I really hope this belongs in S&A, as I don't feel comfortable posting it elsewhere. Due to flames etc.

Ok, so basically. College application deadline is February 1st. This was not a problem for me, as I had no doubts as to what I wanted to do. (Music Industry Arts, Audio Engineering etc.) Now, after seriously considering my job choices after finishing this I realize that

A) There's not a lot to choose from or any guarantees and

B) I'm fucked.

I've been talking with some of my friends parents because my father is utterly useless when it comes to discussing anything other than joining the military. Which is out of the question by the way. And they've basically said this.

You choose a job that will allow you to live the life you want, but not necessarily a job you will enjoy. This makes complete sense to me but the problem lies here.

I have no fucking clue what I am good at, what I could imagine myself doing, and no idea how I would go about choosing the rest of my fucking life in a little over 2 weeks.

I'm falling the fuck apart here, and I apologize for my profanity. What can I say, I'm a vulgar kid when it comes to writing.

Focus: What job careers did you choose, what do you recommend? Do you hate yourself for not doing something you love? Do you love yourself for doing a job you hate? I live in Ontario Canada, if that helps at all.

Jack, please don't close this thread.

this might be more of reinvent yourself or money money money or something

and don't worry, 3/4 of college graduates dont even end up working in a job that has anything to do with their major

Im sorry, but this has NOTHING to do with sex and affection.

Fuck, I already said that It probably has nothing to do with S&A, I just feel more comfortable posting it in a forum where the vast majority of the people are actually compassionate and understanding. And not a bunch of fucking kidiots.

quote:Originally posted by Psychonautical:

I really hope this belongs in S&A, as I don't feel comfortable posting it elsewhere. Due to flames etc.

Ok, so basically. College application deadline is February 1st. This was not a problem for me, as I had no doubts as to what I wanted to do. (Music Industry Arts, Audio Engineering etc.) Now, after seriously considering my job choices after finishing this I realize that

A) There's not a lot to choose from or any guarantees and

B) I'm fucked.

I've been talking with some of my friends parents because my father is utterly useless when it comes to discussing anything other than joining the military. Which is out of the question by the way. And they've basically said this.

You choose a job that will allow you to live the life you want, but not necessarily a job you will enjoy. This makes complete sense to me but the problem lies here.

I have no fucking clue what I am good at, what I could imagine myself doing, and no idea how I would go about choosing the rest of my fucking life in a little over 2 weeks.

I'm falling the fuck apart here, and I apologize for my profanity. What can I say, I'm a vulgar kid when it comes to writing.

Focus: What job careers did you choose, what do you recommend? Do you hate yourself for not doing something you love? Do you love yourself for doing a job you hate? I live in Ontario Canada, if that helps at all.

Jack, please don't close this thread.



The whole point of high school is to get the "grade" needed to go to a "decent" university. And to MAYBE find areas of interest.

The major that you declare on your college app. is not the one that you have to graduate with. In fact over half of all college students change their majors at least once.

Many schools won't expect you to declare your major until the end of your sophomore year in college. So that means two years of exploring different subjects.

You'll be fine, just go with the flow :O

(don't join the military)

[This message has been edited by Sentry (edited 01-11-2007).]

1. I'll leave this up for now, however my fellow mods may feel differently.

2.I'm 38 and still don't know what I am good at or what I want to do.

Which is my way of saying , if you don't know what you want to do then LEARN something. DOn't much matter what but don't waste the time in some dead end job that you don't enjoy.

You get addicted to that monthly pay check real fast and in 5 years time you'll look round and wonder where the fuck the time went.

When you flick through the TV channels where do you stop? What programs amke you think 'yeah that sounds interesting, I'll watch that'?

I mean besides the things you already listed.

Thats a starting point...find out what interests you and then make your vacation your vocation.



[This message has been edited by jackketch (edited 01-11-2007).]

Let's see....

-Went to high school, did all my years except the last

-Did my last year in correspondence, went insane half way through and fucked it up

-did a Uni course that would allow me to start a degree (because I'd screwed up my last year of high school). Passed, made pracitcally no friends.

And for the past 7 months or so it's been a mixture between unemployed and various shit jobs.

I am currently going through the hoops with the army (NZ Army, so I would not be sent as a combatant to Iraq.). I'm not %100 sure of that's what I want to do, but it seems pretty manly.

After that? who knows.

As a junior in college, let me give you some advice.

You'll figure out what you want to study later on in college. Just go to a 4 year university, and you have 2 years to really figure it out. Fulfill all your general education requirements by taking a lot of different classes. You can study anything from biology to linguistics to violin. It doesn't really matter, in the end, because you get a 4 year degree, and that's all that is important. You can get a job doing whatever you want as long as you have a 4 year degree. You CAN go into graduate studies in a completely different area than your major. You can take psych graduate classes with an english major. It doesn't really matter. So just enjoy college, and realize you are not fucked. I didn't choose what I was doing totally until the end of my 2nd year. So just relax, and you'll figure it out.

quote:Originally posted by Psychonautical:

I have no fucking clue what I am good at, what I could imagine myself doing, and no idea how I would go about choosing the rest of my fucking life in a little over 2 weeks.



If you know what you really want to do (the whole Music Industry Arts, Audio Engineering etc.) go for it, regardless of what jobs lie in that field. You'll find something you enjoy and if you don't you can always teach.

I promise you will hate yourself later if you don’t choose a career path that you honesty love. Plus you've got al least 4 years of college before you have to face employment anyways.

-F☺rd

quote:Originally posted by Ford Prefect:

If you know what you really want to do (the whole Music Industry Arts, Audio Engineering etc.) go for it, regardless of what jobs lie in that field. You'll find something you enjoy and if you don't you can always teach.

I promise you will hate yourself later if you don’t choose a career path that you honesty love. Plus you've got al least 4 years of college before you have to face employment anyways.

-F☺rd

Another thing to add to that. I had been telling my father I wanted to do this for the past 4 months or so. And just recently he said he will not pay for me to do this. So, that's why it all came down in the moments before the deadline.

I was not unprepared, I just have no choice at all at the moment.

Sentry has it. You don't have to decide what you want to do the second you go into college. Take some courses on things that might interest you. Look around. Talk with people.

i am 18 and just going into my second semester in college. i chose to major in chemistry/biology (more chem than bio in my school). i am the only person i know with that major that is not premed. and tho i don't know exactly what i want to do, i know i do not want to treat patients and deal with people....people suck.

i chose this major because i am good at it. i just understand it and i don't have to try too too hard. there is a lot of potential careers in research and am actually considering becoming a professor.

it is kind of daunting how much school i have in my future. i pretty much will be required to get a masters, and a doctorate is getting to be even more important. sometimes it makes me want to rip my hair out...but who knows what the future holds?

go for the major you want...but choose that major at a school that has a lot of other majors as well. i go to a school (its private btw, idk what you are looking for) that has audio engineering, IT, arts & sciences, education, nursing, health professions, music, art, and other technology. pretty much, if you want to major in something, this school has it. try to find a college like that. there are both public and private colleges that offer that. it really is a good safety net incase you realize that you don't like what you have choosen and you don't have to go to the trouble of transfering schools.

so, don't worry about what job you can get becuase honestly, by the time you graduate from college the job field will be completely different. find a place with a lot of diverse majors, dorms you wouldn't mind living in, and whatever extras you would like (be it greek life, party school, suitcase school, athletics, whatever).

don't stress so much!!

also: a lot of schools have later dates than feb 1st....actually you're in canada...so idk what you crazy mofos are doin...nevermind...

quote:Originally posted by Sentry:



The whole point of high school is to get the "grade" needed to go to a "decent" university. And to MAYBE find areas of interest.

The major that you declare on your college app. is not the one that you have to graduate with. In fact over half of all college students change their majors at least once.

Many schools won't expect you to declare your major until the end of your sophomore year in college. So that means two years of exploring different subjects.

You'll be fine, just go with the flow :O

(don't join the military)

this guy pretty much said it. dude, i'm going to ART SCHOOL, ok? ART. SCHOOL. and while there's a lot of kids there who are pretty sure that they're going to be the next van gogh and live on ramen until they make it, i've found a major that will make me money and i'm actually interested in it. college is the time to explore. i was just like you..."how the fuck am i going to make a living if i'm not a doctor/lawyer/accountant." just get into a school that you like and play around. find something you're good at and i guarantee you, if you're good at it you will make money doing it. there are a bajillion career options out there that aren't the usual black and white choices.

good luck buddy, i totally feel you on the whole college app stress. it'll work out.

quote:Originally posted by oral fixation:

am actually considering becoming a professor

Don't mean to discourage you, but I don't think that's very likely. My father has a doctorate in physics, was top in his class, celebrated student, etc... and he still barely managed to become an associate professor. When I asked him if I should try the same, he said that his professorship was mostly through luck and that it's incredibly unlikely that I'd be able to get one unless I was absolutely stellar and incredibly gifted. Apparently - in the U.S., at least - it's damn near impossible to get a professorship, because there are a lot more applicants than positions, and there's a LOT of work involved - not just getting your doctorate, you have to publish papers and make advances and come up with fabulous new ideas etc.

If you could prove him wrong, please tell me. Because professor used to be my dream job.

quote:Originally posted by YouLookFourteen:

this guy pretty much said it. dude, i'm going to ART SCHOOL, ok? ART. SCHOOL. and while there's a lot of kids there who are pretty sure that they're going to be the next van gogh and live on ramen until they make it, i've found a major that will make me money and i'm actually interested in it. college is the time to explore. i was just like you..."how the fuck am i going to make a living if i'm not a doctor/lawyer/accountant." just get into a school that you like and play around. find something you're good at and i guarantee you, if you're good at it you will make money doing it. there are a bajillion career options out there that aren't the usual black and white choices.

good luck buddy, i totally feel you on the whole college app stress. it'll work out.

I would love to go to an art school. But like I said up top, I won't be able to due to my dad forcing me to do something he believes will make me money. So basically I can't do anything in art. At all, no music, production, anything. That's all I'm good at.

It feels like everything I've been doing in high school was just thrown aside because of the fact that there's a chance I won't be as successful as I could be doing something monotonous and pointless.

Fuck, I honestly have no words to express how down and dejected I'm feeling. Other than the words I used.

quote:Originally posted by Psychonautical:

I would love to go to an art school. But like I said up top, I won't be able to due to my dad forcing me to do something he believes will make me money. So basically I can't do anything in art. At all, no music, production, anything. That's all I'm good at.

It feels like everything I've been doing in high school was just thrown aside because of the fact that there's a chance I won't be as successful as I could be doing something monotonous and pointless.

Fuck, I honestly have no words to express how down and dejected I'm feeling. Other than the words I used.

You are being irrational, your dad has no control over what you are going to do with your life. Yes, he is going to try to influence your choices, he just wants you to do what he believes is best for you. Which would be picking a career in which it is easier to make money(doesn't require breaking in or living on ramen until someone notices your' talent)

Pick an interesting college, one that offers courses/majors that you want to "explore". If worse comes to worse, by your second year if you truly believe you could make it in the music industry, or in the art world. THen you can find a job(Become a bartender or something ) and tell your dad to fuck off .





[This message has been edited by Sentry (edited 01-11-2007).]

quote:Originally posted by Sentry:

You are being irrational, your dad has no control over what you are going to do with your life. Yes, he is going to try to influence your choices, he just wants you to do what he believes is best for you. Which would be picking a career in which it is easier to make money(doesn't require breaking in or living on ramen until someone notices your' talent)

Pick an interesting college, one that offers courses/majors that you want to "explore". If worse comes to worse, by your second year if you truly believe you could make it in the music industry, or in the art world. THen you can find a job(Become a bartender or something ) and tell your dad to fuck off .





I just need time to think all of this over.

Jack, thanks for keeping this thread up and thanks for your input as well.

To everyone else too, thanks for all the input. It really has helped me, at least to find some new thoughts and paths I can look into.

But for now, I'm going to go drink and listen to some music. Thanks a lot everyone.

Oh and, the responses, and the way the people treat me here. Is exactly the reason I hoped this would stay in this forum and not get locked, for the most part the people in this section of Totse are amazing people with very good comments and insight. So, thanks again.

You can close the thread now if you want Jack, all I really needed was some reassurance that my world was not in fact ending at the young age of 17.

Just don't join the Navy. You all have to jack off into the same sock and it gets stiff as cardboard!

Oh, and fucking around in college until you find something good is a waste of time. Just get a job, save up, then go WWOOFing somewhere. Get some life experience then decide what you want to do.

Or, perhaps don't listen to me, as I've sort of fucked up, but meh

Okay dude, I'm going to give you my own bit of advice.

In my last year of high school, I found myself a job that delt with people. I began asking people what they did, more specifically, the military. One defining 5 minute conversation helped determine my fate after high school, after talking to a sailor who actually listened.

Ask around, military is not a bad choice, and neither is college.

You ain't fucked at 17, when your 71 and you dont have squat to show for your life, your fucked.

quote:Originally posted by Twisted_Ferret:

Originally posted by oral fixation:

am actually considering becoming a professor

Don't mean to discourage you, but I don't think that's very likely. My father has a doctorate in physics, was top in his class, celebrated student, etc... and he still barely managed to become an associate professor. When I asked him if I should try the same, he said that his professorship was mostly through luck and that it's incredibly unlikely that I'd be able to get one unless I was absolutely stellar and incredibly gifted. Apparently - in the U.S., at least - it's damn near impossible to get a professorship, because there are a lot more applicants than positions, and there's a LOT of work involved - not just getting your doctorate, you have to publish papers and make advances and come up with fabulous new ideas etc.

If you could prove him wrong, please tell me. Because professor used to be my dream job.



it actually depends a lot on the field and where you are trying to teach/what level you are teaching at. my biology professor just finished her doctorate last spring...she really isn't anything special.

i think it really depends what college you apply to/where the college is located.

do something similar to what you were good at/liked doing at school

eg

english-actor, voice actor, writer, proofreader, speechwriter.

history-law, speechwriting, political science, international relations

physics/chemistry-engineering of all sorts/ architecture

biology/chemistry/food technology-medicine, physiology, pharmacy, nutrition

science in general-lab assistant

well im too lazy to write it all up, but you know what i mean

quote:Originally posted by Psychonautical:

I really hope this belongs in S&A, as I don't feel comfortable posting it elsewhere. Due to flames etc.

Ok, so basically. College application deadline is February 1st. This was not a problem for me, as I had no doubts as to what I wanted to do. (Music Industry Arts, Audio Engineering etc.) Now, after seriously considering my job choices after finishing this I realize that

A) There's not a lot to choose from or any guarantees and

B) I'm fucked.

I've been talking with some of my friends parents because my father is utterly useless when it comes to discussing anything other than joining the military. Which is out of the question by the way. And they've basically said this.

You choose a job that will allow you to live the life you want, but not necessarily a job you will enjoy. This makes complete sense to me but the problem lies here.

I have no fucking clue what I am good at, what I could imagine myself doing, and no idea how I would go about choosing the rest of my fucking life in a little over 2 weeks.

I'm falling the fuck apart here, and I apologize for my profanity. What can I say, I'm a vulgar kid when it comes to writing.

Focus: What job careers did you choose, what do you recommend? Do you hate yourself for not doing something you love? Do you love yourself for doing a job you hate? I live in Ontario Canada, if that helps at all.

Jack, please don't close this thread.

Your fucked, as in your a fucking loser , "I apologize for my profanity"?, FAIL.

quote:Originally posted by oral fixation:



it actually depends a lot on the field and where you are trying to teach/what level you are teaching at. my biology professor just finished her doctorate last spring...she really isn't anything special.

i think it really depends what college you apply to/where the college is located.

I see. I was thinking "big and prestigious university", because they pay a lot... but maybe I'd be better off aiming lower.

I don't have the slightest fucking idea what I want to do. I thought I wanted to be an English teacher. English is one of the things I am better at, but I can't seem to see myself making a profession of it. I feel like I'm going no where. I'll complete my English degree but I don't know what I'll do after that. I think we all come to a point in our lives where we feel like we're running in circles. I don't think anyone is 100% sure of what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Find something that interests you in the meantime.

I went into college absolutely convinced about what I wanted to do. 100% positive. I wanted to be a psychologist. Know what happened? I dropped intro psych after 2 classes. Took it again the next semester, dropped it halfway through. I'm on my third try now, because it's so fucking pointless and boring and ridiculous, I don't know what the hell I was thinking.

Now I'm planning on majoring in philosophy with a minor in poli-sci and trying my hand at law school. If law school doesn't work out, perhaps a masters in philosophy, followed by professorship? I'll probably change my mind yet again, and again. That's the entire point of post-secondary though, to introduce you to a whole world of things you'd never think you were interested in.

I think I'd make a good pharmacologist. Hell, I know more about it than the few pharmacology majors I know. However, I hate sciences, so that dream is unattainable. Oh well.

The point of my ramble is, don't stress over it. Go to college, and in your first year just take a class in every discipline you find interesting. Something is sure to strike your fancy. And if not, reconsider. Trade school, maybe? Although you said art school, so I'm doubting that. But hey, who knows.

Good luck dude. Really though, don't worry so much.

[This message has been edited by Demoiselle (edited 01-11-2007).]

Fucked? Im 21 and the years keep flying by.

I have worked around a dozen different minumum wage jobs since graduating high school 4 years ago.

I dont have enough money for college, and nobody has the money to pay for me.

I barely make enough money to pay for my rent and food each month. No car, of course, couldnt afford it if I wanted to.

Do I care? No. Why should I?

Do I have anything to "show" for my last 4 years? Well, I am a live, thats about it.

I make my own entertainment. I am happy with my life, because I choose to be. There are so much bigger things to stress about than what kind of career path you want.

When you have a kid on the way and a woman who wants a ring on her finger, and are still making minumum wage or living with your parents, then remake this post, and I will try to help you better.

You are completely overreacting.

If you are Canadian you should become a mounty. I am not a Canadian citizen, so I can't

BTW, Good luck Psycho. I'm sure it'll all work out for you.

-F☺rd

quote:Originally posted by Hate Crimez:

Your fucked, as in your a fucking loser , "I apologize for my profanity"?, FAIL.

I think that fail is for you. Failing out of 9th grade English.

You're. Not your.

quote:Originally posted by Psychonautical:

in a forum where the vast majority of the people are actually compassionate and understanding. And not a bunch of fucking kidiots.

And this is S&A?

From my understanding a College diploma, unless you go on to graduate school, is, for the most part, an indication to any employer that you can put up with shit you don't want to do without encouragement. It says to people "I have at least 4 years experience in being poor, hungry, dealing with shitholes and idiots, getting no respect, draining my energies in meaningless tasks and social gatherings, choosing to do so, and walking away competent. Give me money."

And they'll usually give you money, because those are all highly sought after qualities in an employee.

being S&A I suggest you pick the classes with the highest female to male ratio, 3:1 would be cool ... Lets face it, education is a joke, back handed free mason deals get people good jobs not education. So got there for the girls.

quote:Originally posted by oral fixation:

and am actually considering becoming a professor....

... i pretty much will be required to get a masters, and a doctorate is getting to be even more important.

Bad combination

quote:Originally posted by Twisted_Ferret:



I see. I was thinking "big and prestigious university", because they pay a lot... but maybe I'd be better off aiming lower.

actually the pay for most universities is pretty standard (between classifications of course...private 4 year, public 4 year, 2 year, and religious). private schools usually pay more (even if they aren't super great) and religous are usually the lowest...which is funny because they often have high tuition rates.

just because you aren't teaching at an ivy league school doesn't mean you can't teach at a good university. think about how many universities there are in the country, and how many ivy leagues there are. believe me, all those other schools still have very intelligent people working there. and the enviornment is often more relaxed with students who are less up the ass of the professor.

(i spoke to my adivisor who is also my chemistry professor about this, she used to teach at yale but she didn't care for it...so i am not just pulling this out of my ass.)

quote:Originally posted by SilentMind:

Bad combination



i don't get what you mean