I'm at a career crossroads and have zero clue what I want to do. I feel depressed and anxious about my future. What should I do?
This is quite a common problem with intelligent people.So firstly, start with staying calm and being grateful and appreciate that you have gotten this far and for what you have. It takes a long time for people to figure things out and most people are pushed into whatever their parents want or what they think society wants. So be glad you are better than that and can make your own decisions.Secondly, the most important thing is get out of your house! Go and experience things, talk to strangers and people, ask them what they do and ask for some detail (not too much that it makes you sound creepy). You kill two birds with one stone, you are socializing and networking AND getting an idea of what is out there and broadening your mind as to what exists. Maybe something they say inspires you or gives you something to research online. Join clubs, I do gym, swimming, archery, play guitar and drums, sailing, windsurfing, hiking. There must be something that interests you to help you get out.Thirdly, and I know it is weird and almost contradictory but watching movies and tv shows. Im not talking about Game of Thrones etc. something with substance that can be applicable. You never know where it come from. I was watching Criminal Minds and was inspired by the aircraft they used to fly in lol. I was inspired by technology and physics by watching alot of futuristic movies Intersteller, The Martian, the Cosmos Series, Ex-machina and it pushed me into AI.My point is the more experience you get by living and getting out and interacting with people, the better chance you have of finding something that interests you .
Why did you choose to continue to teach when you hit a crossroads?
Like Larry said, I’d been in a particular school for a number of years teaching the same 5th grade classes, same type of kids, same ol’ same ol. I was bored. I got so I dreaded going to school. So come that next spring I switched schools, grade level and subject. I have 2 MS degrees and I am licensed in 6 areas including Administration. I can teach English, Science, History, Special Reading, or K-8 Elementary. I switched to a Middle School and took a “double prep”—7th Grade Science and US History. It was great! Admin at the new school and the History dept “reversed” the curriculum, so instead of beginning with Columbus and all that “ancient” history and maybe getting thru to WWI—we began with “modern-more recent history”. We worked backwards beginning with the 1970’s, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, The Korean War, etc. And since I’d “lived thru” most of it so it was even more fun/interesting to share and bring in folks who also had also “been there, done that, bought the t-shirt”. My neighbor’s father was visiting from AZ. He had been in the Navy in WWII and in Hawaii when the Japanese hit Pearl Harbor! He came to speak with the classes and the kids were sitting on the edges of their seats with his stories and accounts of that day! I’d showed them the “original” film “Tora, Tora, Tora” . They were “primed” and the questions and discussions were amazing! What a day!! The gentleman agreed to plan his family visits for the next several years so he could come again to the school and after that first time he brought is pictures and memorabilia. It was wonderful, first hand experience stories for the kids!7th Grade Science in our district is Earth Science. We live in a desert valley surrounded by mountains. What exciting field trips! The kids could see and experience the rock/mountain formations up close and personal! I made a game of the water cycle and we toured Hoover Dam. We built a model of the Colorado River and it’s tributaries and they discovered just how much of that once raging river no longer makes it to the sea. So much fun, something new every day! I loved it! Teaching was fun again!
Have you ever been in a career crossroad? How did you deal with it?
I was once working in Project Controls with a large electric utility company with a boss that I liked. The work was interesting, safe and my future pretty much plotted out with a potential slow progression through the ranks. A Manger had left the company to become a Director at a smaller company. He called me and invited me to lunch to discuss me joining his company.He was with a Cogeneration Power company and the position he was offering me was Administrative Manager of Cogeneration Subsidiaries.This was a situation where I would leave a safe and secure job and jump into a position that I didn’t quite understand with a smaller, edgier company. It was a little scary for me. After a couple of weeks of arguing pros and cons with myself, I finally accepted. I think my final conclusion was the acknowledgement that I was young enough to fail and get back on my feet — and that I needed to break out of that safe place into something with movement.It worked out, with a lot of bumps and grinds and mistakes along the way. I ended up working in the co-generation field for twelve years for various companies.
I'm at a crossroads. Should I choose computer science or work in entertainment for money and an overall sense of fulfillment?
What you should first understand is that the decision you make will not determine what you will indefinitely do for the rest of your life.Studying computer science does not mean you won't have a social life or miss out on working on exciting things. Going into entertainment does not necessarily mean you will be paid a low salary or have a better social life. Everyone has a goal and it is vital you find out exactly what you want to achieve, where you want to be and what you love the most, because in the end, you'll end up circling back to doing what you enjoy. Don't waste time following pre-assumptions. It is up to you to make the most of what you are doing and try to be the best at what you do.I studied computer science at university and it was perhaps the best decision I ever made because of this reason: A career in technology gives you access to any industry. Everyone is looking for programmers, software engineers, etc. and if you really want to go into the entertainment industry, then why not work as a software engineer in that industry? I am a software engineer / data scientist for a media monitoring startup near Silicon Roundabout, London, and I should say that there is no other vibrant place full of socially incredible people as where I am now. I've networked with people from entertainment, food, marketing, health - you name it. You can also make a ton of money as a developer/engineer.As Steve Reid mentioned, computer scientists have a particular mindset and take particular approaches to solving problems that not many others know about. I'm a massive advocate of teaching programming to kids because it would introduce a new way of thinking about solving basic problems.If you really want to get into entertainment and it is your passion, then go for it, because no matter what else you do, regret will always be stuck at the back of your mind. I guarantee that you'll be very good at what you enjoy and you will make a lot of money doing so.
How do you choose a college when your major is "undecided"?
You have to think hard what do you want to do in life or think about subjects which you are good at and revolve your major around it. When I was in high school, I have taken business classes and I liked it, so I am an Accounting major now. The reason why I chose Accounting was that I can easily find a job with an Accounting degree but I am interested in Finance and Economics. I am at a community college but this fall, I am going to Rutgers Business School because I live in New Jersey and it has a really good reputation plus it is cheaper than private schools. Its hard to pick a good college without knowing what your major might be. The reason is that a college cannot be known for good reputation for all majors. So, once you pick your major, it would be easier to select a college
Electrician or Nurse?
I'm at a crossroads in life. Im trying to pick between electrician or a nurse as a career. I have a B.S. in Counseling/Bible I have 6 months experience in the electrical field. I live in New Jersey. In order to become an electrician I would have to work 5 years as an electricians helper making anywhere from $10-16 an hour, and go to some additional school, then pass the electricians test. Or I could use the B.S. I already have and go back to school to get a B.S. in nursing and work any job I could find (not just electricians helper) and hopefully make more than $10-16 per hour. If anyone is knowledgable about either of these fields then please shoot some holes through these ideas. I know its a decision i just have to make, but if there is anything i should know about either field.. Pros or cons.. please let me know! Thanks!
Is psychology a natural science or a social science? Why?
Social science is the scientific study of human society and social relationships.On the other hand, natural science deals with the physical world.According to these definitions, psychology would fall under the natural science group.Psychology is also commonly called as the science of behaviour and often consists of observing the overt (physical behaviour) and covert (mental cognitive processes) behaviour. It is due to this characteristic that psychology is considered more of a natural science than a social science.
Best ways to become electrician?
I totally agree with the previous answer. My husband & son are IBEW electricians. And my father,and grandfather were also, and on my husband's side his father was an electrician for Mobile Oil.The difference is simply a matter of personal preferance. My father-in-law was specially trained on the electrical machines his particular shop used. Although he could have been transferred to a different Mobile Oil facility, and possibly a few other factories that used those types of machines, it was a pretty limited career choice. Where, with all the training in the apprentiship programs, with IBEW, you can work on many different types of electricity. From a small job hooking up lights in a college classroom, to wiring the controls for aircraft, he is qualified. Professional persons are often surprised to walk into a conversation and find that where the average, highly trained college employee might make say 50,000 per yr, a reasonable amount here, my husband makes around $75,000.00 per year. We have a good hospitalization policy, and a great annuity. He's met a lot of great people and still dont know them all. I think its a good way to make a living.
Which board exam is important, class 10 or 12?
Hey, guys. I'll answer this question very honestly with my own experience in Class X and Class XII BOARDS.First of all, both Board exams are really important and play a major role in your life. The experience you get giving your boards is the major takeaway. Let's divide it into two parts.CLASS X:Majority of students are 15/16 years old when they take up Class 10 Boards. It is the first ever time when you are not competing against your classmates but all of the nation's students of Class 10. It is the first major crossroad of your life where you select your future stream.The main thing that the marks you score in Class 10 does is, it puts you in a good school for Class 11 and 12. If you have a good score you can easily select your stream and a good school. If you don't have a good score, you will face a bit of hard time selecting your preferred stream.The experience you gain is really important. It is the first time you understand filling up an OMR sheet or any other thing. It is the first time when you visit some other school to write your papers. It literally is a transition phase from childhood to adolescence.I literally enjoyed my Class 10 exams to the most and loved travelling to my exam centre school, cheating, gossiping before exams and other things.CLASS XII:Two years after your Class 10 Boards come the Class 12 exams. It is in class 11 and 12 where you understand what studying really means. Lessons get tougher, classes are longer and you have to study much more.The marks over here mean the same as Class 10. There you needed good marks for your preferred stream and good school. Similarly, in Class 12 you need good marks for your preferred College.Although there are a few other things where your Class XII marks will haunt you. If you are taking up JEE you need to score above a particular threshold. During CAT exams, your Class 12 marks are taken into account for the percentile. For applying into several jobs, you need to have a required percentage in Class 12. And some other places.THE BOTTOM LINE:Good marks means happier parents and teachers. It's only a while when your results matter. The knowledge and experience you gain are the most important things.If you don't score good, there is nothing to worry. There will be plenty of other chances to prove yourself.CHEERS..!!