What would you have chosen as a different path for your life?

AnotherKD · #1 01-25-2010, 04:15 PM

So I'm at work, bored out of my mind, and just thinking about what I would have done if I would have a "do-over". Go to a different college? Have a different major? Try to get different jobs in a different city?

I always thought about going to med school before college, and while my grades were good enough, I'll admit that I'm too damn lazy. I like DC enough, but my job (ahem, excuse me, my career path) is KILLIN' ME. Money is decent but things sure are boring and I don't feel like what I do makes much of a difference. But, it's not like my liberal arts degree and MA are worth much anymore (at least here), and I obviously can't get into a specialized field unless I simply quit, re-enroll in college, and spend money that I don't have.

I think I would have made a great archaeologist. No joke. Or a vet. I could see myself getting into those fields if I had a do-over.

What about yourselves? What do you WANT to be doing? You may be doing one job now, but looking back with 20/20 hindsight, what would you have done?

Senusret I · #2 01-25-2010, 04:21 PM

Not that I don't love my live, because really I do....

But I think I perhaps could have ended up an actor.

agzg · #3 01-25-2010, 04:25 PM

I just want to get an actual job in what I studied to do. That'd be freaking sweet.

tld221 · #4 01-25-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Not that I don't love my live, because really I do....

But I think I perhaps could have ended up an actor.

you've got the celebrity for it. and there's still time.

i wouldve attempted to lose weight - i mean, make lifestyle changes - a long time ago, so i could be all svelte and what not.

I don't know if id want to be an actor, but being a child prodigy wouldve been awesome. this all feeds into my ultimate goal in being an expert in something.

nikki1920 · #5 01-25-2010, 05:00 PM

I wish I had stuck to my guns and dropped that first semester due to medical issues. My life would have been so different, I think.

I also wish I had tried to persue what's-his-name a lot sooner (shut up, Sen!).

cheerfulgreek · #6 01-25-2010, 05:28 PM

I dunno, I can't think of anything. I'm very happy with my life, as of now, I guess. If anything, maybe a career change in planetary physics--but for the most part, I am very happy with my choices in life.

epchick · #7 01-25-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I dunno, I can't think of anything. I'm very happy with my life, as of now, I guess. If anything, maybe a career change in planetary physics--but for the most part, I am very happy with my choices in life.

what is planetary physics? The planetary part sounds interesting....not so much the physics part.

I have really been thinking about this lately seeing as how it's been almost 2 years since I graduated college and still have found nothing.

I wish I could back and apply to EVERY school I was interested. Some of them i decided not to b/c I didn't want to waste the app fee. Maybe if I had, i could have found a school that would have given me some kind of scholarship/financial aid. Shoot...i had the grades (graduated w/ a 4.0) but i still couldn't get any merit type aid from any school.

I'd also stick to what I really liked. My 2 "loves" have been international relations and Criminology....my university didn't have a major (or anything) for either. Now i'm thinking of grad school, but I don't think i could get into one of those fields w/ my degree.

AnotherKD · #8 01-26-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

I have really been thinking about this lately seeing as how it's been almost 2 years since I graduated college and still have found nothing.

I'd also stick to what I really liked. My 2 "loves" have been international relations and Criminology....my university didn't have a major (or anything) for either. Now i'm thinking of grad school, but I don't think i could get into one of those fields w/ my degree.

If it makes you feel any better, I have a Summa Cum Laude BA in IR and also a Masters in IR, plus three foreign languages. I live in DC. And I STILL am not in that field! It is ROUGH out here.

I know that being in a job that I don't like "destroys my psyche", and I am always looking for something else. But I guess a paycheck is what keeps me here. I just put a smile on my face and deal with it, waiting until I get home to enjoy my time there.

agzg · #9 01-26-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

If it makes you feel any better, I have a Summa Cum Laude BA in IR and also a Masters in IR, plus three foreign languages. I live in DC. And I STILL am not in that field! It is ROUGH out here.

I know that being in a job that I don't like "destroys my psyche", and I am always looking for something else. But I guess a paycheck is what keeps me here. I just put a smile on my face and deal with it, waiting until I get home to enjoy my time there.

That's my problem - Magna Cum Laude BA in International Government/Foreign Languages and a MPIA (Master's in Public and International Affairs). IR is a hard field to break into, for sure.

ETA: (Damn I'm locquatious today) - epchick my grad school took many many people who didn't have IR backgrounds but had a strong interest in it. PM me if you're really thinking about grad school for IR.

CougarGrad · #10 01-26-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

I'd also stick to what I really liked. My 2 "loves" have been international relations and Criminology....my university didn't have a major (or anything) for either. Now i'm thinking of grad school, but I don't think i could get into one of those fields w/ my degree.

I re-read more carefully and just saw this. Don't be discouraged... I have a BA in Russian Studies and I'm starting my grad studies in Criminology this fall. You just may be able to make it work!

AnotherKD · #11 01-25-2010, 05:34 PM

cheerfulgreek, I'm super jealous. I wish I had actually worked hard (instead of slacking off a bit) and done what I know NOW I could have done, but I guess that's where I am right now and why I'm doing what I'm doing. I know I'm lucky to have a well-paying job and a house and husband I love, but it sure would be nice if I didn't wake up every morning and as soon as I think about going to work, I think... UURRRRGGGGHHHHH...... dammit.......

:-)

DaemonSeid · #12 01-25-2010, 05:36 PM

If I had really stuck with it, I would have been commissioned in the Army right now.

Kind of funny how a little bit of messed up paperwork on their part that could have easily been fixed has changed where I am right now.

But like CG said, I am pretty happy where I am in life.

Things happen for a reason and very rarely do I dwell on things such as that.

"...I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque"

tld221 · #13 01-25-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I dunno, I can't think of anything. I'm very happy with my life, as of now, I guess. If anything, maybe a career change in planetary physics--but for the most part, I am very happy with my choices in life.

i knew this would be your answer. but im really happy for you, being content with your life and all.

cheerfulgreek · #14 01-25-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tld221

i knew this would be your answer. but im really happy for you, being content with your life and all.

lol
Thanks.

ThetaPrincess24 · #15 01-25-2010, 06:06 PM

If I had a complete fo over I would not have two degrees in management or nursing and would go the history/archaeology route, in particularly biblical archaeology. I would like the teach at the university level.