I work as a business development manager for a large organization. I would like to work full-time on Hubski. How about you?
I know a guy that knows a guy... I just watched the Dark Knight Rises for the first time the other night. I really enjoyed it, hell of an ending.
If you don't look at it too deeply it's great, but when you start realistically critiquing it, well... don't start realistically critiquing it.
It's kind of hard to realistically critique a movie about a man that dresses up in a bat costume and fights crime as being too far fetched or unrealistic.
Some of it is suspension of disbelief (Shoot if Phoenix Jones exists in real life, I'll allow for Batman to exist in a movie), but sometimes you have to wonder. For example: 1. The stock exchange bankruptcy. Guys break into the stock exchange with Waynes fingerprints and bankrupt him. Put that in front of any judge and that'll be reversed in minutes. He might not get his money back instantly, but c'mon. Seriously. 2. There is a TV with cable and electricity in the prison pit. Let the logistics of that sink in. 3. Bruce is thrown into this prison pit without his magic leg brace (remember how he had no cartilage in his knee?) and climbs out... What? 4. Every cop in the city goes into the sewer at the same time because I don't know why (911 calls, what are those?). Why not call in the Army, Marines, etc.? 5. The end explosion. Oh lawd don't even get me started there because there is too many ways that this is a problem. Lets just say there won't be a fourth movie because everyone in Gotham got cancer from radiation and died, and leave it at that. Those are just the glaring problems.
Those are all valid points, for sure. The last one, about the explosion is one that I thought about while watching it. All the others I was able to suspend belief for. I didn't consider this one:
Bruce is thrown into this prison pit without his magic leg brace (remember how he had no cartilage in his knee?) and climbs out... What?
That's a good observation. Perhaps it was a rehabilitation brace?
Oh you have no idea: http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/tdkr
The film begins by asking: what happens if conservative law-and-order policies actually worked? The answer, we quickly learn, is that it destroys the people behind them. Without anything to fight, Bruce Wayne is just a reclusive withered husk, while Commissioner Gordon is actually going to be fired. Given that these are two of the film’s most sympathetic characters, we naturally tend to deplore this situation. And so the film’s first key point: the champions of law-and-order do not truly want to succeed at their stated mission.
I think they are in ruin because you can't build a house on a foundation of lies. Obviously Comish Gordon is struggling with the lies he told in order to preserve the memory of Dent and build legislation on the back this lie. -This taints the peace. I think that is the theme here.
I make a modest living writing erotica. At first I wrote smut, for the money, and then when I started finding a method of story around the action of sex I started getting into more interesting things, which led me to erotica. The turn into better material cut my income big-time, so now I wash dishes, too =) I'd like to write for a living, and make pornography that isn't so vapid and demeaning, and raises sex in fiction to the place it is in our real lives: a huge cause of many motivations, and one of the most potent experiences we can have.
and raises sex in fiction to the place it is in our real lives: a huge cause of many motivations, and one of the most potent experiences we can have.
That's a pretty noble goal. Sex, as you describe, is certainly the biggest driver of behavior that I can think of. People may deny that but once you dive in to the details of what we do and why we do it, it almost always comes down to sex.
Yeah! It's always at least an undercurrent. If you think about the usual aspirations for a modern man or woman... career, family, big house, nice car, ect. There seems to always be an element of trying to attract the opposite sex. It's a shame it isn't talked about more explicitly or in-depth, because sex is so intensely confusing for so many people. In the U.S. all we get is a basic run-down of mostly obvious things... what goes where and how to not get sick. What about how to please your partner? Or awareness of self-esteem issues rooted in sexual insecurity? Why don't we hear about pioneers in sexuality, even politicians like Harvey Milk, in school? Sexuality only receives negative examples in most medias... perverts (whatever that means) and rapists. We get reinforced to believe that sex is kept in a dark corner of our lives, when really it's all around us all the time. Think about how many people watch porn! The porn industry makes more money than Hollywood! A huge percentage of the U.S. population watches porn, and who even pays for porn?! We're sexual creatures, but nobody wants to talk about it. Sexuality is a huge part of a person's individuality, and it seems like it would do everyone a lot of good to be familiar and comfortable with themselves. End rant.
It was a good rant. You're right that it tends to be treated as something to be wary of or ashamed of instead of something that can be beautiful, fun and extremely pleasurable. Everything has its dark side, but why only focus in that?
I've read her diaries, and they were great! Too long winded for a modern audience, but with so few people writing seriously about sex it was great to find someone who has done something similar in the past and learn by her example. Thanks for the tip.
I teach an after-school program for predominantly low-income K-8th grade students. Each day after school I help my kids with their homework, plan activities & play games. I also drive a shuttle bus back and forth from a local elementary school a few times each day. Part of each morning is spent updating content on my center's Facebook and Pinterest pages with the intent of reaching parents in the local community. Right now, I could see myself doing one of three things with my life. I would love to teach science at a local middle school. I find teaching and working with children to be extremely rewarding, even if it doesn't pay very well. At the same time, I would also like working on & tinkering with computers, so I would really enjoy opening up my own local computer repair shop, or perhaps designing websites for local businesses, something of that nature. Lastly, I really like playing Magic and collecting comic books, so I think I would enjoy opening up a local game store and selling both of those things for a living.
Do you like the new block of Magic? I've been thinking about buying back into the game. I haven't played since Scars after starting in Ravnica.
I hear you there... I spent upwards of $100 last time I tried playing... ended up selling the cards back for maybe $15.
I spent like $300 last time I made a competitive deck, and lord knows how much I've spent on booster packs. And after all that, my favourite decks are silly combo decks and tribal decks. I still want to make a legacy turbofog deck, though.
If you ever open up that store, be sure to carry mk's RPG book
Currently, I'm unemployed but studying Religion at University. I would love to found a monastery in the city and live in that community, leading it into the city to clean things up and actively pursue social justice issues. I would spend my leisure time reading and writing books.
Good luck with your studies Skippy. Hope you're able to have the impact you envision and then some.
You wouldn't happen to be involved in the New Monastic movement would you?
I've got the book and am reading it now; I've also been around the War College and talked to the guy in charge there. I'm fascinated by the idea, and being part of the Salvation Army has surrounded me with like-minded people.
Cool, I first heard about it in bible college when I read Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals. Best of luck to you!
Currently serving in the military. It's dreadful. I have no idea what I want to do eventually. I'm interested in pursuing a CS degree, but also interested in pursuing writing, learning history or philosophy, travelling, and bringing about the revolution.
I was half-joking, but the intention behind the joke is genuine: I hope to see society transform into an anarchist one. What I mean by "bringing it about" is that I hope that, whatever it may be, my future occupation will further humanity towards this ideal.
I'm interested in pursuing a CS degree, but also interested in pursuing writing, learning history or philosophy, traveling,
-I wonder if there is a way to satisfy all of these things? The CS degree is sort of separate but you could certainly write about history and philosophy on the same pages, right?
I'm an architect in Vancouver. Working for a small firm called SHAPE. It's pretty decent work, NEVER boring. I really wouldn't want to stray too far from this kind of work. Would be nicer to have bigger budgets for more design fee. I'd like to get into the position where I would only take on a few projects a year, but make them really sweet. If I wasn't doing this, I might like to try medicine. And I still do dream about being in a touring band, but part of me likes just keeping it a dream.
but part of me likes just keeping it a dream.
-Maybe the best thing I've heard/read all day. There's something to say for the "dream", it's often far more interesting than the reality.
I'm a part time student pursuing a degree in Jazz Studies and a part time technician at a place called UBREAKIFIX where I repair smartphones, game consoles, etc. What would I like to do?
I'd much rather serve with the Peace Corps and eventually live without money. As in, literally no money and rely on the land to provide for me. Once I pay off my student loans, that's what I'm going to do. So why did I even go to school? One of the greatest tragedies of life is that we wise up too late. The idea of living off the land has been fermenting in me for since I was senior in high school. However, the concept didn't solidify itself until about 6 months ago. So, until I pay off my student loans, I'll continue to live in a society full of discontent, a lack of appreciation, and mass consumerism. Do you think you'd ever be able to work on Hubski full time? Would the site have to incorporate ads in any way to bring in some sort of income? I feel that most of the people have made up their own opinions already, so ads wouldn't really affect our purchasing methods.
You might look into this: http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/man-who-quit-money-0 great radio piece on an interesting dude.
Oh, I've read the book about his life twice. I went to Moab actually over the summer and kept my eyes peeled for him. Unfortunately, I didn't see him. It was cool just knowing I was near him though.
Woah, that's a strange coincidence. I think that store right now is a father and son fleece clothing shop. I don't think they're going to last very long.
Online marketing at a large organization, specializing in local search. Started with the same company as a contractor doing front-end design for the mothership .com site(s), was hired full time and moved into my current position early last year. It's fun, creative work at its best and provides great pay, benefits, and plenty of opportunities to meet intelligent people. At its worst there are big company politics, the occasional lack of autonomy, and the slow grind of working with the technology organization. What I'd like to do for a living: write words and music. I've done some scores for student and low-budget films, primarily for friends, and I'd like to do more with that. In sum, I'd like to be paid for my point of view. Where some people in the arts are a little freaked out by STEM dominance, I consider it a great opportunity. As we fast forward into the future what makes us human is going to matter more than ever before (or at least since, I don't know, the Inquisition). It's taken shape in a lot of the more precious aspects of contemporary culture, but only as it relates to production - craftspeople making jeans, eyeglasses, furniture, etc. - but my hope is (at the risk of seeming like a parody of Werner Herzog) that this desire for the "real" continues to progress to deeper and more fundamental aspects of our human nature.
If you wrote a song for my quartet, I'm sure we'd love to play it. We could potentially pay you for it also.
Haha, I don't think it was sent. But yeah. Write out a tune and we'd love to play it.
I'm a researcher at a laboratory. I enjoy what I do, but I just wish I didn't have to seek funding and write papers. That's the unfun part. Otherwise if I didn't do what I did, I would like to do art, music, and/or independent games or board games. Or be an astronaut.
That whole "seeking funding" thing seems to be a thorn in many a researchers side. I didn't know anything about that aspect of research till I met mk.
That's what most senior scientists do. Give talks and seek out funding for junior scientists. I'm still relatively junior, but I already feel the pinch of losing of active research time. It's kind of the circle of life in research. Of course, senior scientists become more respected and have more clout to do big picture or "50,000'" research. Though at this point, the senior scientist doesn't necessarily have time to do the detailed research or worry about the minutia anymore. They have become a manager at this point. For university professors, it's even worse for them and one of the reasons I didn't become a professor. From the very start, they are expected to seek out funding for graduate students, and the graduate students are the ones that write the papers. Of course, there are the superhuman professors and rock-star senior scientists that still are able to first-author papers, but that's fairly rare for the majority. I suspect this is the way of life for many trades and professions, but it still doesn't make me any less sad that it will become increasingly harder for me to do the research myself. I like to make artifacts, see the "gee-whiz" when something new works, or the "eureka" of a new discovery. EDIT: I just wanted to mention this is of course a totally US perspective on research. I believe European professors don't have to worry about this as much, but I could be incorrect.
I work in the internal tools department of an online retailer. It's actually pretty fun! At the moment, I would like to work full time on Hubski, because that would be pretty darn cool, and I am itching for APIs. I would also like to work full time on comedy, which right now I do 4-5 days a week anyways. Busy busy busy!
The last couple months it's only been improv and sketch. I perform at ImprovBoston. I also do some video sketch, but I'm not super proud of that yet. I have done stand up, and keep meaning to get back into it, but like I said, busy! I did more stand up during college, and while I miss it, I hate open mics. Nothing is more depressing than performing for people who just want you to shut up so they can take their turn. It's soul-crushing.
I'm on the other side, have been doing stand-up for a while but want (need?) to get into improv instead, for similar reasons. In Chicago it's fairly welcoming, though. My perception of Boston is a bit more 'macho' and dense - for every three comedians aping Louis CK's worst traits in Chicago, I imagine that in Boston there are dozens. That said, my biggest issue with open mic's is the limited time. I know it's necessary to start this way, but I always wish I just had a minute more to prattle on.
Yeah, I'm planning on moving to Chicago or New York within a year, just for comedy reasons. I like Boston, but it's not gonna happen here, and now is the time to find out if it's going to happen anywhere! I also know a few people at UCB/Second City and really wanna get in on that, because they are such great places to do comedy.
I think its pretty cool that you and hiss are aspiring comedians. I am a musician and I've played many shows with bands and I've also done some solo. I HATE performing by myself, at least when I'm with the band there are others I can connect with, sharing the experience with me and also helping to shoulder the burden of any mistakes or bad performances. I can't imagine doing standup and being the only person up there. No guitar in front of me to hide behind, just me and my material. Truly a brave thing to do. Good luck guys. Like Stephen, I too would like to work on Hubski full-time. Someday 0/
That's what I love about improv! The feeling of being on the same wavelength as teammates/members is hard to get from anything else. That moment when you're turn away from eachother but reacting appropriately, when an audience knows that you can't have practiced this and you cannot know what the other person is doing is pure magic. Stand up, though, has its own benefits. Sure, when things get ugly you have nowhere to hide, but when it goes right and people are laughing even when you're not talking, laughing at the way you move or just your persona on stage, that's a pretty dang cool feeling. That's what I hate about open mics (below). Even when everyone is laughing, they're always also hating you because if you're making them laugh they want to be you and if you're not they hate you for sucking and taking up their time. It's just a sinkhole for comedy. That said, I have some good friends who love open mics, and the community, once you're a part of it, can be pretty darn supportive. And he hosted Jim Gaffigan a few nights ago, so he could definitely be doing worse!
Thanks for the insight. I really wish I was in your area, I'd be glad to come out and be one of the guys at the open mic that has no agenda other than to laugh. My friend cW once asked me, have you ever heard Jim Gaffigan and I replied, I didn't hear him gaff the first time.
Hahaha. Ah... You and my dad would get along like a house with a solid foundation and its mortgage paid off. I actually have an improv show at 7:30 tonight! I wish Hubski was bigger so I could reasonably expect anyone to come to it!
Have fun man.I actually have an improv show at 7:30 tonight!
That's awesome, enjoy it!I wish Hubski was bigger so I could reasonably expect anyone to come to it!
Then maybe you should spread the word and finish each set with "brought to you by Hubski dot com".
Full time electrical engineering student at the moment and for a couple of years to come. I don't really know what exactly I would like to do, but I'd like to build and improve stuff which actually helps people and humanity in general.
Currently a full time student, working on a business management degree, concentrating in entrepreneurship. I'm doing that because I would like to own my own restaurant. Not a big one per se, but a quality family restaurant that I can be proud of.
My degree is in business management. I once thought that I too would like to open my own restaurant. Perhaps I still will someday. Just a small bar/restaurant with limited seating focusing on quality over quantity. Good luck with yours, save me a seat at the bar. The business mgt degree is incredibly versatile but nothing will prepare you like practical experience. At least that has been what I've garnered thus far. Good luck!
It's a wonderful dream isn't it? I'm working so hard to make it happen. I just want something that can make me happy.
I'm a full time student at a University near DC, but I'm paid to do research, so you might say that helps sustain me. Ideally, I'd like to work with a company like SpaceX on a big time mission - Elon Musk has made some semi-serious statements about sending humans to Mars. More likely scenario, however, is that I'll be working for NASA Goddard on either propulsion or navigation & mission design. Still cool with me. I just hope I get a big project to work on at least once in my career.
I just hope I get a big project to work on at least once in my career.
That is an admirable goal. "If you will it, it is no dream". Good luck kurmit.
I work part-time at a gourmet sub sandwich shop and will hopefully be on full-time by the end of the month. I would like to do a lot of things, many of which include: writing (journalism or high fantasy/sci-fi), voice acting, music (9ish years on the saxophone), and philosophy.
I'm an Electrician's Apprentice, but I'd very much like to be some kind woodworker, making artistic high-end furniture. but I suck at wood-working, and am as artistic as a gnat. I'm also a shitty electrician, though...
I'm doing exactly what I would like to do right now. I manage communications, community, and social media for one of the UGC arms of a household-name digital media company. The CEO inspires me every time I hear anything about her or see her on a webcast, my team is fantastic, and it's led me to an incredible number and array of opportunities. However, the fact that I love what I do does not mean there aren't other things I'd like to do. Most immediately, I'd like a higher-level role and to be managing a team and/or product of my own, in the community/communications/social sphere. I've been doing director-level work since my director left in April, and my title doesn't match that yet. Eventually, I'd like to get to the C-suite, either CEO, COO, or CCO. After doing that for a while I'd love to take a break from business and pursue my love of politics, and later in life, at retirement age, I have dreams of directing nonprofits in the mental health and animal welfare areas.
I like that you have various goals that correspond with different life stages. That's smart of you, too many people don't think this.. especially regarding retirement. One thing I tell everyone is to have multiple retirement saving vehicles so that you can do things like being a director for a non-profit and earn less or even volunteer your time/expertise.
I envy that. We like to put our resources in to nice things for our home too; art, furniture, landscaping but we are pretty sure we will not live here long-term. It's hard to fully invest in to a place when you know it's temporary. Even if you know you will be there for 5 years, if you know you are eventually moving it takes the fun out of it. I'd like to buy a house and know that it will be my home for the foreseeable future. Then I could really invest myself financially and emotionally in to it. You pretty confident that this is where you will live long term?
Coolness! I work for an online retailer in Boston! What school are you in? (Too personal?)
Run_Train and StephenBuckley, I may be heading to Boston this summer. I could make it a Hubski meet up? I'll keep this in mind if you guys would wanna come out and have a beer/soda.
Commenting for future reference - I live in/near Boston, but have only been on the site for about a week.
Welcome! See you around the site. There are a number of new users and for the most part it's been a really great addition to our community. Hope to see you in Boston, looks like I'll be out there in June.
For sure! That'd be a good time. Also, not to be creepy, but are you and mk around Detroit? Because my dad lives around there.
I lived in Ann Arbor for a summer! Loved it! I actually just visited last month. If you and thenewgreen are coming to Boston we should get together.
June 20th? Solid Sound buy some tix mk and b_b and lets go.
mk is in SE Michigan, I grew up there but now live in the Raleigh-Durham area NC.
I'm a high school student though right now I do some free lance web design and video editing work, which is nice as I like both of those things. What I really want to do though is make environment art for games (or just games in general, but that's a big too vague). I'm an aspiring 3d artist and I'd like to specialize in environments because the idea of creating a virtual world out of my imagination that someone else can explore and experience fascinates me. It's quite literally like inviting someone into my mind.
It's quite literally like inviting someone into my mind.
-This sounds really cool. I'm a musician and I write music often. I'll be driving around with a melody in my head, I'll hear all the parts, guitars and drums, strings and horns etc. Eventually, I'll show these parts to other musicians and get to hear my song for the first time outside of my head and it's a REALLY amazing moment. Good luck AlwaysOnTime!
I'm currently a full time Chemical Engineering student, with concentrations in the French and Russian languages, who also happens to work in the college radio industry. I would love to work for a government agency that would allow me to travel the US and also visit foreign countries. My current goals are to get into Nuclear energy or environmental engineering.
I think I'm going to minor in russian, its pretty awesome.
I will definitely do that. Checked out the website earlier but I'll be doing some more in-depth research. Do you have experience with AmeriCorps?
I don't have any experience with them, but from what I've heard they're like the Peace Corps, except domestic. They go around the country doing service projects for those in need. I've thought about doing this if the Peace Corps doesn't work out for myself.
I'm a student who is supported by his wife and loans. I'd love to work solely on free/libre/open-source software but I'd settle for almost any software gig that paid at the moment.
I'm a newspaper reporter covering schools. I really like being a reporter, but I'd like to report on business and economics. That stuff really interests me. I'm just not sure how I get from point A to point B.
I feel like this is one of the most interesting (and scary) eras in which to be a reporter. Getting to the point (already there?) where reporters can meaningfully develop their own brand beyond the platform they are writing for. Lot of risk and opportunity...maybe more of a meritocracy? What do you think?
We're definitely still on the way. I doubt I could quit my job right now, start a blog and charge people a la Andrew Sullivan and make anything resembling a decent living. I'd have to be broke for a good amount of time. Possibly even years. I have a sports blog on the side. I wrote for free there for a year and now I get paid a whopping $25 a month. I doubt I'll ever get to the point where income from there can match my current income. That's fine since it's a hobby, but I just don't see it supplanting my "real job." And the meritocracy part is iffy. Yes, now you can blog your way to the New York Times like Nate Silver, but you also used to be able to work as a news clerk without a college diploma and work your way up. I mean...Carl Bernstein dropped out of college. It's more meritocratic, but it's not as if it was this hermetically sealed world.
Feel free to share any of your blogging/reporting on Hubski. I know that some sites discourage people posting their own content, but we welcome it here. It's a privelage to be able to have discussions with the author/creator IMO. Good luck!
I work for a bank! I work in their Compliance department, which is kind of interesting. It's an ebb-and-flow sort of job, either I'm busy, or I'm not. I actually am starting a new job in less than 2 weeks. It will be the same line of work but I think I'm going to be a ton busier. I'm a little bit nervous, frankly, because it seems a bit more hardcore than my current job - the team will be smaller, but the portfolio will be around the same size. Moreover, it's not an established program, so there will be a lot of forging new ground and new connections, having to work with people who maybe don't want to work with me (because to them, I seem essentially the same as Audit - that's a good way to explain to a layman what I do). I'm excited, and nervous. As for what I'd like to do with my life...well, my new job looks like it's going to keep me entertained, and that's really the most I could ask for out of a job. I think I'm going to like the people I work with. Sadly I'll just miss some of the people I do work with now, but all in all it's a good move for me. In a perfect world maybe I would be a writer :)
I work in regulatory compliance, so I deal with Federal Regulations. I work in the deposit space so things like Federal Regulation E (Electronic Funds Transfers) and such. I kind of go all over the place, so I have also worked with telemarketing regs and call center sort of things (UDAP for one).
Got it. An ever-changing landscape I'd imagine. Did Dodd-Frank have a big impact on your work?
Kind of. I wouldn't say it had a direct impact, but it had an indirect impact in some ways, like because it created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was then established as another regulatory body for banks. So now we have to deal with examiners frmo there as well as, say, the OCC. Things do change a lot, though, you're right about that. Mostly it is more in the form of additional regulation as opposed to sweeping regulatory changes. For instance there's a new amendment or rule for Reg E that is being kicked around now which deals with remittance transfers, think basically money transfers but on an international scope. The addition hasn't been finalized but I still have to be aware of it and ready to start rolling it into our testing process (my actual job consists of testing transactions in order to ensure we're completing them in compliance with the regulations that regulate those transactions; like Audit, I look over files and ensure they were completed accurately, but unlike Audit, I only look at them from a regulatory perspective).
Currently in med-school and looking forward to practicing (in a couple of years), though I haven't decided on my specialty yet (or whether I veer more towards the research part)... There are a lot of thing I would like to do as well, teaching for example (not in school but college/med-school), before deciding on med-school I wanted to do industrial design, which I still find interesting, just like architecture. My biggest dream though would be to work in space ;)
My wife is a doctor, I met her prior to med school and was along for the entire ride. Craziness. What year are you? My unsolicited advice would be to choose the specialty that gives you the most satisfaction regardless of pay or residency length or strenuousness. I once dreamt of space too. We'll get there!
I'm from Germany, our system is slightly different.
Instead of a premed we have a pre-clinical part which is already part of the medical curriculum. It takes two years and in those two years we're supposed to learn everything about how the healthy body is supposed to work( the subjects are (neuro)anatomy, biochemistry and (neuro)physiology, sociology&psychology, physics, general chemistry, terminology and biology). After those two years (=4 semesters) we have our first hurdle called "Physikum", which you have to pass in order to advance to the next part. If you fail the Physikum (which basically tests everything you've learned in those 2 years) thee times, you cannot continue studying medicine in Germany. Afterwards comes the clinical part, where we have the individual specialties as subjects (internal medicine, radiology, surgery, etc.) and go on rounds, etc. This takes another 3 years (in the free time between semesters we have to do internships). Afterwards we have a so-called practical year, where you work full-time in surgery, internal medicine and a specialty of your choice for 4 months each. Then, once you're done with that, you can take your "Hammer-"exam (the word means the same in German and English ;) ) and if you pass that, you're finally an M.D. (after at least six and a half years; more if you have to repeat something).
I'm currently in my seventh semester (3 1/2 year), so I'll still have some time to decide:) That's what I always tell to myself as well, but sometimes, when you see some intern next to the verge of a breakdown, you'll wonder if you made the right choice (or in my case "will make the right choice")What year are you?
My unsolicited advice would be to choose the specialty that gives you the most satisfaction regardless of pay or residency length or strenuousness.
It's interesting how the curriculum is set up in Germany. I think that in the states practical experience comes too late in the process. You can be book smart and excel in the classroom only to find out in year 3 that you are not at all suited to practicing medicine. Do you have any inclination at all as to what type of specialty you'd like to practice, or are you completely unsure?That's what I always tell to myself as well, but sometimes, when you see some intern next to the verge of a breakdown, you'll wonder if you made the right choice (or in my case "will make the right choice")
No doubt about it. There were times in 4th year med school that my wife looked like a zombie. She was barely sleeping and working way too hard and in between it all, she was supposed to be studying and preparing for board exams.
Damn expired link... After spending a month in the radiology department, it's is definitely in my top-five.What bothers me is that you have almost no patient-contact and (more so) that you do almost nothing curative (well, there's interventional radiology, but you'll end up doing almost exclusively interventional or diagnostic). But apart from that it was a great experience. Immunology is the other thing that interests me the most currently, especially since it is developing rapidly right now and making great strides with certain diseases (also, for an internal medicine specialty it has relatively young patients). Apart from that I can only tell you what I don't want to do, OB/GYN, surgery and dermatology (not because I don't respect them, I just don't want to do them). I once considered psychiatry, but I was quite let down by my experience with it, sadly. But I have still some time left and there are fields I haven't even dipped into (neurology, anesthesia, etc.), so I'll see what the future brings. I'm afraid this is a universal problem with medical education. The more research advances, the more is added to the curriculum, but almost never is something thrown out and the time you have available stays the same. It's a difficult situation and I don't see any easy solution for it (make medical education even longer? Specialize during medschool and you'll end up with MDs that can't think outside the box, etc...) What specialty did your wife chose (and how?)I think that in the states practical experience comes too late in the process.
My wife was doing a radiology residency at a prestigious program here in the US and after a year withdrew from the program. She loved the program, the people in it and the quality of the learning but she really, really missed patient interaction. My advice here (again unsolicited) is that if patient interaction is at all important to you, don't go this route. She tried to console herself with the thought of interventional too, but it wasn't enough. She is now applying to Derm residencies and just finished her last interview last week. Imagine going through that process TWICE?! It's been pretty crazy. But to answer your question, we made a list of the specialties that interested her. We knew we wanted a family so things like Surgery etc were out, although she seems to have an aptitude for surgery. Then we made a pros/cons list for each specialty. In the end Radiology won because we thought the science/technology aspects of it would be intellectually stimulating enough to make up for the lack of patient care. We were wrong. We chose Derm because my wife loves the pathology involved. She likes being able to diagnose complex internal problems from the clues left on the skin (I'm not a doctor, I'm sure there's a more elegant way of putting this). She is doing a research fellowship at Duke right now and the work she's doing is very interesting. As she puts it, by the time the patient has arrived there they've seen a number of physicians that can't diagnose. She enjoys it quite a bit. It was a good change and I'm glad we made it now rather than 10 years from now. Anyways, good luck! Immunology sounds like a really fascinating field.After spending a month in the radiology department, it's is definitely in my top-five.What bothers me is that you have almost no patient-contact and (more so) that you do almost nothing curative (well, there's interventional radiology, but you'll end up doing almost exclusively interventional or diagnostic). But apart from that it was a great experience.
This is funny.
I would love to get into politics
-Why? Honestly, I am curious what the motivations are for doing this? I often think politics attracts the wrong type of people (not saying you specifically so please don't take offense). When you enter in to politics at a high level, you are essentially opening up yourself and your family to intense scrutiny. Is it worth it?
Firstly, you are not the first person to say a this too me. Everyone I tell questions my motivations for it.
I think I like the idea of being able to make a difference from a high level. On that point, I would love to get into diplomatic politics. Meetings at the UN; that kind of stuff. Also, i agree with the fact that politics attracts the wrong type of people. In Australia, most of our politics are former lawyers. This frustrates me slightly. Being an engineer, the chance to bring a different line of thinking into the political debate is quite exciting. I think it does open you up to scrutiny but that just comes with being a public figure. Just need to be careful what you do.
It seems that in the US even the good people are vilified. You can be a decorated war veteran and get Swift Boated. Good luck, hope you have thick skin. I agree that having anything other than a lawyer would be a good thing. Diversity is a commonly bantered about term but it truly is important when it comes to ideas.
I work at a paintball field. I am going to school for aviation management but I want to be a pilot. I already have my pilot's license and I can fly complex, high performance, taildraggers, and multi-engine aircraft. Since I don't have my commercial license I can't fly for hire. The only reason I am studying aviation management is in case I am deemed medically unfit to fly I can continue to work in the industry.
That's smart to get the aviation management degree, it's always good to have a plan B. I've never played paintball, but I'd like to, it looks like a lot of fun. Do you play often or just work there?
I play most weekends unless we are busy. I also go to a lot of scenario games with a hundred to several thousand people. You need to try it at least once. Get a group of friends together and go to your local field. Or do a birthday/bachelor/office party. Check here to find your nearest field: http://www.pbnation.com/fields/
I'm hoping to go into health administration, and my dream job is to write music reviews.
I have a friend that works for the All Music Guide as a music critic. He's a great writer imo and seems to dig his work. Good luck getting there.
I'm the company director and sole programmer at a digital game download store. I'm working on the business as a whole with a good friend on a shoestring budget, and it's just about making enough to cover its own costs, but it's very difficult as although my friend is helping me out with the design work (he has his own job that takes the majority of his time), I still have to contact developers and publishers, do the day to day accounts and all of the administrative work. I can see myself doing this for another 5 years or so (though I'd want another programmer or someone who can contact developers for me). In the future, I'd like to make films.
Good luck with the business, if it wasn't difficult everyone would do it, right?
Indeed. It's a big risk to take for me, and I've personally put a lot of time and money into making it work. So I certainly wouldn't recommend that everyone do this.
I'm an IT systems analyst technical team lead, specializing in web infrastructure and web application infrastructure and architecture. So I mainly work with developers to ensure their code is going to work in our various production environments, and we work together to build stable, high performing, and reliable web application environments. I'm in the lending and financial sector, so I mostly deal with major banks and law firms. I would love to work for a company like SpaceX and be involved in space exploration anyway I could.
I would love to work for a company like SpaceX and be involved in space exploration anyway I could.
10 years ago it was Google that everyone wanted to work for. I could see this eventually shifting to SpaceX as they grow. What a cool company.
I hear the hours at SpaceX are tough, as in minimum 60 hour work weeks required, but I don't care. I work long weeks as it is in IT infrastructure at my current job in the finance industry. I'd rather know that my long hours are going towards something I am passionate about and think will effect our entire species, rather than helping banks forclose on homes with more accuracy and speed.
I am a theatre technician. Like most of these in the Netherlands I am not specialized in anything, which is great as it lets me do all kinds of different stuff. Designing stage, sound and lightning plans and making them happen. You get to meet all kinds of cool artists and work with them. And sometimes you really make magic happen. Even if I won a million on the lottery I would still be doing this work.
For me, it's really important to have a career path that can allow me to do multiple things within my discipline. Being able to stay in the same industry but change your role every few years or even every week, is a great way to not get bored. Sounds like you have this.
I'm a graduate student in transportation, working on mathematically modeling congestion and applying said model to calibrate how sensitive drivers are to differences in travel time between routes for microscopic traffic simulations. I'll be finishing up at the end of the semester, though. There's a lot of things I'd like to do, but if the question means to ask what I'd like to do for a living, it's difficult to answer, since I don't really have consensus. Part of me would like to continue in transportation applications, more specifically in vehicle to vehicle or vehicle to infrastructure integration, maybe driverless cars eventually. More realistically I'd like to do mathematical based stuff that improve people's lives, preferably in a position that allows me the free time to do what I want and in an area that I'd like to live in. While I have some idealist views with what I'd like to accomplish, a significant part of me wants to enjoy the activities and people that I enjoy - music, writing, reading, taking math tests for fun, watching movies, etc. I don't think I pursue any of those activities passionately enough to try to turn any of them into a career, but I definitely compromise my idealism with my personal enjoyment.
It sounds like you are doing interesting work, good luck with it. I'm sure this is old hat to you, but have you seen Bill Fords TED talk titled "Beyond Traffic Congestion" seems like it would be pertinent to your work. As for turning your passions in to your career, it's early yet... you never know what forks in the road will occur. Could be that you end up in music, writing or even taking math tests for a living. -Stranger things have happened.
I've seen it before, and just watched it again. It's unfortunate that transportation is politically a terrible issue, and also one that gets swept under the rug. By that I mean that most of the solutions wanted by the transportation minds are politically infeasible (gas tax, restrictions on parking), yet it remains a pressing issue that never gets talked about by anybody, except a few high speed rail proposals every now and then (that I'm not an expert on). I actually spoke to a guy from Ford working on some future mobility stuff at a transportation career fair, but already had something worked out for the next year or so. We'll see what happens - a lot of the cooler research based stuff probably requires a PhD and more passion to accomplish, and I'm definitely not prepared for that. It's a weird transition from not having a clue what I wanted to do (back in undergrad) to the slow realization that I have access to more than I thought previously (now in grad school), to transportation or math-based careers. It's a great problem to have, but making important life decisions stresses me out. Maybe they aren't as important as I think - I'm in my early 20's, so there's plenty of time to figure things out.
I wouldn't say that it's not an important decision, I'd say it's quite important. That said it's not a binding decision by any means. People change their careers often, and it would be shocking if you were still doing the same thing when you're 50 that you did when you were 25. Good luck with all of your decisions, I hope you do something that's intellectually satisfying and is able to make a positive difference. You're in a good field for that.
Cool. What type of art are you interested in? You ought to post some here!
Anyone that enjoys what they do for a living is "lucky", though I would wager you had a great deal to do with that "luck".
I work as statistician. I would like to be the top sniper in the entire US armed forces.
I'm currently a programmer at a little company in New England. They're small and a lot of the stuff I work with is extremely dated, but they're also doing some more cutting-edge stuff for different companies. Short term I'm hoping to move up from working on the old stuff ;) In the future, I think I'd still like to be in software but personally, being a big fan of gaming I'd really like to work as a game developer. I need to get better at coding and patience first though! We all gotta start somewhere. If I weren't going to be a programmer, though, I'd like to be a writer. Especially one who could promote science and skepticism with humor, maybe like Cracked but aimed at an audience not limited to teenage-20something males.
If I weren't going to be a programmer, though, I'd like to be a writer. Especially one who could promote science and skepticism with humor, maybe like Cracked but aimed at an audience not limited to teenage-20something males.
-This sounds interesting. Have you ever dipped your toes in these waters?
Not more than little bits of writing for class and my own personal stuff, really. But when I write I love to use humor and reason to get across my point. I think it's the kind of thing where, if I really took the time, and had a specific goal in mind, I think I'd be able to get really into doing it. My style definitely isn't perfect, but I think I'm an above-average writer and enjoy learning and discussing things enough that I'd like to spread the joy to a bigger audience. But, you know, this is sort of an alternate reality, where I follow a different path and my interests get different attention. I've thought of starting a blog for myself but I need to discipline my own writing style a bit more before I can get into that. When I'm not actively responding to something I ramble or have terrible run-ons. (Admittedly, since I joined Hubski a week ago, I've written more intelligent or cohesive thoughts than I had in several months - it's been inspiring). Perhaps I should start it up anyway, to have a backup in case it turns out I'm actually a really terrible programmer?
So share away, I look forward to reading your work. pm me if you do so I don't miss it.I've thought of starting a blog for myself but I need to discipline my own writing style a bit more before I can get into that. When I'm not actively responding to something I ramble or have terrible run-ons.
Use us as your test audience. You could write essays etc here, I occasionally use the site this way. I'm not much of a writer but here is a piece about killing my best friend.