What's your day job?

This is a nice thread for someone my age to look at (19) that's still trying to figure out what I want to do. I just have one question for everyone and that's how you people figured out what you wanted to pursue.
 
Diego_B said:
This is a nice thread for someone my age to look at (19) that's still trying to figure out what I want to do. I just have one question for everyone and that's how you people figured out what you wanted to pursue.
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I'm 23, just knew I liked engineering and how mechanical things worked. Just do what you are interested in money will follow if you work hard.

Too add to this my current job doesn't align with my degree but I've learned to do it and enjoy it. So don't ever think you can't change paths if you are unhappy.
 
I didn't figure out what I wanted to "do" until I was was 34. At least that how old I was when I started my current career as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service. This line of work matches up pretty well with my desire to be outside, and pays well enough that I can have most of the things that I want.

Honestly though, i'd quit tomorrow if somebody could tell me how to keep my stuff, provide for my family and travel internationally and not have a job. Having to work for a living is lame! Lol!

My advise is to find a job you don't mind doing, that provides the things you want, then do it till you don't have to anymore.

Lots of people think that they have to be "happy" at work, and so they are never satisfied with what they have. Don't let your job define you. That's what you do for money, not who you are.
 
A.McPherson said:
I didn't figure out what I wanted to "do" until I was was 34. At least that how old I was when I started my current career as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service. This line of work matches up pretty well with my desire to be outside, and pays well enough that I can have most of the things that I want.

Honestly though, i'd quit tomorrow if somebody could tell me how to keep my stuff, provide for my family and travel internationally and not have a job. Having to work for a living is lame! Lol!

My advise is to find a job you don't mind doing, that provides the things you want, then do it till you don't have to anymore.

Lots of people think that they have to be "happy" at work, and so they are never satisfied with what they have. Don't let your job define you. That's what you do for money, not who you are.
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To add to this " I'd quit tomorrow if somebody could tell me how to keep my stuff, provide for my family and travel internationally and not have a job. Having to work for a living is lame! Lol!"

Start investing now (it's never too late but its also never too early to start) so you can retire from normal 9-5 earlier, research investing/early retirement and just get started, if your future company has a 401k or hsa max that thing, max an IRA if possible, live frugally while you are young, kids and houses get expensive.
 
When I was in college, the two main career paths I considered were photography and computers/math/statistics. At the time, I made really good money taking photos of children and especially babies, although there were many kinds of photography I enjoyed. But I was worried about what impact computers might have on photography as a business, so I got a job in statistical software development. Then along came camera phones. Several of my friends who were photographers went bankrupt. So try to choose a career where you won't be replaced by a computer.

BTW, I never wanted to be a farmer. I lose money on the sheep, but I do love them. And I got into knives because I need to cut the strings off bales of hay for the sheep almost every day. Be careful who you marry.
 
Skiller1nc said:
I'm 23, just knew I liked engineering and how mechanical things worked. Just do what you are interested in money will follow if you work hard.

Too add to this my current job doesn't align with my degree but I've learned to do it and enjoy it. So don't ever think you can't change paths if you are unhappy.
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Forgive me for saying so, my friend, but "do something you love and the money will follow" is not true unless you are fortunate to love something lucrative.

I loved MMA, working all night in pubs, studying history and politics (my first degree), and writing stories. None of this would have ever made a living. None of this would have supported a family. The only skill I got from that stupid underwater basketweaving degree was those martial arts skills which helped me become a bouncer to help work my way through a proper STEM degree. I started my career 10 years behind and am only now, at age 50, able to buy a townhouse for my family. Had I not wasted my time with that "follow your passion" nonsense, I would have had several million dollars more of FREEDOM on account of having money to invest much earlier and less student debt (two educations).

I know poli-sci classmates who became professors and actually turn tricks on the side for added income since a poli-sci or history professor is a dime a dozen. Seriously. I am not making this up. And these were the ones who were able to become professors (in a field with far too many candidates in relation to vacancies) and were good looking enough.

So, I suggest getting a foundation in something useful, working as much as possible during high school and college, taking a pause during college to work for a while, even just a quarter or two, and then finding one's niche in that industry.

Just my two cents.
 
A.McPherson said:
I didn't figure out what I wanted to "do" until I was was 34. At least that how old I was when I started my current career as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service. This line of work matches up pretty well with my desire to be outside, and pays well enough that I can have most of the things that I want.

Honestly though, i'd quit tomorrow if somebody could tell me how to keep my stuff, provide for my family and travel internationally and not have a job. Having to work for a living is lame! Lol!

My advise is to find a job you don't mind doing, that provides the things you want, then do it till you don't have to anymore.

Lots of people think that they have to be "happy" at work, and so they are never satisfied with what they have. Don't let your job define you. That's what you do for money, not who you are.
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If you don't mind me asking, where do you currently work as a park ranger? I have considered that option before because of the fact that I enjoy being outside and active I just don't know anyone that does it to ask about it. 😅
 
Diego_B said:
If you don't mind me asking, where do you currently work as a park ranger? I have considered that option before because of the fact that I enjoy being outside and active I just don't know anyone that does it to ask about it. 😅
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I work at Big Bend National Park, in far SW. Texas. I'm a Law Enforcement officer for Big Bend, but there are lots of jobs that aren't LE related, most of them in fact.

I have friends who are biologists, archeologists, plumbers and electricians that all work for the NPS. if you are seriously considering a career in the U.S. gov't let me know and I'll give you some advice on how to get jobs, qualifications, etc.
 
ErikMB said:
Forgive me for saying so, my friend, but "do something you love and the money will follow" is not true unless you are fortunate to love something lucrative.

I loved MMA, working all night in pubs, studying history and politics (my first degree), and writing stories. None of this would have ever made a living. None of this would have supported a family. The only skill I got from that stupid underwater basketweaving degree was those martial arts skills which helped me become a bouncer to help work my way through a proper STEM degree. I started my career 10 years behind and am only now, at age 50, able to buy a townhouse for my family. Had I not wasted my time with that "follow your passion" nonsense, I would have had several million dollars more of FREEDOM on account of having money to invest much earlier and less student debt (two educations).

I know poli-sci classmates who became professors and actually turn tricks on the side for added income since a poli-sci or history professor is a dime a dozen. Seriously. I am not making this up. And these were the ones who were able to become professors (in a field with far too many candidates in relation to vacancies) and were good looking enough.

So, I suggest getting a foundation in something useful, working as much as possible during high school and college, taking a pause during college to work for a while, even just a quarter or two, and then finding one's niche in that industry.

Just my two cents.
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It can go the other way. I was a mechanical and aerospace engineering major who decided one day I wanted to pursue what I was passionate about in an industry where the average income is about what an average school teacher makes. Because I was passionate about it I became one of the best in the world at what I do and money definitely isn’t an issue. Top MMA coaches and practitioners make plenty of money. You absolutely can do what you love for a living, you just better be good at it.
 
Diego_B said:
This is a nice thread for someone my age to look at (19) that's still trying to figure out what I want to do. I just have one question for everyone and that's how you people figured out what you wanted to pursue.
Click to expand...
Most people are scared of electricity and/or heights. Neither bother me most of the time, so they give me good money to do things a lot of people are not willing to do. Seriously, I tried a bunch of different things, I enjoy working with electricity
 
Just a dumb ol electrician here. When I told my dad and mom I didn't want to go to college 46 years ago he talked me into going to a two year trade school to learn to be a electrician. It's kept butter on my biscuits and allowed me to raise a family and build a house I designed and built myself. I got my electrician license before it was even required in my state. Went on to get my master license and start my own electrical contracting business. I soon learned being in business for yourself wasn't everything it's cut out to be. Got a government job with full benefits. Now days that I'm older and considering I've always had the attitude to learn every thing I could, I hardly ever work line voltage but specialize in low voltage controls. Card access, access controls, Fire alarm, security, telephony, intercom, PA, video surveillance etc. Pays better and not tugging 500mcm at my old age. Regardless of where electric comes from in the future, (solar, wind, nuclear, gas or coal) there's always going to be a demand for electricians. Even more so if the idiots in DC thinks this country can run off total electric and do away with all other fuel sources.
 
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Kevin Kf knives said:
Most people are scared of electricity and/or heights. Neither bother me most of the time, so they give me good money to do things a lot of people are not willing to do. Seriously, I tried a bunch of different things, I enjoy working with electricity
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A friend of mine once said the only reason he made any good money was by doing things other people were unwilling or unable to do.
 
older guy, just musing, but here it goes. When I was younger I knew I liked science, and was on a trajectory to study chemistry. then a friend of mine introduced me to chemical engineering when I was something like a junior in HS. Really resonated ...at that point said I would get a chemistry degree, then "transfer" into chemical engineering. somewhat naive ( if you want to study engineering, it really is a different path from "science", but I made it work ... up to a PhD in Chem Eng. Maybe I was lucky, maybe I took advantage of openings as they arose .... but I got to where I "planned", and have never regretted it.

My wife, from a *very* young age, knew she wanted to be a physician, to the point where she would have her two sisters slide barefoot along the wood floor just so that she could remove the splinters (think "Dr. Pimple Popper"....). She never regretted it. One of my sons knew he wanted to be a lawyer .... and did everything he could (including deferring a year) to get into the school he wanted to. Went on to clerk for two federal judges before entering into private practice.

My wife knows many physicians who went into the area because they could "make a lot of money". Likewise, my son knows many people who became lawyers because they could "make a lot of money". They are all miserable, stuck paying off education bills and stuck doing a job they dont like.

I know several people who were educated as engineers, then at some point decided to ditch the corporate life and pursue their own business (one a "handyman", the other a tile layer). They both are highly in demand, define their own schedule (they are busy, but can take time off when they say they are going to), and are highly in demand .... and are happy.

If you dont know *rigfh now* what you want to do .... then I would say pursue what makes sense to you with what it right in front of you, but avoid doing something that takes you deeply into debt. Change what you are doing when things become clearer. *BUT* as others have said, start saving to the *max* ...... *right now*. You can retire much earlier than you might expect if you have the rigor to save throughout your life. Just dont get stuck with a bunch of debt unless you absolutely know you are invoking that debt for something you love to do....

FWIW....
 
A.McPherson said:
I work at Big Bend National Park, in far SW. Texas. I'm a Law Enforcement officer for Big Bend, but there are lots of jobs that aren't LE related, most of them in fact.

I have friends who are biologists, archeologists, plumbers and electricians that all work for the NPS. if you are seriously considering a career in the U.S. gov't let me know and I'll give you some advice on how to get jobs, qualifications, etc.
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If you don't mind me asking here or you can send me a Pm and we can talk there, but what on a average day do you typically find yourself doing? Also, how does the system work once you receive the qualifications to become a Ranger? Do you get placed in a park selected by the government or do you pick what's available?
I imagine you also get a lot of benefits working for the Gov.

How to Become a Park Ranger | State and Federal Park Ranger Education

Park rangers are often said to be the keepers of our nation’s natural resources and protected public lands. Their mission it is to preserve and protect our nation’s local, state and national parks for public use and enjoyment today, and for many years to come. Park rangers are there to educate...
www.parkrangeredu.org www.parkrangeredu.org
I was doing a little research here earlier. Is this a good site for information?
One of these days I want to visit Big Bend the only problem is having to drive literally across Texas but maybe I'll see you there one day😁.
Hengelo_77 said:
Find something you enjoy and makes you happy.
Being happy is ritcher then having al lot of money.
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Very true. I am starting to realize more and more now how true that is. This thread has been a well of wisdom.
Cushing H. said:
older guy, just musing, but here it goes. When I was younger I knew I liked science, and was on a trajectory to study chemistry. then a friend of mine introduced me to chemical engineering when I was something like a junior in HS. Really resonated ...at that point said I would get a chemistry degree, then "transfer" into chemical engineering. somewhat naive ( if you want to study engineering, it really is a different path from "science", but I made it work ... up to a PhD in Chem Eng. Maybe I was lucky, maybe I took advantage of openings as they arose .... but I got to where I "planned", and have never regretted it.

My wife, from a *very* young age, knew she wanted to be a physician, to the point where she would have her two sisters slide barefoot along the wood floor just so that she could remove the splinters (think "Dr. Pimple Popper"....). She never regretted it. One of my sons knew he wanted to be a lawyer .... and did everything he could (including deferring a year) to get into the school he wanted to. Went on to clerk for two federal judges before entering into private practice.

My wife knows many physicians who went into the area because they could "make a lot of money". Likewise, my son knows many people who became lawyers because they could "make a lot of money". They are all miserable, stuck paying off education bills and stuck doing a job they dont like.

I know several people who were educated as engineers, then at some point decided to ditch the corporate life and pursue their own business (one a "handyman", the other a tile layer). They both are highly in demand, define their own schedule (they are busy, but can take time off when they say they are going to), and are highly in demand .... and are happy.

If you dont know *rigfh now* what you want to do .... then I would say pursue what makes sense to you with what it right in front of you, but avoid doing something that takes you deeply into debt. Change what you are doing when things become clearer. *BUT* as others have said, start saving to the *max* ...... *right now*. You can retire much earlier than you might expect if you have the rigor to save throughout your life. Just dont get stuck with a bunch of debt unless you absolutely know you are invoking that debt for something you love to do....

FWIW....
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your advice. I took a picture of this post so I don't forget it.
 
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