How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? (career-wise)

[Dahni]

Yesterday, I just got back from spending a week at a University near me, where I got to experience various types of Engineering and this has made me decide that I want to go to University to study Mechanical Engineering.

What made you decide to study what you did (or are studying) and choose the career path you have?

(OR, if you aren't in the career you want, what inspired you to aspire to be something else.)

 

[Tharwen]

I haven't really, though it's looking a lot like a Computer Science degree in the near future.

The reason? Erm... I like computers, programming computers, making computers work etc.

 

[tzimize]

The amount of free-time and how lazy I could be at work.

I spent almost a decade figuring it out, and ended up as a teacher. Now that I am done with my studies I am regretting it because it is a hell of a lot of work, plus I dont really get to work as close to the kids as I'd like. Too many to help and too little time.

I am going to try working as a teacher for a year, and if I dont like it I'll try to get a job in a kindergarten or a orphanage-type of institution.

 

[Danallighieri]

I'm doing a psychology course in september but I still haven't decided what I actually want to do with my life if I'm honest, I just go for what's interesting

 

[Cogwheel]

I always (by which I mean since age 6 or so) planned on designing games. Later, that moved to wanting to design tabletop games, or possibly a cardgame. If I could write stories on the side, that would be great too.

One parental intervention later, they decided that it wouldn't be "proper" enough and I'm shunted off to a career in translation so I don't disgrace them by working in some field that's apparently not respectable enough. Fun times.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I'm going into my third year of history in college and then I'm going to do my post grad, hopefully as far as Ph.D but it'll take a year or two to get that kind of money. Ideally lecturing in a university after that, although as long as my career is history related and not teaching below university level I'll be happy.
I've just always had an active interest in history, even before school and it was the only course I was ever genuinely interested in.

 

[Simalacrum]

I'm probably going to be studying Japanese combined with Social Anthropology... but the hell if thats gona be the career path I'm gona take, I'm strictly against the idea that getting an education is for the sole purpose of getting a job =\

But anyways, career wise I'm planning to go to university for the fun and curiosity of things, then after that, go and do a degree in Circus Arts (no, seriously, why else would I be the Resident Juggler? ), and take a career in performing arts of some sort ^_^

 

[Aesir23]

I'm planning on being a journalist in order to pay the bills, but I would like to be a fictional writer and eventually get a novel published. And, if I get really lucky, I'll end up being on the writing team for a video game.

 

[Trogdor1138]

Film maker. Have been interested in movies ever since I was 6 years old mainly due to Terminator 2 and Star Wars, it was mostly all I really cared about besides gaming and any other artistic medium. My interest got especially high when I was 13 due to also A Clockwork Orange and Evil Dead being the main inspirations in that stage, I've seen thousands and thousands of films and my career has been going exceptionally so far. It's all about doing what you love and finding things to inspire you.

 

[BonsaiK]

What made you decide to study what you did (or are studying) and choose the career path you have?

I decided that since I liked music, I would pursue a career in the music industry.

Sounds like dumb reasoning, and yes, it was. I now have very little money thanks to having my entire job skillset specialised in an industry which has been having its own private recession for the past decade. I have a lot more fun than most people do at work though, so I guess there are positives and negatives in everything.

 

[Littaly]

I, uhm, haven't actually decided yet ^^

 

[AvsJoe]

I'm 22, I'm in the workforce, and I still haven't decided. So I'm working at Wal-Mart...

 

[CakeDragon]

I haven't really, though it's looking a lot like a Computer Science degree in the near future.

The reason? Erm... I like computers, programming computers, making computers work etc.

As a Computer Scientist I can safely warn you, you'd better freakin' love Java.
And if you do any AI on your course, prepare to have your mind blown. Robots!!

 

[Tharwen]

I haven't really, though it's looking a lot like a Computer Science degree in the near future.

The reason? Erm... I like computers, programming computers, making computers work etc.

As a Computer Scientist I can safely warn you, you'd better freakin' love Java.
And if you do any AI on your course, prepare to have your mind blown. Robots!!

I noticed quite a lot of Java when looking through the University courses. It can't be that bad, can it?

 

[Rylot]

Yeah, I'll get back to you on that when I figure it out. Being lazy and playing video games isn't paying very well.

 

[Xiorell]

I refuse to settle into ONE thing, unless it fetches insane amounts of money. I don't see it as a good idea.

Currently, I am working in a production plant, programing industrial machines, running my own company building PCs and Servers etc, Running another one inmporting/exporting exotic pets and the logistics of getting them from seller to buyer, on the side I DJ, install aquariums in places of business (Offices etc), recently started working as a fabricator for my friends company making up custom panels for cars (He builds hot robs and stuff and alot of pimped out vans)... Anything I can make money from, lots of it.

Just do it, fuck all that "settle down be a family man" bollocks, Cross my palm with silver matey, that's what I am interested in.

 

[CakeDragon]

I haven't really, though it's looking a lot like a Computer Science degree in the near future.

The reason? Erm... I like computers, programming computers, making computers work etc.

As a Computer Scientist I can safely warn you, you'd better freakin' love Java.
And if you do any AI on your course, prepare to have your mind blown. Robots!!

I noticed quite a lot of Java when looking through the University courses. It can't be that bad, can it?

It depends. I'm not a very stong programmer and I had no past experience so I'm finding it a little difficult, others are finding it pretty easy (kick in the teeth for me but hey ho) so I guess it depends on what your background/understanding of programming is.
I can safely say though, passed my Java exam (programming on paper is HELL) and I look forward to it getting a lot more complicated next year.

Basically, if you have previous experience of programming or you can think logically then you'll be fine.
Also, look at a lot of prospectuses and go on open days galore. A lot of CS courses are very theoretical, which is cool if you like that kinda thing. Depends what you want to do, really.