How did you find your career?

[Indylady]

How did you find your career? Is it something that you fought for, or something that you fell into? Do you love it?

Haven, I am so sad this thread was lost through the conversion to PS 2.0. I was in and out because of 4th of July celebrations, and it was gone before I could reply! Do you think you'll go back for a Phd? I like your concept of a no-debt lifestyle. Its almost like a full time job trying to find ways to fund a graduate program.

 

[marcy]

I just kind of fell in to my jobs. The one I had after graduating from college was offered by people I used to babysit for. My current job was offered to me by a neighbor. My part time teaching job (which ended in May) was offered to me by the then dean of science at the college who heard about me from local science teachers.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I always wanted to be an archaeologist, but I really hadn't seriously considered it for a long time. I grew up upper middle class and most archaeology jobs do not lend themselves to it and that is where I wanted to be when I had kids. I took a year off after college and worked in a well paying job in insurance and hated every second of it. I realized I would be spending more of my life everyday working than anything else and I was not going to spend it miserable, no matter the money. I am getting my MA and will then go for my PhD. The good news is the type of archaeology I am going into pays 2-3 times better than pretty much any other job in the field.

 

[Indylady]

Thank you Marcy and Brazen!

Brazen, are you going into teaching? Or will you be working in the field?

 

[lilyfoot]

I fell into a data entry/medical billing job when I was 18 (I graduated high school 8 months earlier). 2 years later, I left that job to be a legal assistant at a law firm, thinking it would be a better career path. 1.5 years later, I'm going back to medical billing It fell into my lap again; it's a different company, but my old boss heard of the opening, and thought I might be interested. I really hope this is the place I will be for a looong time.

 

[Dreamer_D]

As a teen I wanted to be an actor and pursued it professionally until I was 19, but when I decided that it was not the lifestyle I wanted, I went to University. I think I knew early on I would get some sort of professional degree post BA, since I don't like working for "the man" and wanted some freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted -- so I thought I would need a lot of training to accomplish that goal in my eventual career.

I took intro to psychology in my first semester and was totally hooked. In undergrad I thought I wanted to be a clinical psychologist and that is what I started graduate school studying. Then I realized I don't like to listen to people complain and I like to tell people what to do -- not good qualities in a shrink -- so I jumped ship and became a research psychologist.

Four years of undergrad, six years of grad, two years of post-grad and here I am! A psychology professor at a major university.

So I sort of fell into the field to achieve my broader life goals, but the 12 years of training that it took to actually get this dream job has been anything but seat of my pants.

Dreaaaaaaaam job. Loooooove it. If I won to lottery I would not retire. That is my measure of whether or not you find your job fulfilling!

 

[zoebartlett]

I've sort of fallen into jobs before, but I worked hard to get into the field I'm in now.The field I'm in now (teaching) is completely different than the one I was in after graduating college.

I finished college and had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. I ended up working in retail for 2 years while I figured things out. I had heard from a family friend about a publishing company who hired their own temps (instead of going through a temp agency/service). I was interested in the publishing field so I began temping for them in various departments. I ended up getting a full-time position almost a year later. I fell into that job because I was working for the company already, and because I had worked with/for a few different people, my name had gotten around.

I ended up realizing 2 years later that the publishing world wasn't for me, and I decided to go back to school full time. I earned a masters in reading and a certification in elementary ed. and decided to go into teaching. I taught reading for 2 years before getting my own classroom, and I've been in the classroom for 8 years now. There are times when I wish I didn't have the responsibility of a classroom teacher, but overall, I love my job. It has its ups and downs, as any job does, but I'm pretty happy. Plus, I love the amount of vacation time I have every year. I also love how, if I'm having a bad year, I know it will end and a new one will begin in some month's time.

 

[Haven]

Hi, Indy! I'm not sure about a future PhD, that depends on whether I plan to stay in this field, so I'm just going to see where the next few years take me. There are a couple researchers with whom I'd love to work, though, so I'm keeping a list of people, just in case.

The thing that's worked best for me has been to just follow what my gut has told me. I'm thinking I'll stay in my new position for a while, but who knows? Maybe I'll be swept away by some new passion that I never saw coming.

As long as I'm happy, I'm happy.

 

[Clio]

I think my earlier reply must have gotten lost in the transfer to the new PS.

I was a history major in college, and I wanted a career in academia. I couldn't think of anything I wanted to be more than a history professor. I went to grad school right out of college and earned an MA and PhD in history. Miracle of miracles, when I finished, I got a tenure track job at a state university (academic jobs are pretty rare these days in many fields, especially in the humanities).

After a couple of years, however, I realized that I was not happy as a professor. I loved the research and writing/publishing - I'm never so happy as when I'm in the archives - but I did not enjoy teaching.

In the process of trying to decide what I wanted for my next career, I learned about grantmaking and stumbled across a job for a grantmaker/program officer at a small federal agency. I applied, certain that I would not get the job. Happily, I did get it! I've been here for almost 6 years, and I still love my job.

Most of my agency's grants go to academic institutions to support projects in fields similar to the one I left, so I'm still connected to the academic world. I get the intellectual stimulation I loved without having to teach (and freed up a tenure track job for someone who would truly appreciate it). Win-win!

 

[Indylady]

Thank you Lily, Dreamer, Zoe, Haven, and Clio!

Its has been great to read your responses, and your journeys! I'm trying to figure out my life; I do enjoy planning, but I am also open to anything I may find along the way. I wish I had more to say, but mostly I'm still in the process of absorbing and processing what you all have said. So thank you again!

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

The simple answer Indy, is both. For biological archaeologists, it is a little different than other areas. They are not needed on most digs, so usually there is usually a regional one who others call out to excavate and analyze when they find a body. Some are on their own, but many universities keep them as it is one of the few good sources of money for an anthropology department generally. Both the ones at my Univeristy teach mainly, but the best in the US only teaches one class a semester, takes on only one student a year and is mostly a researcher and they fought tooth and nail to get him. For the good ones, this is usually how it works. As I am looking to work in an area that has a an amazing lack of bio people given the amount of archaeology, I am hoping to have the same sort of set up after getting my PhD.

 

[ZestfullyBling]

Still lookin...for what I'm meant to do. Trying to turn my passion, which is now a hobby in to my career.

The current job a have husband led me to it.

 

[Arkteia]

Actually, I wanted to become an archaeologist, then a historian but my parents talked me out of it - and talked me into medicine. I liked it but did not love it. In the US, I planned to continue my career of an internist with plans to eventually become an endocrinologist.

It took me a while - but I get into IM residency. Initially did great...everyone was happy with me. And my program director said, "I see you really know what you are doing". Two weeks after that, I started having very unusual symptoms...in short, I was hit by an illness that is now hereditary (my son also has it). It all happened rapidly, I finally figured it out. In short, after three years of struggle I switched over to psychiatry. And was absolutely happy. Then I also tried child psychiatry fellowship because I loved my mentors. It took me eight years (three years of internal medicine, three of psychiatry, two of child psychiatry) but now I have enough knowledge and experience and I am totally happy.

History still remains my hobby. Brazen_irish_hussy (sorry if I misspell it - I still have to look it up) - are you a paleoanthropologist? I read a book by Grzimek, it was fascinating.

 

[*Danielle*]

I went to college and got my degree in Anthropology but had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with that. Shortly before graduation I got hired at my mom's company as an insurance adjuster. I don't love it, but it pays well and I would love to move on into the investigation side someday. I wish I had a definitive view on what I want to do but at 22 I am still learning.

 

[zipzapgirl]

I was undecided about what to major in and ended up in Accounting because it is so practical. I thought business in general was a good place to be if you were sociable and smart and able to do lots of different types of skills. I majored in accounting because it was the most respected major in the business field at my university. It is definitely a career that will always provide you with a good stable job, pays you middle class or a bit better for wages, is respected in general and is possible to pursue as professional (CPA) without long graduate school/med school/law school years.

Sometimes I think I'd like to be in a more interesting field, but accounting can be interesting if you can pick your job and delegate some tasks to younger workers It has so many possibilities and it meant that I was able to work at an international firm while living in Germany and transfer when I wanted to come back to the US. Plus, when you see an economy like this, it makes you want to stick with stability of a sure job like accounting.

 

[Indylady]

Zestfully, I'd love to turn my passion into a career! I love Colored Stones, but I don't think I could be a dealer- I can't sell anything over what I paid for it. It just feels wrong! I wish I could run a gem concierge service. Now that would be awesome.

Crasru, that is a lot of training! Do you enjoy studying? Now that I'm working, I'm finding that I enjoyed my days studying more than I do working. It was much more intellectually stimulating, at least with respect to my coursework and the current job that I have.

Danielle, I was a Sociology major! They're quite similar- and also leave you quite confused post-grad. I share your pain!

Zipzap, there are so many times that I wish that I had picked a major with a clear career path, and with job security. I loved studying what I did, but I really have to fight to find opportunities, especially stable, well paying opportunities with a BA in my major.

 

[bee*]

I always wanted to study veterinary however I didn't get enough points in the leaving cert so I did an honours science degree with the intention of doing veterinary afterwards. I worked for two years full- time in between the 2 degrees, for 1.5 years in a clinic and for six months in a pharmaceutical company. Hated the pharmaceutical work so went straight back to the vet clinic and I've been there ever since and will be a qualified vet in 22 months! I also worked in retail, insurance and banking during my first degree and dEfinitely realised that office jobs are not for me.

 

[lknvrb4]

I started out a business major and hated it. I dropped out of school for 4 years and worked at various places and decided I was not going anywhere. I decided that I wanted to make a difference in peoples lives so I went to school full-time and worked full-time and graduated 5 months preggo. I have just an A.A.S in Human Services. I did managed to rack up lots of credits changing majors. I realized quickly after working as a teachers aide at a school for kids with behavioral disorders that I was not going to make very much money. I quit my job and opened my own licensed home daycare. Fast forward 2.5 years and I went through a divorce and was forced to go back to work. I remarried had my third child and we realized what we were paying for childcare was about what I was brining home working at my local hospital. I quit my job and opened up my own licensed home daycare once again and that's what I have been doing for the past year. It's not what I ever thought I would be doing at 33 but it's ok with me. I enjoy being home and no two days are ever the same. The kids always give me a laugh and I make far more money that I did working outside the home. I also know that I am making a difference in the lives of the children I take care of.

 

[Blackpaw]

I did a BA and a diploma in Italian...then realized my English and Political Science majors werent particularly useful, so i did a grad dip in information management (which in Australia makes you a qualified librarian) and then a masters after that...

I worked in retail (in a jewellery store ) through uni, then worked in corporate information and library management.

Now ive moved to a small town and opportunities in my field are very limited, so im in admin. Im in line for a promotion at work but i dont find it particularly satisfying, i guess in light of how much education i have etc...

Id fancy doing my Phd also Haven, Brazen i like research, but like you haven i dont want to get into debt for something that wouldnt be useful unless i pursued an academic career. So i think id only do one if it was as part of a faculty position, something i could only do if we moved locations...

but we'll see its great to hear how people have come into their careeers

 

[Indylady]

Is there anyone on the boards with a degree in film studies, or does other work related to film? My SO wants to pursue a Master's, and possibly a PhD in Film Studies.

 

[missy]

My sister was born with an eye condition that couldn't be corrected with surgery so when we were little my parents would bring us to the Optometry School for vision therapy for my sister. It really helped her and when I was in high school I volunteered during my summers doing research there and decided that's what I wanted to do for my career. I majored in Biology at Barnard college (where at the time Barnard had never heard of the Optometry field since it was a tiny profession at that time with only 12 optometry schools in the whole USA) and then went to Optometry school and then did a residency and voilà.

I very much enjoy my career and began a VT clinic at West Point USMA during my residency. These days I don't do vision therapy anymore and instead I work at a multidisciplinary health clinic with developmentally disabled adults treating eye disease and also offer routine eye care. It is a very different field now unfortunately with all the commercialism than the field I first went into but I am very fortunate in that I found a small niche where I offer quality eye health care and feel that I make a difference in the lives of my patients.

 

[kama_s]

No cool or interesting story here. I decided during my 1st year in university that I wanted to do Pharmacology/Toxicology. We get to select our specialist/majors at the end of the 1st year. I selected it and hoped to heaven and beyond that I got in. I did, continued with a master's and am still in the same field.