ClanRam Careers

[evil disco man]

College is coming for me this fall but I go in undecided as to what my major will be. I'm paying my own way through college (meaning I can't become a professional college student), so it's sort of important that I make up my mind soon. I've leaned toward journalism and marketing/advertising in the past, but I'm still completely open-minded about it and am interested in what your careers/jobs are like.

I'd like to hear what you do, how you became involved or interested in it, what classes (and major) you took in college for it (if any), and the positive and negative aspects of it. Any other wise words or advice would be appreciated. riental:

I look forward to your feedback.

P.S. - Sorry Dez, I know this isn't Ram related, but it didn't really fit into any other forum.

A little general advice from one of the lawyers here on the board. No reason to decide what to major in or what you want to do with the rest of your life the day you get to college. Keeping your options open is a very good thing and failing to know what you want to do on day one doesnt put you in the professional student category.

however, in my general experience, the harder you work at it, the better your grades will be, which should give you the most options as you move down the road.

People tend to do the best in areas that they are most interested in. Granted, it is unlikely that your academic institution will offer courses in either Rams strategy, How to understand the salary cap or The Philosophy of the Warnerites vs. the Bulgerites, but depending on whether you are interested in politics, sciences, history etc, I am sure that they will offer something you find intriguing.

Try to meet as many upperclassmen as you can as soon as possible and get their advice on the different professors and courses. I am sure the admissions office can give you chat room info and possibly even an advisor before you get to school. Maybe there is even a student board on which you can solicit advice for people to help you find your areas of interest.

Ramming speed and best of luck, given the clarity and well reasoned posts you are famous/infamous for, you should do great. We will all be routing for you.

One thing i can tell you career wise. You cant learn in a book what its like in the real world. Only job experience can teach you practice instead of theory.

If I had to do it all over again, I would take the law degree and go into the sports agent business.

general counsel

[Bob L. Head]

Well, EDM, I have been very pleased with my own choice of careers. Bobbleheading is fun and exciting, and you get to meet people all the time. Of course it helps if you're ceramic and 8" tall, but with hard work, any one can accomplish their dreams.


Sincerely,
Bob L. Head

[r8rh8rmike]

Jake, your already wise beyond your years from what I can see. Since you'll probably take undergraduate classes your first few years, I don't think putting your major in stone is a big priority. Just don't wait too long.

I started a Psychology major, then switched to Business, got a degree in Marketing and now I'm a Telecommunications Manager, go figure.

[Ferter]

The only advice I can give is to do your best to make it through.

I went to college for two and a half years without ever declaring a major. I was in the same situation you are in, as far as financing and that was the number one reason that I finally quit. I just didn't have the money to continue.

I always thought it would be cool to be a philosopher. I mean how hard can it be? Of course I doubt there is much demand and it probably doesn't pay well. So, I will stick to my trade and practice my philosophy on the side.

:smile:

[AvengerRam]

I agree with GC that your major is not necessarily the most important thing. My one piece of advice is, whatever else you do, make sure you hone your writing skills (from what I've seen here, you're off to a very good start already). Whatever you end up doing, the ability to write will be essential to your success.

[tanus]

im an engineer so i had to decide before i went to school. if you are good at math and hate writing papers, i highly suggest becoming an engineering major! the only bad part is that the chicks aren't exactly great to look at, lol.

[Nick]

I entered college as a psychology major, wasn't interested in the department as much as I thought I was, and after a semester or two as a general studies major, switched over to elementary education. Why? I spent some time volunteering at my old preschool and it really hooked me. I had thought about teaching prior, but not that seriously. My work there was enough to push me over the edge.

So I guess my advice would be that if there's something you're interested in, go get involved and meet people in that field and see if what they're doing is something you want to be doing. I might never have entered the education department had I not volunteered and eventually worked at this preschool.

[coy bacon]

My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned
.... couldn't concentrate.

Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so
.... they gave me the ax.

After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it. Mainly because
.... it was a so-so job.

Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that
.... was exhausting.

I wanted to be a barber, but
.... I just couldn't cut it.

Then I tried to be a chef -- figured it would add a little spice to my life but I just
.... didn't have the thyme, and I couldn't take the heat......

I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I
.... couldn't cut the mustard.

My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found
.... I wasn't noteworthy.

I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I
.... Didn't have any patients.

Next was a job in a shoe factory; I tried but I
.... Just didn't fit in.

I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I
.... Couldn't live on my net income.

Thought about becoming a witch, so I
.... Tried that for a spell.

I managed to get a good job working for a pool-maintenance company, but the work was
.... Just too draining.

I got a job at a zoo feeding giraffes but I was fired because I
.... Wasn't up to it.

I worked in a blanket factory,
.... but it folded.

So then I got a job in a fitness-center, but they said I
.... Wasn't fit for the job.

Next, I found being an electrician interesting, but the work was shocking and I
.... Was discharged.

After many years of trying to find steady work I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was
.... No future in it.

My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it
.... was always the same old grind.

[vicdan]

Originally Posted by tanus

im an engineer so i had to decide before i went to school. if you are good at math and hate writing papers, i highly suggest becoming an engineering major! the only bad part is that the chicks aren't exactly great to look at, lol.

Well EDM like tanus I'm a Engineer (mechanical) so the only thing that I can advise to you is that be an engineer if you like math and physics, and as Tanus says if you hate to memorize things and write a lot, well As I can see you like writing so maybe and Engineer career maybe is not good for you, but the only thing that I can say about my beloved career is that is of course in my opinion one of the most complete careers, you learn a lot of stuff and well you start to learn alll about math, physics, chemistry, Thermodynamics, Hidraulic and thermal Machines, Turbines, Power Generation, Manufacture Process, Materials and Tretments, solid and fluids Mechanics, heat transfer, electricity and a little about electronics.
That's a general view about my career so as you can see there are a lot of work and specialization areas where you can develop yourself, and as me I'm working now in Maintenance of Buses (Intercity coaches) and I have worked as a Service Manager in a GM Dealer here in Mexico, now I'm intending to get into some corporate enterprise of cars like Ford or Honda or Renault in the Post-sales, Service area where is my experience and intending to do an MBA in England or Spain and if not here in Mexico.
But one thing always do what you want and don't let the job consumes you if you don't like it. at least your'e in a country with good economy be glad to be there because I here in my country the salary is a crap even if you have a master degree and speak two languages and understand other two, but well that's the bad point of living here.
Salutes and hope you have had a vision about mechanical engineering, rememeber like tanus said if you don't like math don't even think about it.

[HUbison]

Disco, you're wise beyond your years just by putting this much thought into the process. Here's a stat I heard when I entered college 12 years ago: "92% of all college freshmen will change their major". That's probably pretty close to accurate. I entered college as a Pre-Med major. I wound up with degrees in Chemistry and Accounting, then went on to grad school and got my MBA. I now work for Uncle Sam investigating financial crime.

The point is this. Your freshman year is for exploration. Don't lock yourself into any one corner. Gravitate towards what interests you. If you find a career that you enjoy, you will never "work" a day in your life.

[coy bacon]

And certainly Hubsion is a great investigator. She is able to put all of those accounting books under a microscope! Further, she understands the interactions of certain unsavory "elements". Perhaps she has a "mole" working for her someplace?

[HUbison]

Originally Posted by coy bacon

And certainly Hubsion is a great investigator. She is able to put all of those accounting books under a microscope! Further, she understands the interactions of certain unsavory "elements". Perhaps she has a "mole" working for her someplace?

Holy multi-functioning Batman! Coy, nice job of combining my two trades. My only question is: Who the Heck are you calling she? I'm not even a handsome man, so I know I would make one butt-ugly woman. :redface:

[Bob L. Head]

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

I started a Psychology major, then switched to Business, got a degree in Marketing and now I'm a Telecommunications Manager, go figure.

Good advice, r8rh8r. I started school majoring in Lawn Jockey, then switched to Garden Gnome, finally got a degree in Bobblehead.:redface:

I am going to give you a bit of advice that will buck the trend here... firstly you have to decide what you want.... do you want to work for someone or work for yourself.... if you want to work for someone then take everyone else's advice.. if you want to work for yourself... you've probably been in the education system too long already...

nothing wrong with education... just that it programmes you to follow the rules... i.e. be part of the 90% club.... the 10% club are the ones with the big bank balances, that make real things happen but most importantly, have freedom from everyday routine.