At the crossroads

[sbagman]

Hi all,

Having decided that my chosen field is not really for me, I'm looking for a change. I've never really ventured outside my field (scientific research), and the change I have decided on is giving me second thoughts as well. I'd love to do something idealistic like helping people in third world countries with some international organisation, but that seems a little far fetched. I've been told by friends I'd be good at various things, but they all seem a little far removed.

Who can I talk to about my options? Am I being too pragmatic by dismissing some of the more "out there" ideas? Sorry for the vagueness of the post, but I feel rather stupid going through this at this point in my life. Go easy.

Sbagman.

 

[Portia]

Go into teaching.

 

[evade28]

Originally posted by Porthos
Go into teaching.

in south korea

 

[skilts]

Originally posted by evade28
in south korea

LOL. You are a very silly person.

 

[Darky]

Have you tried a labouring or warehouse job, Sbagga?

Even if just for a little while, it could be the tonic to have a relatively pressure-free job where you are not burdened by expectation because of your background and qualifications.

If it doesn't work out, you always have other things to fall back on. People always tell me I "should be doing better", and maybe if finances were the sole concern that's true... but I like working in a warehouse with a great bunch of blokes, excellent office poon, and the knowledge that every task is do-able, and the infrequent work problems always stay at work.

It's good to knock off work knowing you've physically earnt that beer, but not be burdened by mentally taking your work home with you.

 

[raskolnikov]

When I came back from Melbourne in July I wanted a break from teaching so I applied for some menial jobs such as customer service. When they saw I had a Masters degree they thought I was way too qualified so you may want to omit your doctorate on your CV.

 

[Dry Rot]

Originally posted by sbagman
Hi all,


Who can I talk to about my options? Am I being too pragmatic by dismissing some of the more "out there" ideas? Sorry for the vagueness of the post, but I feel rather stupid going through this at this point in my life. Go easy.

Sbagman.

sbagman,

know your crossroads well.

Suggest you go to a quality bookshop and check out the 2 leading books in this area:

What color is your parachute

Zen and the art of making a living

Am mostly familar with the first one - the relevant bits for you are the tests at the back which will help guide you.

If you're serious, you'll do them and you'll find out what to do.

Good luck

 

[EssJayW]

Join the Police Force.

 

[Milkman]

His IQ is probably too high to get in, with his background.

 

[MSB ROYS]

What area do you research? Are you sick of science per se or not happy with job opportunities?

What about working in biotech? You get to combine business and science. Then after awhile you can branch into business side if you want. Often skipping the need to do an MBA.

Other people become patent attorneys. There is still more study involved though.

Agree with Darky though - it would be great/is for him to have a job without stress.

 

[Sydneyfan]

Originally posted by evade28
in south korea

It's not all bad here. The money's the good, the people can be really nice (not always though, especially in Seoul!). The place has got a certain charm, one minute you love it here, the next minute you hate it. Life's always interesting here, there's one thing for sure!

 

[Lady Lawrence]

Hi there,

I used to work for a company in the UK called VSO, Voluntary Service Overseas and I think the Australian equivalent is AVA Australian Volunteers Abroad. You can find the info here at

www.australianvolunteers.com

I am not sure what your field is but finding qualified people was always a major task, lost of people want to do it but it is the skilled people that are needed.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mooster]

Originally posted by Darky

It's good to knock off work knowing you've physically earnt that beer, but not be burdened by mentally taking your work home with you.

Yup, Darky has just outlined the key to happiness right there. When I'm off the clock, I couldn't give a **** what happens in my jurisdiction. I don't even think about it until I go back to work. No deadlines, no budget meetings, no curriculum. Only the here and now.

It also helps if you have a job where you can watch TV and surf the internet all night.

BTW Sbag, didn't you just come back from years of walking the Earth and getting into adventures like Caine in Kung Fu? How can you already be burnt out of the work place?

Peace,

 

[lioness]

Originally posted by Mooster
When I'm off the clock, I couldn't give a **** what happens in my jurisdiction. I don't even think about it until I go back to work. No deadlines, no budget meetings, no curriculum. Only the here and now.

Same with my job (child care). When I leave the centre, I don't have to think about anything work related till I'm back there the next day. Suits me fine.

Well.........till I get qualified anyways then I'm sure it'll be a slightly different story. But not too bad.

 

[sbagman]

Originally posted by Mooster

BTW Sbag, didn't you just come back from years of walking the Earth and getting into adventures like Caine in Kung Fu? How can you already be burnt out of the work place?

Gidday Mooster,

My story is a fairly long one and bits and pieces are around in certain threads on BF. To make a long story short... I did chem at Melbourne uni, and loved it. I started my PhD in Brisbane, I hated it. I went to Perugia, loved the lifestyle, couldn't decide on the work. I went back to Brisbane, had a better time, but still didn't think science was for me. Then moved to Florence, to see if it was just my circumstances in Brisbane, or it was science itself. Florence was a disaster, and I think there is just not enough human contact in science for me. I would go months in Florence where I would not speak to anyone at work. I need a job where I get to talk to people, and I don't think scientific research is quite right for that. So I want to get out and do something that uses my brain, but isn't so isolated like the stuff I had been doing.

Does that make sense?

Sbagman.

 

[Mooster]

Originally posted by sbagman


I did chem at Melbourne uni, and loved it.

So I want to get out and do something that uses my brain, but isn't so isolated like the stuff I had been doing.

Does that make sense?

Ahh, yes.

Have you seen 'Formula 51' with Samuel L. Jackson?

 

[Deej]

I reckon darky's suggestion was pretty good. Whilst obviously not knowing everything about you bagman I can draw some parallels because after travelling i too went through the whole what's the meaning of life thing back here. Did heaps of volunteer work after hours but kept working my regular job, didn't totally help me find contentment. I ended up doing what darky has suggested, I quit my field and didn't know what the hell to do so i just got a labouring job for my younger brother a brickie so yeah i was a brickies labourer for about 6 months, and it was the best thing i could've done i reckon. Got pretty fit and strong, didn't have to think about what i was doing just lift bricks and mix mud, didn't have to shave to come to work, could get ****ed if i wanted to and come in a bit late hungover, plenty of good banter on a building site too so plenty of laughs. Can swear your ass off if you want. No pressure. And it gives you all the time in the world to contemplate your life and what you want to do with it.

I had no idea for 6 months, and then it hit me what i wanted to do, so i did it. Have never looked back and now i'm happy as a pig in you know what.

Might not work for everyone but it sure worked for me. And it felt good to be physically fit and strong too.

 

[Nic]

MSB ROYS suggested biotech. That'd make use of your science knowledge as well as more human contact than you would have been getting, I'd think.

 

[lenny&carl]

If you enjoy chemistry for what it is, then you could train to be a metalurgist? Mining companies would treat you like a god and pay you like one as well. Plus you'd have a lot of blokey comeraderie in a gig like that. And it is fundamentally useful, if somewhat looked down upon these days. If you still weren't sure what to do but stuck with this, you'd be a millionaire in 5 years so then you'd have a lot more options. But I'm just pulling this idea out of my arse, it might not suit you. As for other jobs, I have a friend who is the biggest egghead intellectual you could ever meet, and he's got a job doing furniture removals, and I've never seen him happier, so don't eschew physical labour while you're trying to get your bearings. Good luck.