Career Choices

[Joe S.]

Community college has been taking away my precious penturning time, so I need to make sure it is put to good use. I'm thinking about going for a degree in economics, and was wondering about availably of jobs and what they are like. Anyone have any experience here? Any other comments are welcome too.

 

[Smitty37]

Community college has been taking away my precious penturning time, so I need to make sure it is put to good use. I'm thinking about going for a degree in economics, and was wondering about availably of jobs and what they are like. Anyone have any experience here? Any other comments are welcome too.

Economics can be a fun field to study, but I don't think there are tons of jobs for that specialty and I think most of the well paying economists hold PhDs. On the other hand there are a lot of areas that like applicants to have a degree but are not really locked into what the degree is in and there are a lot of degrees where you could have economics as a minor.

 

[avbill]

go for a CPA license

 

[kovalcik]

One quick thing you could do is go to monster.com and search for jobs in economics. A better choice would probably be to go to your schools Career placement center and talk to someone there.

 

[Joe S.]

I also like physics, so this could go anywhere. I need to look at specific degrees a little harder later, but right now just a little direction is good. I'll search engineering/math/physics type of degrees later. But I'll definitely keep an Econ minor in mind. Or maybe go for the PHd, who knows? :biggrin:

 

[JohnGreco]

Your school's career services (or similarly named office) should be able to help you. You need to strongly consider both what you like and what kind of job availability there is for that field. The office should be able to give you an aptitude test to see how you score in different areas and then make job recommendations based on that. I took one and it was a pretty wide range from flight controller to mortician as my suggested fields LOL!

Don't lock yourself into anything based on just that though. For me, who knew in the end it would be making pens? That wasn't one of their suggestions

 

[Smitty37]

I also like physics, so this could go anywhere. I need to look at specific degrees a little harder later, but right now just a little direction is good. I'll search engineering/math/physics type of degrees later. But I'll definitely keep an Econ minor in mind. Or maybe go for the PHd, who knows? :biggrin:

Keep in mind that your degree does not have to be what you work at. I worked as a Electronic Test Engineer for my 30 year business career doing what I liked to do - my degree is in Political Science which I liked to study (still do) and read related things like history.

 

[The Penguin]

engineering is a good career choice if you can handle the math.

 

[Joe S.]

I've done good on math up to pre-calc, so engineering is a big possibility.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Of course anything in the medical field, xray tech, therapist, lab tech, nurse and most short of Doctor don't require degrees, special schooling yes.

 

[Joe S.]

I also like physics, so this could go anywhere. I need to look at specific degrees a little harder later, but right now just a little direction is good. I'll search engineering/math/physics type of degrees later. But I'll definitely keep an Econ minor in mind. Or maybe go for the PHd, who knows? :biggrin:

Keep in mind that your degree does not have to be what you work at. I worked as a Electronic Test Engineer for my 30 year business career doing what I liked to do - my degree is in Political Science which I liked to study (still do) and read related things like history.

There is a truth to that that I didn't really see until you said it, thanks!

 

[TellicoTurning]

I never got my 4 year degree, only my AA in business Admin.... I more or less wandered into my field of international shipping where I spent 40 years... but as Smitty said, companies like their new hires to have a degree, not necessarily a related degree, but it helps if it is somewhat related. I started off near the bottom... my first job in the industry was as a dish washer for a major airlines... from there I moved to the ramp to load planes, then into the office to do shipping paperwork, then into a supervisor's job... then I was hired away by a forwarding company to be the international shipping supervisor ... my staff was one - me... but from there I moved up until the last job I had I was a division manager for a large export shipping company.

 

[Smitty37]

Of course anything in the medical field, xray tech, therapist, lab tech, nurse and most short of Doctor don't require degrees, special schooling yes.

RN now usually if not always does require a degree as does Nurse Practioner in fact a NP with my doctor's office has a Doctor's degree (not sure what it is but it is medical related) - I'm not sure you can get LPN anymore which didn't require a degree.

 

[Smitty37]

I never got my 4 year degree, only my AA in business Admin.... I more or less wandered into my field of international shipping where I spent 40 years... but as Smitty said, companies like their new hires to have a degree, not necessarily a related degree, but it helps if it is somewhat related. I started off near the bottom... my first job in the industry was as a dish washer for a major airlines... from there I moved to the ramp to load planes, then into the office to do shipping paperwork, then into a supervisor's job... then I was hired away by a forwarding company to be the international shipping supervisor ... my staff was one - me... but from there I moved up until the last job I had I was a division manager for a large export shipping company.

I know where you're coming from. I got my start by joining the Navy, going to Electronics Technician School, worked 39 months on a Destroyer and left the Navy an E-5. I entered IBM as a Test Technician and 32 years later retired as an Advisory Test/Test Equipment Engineer/Scientist (It really said all that on my business cards).

 

[CrimsonKeel]

IMO anything with engineer on the end of it is wanted, add what you like to the front, chemical engineer, structural engineer, etc

 

[Smitty37]

I also like physics, so this could go anywhere. I need to look at specific degrees a little harder later, but right now just a little direction is good. I'll search engineering/math/physics type of degrees later. But I'll definitely keep an Econ minor in mind. Or maybe go for the PHd, who knows? :biggrin:

Keep in mind that your degree does not have to be what you work at. I worked as a Electronic Test Engineer for my 30 year business career doing what I liked to do - my degree is in Political Science which I liked to study (still do) and read related things like history.

There is a truth to that that I didn't really see until you said it, thanks!

I gave my kids this advice. Expect to have a job for no more than 10 years and expect to work for at least 5 different employers by the time you are 55. My daughters have avoided that my son's did not. BTW one of my son's has his BS in Electrical Engineering and has never done a day's worth of Engineering in his life....he is 50 years old.

I think if I was starting out today I'd take up driving one of those monster trucks they use around some mines - the ones where you nearly need a helocoptor to lift you up to the drivers seat.

 

[monark88]

I also like physics, so this could go anywhere. I need to look at specific degrees a little harder later, but right now just a little direction is good. I'll search engineering/math/physics type of degrees later. But I'll definitely keep an Econ minor in mind. Or maybe go for the PHd, who knows? :biggrin:

Along the line of Physics interest is a degree in Nuclear Medicine. It is usually a Bachelor's degree program. Expected salaries are in the neighborhood of a low of $65,000 upwards of $70,000 to start(and up). Not bad for toughing it out for 4 years.

Russ

 

[monark88]

IMO anything with engineer on the end of it is wanted, add what you like to the front, chemical engineer, structural engineer, etc

the problem is, today Engineer jobs almost Require a Master's. My grand daughter is in her senior year of Electrical Engineer degree and she has put out feelers for next summer. All, so far, has required a master's. Guess what, she now is going for her master's. She wants to go to Manchester, England for that segment.

If you really do not want to put in 4 years, you might explore x ray tech. I think they are still 2 year Jr college certifications.
Russ

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Of course anything in the medical field, xray tech, therapist, lab tech, nurse and most short of Doctor don't require degrees, special schooling yes.

RN now usually if not always does require a degree as does Nurse Practioner in fact a NP with my doctor's office has a Doctor's degree (not sure what it is but it is medical related) - I'm not sure you can get LPN anymore which didn't require a degree.

Leroy I said most :biggrin:

 

[Displaced Canadian]

Another thing to keep in mind is just because a particular field is hiring that doesn't mean they are hiring anywhere you want to live. Also just because a field is hiring when you started school doesn't mean they will be hiring when you graduate. I have family members that have been on the short end of both those sticks. Look at who is actually hiring, and how many will be retiring in the next several years. Don't believe what you read on yahoo. On the other hand, a good number of people who go to secondary school don't end up working in the field they went to school for. Don't go to school just because you think you need to go. I barely graduated high school and if I'm making more than most people I know with 4 year degrees. It is good you are looking into this because it would really suck to be another statistic with a bachelors degree digging ditches.

 

[Smitty37]

Of course anything in the medical field, xray tech, therapist, lab tech, nurse and most short of Doctor don't require degrees, special schooling yes.

RN now usually if not always does require a degree as does Nurse Practioner in fact a NP with my doctor's office has a Doctor's degree (not sure what it is but it is medical related) - I'm not sure you can get LPN anymore which didn't require a degree.

Leroy I said most :biggrin:

You also said nurse specifically. Since the "most" follows "and" it would apply to the many other medical field careers short of Doctor....:biggrin:

 

[Joe S.]

I also like physics, so this could go anywhere. I need to look at specific degrees a little harder later, but right now just a little direction is good. I'll search engineering/math/physics type of degrees later. But I'll definitely keep an Econ minor in mind. Or maybe go for the PHd, who knows? :biggrin:

Keep in mind that your degree does not have to be what you work at. I worked as a Electronic Test Engineer for my 30 year business career doing what I liked to do - my degree is in Political Science which I liked to study (still do) and read related things like history.

There is a truth to that that I didn't really see until you said it, thanks!

I gave my kids this advice. Expect to have a job for no more than 10 years and expect to work for at least 5 different employers by the time you are 55. My daughters have avoided that my son's did not. BTW one of my son's has his BS in Electrical Engineering and has never done a day's worth of Engineering in his life....he is 50 years old.

I think if I was starting out today I'd take up driving one of those monster trucks they use around some mines - the ones where you nearly need a helocoptor to lift you up to the drivers seat.

THAT would be fun!

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Of course anything in the medical field, xray tech, therapist, lab tech, nurse and most short of Doctor don't require degrees, special schooling yes.

RN now usually if not always does require a degree as does Nurse Practioner in fact a NP with my doctor's office has a Doctor's degree (not sure what it is but it is medical related) - I'm not sure you can get LPN anymore which didn't require a degree.

Leroy I said most :biggrin:

You also said nurse specifically. Since the "most" follows "and" it would apply to the many other medical field careers short of Doctor....:biggrin:

Yes I said nurse and and you don't need a 4 year degree you can and most do go to a nursing school like Breckenridge ITT for an Associate 2 year course which you then can take the State exam (at least here in Oklahoma) the NCLEX exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Graduates may pursue careers as registered nurses in a variety of health care settings.

 

[Smitty37]

Of course anything in the medical field, xray tech, therapist, lab tech, nurse and most short of Doctor don't require degrees, special schooling yes.

RN now usually if not always does require a degree as does Nurse Practioner in fact a NP with my doctor's office has a Doctor's degree (not sure what it is but it is medical related) - I'm not sure you can get LPN anymore which didn't require a degree.

Leroy I said most :biggrin:

You also said nurse specifically. Since the "most" follows "and" it would apply to the many other medical field careers short of Doctor....:biggrin:

Yes I said nurse and and you don't need a 4 year degree you can and most do go to a nursing school like Breckenridge ITT for an Associate 2 year course which you then can take the State exam (at least here in Oklahoma) the NCLEX exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Graduates may pursue careers as registered nurses in a variety of health care settings.

I guess that has changed since I last looked at it -- probably due to the shortage of nurses -- in the late 1970s the states were adopting positions where the three year hospital courses were being phased out and BS in nursing was being phased in -- there were no 2 year AA programs. The college where I got my degree started granting BS in Nursing about 2 years before I got my degree which would put it about 1980 or so.

BTW you said degree ... not 4 year degree and even where there is a diploma it takes 3 years you'll need one of the three (BS, AS, Diploma) to get the NCLEX so you might as well go to college. Plumber is better....

 

[The Penguin]

IMO anything with engineer on the end of it is wanted, add what you like to the front, chemical engineer, structural engineer, etc

the problem is, today Engineer jobs almost Require a Master's. My grand daughter is in her senior year of Electrical Engineer degree and she has put out feelers for next summer. All, so far, has required a master's. Guess what, she now is going for her master's. She wants to go to Manchester, England for that segment.

If you really do not want to put in 4 years, you might explore x ray tech. I think they are still 2 year Jr college certifications.
Russ

I strongly disagree. I am a licensed PE - I have no more than a BS in civil engineering. If you want to specialize in certain engineering fields, then you go for a masters. For example, my wife is currently working on a masters in subsea engineering.

There is a lot of work for civil engineers out there - and it pays pretty well, if you're willing to occasionally get your hands dirty.

The only reason I foresee going for a masters would be an MBA. There is no need for an MSCE in civil engineering.

 

[Leatherman1998]

My brother is working on his IT degree. He should have it by the time he is 20. (homeschooled finished highschool when 16) IT is one of the fastest growing fields is the U.S.

Levi Woodard
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forum Runner

 

[Smitty37]

IMO anything with engineer on the end of it is wanted, add what you like to the front, chemical engineer, structural engineer, etc

the problem is, today Engineer jobs almost Require a Master's. My grand daughter is in her senior year of Electrical Engineer degree and she has put out feelers for next summer. All, so far, has required a master's. Guess what, she now is going for her master's. She wants to go to Manchester, England for that segment.

If you really do not want to put in 4 years, you might explore x ray tech. I think they are still 2 year Jr college certifications.
Russ

I strongly disagree. I am a licensed PE - I have no more than a BS in civil engineering. If you want to specialize in certain engineering fields, then you go for a masters. For example, my wife is currently working on a masters in subsea engineering.

There is a lot of work for civil engineers out there - and it pays pretty well, if you're willing to occasionally get your hands dirty.

The only reason I foresee going for a masters would be an MBA. There is no need for an MSCE in civil engineering.

At one time not too long ago you could get a PE license (in some states) without a degree but you did have to pass a very comprehensive and difficult examination get it - so few people without some higher education would try it.

 

[Smitty37]

My personal opinion is that many many fields today put entry requirements higher than is really needed simply because there are so many people getting degrees - a lot of them which do not serve as preparation for work in any specific field. Add to that the condition of our high schools that seem to be trying to graduate students with an education that's a mile wide and an inch deep and you have the formula for companies not wanting to hire high school graduates for much beyond flipping burgers.

The companies hire people with a BS/BA hoping to get people who can read and write at the high school level. During the Viet Nam war Colleges deliberately "dumbed down" to allow students to avoid the draft and while they slowly made their way back in some fields, in others it is still easy to go through the 4 years get a BS without learning much about anything that might be useful in a work career.

 

[Curly]

Joe. Do your own research as to job availability, pay, locations etc., because in many cases the councillors are there to fill seats in their school. Your best interests aren't served by someone that gets paid by that school.

 

[monark88]

IMO anything with engineer on the end of it is wanted, add what you like to the front, chemical engineer, structural engineer, etc

the problem is, today Engineer jobs almost Require a Master's. My grand daughter is in her senior year of Electrical Engineer degree and she has put out feelers for next summer. All, so far, has required a master's. Guess what, she now is going for her master's. She wants to go to Manchester, England for that segment.

If you really do not want to put in 4 years, you might explore x ray tech. I think they are still 2 year Jr college certifications.
Russ

I strongly disagree. I am a licensed PE - I have no more than a BS in civil engineering. If you want to specialize in certain engineering fields, then you go for a masters. For example, my wife is currently working on a masters in subsea engineering.

There is a lot of work for civil engineers out there - and it pays pretty well, if you're willing to occasionally get your hands dirty.

The only reason I foresee going for a masters would be an MBA. There is no need for an MSCE in civil engineering.

I'm sorry, I was speaking about EE degrees. You are right, Civil E. degrees do not Need a Post grad degree.

My grand daughter was offered the published starting salary of less than 50K by Sieman's, following her final year with a BS. She politely turned it down and chose to pursue grad work in Wave Technology--hopefully in England.

Her dad is an EE and does Not have a BS. He has over 200 credits but almost all are at the Jr college level. He VP of a small company. But he started out 25 years ago when one could get a technician's job and work you way up.(admittedly he has been extremely lucky).

Not so today, too many folks coming out of college with BS degrees. He won't hire new people without a masters today.

 

[Joe S.]

Joe. Do your own research as to job availability, pay, locations etc., because in many cases the councillors are there to fill seats in their school. Your best interests aren't served by someone that gets paid by that school.

My older brother found that out...

 

[NewLondon88]

I think if I was starting out today I'd take up driving one of those monster trucks they use around some mines - the ones where you nearly need a helocoptor to lift you up to the drivers seat.

Not for much longer. There are companies working on making those
fully automated, similar to the robotic warehouse machines. No operator
needed except programming and emergency override

 

[Marc]

You have received some excellent information and suggestions from the membership. I would only add that if you pursue something you like, something you have a strong interest in and can find a way to get paid for doing what you like, the word WORK will not be as much of a burden...

 

[Smitty37]

I think if I was starting out today I'd take up driving one of those monster trucks they use around some mines - the ones where you nearly need a helocoptor to lift you up to the drivers seat.

Not for much longer. There are companies working on making those
fully automated, similar to the robotic warehouse machines. No operator
needed except programming and emergency override

Do you sometimes get the feeling that we are heading for the "Terminator" scenero where we are starting to exist for the machines rather than the machines for us?

When we get to where everything is made and moved by machines - what will people do to stay out of trouble and feel useful? Keep in mind that even a substantial part of program coding is now 'automated' so we can generate more and more software with fewer and fewer people.


For a long time it seemed like every advance in technology created more jobs than it eliminated. Today it seems much the opposite, advances at least appear (to me) to cost more jobs than they create. That's scarey.

 

[Joe S.]

I think if I was starting out today I'd take up driving one of those monster trucks they use around some mines - the ones where you nearly need a helocoptor to lift you up to the drivers seat.

Not for much longer. There are companies working on making those
fully automated, similar to the robotic warehouse machines. No operator
needed except programming and emergency override

Do you sometimes get the feeling that we are heading for the "Terminator" scenero where we are starting to exist for the machines rather than the machines for us?

When we get to where everything is made and moved by machines - what will people do to stay out of trouble and feel useful? Keep in mind that even a substantial part of program coding is now 'automated' so we can generate more and more software with fewer and fewer people.


For a long time it seemed like every advance in technology created more jobs than it eliminated. Today it seems much the opposite, advances at least appear (to me) to cost more jobs than they create. That's scarey.

I nervously wonder what it will be like when I get old...

 

[Beedeejay]

Hi all,
This has been a very interesting thread,
And it is also quite funny to me as in Australia "BS" generally stands for Bull-s@&t
So reading about a form of degree in BS I find funny,

It also interests to see how America uses its Universty/ college system, as it looks to me it is "get a degree and we will look at hiring you" but then if you don't know what you want to be it seems you just take a punt on a degree and see where it ends up, and like a few people have said "I have a degree but not for the field I work in"
All through high school I knew I had the ability to have done a lot of things during and after university but I never wanted to go to university, so I left high school at the start of my last year and got an apprenticeship as a wood machinist, I did my trade in a kitchen making/ joinery shop, and I have never had as much fun "working" as I do when I'm making something, which I'm sure all of us pen turners can relate to,
Now I know people that earn over $90,000 - $100,000 a yr designing / installing kitchens, my cousin is one of them, I asked him if he still enjoys it after 20yrs his response was "always - except during winter when my back is sore"

So in response to the OP,
Think about what you really enjoy or are really interested in and work towards it, money isn't everything and it won't seem at all bad if you enjoy it, and who knows in 10 yrs time you might decide to completely change fields, but you will never know if you don't try in the first place,

Hopefully that is not to long winded and I didn't double check it but you get my drift, good luck

Cheers Ben

 

[Joe S.]

BS means the same thing over here, unless you are talking about degrees. :biggrin:
It's similar to when IAP members talk about Wood Turners Finish!

 

[kovalcik]

Here is a translation of American degrees for our friends down under:
BS: Bulls+++
MS: More of the Same
and PhD: Piled high and deep

 

[Waluy]

My personal experience with colleges (both community and university) have not been all that great.

Went to community college for an Associates in Automotive Technology, had to drop out because the complete engine overhaul I needed to do was too advanced for the classes I was in. Dropped out and immediately got a job working with/for a local mechanic. Then went and disassembled diesel engines for Detroit Diesel for three years.

While working as a diesel "mechanic" I went to Emporia State University to get my BS in Computer Science/Crime and Delinquency/Data Security (triple major) wound up dropping out due to work/school schedule conflicts and the fact I was having issues with classes I deemed as unnecessary (why does a computer technician need Comp I or Biology?)

My wife spent 6 years at ESU to get her BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education. After graduating she spent 2 years as a substitute teacher apply constantly for full time positions only to be told the teacher they thought was retiring changed their mind almost every time. Now she owns and operates a home daycare.

Now I have changed my perspective (after sitting at a desk 8 hours a day at my current job I figured out its not for me) and am in the process of joining the IBEW (electrician's union). So my advice pick something you feel you really want to do and go for it but don't be surprised if you find out/decide a few years down the road its not all you thought it was going to be. Be prepared for change and know that some employers really do just want a degree in whatever. My current employer has two people working as Electrical Engineers that have degrees in Hospitality Management.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Life is far to short to have a career you dislike - find out what you want to do, chart a career path to see what is needed to achieve that career, and then find a way to make it happen.

I have three university degrees, so I've spent a fair amount of money on education - but not a dollar of it was wasted, as I enjoyed (and learned something from) every minute of the classes (except perhaps my vector geometry and linear algebra course - I don't really like the abstract nature of that sort of math)

A cautionary tale: I did a lot of sampling in school - a course from each area - which is a really expensive way to find out what you enjoy! The moral is - find out what you enjoy doing first - try volunteering, or speak directly with the businesses on the front line to see about job prospects - BEFORE you drop a ton on tuition costs.