OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Ok, I'm wondering what everybody's job or career is. You see, I'm trying to find some inspiration for what I want to be when I graduate next summer, and to be totally honest I have absolutely no idea right now. So I was thinking that if people post their jobs or careers (or what they're currently going to college/university to become), then maybe I would hit on something that would feel right. I need to apply to university soon if I'm going to go, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ty

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Student http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

If you don't know what sort of job you would be doing after graduating high school, I would say go to university. Not only will it help narrow down what it is you want to do for a career, it also opens up several that you would not have been able to get. Just about any job where only a HS diploma is needed is a wage-slave job. A degree makes things a lot easier to get a living wage.

But, some of the "jobs" I've had so far (some paid, some volunteer):

• web developer (get webpage design and content, then make it so)
• internal helpdesk support (inside the company, not with customers)
• public relations coordinator (basically keeping around 650 people updated on various events)
• front desk at the building I live in (mailroom, maintainence requests, lockouts, etc.)

What I'm attempting to become is a software developer, probably as a consultant. So instead of making shrink-wrapped software, visit a client, see what software automation can be used, see how people would use it, then create a tool to do the job. I think right now that would be the best fit for me since I like to keep moving on to new problems, rather than spend years focused on one thing. Traditional software companies don't have that flexibility.

Anyway, not sure if that helps any... but do at least apply to university. It will help out in the long run (spoken as someone who is first in the family to go beyond high school).

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Sorry Renegade, I'm a student as well http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I'm in the same position, to be honest I have no real aspirations for a job, I'd much prefer a simple life, Once I finish this year of college i'll be down less courses so i plan to get a part time job and then do some charity work for a year or so. (Samaritans/Mencap/Mind/Red Cross/Ammnesty International, anything really)

Good Luck finding something that catches your interest Renegade http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

You don't get a cookie for guessing I am a student as well. And my contribution will be... how shall I put it... not exactly the most helpful you could wish for.

I am currently in my freshman year in English, a course I love so much I am thinking of going elsewhere. (Why can't we have Creative Writing here, or similar subjects, in any language?) And even if I do stick with that course, my most likely fate would be the one of a teacher - either teaching English to fellow Frenchmen, or the other way around.

The other way would be Pol Sci, but that would be slightly harder, and may not appeal to me either. At least, you would be better off if I went this way; it would mean less Alneyan on these Boards. Don't open the bottle of champagne yet though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

systems engineer at a big company... and grocery clerk at another big company

would rather get out of big company and do something enjoyable in life.... ( you will see )

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Professionial Assasin: I work for a secret company that leases soilders of fourtune to High price Companies in need of protection..

or

I am a Nuclear Weapons techichian, I am responsible for disarming former Soviet Nuclear Weapons that are past there warrenty life in former Soviet Republics

or

I am a student in High School...

Can anyone geuss which one of these is the truth?

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Lawyer, specialized in civil lawsuits...

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Aaahhh!!! Lawyers! There are lawyers on this forum again!

*Screams some more and runs like a lunatic through the entire Cantina*

Calmly Raging Deadstar walks up to Timstone and gives him his medication with some brewski.
Timstone returns to normal and begins:

I'm a mechanical enigneer with a company that produces pump, generators and more of those big thingies.
I'm head of one of three teams that goes around the world to fix machines we delivered. I do this job for two years now and I really, really enjoy it. For a while I even had my personal secretay (who was also my GF, yes I said WAS http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif ). For a short period I was called back to homebase (Good old Holland) for some more updates on machines and to begin another study. Coming april I'll be graduating from that study and then I can be called doctor (well at least I think that is the proper title in English terminology, in Dutch it is "Doctorandus").

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

In case your're interested I'm a graphic artist. I work exclusively on the computer and don't have great skill at the 'traditional' school stuff. But given some good software tools and lots of creativity I manage to do some good stuff.

I started my 'work' career doing hard time in the textile industry. During that time my hobby was computer games and artwork. After leaving the textile industry I worked as a computer salesperson and eventually moved up the ranks to manager. That taught me alot and gave me many connections in the computer industry. Now I work on computers, doing art and for games. I lucked out, I'm currently doing exactly what I love.

Today there are lots of options in the computer industry. If you love working and playing on computers, it might be good to gear your education towards that. Any company can use other skills too,.. marketing, management, sales, and accounting are found in most companies. Basically, think of what you would love to be doing and work towards increasing your chances in that field.

Have a great day, Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

This is what I do. I sit on forums. Web forums, local newsGroups, support forums, channels, chats, support email accounts. Also computer security response. Anything where a "presence" is desireable and immeadiate reaction is preferred. I telecommute from home with DSL (many advantages but it is fattening). I can watch TV, or play games, or anything I want as long as I can stay responsive to any other windows that call me.

As for suggestions... this was more true a decade ago but still might be true. DO NOT try to force yourself into something you dont like. Get creative. I get asked alot about "getting a computer defree" and my usual response is that if you dont already know you should then you probably shouldnt. High interest in computers is useful but attach it to something you want to do. No matter what it is; art, english, fireman, policeman, doctor, lawyer, teacher, coal miner, etc etc.. you can move yourself up in the line for hire if you can firmly attach computer to it. EVERY job nowadays needs SOMEONE who knows computers.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

I actually have to jobs that are quite unrelated to each other.

My first and main job is as a lawyer in a big computer company (not Microsoft http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif). Remember, I’m from Europe so your mileage as a lawyer may very wildly in the US.

Actually being a lawyer is often quite similar to a help desk at least in a company. People will call you with their problems when creating offers and contracts, how to do things and how to solve problems. It has nearly nothing to do with any court activities as your main job is to create contracts that both parties can agree to and will resolve any dispute before it needs to be taken to court. Of course you can choose quite another career as a lawyer (such as criminal court) which will give you a completely different working field.

My other job is as an emergency paramedic. This is job is not for everyone as you can imagine. The job can be dull and you will have to handle different kinds of body fluids in various degrees.
However, the job can of course be very exiting and rewarding. Here you can literally save people lives. There is nothing like saving a 6 year old child from drowning via CPR. And there are such dreadful things like people torn apart in accidents and infants dead in the cradle while you have to attend to the infant and to the parents at the same time. Overall I’m glad that I have done this job for 8 years now and it has given me quite a different look on the world and people. If you have the chance to take university and you want to go this path I strongly suggest becoming an MD. “Only” being a paramedic will leave you graving for more knowledge and more responsibility.

If you have any questions, ask away. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Ahh Sorry to hear that Timstone, I can remember your side comments about your girlfriend and gearbox for a long time on this forum, Hope Life's going well for you. But good to hear you're about to get a title, Doctor Timstone http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I have a title, it usually combines the words "Patron Saint of" and the following words "*****iness/Sarcasm/Compassion or Penguins." Needless to say i need it validated http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif.

Renegade: Don't worry about not being sure what to do in life. The way I see it is if you don't know you'll flit from job to job or stay in education. Either way it equals expirience or qualifications for you to put towards gettign a job you really want in the future. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

I'm a designer at a video game company. My degree (in psychology) probably didn't help much in getting the job, but going to college certainly did, since it gave me a lot of free time to play games.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

RD:
You always put a smile on my face. If you were a girl/woman, I would come to England and marry you. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif
It's cool to hear the stories of my gearbox and GF are still in the memory of this great community.
Life is kind to me, but I still haven't got some pretty girl/woman next to me. Arg! Me have to catch one soon, or else...

If you'll all excuse me, I'm going to hit the sack. Tomorrow I'll be facing some stupid exam. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make it, so I'm going to enjoy sitting in the classroom and anoy other people. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../firedevil.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Sciences po? Surely you don't mean to be an enarque? That would make you even more Machiavellian than you already are, though that would arguably make you even better at playing strategy games with lots of scope for diplomacy...

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

I'm doing a double major in biology and chemistry. I'll also work in the food industry, mainly characterizing wheat flours and stuff of that sort. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon05.gif[/img]

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Former Supervisor for one of the former worlds largest semi conductor companies. I left work do to a medical problem.

Trained to work in multiple departments from Ship / Receiving to Chemical Vapor Deprivation process. Ran some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world. Designed and processed new methods for manufacturing with emphasis on efficiency and quality.

Developed and authored many SOP/SOC's and training manuals for varying processes and departments. Improved safety by founding both the company wide safety committee which was directly responsible for improving safety by accepting employee suggestions and then acting upon them in a timely and productive manor And founding the Ergonomics Advisory Committee which was directly responsible for reducing work place injuries and improving the safety quality of our processes through education, training, and an on going incentive program to report dangerous working conditions and offer suggestions for improving them.

I loved my job, I miss my job.

Now I am medically disabled and do nothing all day long except sit in front of the computer, work on odds and ends, watch TV, eat, sleep, and occationally, when up to it, roam around the county visiting relatives and trying to appear normal.

You know the old saying that goes "Don't wish for something, you might get it?" Well brother you had better believe it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif The next time I wish for something I will hire a lawyer to write it up as a contract.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

My job is trying not to go crazy (or lazy, either). In my spare time, I code stuff that will hopefully, eventually, get me money and off of welfare.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

I will drink to that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif And when you do, write a book so the rest of us can learn how you did it and employ your process.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Work in IT support, taking calls all day from ppl who don't know how to install the software my company produces. Also do all kinds of other stuff around the office as and when required (in between games of slashem). I've produced websites, fixed PCs, made graphical user guides, done translations (English/French/ Italian), chased cutsomers for money, written promotional material... all sorts. I've found myself dragged more and more in to the sales side of things lately though, as one of those Dilberts that sales ppl like to leach credibility from when trying to sell tech stuff. Actually had to do a solo presentation to try to land a big contract the other week, it went fairly well- People have often told me I should be in sales, and I've always told them to shove their heads up their arses, but it turns out they might have been right- I could do it pretty well if I wanted to.

Trouble is, I don't particularly want to. There's money to be made, but quite apart from the fact that I don't like the idea of convincing ppl to buy stuff they might not actually want, I have a more interesting ambition: I want to write crazy-*** science fiction stories and get paid for that. Currently a few chapters into my first real attmempt at a publishable novel. It definitely has potential. Wish me luck=-)

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

I'm just a highschool student, but I hope to become a computer engineer so I can do cool stuff with robots.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

If had to give any ten peaces of advise to a high school student they would be:

1. Never get fat
2. Trust No One At Work
3. ALWAYS get it in writing
4. Document everything you do
5. Buy Property, not sports cars
6. Enjoy life while your young if you can
7. Plan for your future by saving money now.
8. NEVER spend your money before you have it.
9. AVOID the Credit Card trap and always pay them off.
10. Read the fine print, and keep your lawyers card in your wallet.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

First of all, thanks to everyone who's posted so far. I hope more people see this thread, and let their professions be known.

Will, I just applied to one of the Provincial universities today. They've already given me a full-tuition paid scholarship for the first 4 years. (worth approx. $16,000 CDN) So I think I'm definitely going to go there, and at least discover what I do NOT want to do. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

(*EDITED for spelling errors. You'd never know I actually had a bit of a brain in my head with the spelling mistakes I can make http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif *)

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Poppycock. Getting fat is fun and fulfilling. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Another thing is, you should exercise at least three times a week.

When I was in high school, I didn't exercise. I took gym class until Grade 10 because it was mandatory, and that was the only exercise I got. After Grade 10, I participated in no physical activities at all. I just sat in front of the computer or read all day. Many years later, I was completely out of shape. It wasn't until partway through university that I started exercising. It's difficult to develop strength or flexibility when you're older if you didn't do anything when you were younger.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Graduated as a manager.
Current work - lawyer in town administration (twas second education).
Taking post-grad course for doctor degree (economics).

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

PhD student (do research in distributed control algorithms for self-reconfiguring module robots)

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

hey, cool, 3 lawyers already! what about we make a lawyer/advocate shipset? with special weapons like "civil lawsuit", intelligencce projects like "habeas data" that give all information on an enemy empire and special engines like "habeas corpus" that allow free movement? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif (just kidding)

My post was a little shorte previosuly (had a court audience in a few minutes and had to hurry), but i do love my profession, even being a little overworked at this time, and in today´s courts a lawyer needs to have a very good grasp of computers, bacuse toay, computers is and indispensable tool of every law office...

And i love to play strategy games in my (very short nowadays) free time...

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Chemist with US Fed Gov. Give technical support to government contracting. can't say much more, would probably bore you to death anyways.

Prior jobs were: part of hazardous material response team (state level)/disaster assistance, US Army, production supervisor/QA metal finishing, lab tech for NC dept of agricuture.

Yeah, many and varied to say the least.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Well, I wouldn't go to Sciences po in Paris, and the odds of getting in the ENA would be about as high as... well, defeated a High-bonus Asmala/Primitive/RexTorres alliance. So it does not seem that likely, even without looking at matters like "do I want to? Is it related to 42 in any way?".

It would fit quite nicely with my title though. As Narf put it, I am a "sarcastic, *****y, amoral mind-bender". Doesn't that have a nice ring to it? Too bad the comment was aimed at my character, the ever so nice Tiefling Psion.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Not hardware but it might be fun to add it to intelligence projects. Legal actions to take when they put a colony into your claimed system, or when they destroy a population transport full of your people, or they get caught stealing your technology. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Nuclear Test Engineer. I work with US Navy crews to operate/maintain/repair/test reactor plants on navy submarines. (That's about as much detail as I can give.) I am a middle-level supervisor which requires anywhere from 30 minutes per day up to 100% of my time to be spent on board the ships - depending on what we are doing. Although my job doesn't actually require me to go to sea with them, I have been invited to ride the submarines several time for training, sea trials, etc. I am responsible for operating the reactor plant safely under all conditions during the maintenance period. This is important because much of the complex maintenance is beyond what the the ship's crew is trained to do. We "qualify" under a rigorous training program to be as proficient and knowledgeable as the Navy operators with special emphasis on performing maintenance (as opposed to the crew which specializes on operating the ship at sea). We operate the plants to set up safe conditions for work/maintenance/repairs, allow the various shops do complete the work, then test and certify their work when complete. Currently I am 8 months into a 26 month project to refuel one of them during an overhaul. The 8 months doesn't cover about a year spent doing planning.

Slick.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Not too long ago, I was a full-time Realtor and a full-time cab driver, while in my spare time I did computer repair.

whew!

Now I travel throughout the largest real estate board in the world (geographicly speaking) teaching technology seminars to realtors.

But according to my kids, I'm really a superhero. They claim I'm a Jedi and I travel all over the place saving people from the bad guys. (I watch Star Wars a lot with my kids).

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

4yrs military Police, 33 yrs as a Police officer, did most of the major investigations as well as worked the road, Last 11 yrs I was the Chief of Police,( Retired from Police Dept over 1yr ago) also during this time, worked 24 yrs part time in retail security (currently still there part time) also yrs ago was part owner of PI company gave it up as the Police Dept. & investigations took all my time, currently looking into possible consulting work.....

PS. I'm the only cop here with all these Lawyers !!! UGH... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif at least there is at least l paramedic

PSS. GT is also a lawyer

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Previously a Video Game Programmer, laid off. Getting a degree and hopefully getting back into the Industry...until then, I'm a clerk at an electronic parts store.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

dark ant that would be mechanical engineer http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Systems engineer would be good but not for that line of work.

if You really wanna do some cool stuff with robots I suggest you start looking at the big manufacturing companies. especially the automotive industry if you wish to do cool stuff with robots.

And learn lots of PLC , fluids and electrical.

I also suggest a minor in chemistry or biology to round off your education.

If you get into GM or any large company like that ... After a few years inform them that you wish for them to pay for your MBA. And round off your education that way.

Professional Degrees are very important and will help you later on in life when you need a change of pace from the world of manufacturing.

But you will learn more about robots there than anywhere else.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Actually, Comp Engineering is a field you can go in for robotics... as long as you're only doing research. Right now, the "real" jobs in robotics are in manufacturing, like tesco said, companies like GM, Toyota, Honda... car makers, pretty much. There are a few others, but I don't remember them at the moment. Basically, they make robots for assembly line manufacturing processes. But these are mostly Mech Engineers, who have gotten a little extra training in computers, basically MEs who took CS courses for tech electives at university.

As I said, Comp Engineers going into robotics are usually doing research, and there are only a few places in the private sector where this is currently done (mainly in Japan, with companies like Honda and Sony), a few places in government (NASA/AMES, ESA), and... academia. Unless you're really stellar or become the protege of someone, you'll most likely either end up in academia, or decide you want to do something else. Academia means four years at least for the BS, plus one if the university offers a 5-year master's program, plus 1 and a half to 2 if the university doesn't or you go somewhere else for grad work. Then there is usually about 5 more years doing PhD work, then about 7 years in a rush to get tenure somewhere. So, conservatively, you're looking at 18 more years of "school" after high school. Although some people have done it in about 10. YMMV.

For now, most of the "cool" stuff with robots is happening in Japan, and at universities. Japan has Asimo (Honda), and Aibo and its ilk (Sony). Universities mainly have government defense grants, for things like little black helicopters to look in windows, distributed "bug bots" for mapping a building (before storming it), and a bunch of projects focused on active vision (processing visual data in real time and acting on it, rather than recording for human operators) happening at my school specifically.

Academia could be the best place to go -- if there is an explosion in the robotics industry, where all of a sudden someone comes up with the working killer app for robotics (such as Asimo becoming feasible to care for the elderly, both in performance and in cost). If/when that happens, there will be lots of companies grabbing to get anyone from university robotics departments that they can, and paying very well for them to do... well, basically the same stuff they were doing in academia, only applied a bit more to a specific product.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

I’m a network specialist with a state government agency. I work with almost nothing that I covered in school. Its 90 percent picked up on the fly as you bump into the hardware/software. Right now it’s a state wide domain migration, but nothing close to what was covered in any of my courses. After that it’s IP security cameras and building access control. Then we move to IP trunking (all of which we are testing as we now). Then toss in 300K worth of new desktop systems for December and another 50K for January along with an Exchange Server upgrade and an Office 2003 deployment just to make sure we stay busy. Also toss in a couple of new office setups just to make sure that no one makes all of their deadlines.

If you want to break into this line of work, study WAN IP data systems. Frame Rely and PVC know how will get your foot into a lot of doors. VOIP or IP trunking skill will some times get you hired on the spot. If you want to work server side, then being able to develop scripts is becoming a must have skill. Not to mention that a few good scripts can turn an 80 man hour project into a few hours of easy work. And if you are in school, stay there and get your Masters. Do an internship some where, anywhere, even if it’s unpaid. It’s getting imposable to break into this line of work. A company I work with advertised a 28K a year Helpdesk trainee position and got 1500 apps with about 20 percent of them being people with master’s degrees. And incase you don’t already know, first tier helpdesk sucks big ones! In this line of work everyone has to do some of it, but it is not something that most people will want to do 40 hours a week.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

On an almost, but not quite, related topic: is university the best education you can get after high school? (In Canada or in the United States for example)

University is actually seen as the worst in France (with the exception of a few courses, like medecine, and where university is simply the only way), and has a pretty poor reputation, so I was wondering at the differences with other countries. I would expect the situation to be quite different, since that's a common criticism against France, but I would prefer first-hand opinions.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Best as in the most preferred way or best as in the best form of tertiary education that one can get?

I believe both ways apply, but then again that might only be me.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

I'm a newspaper editor on the Foreign Desk at The New York Times. The specific job is called "backfield editor" here, and I basically work with reporters before and after they write stories, making sure the big questions get answered and that the writing style is good/appropriate. In the past couple years, it's been way too much about war and way too little about understanding other people. Here's to a change in that.

Got into the newspaper thing early -- started writing sports for the local weekly in high school. But it's something you can get into later. A journalism degree in college isn't necessary, though the college education generally is. The best thing is just to jump in somewhere. Start writing for the student paper or magazine. Clips (jargon for the stories you've written in the past) get you a job in this business much more than your degree.

Alneyan: Yeah, a university degree in the is your best option for higher education in the U.S., as well as being pretty much mandatory in order to get any sort of decent job. It's become de rigeur, though there are always exceptions.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

re: where to get best education after high school?

Well, it's my personal opinion that the best education you can get is teaching yourself. But, in the current marketplace in the US, a degree is pretty much essential. I know a lot of companies will toss out a resume that does not have the letters "B.S." or "B.A." somewhere on it, barring something insane like 10+ years of industry experience in something the company is looking for. It usually doesn't even have to be in the same field, unless the position is highly technical (engineers, architects, pharmecutical, etc.). So someone who got a B.A. in Classics can get a job as an advertising exec, or something else that is basically unrelated. The big thing that companies want to know is if the person can make it through a university education, what the student learns is largely irrelevant. All that matters is that the student learned SOMETHING.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Heh. That's because universities in France and Germany are full of young people who have no clear idea of what they intend to do in life and keep studying and studying and studying because it's free and it frees them from needing to do any actual work. At least that was the impression I got when I was studying in France. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I believe that in the U.S. and to a lesser extent, the U.K. students are more career oriented. I don't believe that any companies recruit on university campuses in France and Germany, except for the most elite institutions, but I believe that it is commonplace in U.S. and U.K. Also, I believe that in the U.S. a university student typically has a lot of different types of part-time work experience already, while in France and Germany, most young people get into paid work only after they graduate from university. This prior work experience helps, I think, to temper them and IMHO gives U.S. students a clearer idea of what they want out of university education based on what they know of the demands of the job market.

I believe that in France, university education is generally considered a time-waster by companies, but IIRC, some specialist institutions, e.g. IUTs, art and design schools, etc. still have a pretty good reputation.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Exactly true. Ive been on the hiring end in the computer networks field and I dont know how many times I heard "but I know all this" from high schoolers. Sometimes we would hire them into the intern program. Many of them DID know more than the college grads on the latest stuff but 99% of them ended up getting fired. For us.. college degree or military service was essential in a resume. I was sorry for some of the applicants but it just kept us from wasting our time.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Agreed. We have found also that another important thing that we look for on interviews is if the person worked while going to college. It shows that the person has some amount of responsibility and time management skills.

Slick.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Thanks for all your answers. I guess the Bachelor degrees are only useful to get to higher degrees in France; for example, there are some courses with a very high reputation at five years after High School, where companies may actually recruit students before they have their grade. That is the exception, and definitively nowhere near the general rule (which is: get your degree, and do something else on your own, will you?).

Of course, since there is no real difficulty in getting a university degree, no job would need any such qualification; if you have nothing better to do, you could spend ten years to get your B.A. here. And since most of our schools do not have actual tution fees, you do not have to have your own personal wealth to stay for a very long while in our universities.

Some students do have to work Deccan, especially in Paris, or if you have to rent your room near the university. The other solution is to take a specific loan, which may be a very good idea if you are studying in one of these schools actually giving you a useful diploma on its own.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

You can't get certain jobs without University in Germany (like Medicine, Law/Judge, engineer). University is the "best" graduation you can get and companies expect it. You have nearly 0% chance to get higher end jobs without it.
I agree that some people study at university without a clear plan for their future but since you know have to pay a fee after you hit certain time-thresholds that number of people has decreased.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Been just over a year and there's a bunch of new faces around who may be interested, so...

*Bump!*

Since people may not feel like reading all the old posts, the original intent of the thread was to share what your job or career is.

Update from me: Working in the warehouse of a molybdenum mine in central BC. Freight shipping and reception is pretty much my job. Busy job. Hectic job. Makes the days go by fast http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

Scientist. No really, that is a career. Scared the hell out of the tax preparer one year. He'd never heard of it before. I even left the "mad" off on purpose, so's not to frighten him.

[EDIT]

How'd I miss this thread last year? Oh well, lots of other scientists/chemists around as well.

Re: OT: What\'s your job/career??
 

We'll here I am at Umass Lowell studying to be a computer engineer. If you think you might want to be an engineer then there are some things I've learned over this first semester that I'd like to share with you.

Taking calc and physics in highschool helps enormously in the first semester
You have to enjoy math and science. If you don't, you won't enjoy engineering.

You have to be willing to put in a hell of a lot of work. People in your dorms will be playing video games and having a great time partying at night. You won't be able to do any of that for the most part. You'll be studying.

My biggest complaint about engineering? There are very few females in it. My 150 person lectures have about 5-8 girls in them.