Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: IceFire on February 19, 2007, 10:50:02 pm
-
Ok...not sure if we've done one of these for a while.
Whats your job right now? Full time? Part time? A career path? A stop along the way? What do you want to do?
Seeing as I started this thread I get to lead off.
My job is in tech support at a university. Co-workers rock. Job sucks. We're at year one and a half (1.5) now and I understand thats about the time that the bitterness sets in. Well it has and I'll be needing a new job soon. I'd like to see a few of the projects through but we'll see where we go. Its a good spot in some ways because I'm saving a fair bit of cash but I want to move away and do something really different. I don't know what...maybe something that someone else does will give me an idea.
-
Im a student without employment. I will be likely doing a physical labour job for the state like I did last summer, but I also graduate with a Bachelors degree in May, and should probably find a real job soon.
(So, anyone else here have a Bach in History? I need ideas too! :p)
-
Currently I work part-time at a Christian Camp like place that teaches appropriate technology to people from 3rd world countrys. This includes making water pumps out of PVC pipe, working in the garden, and alot of other stuff. It is important to note, it is not a charity program. We teach, the people take it back to their country and use it.
Otherwise I am going to college at Gadsden State Community College. After I get my science degree, I'll transfer to USA(University of South Alabama) for a degree in Meteorology. Where I then hope to get a job at the NHC(National Hurricane Center.)
-
I'm also a student w/o employment. Although, for the past two summers I've worked at a medical clinic doing both clerical and what I guess could be called IT work. I just recently changed my major to Mechanical Engineering, figured I didn't want to be a physicist and would rather design 'stuff'.
-
Currently I work as a Developer for a Facilities Management Company. Where I work full time on both open source (Centos 4.4 / Ruby on Rails) and closed source (Classic ASP + Microsoft Tech) projects.
-
I'm a graduating high school senior, working part time at a resteraunt as a busser. :p But I'm going to college soon, probably gonna major in Digital Arts or Aviation. I'm about a month away from getting my private pilot liscence.
-
Unemployed university student, studying to be an unemployed person.
-
The world would be boring without hobos...
-
Oh man, we have some great hobos here. One dresses in full military regalia all day every day, and walks the length of the island (some 20+ miles or something) back and forth like 5 times, shouting at the sun and passing cars. He tried to jump out in front of my car one time.
-
I'm a part time janitor at my high school. The work is easy and the pay is good.
-
I'm tech support for the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium, as well as the flight director for their high altitude balloon satellite program. I've been with them for nearly three years, and enjoy it much as it never gets too boring. The pay, however, could be better as I have friends who work at the local Shari's and get paid a dollar an hour more than I do, and that doesn't even include tips! But, since we're strictly running on a grant from the government, the budgeting is pretty tight. That's right taxpayers, you're paying my wages! :p
If I could, I'd just stick with these guys and launch weather balloons etc for the rest of my days, but like I said, the pay isn't idea. I'm studying Information Systems Technology and in a couple years when I graduate I'm hoping to get a job as a network administrator or something equivilent where I get paid a lot to use my computer skills (one of the very few skills I have).
-
Another unemployed student :D
This is my last year of high school, then I'll go to university (Aerospace Engineering, of course ;)) and then... I'll see...
-
im retired :D
seriously i dont ever intend to work more than a part time job. ive come to the conclusion that being an asshole is the key factor nessicary for this thing they call success. i got my degree and i got jacked, i had a full time job or two and got jacked. so i live a simple and quiet existance, and wait for you all to destroy eachother. fire them nukes already!
-
Currently I work full time for a college that is a joint program between the Queensland ministry of education and the Jiangsu provincial ministry of education to prepare students for studying abroad (mostly in Australia). I teach computing in English and I also maintain the school's network (which is a full time job in and of itself). I like the work and I like the money (8,000 RMB per month is quite a lot). Plus I can work there despite not having a degree. Life is great, at least for now.
-
High School. Senior. No job.
Taking flying lessons at the moment, should have private license by next month. Then off to EKU (Eastern Kentucky University), or the Air Force for further training. I would sure love a job flying for UPS or FedEx. It's not only the pay that's nice, but for me it's a desirable work environment.
-
Currently a data recovery technician, a senior in HS, looking to go into Biotech.
-
Unemployed university student, studying to be an unemployed person.
-
I'm unemployed, but am not looking for a job just yet. :p I am in my last semester as an undergrad and will be going to graduate school in applied math later this year. I'll know where I have gotten admitted to in about a month. I'm eventually looking at a wall street quant position after I get a Ph.D. It's supposed to be fairly hard work from what I hear, but the pay is irresistible.
-
Software Engineer at Cisco. Good place to work, good people, probably the best possible office to work in, despite the po-faced soullessness of the american side of the company.
-
I do clerical work for the local authority/government. I actually work for the social services (children and young peoples department). A lousy job for lousy pay but it pays the bills for the moment. :(I'd like to get into IT however I cannot afford the college fees at the moment. :hopping: :mad:
-
Part time worker here (allthough lately some of the clients have been pushing projects so much that I'm allmost full time).
Primary work for me is to create 3D renders of clients products for whatever purpose, but I also do some testing, PC support etc... so I suppose I'm the do-all person.
Quite an ok place and great co-workers.
-
Damn, you people make me feel old... BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering. I'd intended to subvert the automobile industry from the inside (I had an awesome "mad-scientist" professor that gave me all kinds of cool ideas for engines and drive-trains), but found that the frozen hinterlands of the north make me want to slit my wrists. (Honestly, how do you people live for so long with virtually no sunlight? Are you vampires?) Moved back as far south as I could without learning to speak Spanish, and I'm currently working as a design engineer for an oil tool company. The environmentalist in me is in pain but has more or less come to terms with this. I figure, if I can try to keep bad designs from getting into the field, I'm minimizing the damage. I still hope to eventually get out of this industry, but it's been 5 years, it pays well, and there's very little else to do in this part of the country. The automobile industry and power plant designers refuse to come down here.
-
Currently I'm at university studying to become a geographer (almost choosed History over it :P), finally finishing it. I've ''worked'' (for no pay, its a requirement of the course) on a few schools and on a couple of other things but after university I sincerely have no idea what to do, getting a job here is hard as hell.
-
or the Air Force for further training.
Good call. :)
I'll be leaving in July for Air Force basic, then spending a little over a year becoming fluent in Korean or Arabic.
-
Uni student 2nd year of 3 part time PHP programmer extraordinare ;)
-
High School. Senior. No job.
Taking flying lessons at the moment, should have private license by next month. Then off to EKU (Eastern Kentucky University), or the Air Force for further training. I would sure love a job flying for UPS or FedEx. It's not only the pay that's nice, but for me it's a desirable work environment.
Can't say I'd ever want to go Air Force, I couldn't stand the discipline. It's a private life for me :D
But a tip to any would-be pilots in this thread: do NOT leave your E-6B in your car on a sunny day. The heat is enough to warp the plastic wind calculator slide, which makes reading measurements a bit difficult :)
-
Currently working full-time as an Oracle Specialist. That includes Development (PL/SQL, Forms,...) and User Support (note the "user" not "end-user", there's a difference :D). Great co-workers (around my age, 26-30) Been here for about a year (three weeks to go) and about to get my contract renewed (waiting for some upper-boss to sign it). For the rest, enjoying life ;)
-
I'm a college student, and I work (full time, mind you) as a day/night stocker at my local grocery store. I'm planning on getting a degree in history, and hopefully, I'll end up teaching.
-
or the Air Force for further training.
Good call. :)
I'll be leaving in July for Air Force basic, then spending a little over a year becoming fluent in Korean or Arabic.
Damn Air Scouts.
College working on an English major. Transfer from community to UCSD next year. Dorms. Oh god.
-
Post student, Pre Job. I actually levt university 2 1/2 years ago, but then had Hepatitis, and am only just recovering and looking for a job.
-
Graphic and web designer.
-
2nd year college student. Part-time job (might as well be full time) in a Safeway deli department.
-
Boarding student. I used to work at a hotel for 'the experience.'
-
I'd intended to subvert the automobile industry from the inside (I had an awesome "mad-scientist" professor that gave me all kinds of cool ideas for engines and drive-trains), but found that the frozen hinterlands of the north make me want to slit my wrists. (Honestly, how do you people live for so long with virtually no sunlight? Are you vampires?)
I actually prefer that type of environment. We don't get enough darkness around here. Although I got some of the grad school decisions today and will probably be moving slightly up north in the summer. :p
-
At the moment I work at a Hollywood Video for now so I can purchase silly and pointless things. I'm studying up for a major in astronomy, and possibly a double in either chemistry or physics... not really 100% decided yet.
Dream job: Either work at an observatory at Hawaii, or be some sort of deranged explosives specialist. (The FBI apparently pays good money for those folk) :D
-
I work at Sylvan Learning Center (TM,C,R,PatentPending), I pull books from the wall and organize it in the students binders, so the teachers can spend more time teaching stuff, it's rather funny to see what kids have trouble with because I didn't have any problems reading. I had some stumbles in math.. but nothing too serious. Minimum wage, but I really like the people there, and I'm 14.. so I don't really expect to be making anything more than minimum. Plus it's paying for my growing collection of Dream Theater stuff, so it's all cool. :nod:
Still don't know what college I want to attend, but I do know I want a degree in Meterology, I'll probably start researching colleges in my Junior year, see where I want to go.
-
Dream job: Either work at an observatory at Hawaii, or be some sort of deranged explosives specialist. (The FBI apparently pays good money for those folk) :D
Same job, better pay and benefits. (http://airforce.com/careers/job.php?catg_id=2&sub_catg_id=3&af_job_id=186) :D
-
Dream job: Either work at an observatory at Hawaii, or be some sort of deranged explosives specialist. (The FBI apparently pays good money for those folk) :D
Same job, better pay and benefits. (http://airforce.com/careers/job.php?catg_id=2&sub_catg_id=3&af_job_id=186) :D
If I were in the airforce, I would do this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFADyOg2vk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFADyOg2vk)
And I will be doing this prety soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN8COQj5y8o& (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN8COQj5y8o&)
-
Sexuality. I love watching sytems roll over Florida... though we get the same ones... every damn day.. still cool :D
I <3 weather. :P
-
Medical Family Therapist (which is a subspecialization of Marriage and Family Therapy). I work with people who have medical illnesses and their families on the psychosocial issues surrounding their illnesses. Research has shown that illness tends to complicate family dynamics, and that complicated family dynamics can lead to further problems with illness. Working with the psychosocial aspects not only improves family relationships and psychological health, but frequently increases survival rates, decreases symptomology, and a host of other fun stuff. I've also had a lot of experience treating depression, anxiety, general medical conditions, martial conflict, affairs, premarital issues, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and various addictions (including sexual addictions).
I am currently transferring to a position at the Duke Medical Center Oncology Clinic, where I will focus on cancer patients and their families. I am also a researcher and writer in my field.
-
College, Firefighter, stagehand. Not necessarily in that order. Couldn't dream of anything else.
I'm behind the guy in this picture (http://www.sectorgame.com/ahtw/fire/DSCF0087.JPG). Look closely and you might see him. Closer.
-
Dream job: Either work at an observatory at Hawaii, or be some sort of deranged explosives specialist. (The FBI apparently pays good money for those folk) :D
Same job, better pay and benefits. (http://airforce.com/careers/job.php?catg_id=2&sub_catg_id=3&af_job_id=186) :D
If I were in the airforce, I would do this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFADyOg2vk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFADyOg2vk)
And I will be doing this prety soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN8COQj5y8o& (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN8COQj5y8o&)
A lot of those planes used to fly out of my island here, when they're checking up on the storms. Serious badasses, IMO, anyone who has the balls to fly into that kind of weather gets a double plus good rating.
-
College, Firefighter, stagehand. Not necessarily in that order. Couldn't dream of anything else.
I'm behind the guy in this picture (http://www.sectorgame.com/ahtw/fire/DSCF0087.JPG). Look closely and you might see him. Closer.
Oh ****, I was home for winter break when that happened. I drove by while it was going on and I had to turn around 'cause the road was blocked.
-
I'm unemployed.
But if I could have a job, I'd be a car tower guy for the county. :drevil:
I'd be driving around, and I'd be like "Oh NoEs!! car Parked next to a fire hydrant!!!" And I'd tow the car, and the owner would be like "wtf are you doing? ^(%!093!!!" Then I'd say "your car = parked in fire lane" then theyd say "I dont care gimme back!!!" and i'd be like "go drink bleach" and they'd go crazy and say "screw you I go buy a new car!!" and I'd be like "have fun".
:nervous:
-
and i'd be like "go drink bleach"
:lol: :lol:
Siggified. Congratulations. :lol: :)
-
High School. Sophomore. No official job, though I help out with some friends computer problems. I do little upgrades for pocket change occasionally.
I would like to get into system-building, though I don't have enough capital to start. It's actually hard to get a job where I am; so many major retailers are taking stupid lazy employees because they're told to by the government. It's impossible to get into one of the grocery stores right now; you have to have friends in there, and none of my friends work there.
I'll get a job when I get a car...
Oh if I can, I'll start building computers for friends and friend's friends... taking about $20-$50 for a system is a good deal.
-
High School. Senior. No job.
Taking flying lessons at the moment, should have private license by next month. Then off to EKU (Eastern Kentucky University), or the Air Force for further training. I would sure love a job flying for UPS or FedEx. It's not only the pay that's nice, but for me it's a desirable work environment.
Can't say I'd ever want to go Air Force, I couldn't stand the discipline. It's a private life for me :D
But a tip to any would-be pilots in this thread: do NOT leave your E-6B in your car on a sunny day. The heat is enough to warp the plastic wind calculator slide, which makes reading measurements a bit difficult :)
Tip to all would be Air Force pilots - orange strips mean 'friendly', not 'bomb me please'.
-
High School. Senior. No job.
Taking flying lessons at the moment, should have private license by next month. Then off to EKU (Eastern Kentucky University), or the Air Force for further training. I would sure love a job flying for UPS or FedEx. It's not only the pay that's nice, but for me it's a desirable work environment.
Can't say I'd ever want to go Air Force, I couldn't stand the discipline. It's a private life for me :D
But a tip to any would-be pilots in this thread: do NOT leave your E-6B in your car on a sunny day. The heat is enough to warp the plastic wind calculator slide, which makes reading measurements a bit difficult :)
Tip to all would be Air Force pilots - orange strips mean 'friendly', not 'bomb me please'.
*flies over to Scotland*
*paints big orange strip over aldo's workplace, home, daily route to and from work, and local shops*
*waits*
:drevil:
A lot of those planes used to fly out of my island here, when they're checking up on the storms. Serious badasses, IMO, anyone who has the balls to fly into that kind of weather gets a double plus good rating.
Until today, I'd never really figured who the big blot on the clustermap from the Virgin Islands was.
Well, there's one HLPer I'll probably end up visiting at one point or another. :D
-
Final year geology/biology student, going to graduate and have a fly in/fly out job at $75000+ AUD as a mine geologist within weeks of graduating.
I like mining booms. :)
-
I work as an IT-consutant or in other words as a test and verification engineer for a company called HIQ. We are currently working on a project outsourced by Sony Ericsson.
-
Ok...so how many of you like or hate your job? My contract extension is nearly up so long story short I'll probably end up being offered to stay longer. Which is good because I'm making money and have very few expenses right now (living at home yes, no cell phone, no car, pay board and food and all that stuff so I'm not a freeloader) and no debt. So its a good financial situation. And my co-workers and boss rock. Great people to be with. The problem is the job itself...its a painful thing being in tech support. You pretty much hate everyone at the end of the day.
So I haven't figured out when the right time to move on is and if I should expect better things or just more of the same.
-
I do direct response marketing. Its a good job - 1st - is that I work from home. NO MORE FRAKIN BOSS! As I am self employed, I choose what project and how much to be involved. I get to put peoples products in 3,200 catalogs nationwide - I do a lot of Internet marketing getting products exposed to millions... as well, I do those annoying infomercials we all see late at night. I pretty much get to spend my free time here on the Island off the coast of St. Petersburg when I am not busy hatching up a new marketing campaign for a tape measurer or a new trade program online. My newest project is the trademarker.us product. Its a fun product and fits all households. I guess I'm not ready for a career change yet as the coin can be unreal. If I had the a meaningful choice - and chance - I would bring my arsenal of marketing to bare and would sure love to resurrect Free Space 2 and give it the proper marketing it should have had the first time. Take all the mods I could get - repackage it in some manner and blow out 2 million copies and pay all the diligent modders there due! Thats what I'd really like to do!!
-
I am biomed researcher :D It's quite an interesting job. I like it despite the fact I have to deal with a bunch of morons in the work environment.
-
I have a B.Sc Specialization in Molecular Genetics, and I'm currently a full-time student completing a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology. I work part-time in law enforcement.
-
I have a B.Sc Specialization in Molecular Genetics, and I'm currently a full-time student completing a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology. I work part-time in law enforcement.
Bit of a polymath, then? :)
-
I have a B.Sc Specialization in Molecular Genetics, and I'm currently a full-time student completing a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology. I work part-time in law enforcement.
Bit of a polymath, then? :)
Polymath? I think the word you're looking for is "masochist" :D
I have diverse interests. I didn't realize that I'd go insane working in a lab environment until my fourth year of Genetics, so I decided to finish it and do something else :)
-
I am biomed researcher :D It's quite an interesting job. I like it despite the fact I have to deal with a bunch of morons in the work environment.
Basically like Dilbert, but in real life?
-
Yes, very much like it, on a daily basis. They sometimes annoy me, and sometimes amuse me.
-
So do you take any time out of your work day to read: http://www.dilbert.com/
My co-workers and I do. One of them has the Dilbert official candy dispenser in his office :)
-
I am biomed researcher :D It's quite an interesting job. I like it despite the fact I have to deal with a bunch of morons in the work environment.
Where do you research, if you don't mind me asking? I ask because my school is huge for that sort of thing.
-
High School Senior, starting on a CompSci Major next year, most likely at CSU SJSU or CSU CalPoly Pomona. Though I might go to a school out east somewhere.
I do farm work for cash. At $11 an hour, it's better than almost any other job I can get.
-
Ok...so how many of you like or hate your job? My contract extension is nearly up so long story short I'll probably end up being offered to stay longer. Which is good because I'm making money and have very few expenses right now (living at home yes, no cell phone, no car, pay board and food and all that stuff so I'm not a freeloader) and no debt. So its a good financial situation. And my co-workers and boss rock. Great people to be with. The problem is the job itself...its a painful thing being in tech support. You pretty much hate everyone at the end of the day.
So I haven't figured out when the right time to move on is and if I should expect better things or just more of the same.
I do like my job, everything with it fits well for me, although there are times that it does make me somewhat crazy too. I guess initially, I'd say that happiness is most important, and if you aren't really truly happy with your job then maybe you should find another. On the other hand, life isn't always so rosy nor ideal, so I'd have to ask how long your next contract extension would be. If it's only say 6 months, heck, stick it out and maybe in 6 months you'll have some more appealing prospects. 6 years on the other hand... might wanna get out while you can.
-
So do you take any time out of your work day to read: http://www.dilbert.com/
My co-workers and I do. One of them has the Dilbert official candy dispenser in his office :)
I do read Dilbert sometimes, and Garfield, and Peanuts (although I'm allergic to it in real life) :D
Where do you research, if you don't mind me asking? I ask because my school is huge for that sort of thing.
Yes, we have a project that we co-lab with Stoney Brook. My lab is in Penn Med School :)
-
So do you take any time out of your work day to read: http://www.dilbert.com/
My co-workers and I do. One of them has the Dilbert official candy dispenser in his office :)
I do read Dilbert sometimes, and Garfield, and Peanuts (although I'm allergic to the it in real life) :D
Snoopy fan? :)
-
Ok...so how many of you like or hate your job? My contract extension is nearly up so long story short I'll probably end up being offered to stay longer. Which is good because I'm making money and have very few expenses right now (living at home yes, no cell phone, no car, pay board and food and all that stuff so I'm not a freeloader) and no debt. So its a good financial situation. And my co-workers and boss rock. Great people to be with. The problem is the job itself...its a painful thing being in tech support. You pretty much hate everyone at the end of the day.
So I haven't figured out when the right time to move on is and if I should expect better things or just more of the same.
I like my job. It is a challenge, but it puts a good perspective on life for me. I also enjoy helping people, so it is a good fit.
-
you high school people (except the seniors) make me feel old :(
-
Ok...so how many of you like or hate your job? My contract extension is nearly up so long story short I'll probably end up being offered to stay longer. Which is good because I'm making money and have very few expenses right now (living at home yes, no cell phone, no car, pay board and food and all that stuff so I'm not a freeloader) and no debt. So its a good financial situation. And my co-workers and boss rock. Great people to be with. The problem is the job itself...its a painful thing being in tech support. You pretty much hate everyone at the end of the day.
So I haven't figured out when the right time to move on is and if I should expect better things or just more of the same.
I do like my job, everything with it fits well for me, although there are times that it does make me somewhat crazy too. I guess initially, I'd say that happiness is most important, and if you aren't really truly happy with your job then maybe you should find another. On the other hand, life isn't always so rosy nor ideal, so I'd have to ask how long your next contract extension would be. If it's only say 6 months, heck, stick it out and maybe in 6 months you'll have some more appealing prospects. 6 years on the other hand... might wanna get out while you can.
The next extension is pretty much indefinite. Its not like I couldn't leave after that...I'm just frustrated where I am. But its more than job...its life on the whole. So its sort of a double or triple whammy. I'm not sure if a new job, possibly in a different (but nearby) city would help or hinder at this point. Its rock and a hard place.
-
Hmm, bummer. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya that a viable solution will present itself.
-
Why are you so frustrated?
-
I've went from being a lowly computer lab assistant in college, to the lone network technician at Brian Head Resort in Utah, now I landed an awesome job as an "Information Systems Support Specialist" for the local BLM office. Basically, I provide IT/Networking support for everyone in the office, and have experienced yet another dimension of IT. Luckily, I have an awesome group of people to work with and for, compared to the previous position I was in. I also am paid nearly 3 times more, with full health, dental and vision benefits.
I must be one of the lucky ones who doesn't mind working tech support, but I don't work tech support like in a call center, not that kind of tech support. I hear a lot of people actually DO hate people by the end of the day, because they're frustrated, or whatever by everyone around the office. I thoroughly enjoy this job, and I'm lucky to have landed it in my hometown. I never knew that I'd make a substantial amount of money, building a retirement, being fully covered by health insurance, happy with a girlfriend, surrounded by friends and family in a small town that I'm used to.
Here's the kicker.... I didn't need to graduate from college to get this position. I failed Statistics (ok, lauuugh it up fellas) again (keep laughing) and didn't graduate this semester, but still landed the job. Experience, and who I knew were the factors involved getting this position. So I'll say it again. If you don't need college to get a good job, Don't bother going.
-
I passed Statistics on the exam-exemption-exam - it's arguably the most useless class I ever took at uni, including the electives...... ;)
(granted, it was 1st year - oooh, a Von Neumann machine!)
-
or the Air Force for further training.
Good call. :)
I'll be leaving in July for Air Force basic, then spending a little over a year becoming fluent in Korean or Arabic.
Have fun in Monterey. I went to college there. Great place. Enjoy Laguna Seca as much as you can.
Are you going to be in a aircraft? If so PM me when you get to the Survival School. I will make sure you get some good training. :D
-
Are you going to be in a aircraft? If so PM me when you get to the Survival School. I will make sure you get some good training. :D
That'll be a while still. Tech school's about 63 weeks, but that means I'll get to be in Monterey for the summer (and an hour or two south of Concert Central that some call San Francisco.)
-
Why are you so frustrated?
Whole series of reasons...but to put it short...the administration doesn't support the department much so its a high-tech shoestring thing. We've got the talent and vision but not the money to move things forward and not much external support. Its all politics and stuff. I'd have left before but the people I work with directly are great. But I don't blame the job entirely either...its a life thing...I'm adjusting to not being a student but I'm not completely independent either. Friends are moving away or I'm loosing touch with them or a few of them have just been acting odd recently. So I'm not sure if a job change or a change of scenery would help or hinder...
Thus the thread...to see what other folks do :)
-
It ain't an easy transition from being a student to a 'worker'. It took me a couple of years to learn and get used to it :) At least you have us here, Icy. I didn't that many friends, and after I moved I almost had no one to talk to apart from my family :)
-
I've went from being a lowly computer lab assistant in college, to the lone network technician at Brian Head Resort in Utah, now I landed an awesome job as an "Information Systems Support Specialist" for the local BLM office. Basically, I provide IT/Networking support for everyone in the office, and have experienced yet another dimension of IT. Luckily, I have an awesome group of people to work with and for, compared to the previous position I was in. I also am paid nearly 3 times more, with full health, dental and vision benefits.
I must be one of the lucky ones who doesn't mind working tech support, but I don't work tech support like in a call center, not that kind of tech support. I hear a lot of people actually DO hate people by the end of the day, because they're frustrated, or whatever by everyone around the office. I thoroughly enjoy this job, and I'm lucky to have landed it in my hometown. I never knew that I'd make a substantial amount of money, building a retirement, being fully covered by health insurance, happy with a girlfriend, surrounded by friends and family in a small town that I'm used to.
Here's the kicker.... I didn't need to graduate from college to get this position. I failed Statistics (ok, lauuugh it up fellas) again (keep laughing) and didn't graduate this semester, but still landed the job. Experience, and who I knew were the factors involved getting this position. So I'll say it again. If you don't need college to get a good job, Don't bother going.
I am so jealous. You pretty much have my dream job. I hope majoring in Information Systems gets me there.
-
I've went from being a lowly computer lab assistant in college, to the lone network technician at Brian Head Resort in Utah, now I landed an awesome job as an "Information Systems Support Specialist" for the local BLM office. Basically, I provide IT/Networking support for everyone in the office, and have experienced yet another dimension of IT. Luckily, I have an awesome group of people to work with and for, compared to the previous position I was in. I also am paid nearly 3 times more, with full health, dental and vision benefits.
I must be one of the lucky ones who doesn't mind working tech support, but I don't work tech support like in a call center, not that kind of tech support. I hear a lot of people actually DO hate people by the end of the day, because they're frustrated, or whatever by everyone around the office. I thoroughly enjoy this job, and I'm lucky to have landed it in my hometown. I never knew that I'd make a substantial amount of money, building a retirement, being fully covered by health insurance, happy with a girlfriend, surrounded by friends and family in a small town that I'm used to.
Here's the kicker.... I didn't need to graduate from college to get this position. I failed Statistics (ok, lauuugh it up fellas) again (keep laughing) and didn't graduate this semester, but still landed the job. Experience, and who I knew were the factors involved getting this position. So I'll say it again. If you don't need college to get a good job, Don't bother going.
It sounds like you've gotten quite a good deal there. :yes:
The education requirements depend on what kind of jobs you're interested in though. I'm looking for something that is both research oriented and pays well (i.e. not an academic job :p), most likely either a quant post at a bank or hedge fund or something with a military contractor. They pretty much all require a Ph.D. to get hired beyond an entry level position, although in reality, I probably will not need to use more than 10% of what I learn. :p I am getting a good choice of grad schools to pick from though (have gotten into Princeton, NYU, Harvard and Maryland; still waiting on decisions from MIT and Caltech), so hopefully it will be a good experience. It will surely be better than my undergrad years, at any rate.
-
Why are you so frustrated?
Whole series of reasons...but to put it short...the administration doesn't support the department much so its a high-tech shoestring thing. We've got the talent and vision but not the money to move things forward and not much external support. Its all politics and stuff. I'd have left before but the people I work with directly are great. But I don't blame the job entirely either...its a life thing...I'm adjusting to not being a student but I'm not completely independent either. Friends are moving away or I'm loosing touch with them or a few of them have just been acting odd recently. So I'm not sure if a job change or a change of scenery would help or hinder...
Thus the thread...to see what other folks do :)
Well if you want advice (and it sounds like you do), get a new job. (WARNING LONG ANECDOTE AHEAD)
I worked at the same place for over 5 years. I started there the summer between my Freshman and Sophmore years of college and worked there for every summer and nearly every winter and spring break until I graduated in May of 2005. I started out there as a temp with a two-week contract and by the time I graduated from UD I was hired on as a contractor making like 3 times what I started with. I learned a lot there, probably more than I did in 5 years of college (although that's not saying much considering how seriously I took my college career). I made a lot of friends there and met a lot of really cool people.
However, after a year of contract work, there was still no sight of any kind of permanent position. While I was a contractor, I got no benefits at all. No health insurance, sick days, paid vacation, etc. I didn't even get taxes taken out of my paycheck (Oh, I still had to pay them. April 15th was the worst day of 2006) I kept asking about it but kept getting no answer. So I got fed up and started looking for a fulltime position.
With all the experience I had there, I was able to find a job fairly close to my house that has benefits up the ass and paid pretty much the same amount of money I was making then. It took me a few days to mull it over because of my close relationships with the people I worked with but I decided to take it because I really needed health insurance.
I've been here for almost a year now and looking back on it now, it's probably one of the best decisions I've made in my life (again, not saying much but still....) . The people I work with now are, for the most part, much cooler than the ones at my old job. The work is a hell of a lot better. I've learned more things here in 10 months than I did at my old job and college combined.
As for my old job, I still keep in touch with several of the people I was really close to. The place has seriously gone downhill since I left. (The signs were on the wall while I was there, so I'm not really surprised). Most of my friends got laid off. My closest friend there found out she was getting fired while at a bar on a business trip from some random coworker from another location. In all honesty, I probably wouldn't have had a position there for too much longer had I stayed. (Besides coming in 45 minutes late every day I also partook in some extra-curricular activities at work such as watching movies on my PSP, playing badminton with one of my co-workers over a cubicle wall, playing DS in the bathroom, etc that probably would've gotten me fired soon if I wasn't laid off anyways.)
I guess my point is once you've been at a place long enough, you can imagine what it'll be like 5 years from now. If you don't see any foreseeable improvement in your situation, then it's a good sign it's time to go. If it's a job you want your career to be in and you feel like you're only there to collect a paycheck and hang with friends, then it goes double. I easily work five times harder than I ever did at my old job and I love every minute of it. I see myself going places here, if not by moving up internally, then by gathering a ton of great experience that can move you up some place else. That's something I never could see at my old job.
One word of warning though, we both work in a profession that tends to get overlooked often by upper management. It happens in a lot of places. There's a big perception out there that IT is an expense. I've seen it in a lot of places (most recently, my current job). It takes a lot of work to change that perspective. Once managers start to see that by increasing IT expenditures will decrease expenditures elsewhere at a higher rate, they'll start giving you more and more. But you've got to make them be able to see it first and that takes a lot of work. You need to make that a goal any place you work in this industry. Otherwise, it'll be the same story over and over again. (Unless of course you get a job a tech-oriented company where the management knows better)
-
Wow, you actually posted. And what a post it was. :D Nice to see you around here again.
-
I am a full time "User Centred Designer" and part time uni student. :)
-
Thanks Dynamo. Been a while since I've seen you posting here...welcome!
-
Why are you so frustrated?
Whole series of reasons...but to put it short...the administration doesn't support the department much so its a high-tech shoestring thing. We've got the talent and vision but not the money to move things forward and not much external support. Its all politics and stuff. I'd have left before but the people I work with directly are great. But I don't blame the job entirely either...its a life thing...I'm adjusting to not being a student but I'm not completely independent either. Friends are moving away or I'm loosing touch with them or a few of them have just been acting odd recently. So I'm not sure if a job change or a change of scenery would help or hinder...
Thus the thread...to see what other folks do :)
Well if you want advice (and it sounds like you do), get a new job. (WARNING LONG ANECDOTE AHEAD)
I worked at the same place for over 5 years. I started there the summer between my Freshman and Sophmore years of college and worked there for every summer and nearly every winter and spring break until I graduated in May of 2005. I started out there as a temp with a two-week contract and by the time I graduated from UD I was hired on as a contractor making like 3 times what I started with. I learned a lot there, probably more than I did in 5 years of college (although that's not saying much considering how seriously I took my college career). I made a lot of friends there and met a lot of really cool people.
However, after a year of contract work, there was still no sight of any kind of permanent position. While I was a contractor, I got no benefits at all. No health insurance, sick days, paid vacation, etc. I didn't even get taxes taken out of my paycheck (Oh, I still had to pay them. April 15th was the worst day of 2006) I kept asking about it but kept getting no answer. So I got fed up and started looking for a fulltime position.
With all the experience I had there, I was able to find a job fairly close to my house that has benefits up the ass and paid pretty much the same amount of money I was making then. It took me a few days to mull it over because of my close relationships with the people I worked with but I decided to take it because I really needed health insurance.
I've been here for almost a year now and looking back on it now, it's probably one of the best decisions I've made in my life (again, not saying much but still....) . The people I work with now are, for the most part, much cooler than the ones at my old job. The work is a hell of a lot better. I've learned more things here in 10 months than I did at my old job and college combined.
As for my old job, I still keep in touch with several of the people I was really close to. The place has seriously gone downhill since I left. (The signs were on the wall while I was there, so I'm not really surprised). Most of my friends got laid off. My closest friend there found out she was getting fired while at a bar on a business trip from some random coworker from another location. In all honesty, I probably wouldn't have had a position there for too much longer had I stayed. (Besides coming in 45 minutes late every day I also partook in some extra-curricular activities at work such as watching movies on my PSP, playing badminton with one of my co-workers over a cubicle wall, playing DS in the bathroom, etc that probably would've gotten me fired soon if I wasn't laid off anyways.)
I guess my point is once you've been at a place long enough, you can imagine what it'll be like 5 years from now. If you don't see any foreseeable improvement in your situation, then it's a good sign it's time to go. If it's a job you want your career to be in and you feel like you're only there to collect a paycheck and hang with friends, then it goes double. I easily work five times harder than I ever did at my old job and I love every minute of it. I see myself going places here, if not by moving up internally, then by gathering a ton of great experience that can move you up some place else. That's something I never could see at my old job.
One word of warning though, we both work in a profession that tends to get overlooked often by upper management. It happens in a lot of places. There's a big perception out there that IT is an expense. I've seen it in a lot of places (most recently, my current job). It takes a lot of work to change that perspective. Once managers start to see that by increasing IT expenditures will decrease expenditures elsewhere at a higher rate, they'll start giving you more and more. But you've got to make them be able to see it first and that takes a lot of work. You need to make that a goal any place you work in this industry. Otherwise, it'll be the same story over and over again. (Unless of course you get a job a tech-oriented company where the management knows better)
I was in the same situation at my old company, though i have not the same ammount of experience as you. At first i was given a six month long contract. When that contract expired i hoped to get a permanent eployment, but instead they extended the contract by six months. Thats what got me sarching for a new job. After three interviews i was hired for six months only this time with a guarantee for a permanent stay. I got a better sallary and more benefits than i could dream of. What is most imortant is that I am going to get a lot more experience now then ever before. And also in two months i am going to negotiate for a raise when i get a permanent employment.
The only disadvantage is that the job is in another city and I have to travel by train for an hour. But i am waiting until my girlfriend finishes her studies sp that she can move in togethor.
-
Thanks, it's good to see some familiar faces around here still. Even better to find a few of them still remember me. :)
-
Thanks, it's good to see some familiar faces around here still. Even better to find a few of them still remember me. :)
I remeber you well D. Good to see that some of the veterans are still lurking around here.
-
yay college!
-
Currently an unemployed freshman student at the University of North Texas in Denton (Dallas-Ft. Worth area)
Im working in a research lab in the physics department...more like volunteering. (dont get paid)
Working on getting some experience in the field of physics, and either transferring out to a foreign university, or doing grad school at a foreign university. Im not a US citizen and have no intention of becoming one...Switzerland sounds nice. Plus they have the CERN over there, which is relevant to my interests.
There's a girl I left back home in Houston but I have no idea how that will work out... (cue the blues music)