Interesting Careers?

determined88 · October 6, 2006, 3:11pm

[quote]Robert Monti wrote:
The most important thing is to study something you find interesting. If you’re split down the middle between medicine and banking, a double major of economics and biology would be a good idea. I’m told that at most universities, the business school econ programs do not require many electives so you can use your free electives to major in one of the sciences.

It may seem ambitous but I’ve seen it done.[/quote]

funny you say that because that is what I was thinking of. I was going to major in Bio then econ but now Im thinking of majoring in one minoring in the other.

vision1 · October 6, 2006, 4:06pm

I’ve always wanted to be a spy…

Maverick908 · October 6, 2006, 4:19pm

FWIW…Your self-described career interests seem more about the money than the job. I have interviewed hundreds of MBAs that have wanted to be investment bankers or consultants but had no idea what the jobs entailed, they were simply drawn by the money. Likewise, I have seen lots of people in these professions leave after a couple years because they really don’t like what they are doing, despite the money. There is some good advice on this thread. You need to take a good hard look at your interests and go from there. You will be more fulfilled doing something you truly enjoy. Additionally, if you are doing something you enjoy, you will work harder at it and probably end up making more money in the long run. I am guessing that you are 17 or 18 right now. Trying to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life at that age is a good exercise, but odds are that what you end up doing 30 years from now is dramatically different from what you think you want to do today. Good luck.

buffalokilla · October 6, 2006, 4:43pm

[quote]vision1 wrote:
I’ve always wanted to be a spy…[/quote]

Major in Chuck Norris.

Sounds like majoring in bio and minoring in business may be a good way to go, OP. Then you could go either way at graduation.

-Dan

Rusty_Barbell · October 6, 2006, 5:28pm

What is with all the pro-dentistry people? The last time I checked, here at IU, all the people who went into dentistry were those who failed to get into the School of Medicine; a far more lucrative and challenging option in my opinion.

I am a graduate student doing biochemistry research. It’s a good field, but not if you work for the wrong people (ie, new profs or dickheads). If you are going to a big Univ. with good professors that can teach you and show you what it takes to succeed in this area, as well as enjoy science, then that’s a good choice (biochem major or chem major). I will most likely work for a drug company in the future developing drugs, given the stature of my prof., his ties within the industry and my intelligence and drive to innovate.

Business… ah… well if you want to go that route then I won’t stop you, but realize that you and Microsoft Excel will be best pals by the end of college. Analyzing spreadsheets are not my idea of a fun job.

scotty144 · October 6, 2006, 5:46pm

[quote]JimmyBoom wrote:
I’m an acting major. Being an actor is an interesting career–interesting hours, success is dependent on your own ability to motivate yourself and train yourself, and also how to market yourself.

and it’s a tough field so you have to work extremely hard, but if you “make it,” well, you can clearly do really well.

But it’s what I love, and if you’re not doing what you love to do then why are you working at it?

.02

The Boomster[/quote]

Out of curiosity…I know Hollywood ‘A’ list actors make stupid money…but can one make a living as an actor who doesn’t appear in TV or main stream movies?

djoh615893 · October 6, 2006, 7:09pm

I’m in the Army, as Military Police. I get to go all over the world and work with every walk of life. I’ve met some really interesting people and have been in a spectrum of experiences from walking alongside a general office as his guard, to checking in on areas so secret that God probably doesn’t know about them, to patrolling the streets of Baghdad (this involves many days of being shot at with a laundry list of Soviet era weaponry and roadside bombs).

A lot of days, it sucks ass on a level that most people are unaware of. However, along with it being really hard and demanding, the pride and honor and accomplishment involved is unmatched. Plus, I get to run teams and use some of the most badass equipment ever produced.

If college doesn’t work out, give this a try if you don’t mind some hard work and being around some crazy people. You don’t have to spend too long doing it, and they will pay for your college bill. I wouldn’t take back a moment of my 8 years.

Kreal7 · October 7, 2006, 12:29am

[quote]Rusty Barbell wrote:
What is with all the pro-dentistry people? The last time I checked, here at IU, all the people who went into dentistry were those who failed to get into the School of Medicine; a far more lucrative and challenging option in my opinion.

I am a graduate student doing biochemistry research. It’s a good field, but not if you work for the wrong people (ie, new profs or dickheads). If you are going to a big Univ. with good professors that can teach you and show you what it takes to succeed in this area, as well as enjoy science, then that’s a good choice (biochem major or chem major). I will most likely work for a drug company in the future developing drugs, given the stature of my prof., his ties within the industry and my intelligence and drive to innovate.

Business… ah… well if you want to go that route then I won’t stop you, but realize that you and Microsoft Excel will be best pals by the end of college. Analyzing spreadsheets are not my idea of a fun job.[/quote]

Congratulations on getting into the school of medicine…That’s great. I just say this because it seemed like you wanted applause.

I think being a dentist would be a great job. You work 4 days a week while making good money. Although I think the extra two years of school to become an orthodontist would be worth it.

GymGeek · October 7, 2006, 12:33am

Find something you would do for free, and then make the bastards pay for it. I’m a professional Umpire. Nothing better.

lesotho72 · October 7, 2006, 1:08am

[quote]GymGeek wrote:
Find something you would do for free, and then make the bastards pay for it. I’m a professional Umpire. Nothing better.[/quote]

Cool job. MLB umpire? One of my old friend’s dad was a pro NBA ref. The mom divorced him and married a fat drug dealer. Sort of a step down…but I digress

grew7 · October 7, 2006, 2:21am

I’m almost your age and I have no idea what I’m going to do either.

I just know that I don’t want to work for anyone. I don’t want a job. I want a business. As long as I am self-employed, and able to support myself, I will be happy.

Maybe these are the questions you should ask yourself? Instead of trying to think of what you might want to do, maybe you should try to think of what you definitely don’t want to do. Then maybe list things you’d feel disappointed to know you couldn’t do.

mk9576 · October 7, 2006, 4:37am

[quote]Rusty Barbell wrote:
What is with all the pro-dentistry people? The last time I checked, here at IU, all the people who went into dentistry were those who failed to get into the School of Medicine; a far more lucrative and challenging option in my opinion.

I am a graduate student doing biochemistry research. It’s a good field, but not if you work for the wrong people (ie, new profs or dickheads). If you are going to a big Univ. with good professors that can teach you and show you what it takes to succeed in this area, as well as enjoy science, then that’s a good choice (biochem major or chem major). I will most likely work for a drug company in the future developing drugs, given the stature of my prof., his ties within the industry and my intelligence and drive to innovate.

Business… ah… well if you want to go that route then I won’t stop you, but realize that you and Microsoft Excel will be best pals by the end of college. Analyzing spreadsheets are not my idea of a fun job.[/quote]

Dentistry is by far one of the best careers out there. My wife is a dentist , my father is a dentist, and was a dentist but am now in a dual degree Oral/Maxillofacial residency (DMD, MD).
Most dentists work 30/wk and easily take home 6 figures. As for dental students being those who did not get accepted to med school, that is crap! Medicine is not that great of a prof., I’m in med school as we speak at one of the best programs in the country and I can easily say dental school was harder.

You can get accepted to dental school after 3 years of undergrad and then complete 4 years of dental school, w/o doing a residency like medicine and make 6 figures as soon as you get your degree.

Also, the ADA and dentists have done a good job at hiding their true earning potential. Most of the figures out there on salary estimates are not accurate for good reason, to protect the profession. Plus you don’t have to deal with insurances or medicare if you choose, making your practice fee for service.

Keep your GPA high thru undergrad because dental school is not easy to get accepted to.

ABC news ran a story recently this Sept. which listed which professions are making the most $ according to the most recent gov. survey. The following is what I remeber from the clip:

1.Oral/maxillofacial surgeons
2.Orthodontists
3.Prosthodontists
4.Anesthesiologists
5.Internal Medicine and sub specialties/includes cardiology
6.Surgeons
7.?
8.CEO’s
9.?
10.?

Unfortunately the clip is not available online anymore.

phantom88 · October 7, 2006, 11:33pm

I to am interested in pursuing a carrer in dentistry but like stated above will eventually go into the oral surgery field. The pay is great, hours are great and overall the field seems very interesting.

CU_AeroStallion · October 8, 2006, 12:19am

I work airplane design, we do lots of testing too. Both on the ground and in flight.

You gotto be pretty smart for this though. How’s that saying go???

“when a rocket scientist fucks up, people die”

charbreath · October 8, 2006, 2:16am

I’m a guitar player. It’s fun.

BarneyFife · October 8, 2006, 3:08am

I walk into bars and liqour stores, buy liqour, and then get arrrested. Then I do it again. woohoo.

Eventually, I will be a cop.

Seeing all this money floating around makes me think I should get a masters in something other then public administration, just so if I have a family eventually I can make a few more dollars then a policeman’s salary if I need too.

Or If I wanted a family, I could live in a mobile home, and shop at dollar general.

Aleksandr · October 8, 2006, 11:47pm

[quote]mk9576 wrote:
Rusty Barbell wrote:
What is with all the pro-dentistry people? The last time I checked, here at IU, all the people who went into dentistry were those who failed to get into the School of Medicine; a far more lucrative and challenging option in my opinion.