
4 OTR trucking is not a CAREER it is a lifestyle both you and your SO need to realize that you will be gone for 2-4 weeks at a time and that paychecks vary based on how many miles you got that week. Also you need to realize that everything you have in your house came via truck at one time or another there are no RR tracks into the back of the local Wal-mart or LFS so that trucker you scream at because he or she is taking forever to make that turn just might have your food on. OTR truckers are the only indusrty that lets see here has to undergo separate FEDERAL Background checks to haul Haz-mat go into any ports or airports to get freight picked up. Yet we are the only people that can not run our Air COnditioning at night to stay cool to get refreshed in alot of states because our engines would wake up people. A dog has more rights than an OTR driver when it comes to the heat and cold.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)? I am a research biologist and chair of a Biology department in a major university in the northeast.
2. Was this your initial career choice? No. I was a pre-med/biology major as an undergraduate.
3. How did you end up there? Iwas admitted to 3 medical schools in my senior year in college, but by then I had become fascinated with research, and chose to go on for a Ph.D. instead.
4. Anything you want to add…It is a great career. I work very hard, but it isn't work since if i didn't have a laboratory at work, I would have one at home for a hobby. Only, at home nobody would pay me, while at school I earn a nice salary for doing what I would do for nothing anyway.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Originally Posted by GeriDoc
http:///forum/post/3137855
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)? I am a research biologist and chair of a Biology department in a major university in the northeast.
Stony Brook?
 
noah's nemo

noah's nemo

Member
I am a certified stay at home dad
!Going on 4 years now.3rd child on the way.I was a welder on 3rd for 11 years,while my then girlfriend(now wife) was getting her phd in farma-see .I'm always wondering how many other dads are out there,who are as fortunate as me? They edited it out
 
noah's nemo

noah's nemo

Member
Iron eagle,i missed your response.So,how old are your kids?I have a 2 year old girl,6 year old boy ,and a surprise on the way.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
You should look into getting into the oil industry. There is always plenty of need for engineers, if you want to travel, you can. Pay is good domestically, but if you travel it gets really interesting. The technology is innovative. And if you're worried about long term job security, oil isn't going anywhere, and most oil industry companies are energy companies, and working on both "green" and traditional energy sources.
I'm 2 years out of college. (I don't have an engineering degree) and I'm making more than I would have ever realistically imagined 2 years out of school, now. My base isn't bad. I got what I wanted going in. However, since I decided to take a position that wasn't where I was based, I'm going to be making a cozy perdiem as well. You make contacts while working that project, then you go to the next project and do the same thing. It is pretty cool.
 
kjr_trig

kjr_trig

Active Member
1. I am a Class A PGA Professional (sounds exciting, but not so much) I am the Director of Golf Instruction and manage the retail aspect of a high end Public Golf Course here in the Phoenix area. I have been in the golf business since I graduated from college 12 years ago. As far as how I support this expensive hobby....My double board certified physician wife makes a lot more money than I do and thankfully loves the SW tanks.

2. Initial career choice, was....I had no idea what I wanted to do my Political Science degree, but I love sports, so I figured I should find a job doing what I love.
3. See #2
4. I had a few years of working 60 hours a week (as Director of Golf Operations) while we didn't have kids and my wife was in training, now my wife's job is far more demanding than mine, and I have some flexibility and can sort of pick my own schedule (I still work close to 40 hours a week) which helps with the 4 month old and 4 year old kids.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/3137896
1. I am a Class A PGA Professional (sounds exciting, but not so much) I am the Director of Golf Instruction and manage the retail aspect of a high end Public Golf Course here in the Phoenix area. I have been in the golf business since I graduated from college 12 years ago. As far as how I support this expensive hobby....My double board certified physician wife makes a lot more money than I do and thankfully loves the SW tanks.

Thats pretty funny.. I have a friend that is a teaching Pro at a local course and his wife is also a doctor.. Guess it goes hand in hand!
 
fishtaco

fishtaco

Active Member
My career is to enjoy life as much as possible, I try to work as little as I possibly can and still keep the bills paid.
Fishtaco
 
noah's nemo

noah's nemo

Member
Originally Posted by ironeagle2006
http:///forum/post/3137913
Noah's Nemo lets see here 5 year old son 2 year old Daughter and next Friday my last son makes his apperance.
Wow...almost a spitting image of eachother.My 3rd isnt due till march though.If you don't mind me asking,how old are you?I'll be 35 on the 30th of Sept....I think that is when i'll get my angelfish for my present.That is usually how i get most of my stuff.Fathers day i got my upgrade tank(125).
So,do all your friends think you're crazy too?Honestly,i love it.I get soooo much stuff done around the house and i also get to do all my little projects.Just wish there were more guys around me who were in the same position.Good luck with #3,i can't wait till ours is here.I think 1 more, then, i'll get snipped
 
shogun323

shogun323

Active Member
~I work at a place called "The Manhole" (Owned by Darth, he's my boss)
~My initial choice was to be an actor on Broadway.
~I ended up here as I had to make a good bit of cash to pay for all of RUaround's addictions.
~ Here I am at work...
{EDIT PIC}
 
socalnano24

socalnano24

Active Member
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)?
Project Manager for a Structural Engineering Firm
2. Was this your initial career choice?
My degree was in architectural engineering, so its sort of a specialty field, I could do any engineering, but wanted to design something I could see and share with others (a masters degree in civil engineering would do well in this field)
3. How did you end up there?
Worked as an intern at another structural firm while in school, got my EIT before graduating, and fortunatley got hired a year and a half ago before california's economy crashed
4. Anything you want to add: It's really rewarding to see a building or other construction project go through completion from drawings to actual phsyical buidling.
 
nw2salt08

nw2salt08

Active Member
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)? I'm an Army wife...my husband supports my hobby. Luckily, he loves to look at the tank. I stay at home with 4 children while he's away. 17-yr-old stepson, 15-yr-old stepson, 6-yr-old son and 2-yr-old daughter.
2. Was this your initial career choice?NO! lol I wanted to be an RN in Obstetrics. lol But even then I've made a majorly different change in my direction of school. When I moved back home after my separation from my exhusband, I had no clue what I was going to do but had to do something to support myself and my son. So I went to a trade school for welding. I am a certified Master Welder.

3. How did you end up there? My husband and I met, dated for a while, I moved in when I found out that I was pregnant with our daughter (surprise!!) and then got married. Stayed home with the kids from the get go.
4. Anything you want to add: I love my career now but I do miss my welding. The plans are for me to start welding after all the kids get back into school. So be looking for my metal art in the future!
 
contraband629

contraband629

Member
Originally Posted by SocalNano24
http:///forum/post/3137977
1. What do you do for a living (how do you support this expensive hobby)?
Project Manager for a Structural Engineering Firm
2. Was this your initial career choice?
My degree was in architectural engineering, so its sort of a specialty field, I could do any engineering, but wanted to design something I could see and share with others (a masters degree in civil engineering would do well in this field)
3. How did you end up there?
Worked as an intern at another structural firm while in school, got my EIT before graduating, and fortunatley got hired a year and a half ago before california's economy crashed
4. Anything you want to add: It's really rewarding to see a building or other construction project go through completion from drawings to actual phsyical buidling.
I too have passed my EIT and thought about doing structural engineering. I understand that its almost necessary to get a masters degree with an emphasis in structural to do this. I'm kind of kicking myself for not studying structural when I was an undergrad. My school (UCSD) had an excellent structural program. Tell me though, is it difficult to do structural?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top