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spritieSILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA


Posted:
Since several of us can't figure out which direction Richee was trying to go with his recent post "Quo Vadis Domine?", I decided to start a new thread with my ideas on where his was going.

I found a website that defined "Quo Vadis Domine" as where are you going, Lord? Thus, to me it seems like Richee could have been asking us in which direction do you see yourself headed and what do you want to do with your life.

So, I'll take the plunge and be the first to answer that one.

I honestly had no clue what I wanted to do with myself in college. I just knew that college is where I was supposed to be. So, I chose a major that I really liked (math), but didn't really know what I could do with that. I still didn't know in my senior year and was getting kinda antsy since the only jobs math majors from my liberal arts school seemed to be getting were either high school teachers (bluck!) or an actuary. Now, an actuary is someone that estimates when a person is going to die for a life insurance company. While this job pays well, it seemed very dead-end and boring to me as it's the same thing day in, day out. So, I opted for grad school. They'd pay me to go there, and I could put off that real world job decision for another several years. Thus, the choice was made for statistics since I knew I would have many options when I finished.

All throughtout grad. school, the one thing I knew was that I didn't want to teach. I wanted a job in industry when I was not, certainly not academia. Well, six years later, what did I wind up with? A post-doc. Why? Because I was too lazy to really apply myself for many other positions. I had some interviews with companies, but they just didn't mesh well with me. I also had made a really great group of friends where I was living and didn't want to give them up. They are very special and important people in my life and have become my family. Thus, when the opportunity for the post-doc appeared, it seemed like the best solution for me. But, that also meant I was going into academia which is something I always dreaded.

After being here for 2 1/2 years and now being a faculty member, though, I really enjoy it. The good thing is that I don't teach on a regular basis, but I have the opportunity to when I want. I can do research and get to interact with really wonderful doctors that are doing very interesting medical research on all things from childhood diseases to cancers to HIV to drug additions. Each day brings something different along. So, even though this was not my chosen career path, it is one I do enjoy and am very happy that this is where I wound up.

As far as my personal life, well, it's had many ups and downs along the way as well. What I have learned is that friends are absolutely wonderful people. Making others smile is fabulous. And spite is a very bad and bitter emotion. I've learned that instead of being negative and hurt to try to learn something from the experience and grow as a person. I've also learned not to hide stuff from people and that honestly is a wonderful policy. If you just be yourself (your tru self and not someone you thing others will like), you will be happier for it and people will see you radiating. Not everyone in this world is meant to like everyone else, and that is just fine. Someone out there will understand and love you for who you are so just try to learn from your mistakes and take each day with a grain of salt.

I'm 30, still single, but very happy and fulfilled with my life. Where would I like to see myself going? I'd like to do something more with my job and get more involved in one particular area of research. Which one, I have yet to decide, but I am working on it. As far as personally, I'm at a very happy place right now, but I am trying to work on my interactions with others and being more complimentary of people.

So, now that I have somehow turned this into a rather long post (that hopefully some people will read smile ), where would you like to be with yourself in the future and what do you have to overcome to get there?

SethisBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,762 posts
Location: York University, United Kingdom


Posted:
I'm 18, and had only 1 shift in my goals. Since about 7 I wanted to be a marine biologist. I love everything to do with the oceans, and the creatures in them. Then in my GCSEs I realised I simply wasn't good enough at the academic science to get a job in an area with that much competition.

Fortunately, I was in Scouts and I realised just how good I was with young people. Now I'm going to do a PGCE to teach Sociology. It's a subject I love, and one I actually have a real talent for. It's difficult to explain. Somehow I can just *do* it without any real difficulty. It's the *only* subject I've ever got 100% and 95% in for two of my modules. Now I'm waiting for my results (not worried about Sociology, I've already got an A in that) and hoping that I get enough grades to send me to Uni. After teaching I don't know, but I have heard:

"Life is what happens while you wait for plans to work out"

Far too often to ignore it. Take life a year at a time wink

After much consideration, I find that the view is worth the asphyxiation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.


Arty FartyBRONZE Member
I wear yellow on monday
551 posts
Location: Farnham Ahoy, United Kingdom


Posted:
wow, im going to do a PGCE too after my degree. im going to teach art to b*stard school kids. What am i playing at? I still cant see myself as a teacher, their old and not very much fun arent they? Could i ever be considered as that? It scares me.



What ive found out i really love tho, is bumming around getting drunk every night and having a jolly old nice time.



Ah the career of the lower-middle class slacker, or Tara Palmer Thompkinson

You'll find me on the dance floor


The Tea FairySILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...


Posted:
*bumpety-bump*

It's that time of year again... courses are finishing, people are graduating, so thought I'd bump this for anyone who's asking those questions again (which happens to include me).

I graduated a year ago now, it's been almost exactly one year since my graduation ceremony. I have a degree in social anthropology and communications. I've been working in an office as an administrator for a year now, I'm getting really bored with it.

The money is pretty good, it's not a bad job as far as office jobs go... at least I'm vaguely interested in what my department does (training and education for managers who work in the charity sector). I never really wanted an office job though, the people are beginning to get to me and it's all too mundane. I'm really sick of living, commuting and working in London too.

I've had a few plans in the past concerning where I want to be, but it all seems so daunting and like so much hard work! I'm still really interested in complementary therapies and would love to train as a therapist one day... but I know the money is not particularly great and most people have to start out on a part-time basis to build up clients.

Recently I've been thinking about just getting out of London, moving back to the South West and finding a job there, anything to pay the bills and keep me going until I decide what to do next. The money has been keeping me here. I earn a lot more in London than I would doing exactly the same job back in the SW, but I'm feeling pretty unhappy here and rent and everything is so expensive that I don't think I'd be missing out on much even if I took a big cut in pay...


...money isn't everything, right? It's just incredibly useful when you want to travel, or keep studying/training!

Idolized by Aurinoko

Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....

Bob Dylan


MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
I am headed to UCSF (or maybe Stanford? Haven't decided yet.) for my fellowship in adolescent medicine.

As I said in my post above almost two years ago: I will do it.

And I'm doing it. smile

Had you come to me six months ago and told me that I would be choosing between UCSF and Stanford I would have laughed in your face.

And now, that's my dilemma.

Hell of a "dilemma" to have, huh?

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


_Aimée_SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom


Posted:
I'm headed for London to do a degree in ceramics.
"...yes....thats what I'll be doing for three years...making..pots"
[/sarcasm]

But before that I'm throwing away all responsability and doing some major festie travelling. Getting pissed in a field.
Funny how before important things begin or when important things end...I somehow end up getting pissed in a field..s'great! ubblol
Guestling, Shropshire, Budapest. Slowly working myself farther from home before finally collapsing in a heap mid august in time to recover before septmeber.

Christ knows where I'm headed after my degree. When I'm there is the time to decide that.
I'll probably stay in London to live afterwards.

Or if I follow my mothers predictions I'll be knocked up by the time I'm 20 on benefits rolleyes

The Tea FairySILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...


Posted:
Cool... one of my colleagues has a joint degree in ceramics and textiles. She's always talking about her pottery/sculpture projects, it makes me really wish I'd stuck at something creative for long enough to actually get some skill doing it! She works in the office with me, but she still does ceramics every week and she loves it.

Idolized by Aurinoko

Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....

Bob Dylan


_Aimée_SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom


Posted:
Mmm I loved textiles. But when we had to specialise textiles came with fashion, bleurgh ubblol

The Tea FairySILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...


Posted:
Yeah, I liked screen printing and doing batique and stuff, but when it actually comes to sewing material together I'm a complete disaster zone! I can hardly sew on a button.

Doc, your drive and conviction are amazing. I wish I could just decide on exactly what it is I want to do then just go for it like that...

Well, I am thinking a bit harder about being a 'therapist' of some sort or another... so I'm thinking about maybe doing some training in complementary therapies, getting counselling skills/training, then perhaps deciding after that if I want to expand on it and go back to uni to study occupational therapy, psychotherapy or physiotherapy (speech therapy doesn't appeal quite so much to me for some reason). Going back to Uni for another 3 years is a bit daunting though, especially the idea of having to get another loan to pay for it.

Now I think about it, it's what I always wanted to do, but lots of people told me I couldn't do it because I was too young/needed more life experience/it's something only older people do as a second career/it's unpleasant. In retrospect, a lot of people have given me bad advice in life... I'm really empathetic, patient and compassionate with people, the training takes years anyway so by the time I'm qualified I probably will have plenty of life experience!

I always wanted to teach yoga too, which has potential to fit in nicely as a therapy, but I was again advised against it... my mum always saw it as something you do in your spare time, she didn't see it as a 'proper' job and had grave doubts about if I could make enough money just from teaching yoga (I know now she was quite wrong about this, if you teach every day you can make a substantial amount of earnings).

I think my new resolution for the year should be to stop taking advice from other people and just learn to trust my own judgement and instincts again... I've missed out on too many opportunities lately because of my 'sheep' mentality and self-doubt!

Idolized by Aurinoko

Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....

Bob Dylan


MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
 Written by: The Tea Fairy


Doc, your drive and conviction are amazing.



How about "stubbornness and cantankerousness"?

It's more accurate... ubblol

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


jarleGOLD Member
Lv15 Ranger
1,489 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Eh, tomato tomato. Umm, tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to works better!

Tea Fairy, I'm at uni studying Psychology for the next few years, hopefully (with a lot of work) ending in me becoming a fully qualified psychologist/counseller. With bad spelling.

As for it being a field only chosen as a second choice, and even then only by old people, if it is true it's never daunted me. My Venturer leader warned me that it's quite a stressful job, but I'm fine with that too (despite having a low resistance to stress). I don't have much experience with some problems directly, but I have helped a few others get through with theirs including sexual identity, suicide/depression, loss of life direction, abandonment and so on.

Anyways, if you wan't to head in that direction, I say go for it! I'll race ya!

Kupo!


roarfireSILVER Member
comfortably numb
2,676 posts
Location: The countryside, Australia


Posted:
Back when I posted in this thread it was way back in 2005 and I was 17, in year 12 with no idea what I wanted to do.

Social work and Occupational therapy? Pfft!

I'm 19, 20 soon, studying Justice, I'll graduate in 2009 and really want to head into customs/border security/quarantine. Soon I will be doing a Cert III in Dog Handelling which will help me in the future as I really want to be working with dogs! I'm so fascinated how they are trained because they can do some amazing things!

It's funny how things change smile

.All things are beautiful if we take the time to look.


The Tea FairySILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...


Posted:
Yeah, that's partly why I wanted to revive this thread! I thought I'd posted in it before, so thought it would be interesting to hear how things have changed for people.

Jarle, thanks for the support! I've already got a good 2.1 in social anthropology and communications, I did quite a few psychology modules though so I think I might be able to get a place doing a psotgraduate diploma in psychology, which would allow me to register with the BPS (British Psychological Society, the main regulators over here). Then I'd need to do an MSc in psychological counselling (or another branch of psychology if I wanted)

... see, I do kind of have a plan, but it will cost a lot and be very hard work! I don't want to take the plunge and invest all that time, money and energy unless I'm sure it's the job for me... that's why I'm thinking about learning how to practise some less intensive therapies, like massage, or get some counselling skills and experience, then I'll know if I want ot take it further.

Idolized by Aurinoko

Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....

Bob Dylan


MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
Just formally accepted my fellowship at UCSF.

Hope I just did the right thing!

Too late for doubts not!

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


pineapple peteSILVER Member
water based
5,125 posts
Location: melbourne, Australia


Posted:
go doc bounce

hug

"you know there are no trophys for doing silly things in real life yeah pete?" said ant "you wont get a 'listened to ride of the valkyries all the way to vietnam' trophy"

*proud owner of the very cute fire_spinning_angel, birgit and neon shaolin*


BrennPLATINUM Member
Will carpal your tunnel in a minute.
3,286 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
 Written by: Doc Lightning


Just formally accepted my fellowship at UCSF.

Hope I just did the right thing!

Too late for doubts not!



You have smile hug

Congratulations once more!

ॐ

Owner of burningoftheclavey smile
Owned by Lost83spy


Gnarly CraniumSILVER Member
member
186 posts
Location: San Francisco, USA


Posted:
*edit*



Okay, I killed another thread. Nevermind then.
EDITED_BY: Gnarly Cranium (1184956236)

"Ours is not to question The Head; it is enough to revel in the ubiquitous inanity of The Head, the unwanted proximity of The Head, the unrelenting HellPresence of The Head, indeed the very UNYIELDING IRRELEVANCE of The Head!" --Revelation X


_AnA_newbie
17 posts

Posted:
I have felt that music is my calling since I was 9 years old, and now my determination to be a singer in a good band is doubtless. I mean, I really want it to be my work, concerts, recordings and so on. The problem is my town where making a band is a hard deal, but I go on writing and singing, absolutely sure that when time comes everything will be achieved.

As for the education, I have two years at school ahead yet but no idea what to do further. With all my inclination for learning languages I reject the idea of becoming a philologist. The only thing I know exactly is that I need a creative specialization...

Talking about life on the whole, I have aspiration for beauty, creativity, discovery, love... And so far I'm satisfied with my way, as it complies with the criteria of happy life I've chosen for myself smile

We'll burn, like a moth to the flame
Burn, as the fire calls us by name...


The Tea FairySILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...


Posted:
Hmm, it's only one month since my last post in this thread, but now I'm thinking of another direction completely! It occurred to me suddenly yesterday that I might like to be a primary school teacher... I do love being around small children, I always enjoyed babysitting when I was a bit younger and I still get hampered with all the kids in the neighborhood when I visit my parents! Kids just like me for some reason, I guess I'm still a bit of a kid myself, so I find it easy to relate to them.

The money is reasonable, the holidays are really appealing, it's not in an office, only one year's training (if I can get on the course, need to do some volunteer work/work experience first), I'd be actually doing something that makes a difference to other people's lives and it does sound quite interesting...

Then I could always move in to studying child psychology or educational psychology after a few years... it's certainly ticking a lot of boxes! Ideally I would still want to end up as a therapist, but this route would get me out of doing admin jobs much sooner (PGCE only takes one year), plus working with children counts as 'working with vulnerable people', which is required before you can apply for a lot of postgraduate psychology courses.

It's one of those things that I'm either going to completely love or competely hate doing, no way of knowing until I find out! So I'm thinking of getting some volunteer work with kids in the meantime and maybe getting some experience at a primary school to see what it's like.

Idolized by Aurinoko

Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....

Bob Dylan


Gnarly CraniumSILVER Member
member
186 posts
Location: San Francisco, USA


Posted:
Testing... just to see if by opening my fool mouth to say anything I'll somehow manage to kill the thread for another entire month. It's like the most annoying, useless superpower imaginable.

"Ours is not to question The Head; it is enough to revel in the ubiquitous inanity of The Head, the unwanted proximity of The Head, the unrelenting HellPresence of The Head, indeed the very UNYIELDING IRRELEVANCE of The Head!" --Revelation X


LizzybethLizzy hearts sunshine hoop
272 posts
Location: midlands!


Posted:
im not sure where im heading. i think i am completely lost. i was ok two days ago but now ..mmmm. funny how fast things change.

if i could be a busy busy bee...


scoshBRONZE Member
non stop uber rocking electro rock party
122 posts
Location: hastings, United Kingdom


Posted:
(i hope it makes you feel better that you havent)

i have no idea what i want to do in life or anything i dont no what i want and i dont no what i could do or enjoy doing im terrfied to start doing anything because i chan ge my mind so much and i really dont want to be stuck doing somthing that wont make me happy. i value being happy more than anything but its making me sad that i dont have a clue everytime i think of somthing i might like to do all i can see are all the reasons why i cant do them and its cvoming to the point where im just feeling like giving up and crying so yeah sucky dunno if that even starts to make sense sorry if not

"im quite depressed, im quite a mess, so beat me up, beat me down, mess me up beyond all recognition"


MikeGinnyGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA


Posted:
Burning Man. At 7:45 AM. EEEP!!!

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura


brittleGOLD Member
member
131 posts
Location: leicester, uk


Posted:
Just rub it in our faces Doc!!! ubbrollsmile

my plans for where im headed at the moment is first doin A Levels (which i start on thurs) then goto unni then go and work in LA for a year if some work tht im sorting out comes though =D and then see what happens after tht

What to do in case of fire??? LET IT BURN!


LizzybethLizzy hearts sunshine hoop
272 posts
Location: midlands!


Posted:
decided maybe i will just move back to portsmouth on the 1st of september as planned and wait and see what happens. although i feel like i do a lot of waiting around atm - mind you im impatient. its gotta be my life lesson. and have fun with a levels brittle! i had so much fun over those two years biggrin hope you enjoy it too biggrin

if i could be a busy busy bee...


_Aimée_SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom


Posted:
 Written by: squarexbear


I'm 19, only ever finished one A level (despite being quite academic) because of family problems. I didn't have the energy (or UCAS points) to go to uni, didn't want the debt, wanted to escape school.

I'd always assumed that i would go to uni, so deciding not to go left me with a big blank space. My parents had always assumed I would too, so they weren't all that impressed. I ended up doing a college course in journalism, which finishes on thursday. I've done the course, passed the exams, gone to the jobseeking workshops..and realised that i really dont want to be a journalist. Leacving me even more stuck than i was before. The course isnt officially recognised by UCAS, so it won't necessarily help me get into uni.

Another assumption i'd always made was that i'd go travelling. Right now that doesnt really seem likely, i dont have the drive or the ideas.

I'm worried that I'll get stuck in a rut and become the failure my mother is always telling me i am, but i havent got a clue what i want to do or where i want to go. eek.



Just came across this post by one of my friends who dosnt come on hop anymore.

Laurel is now approaching her 22 birthday.

She has a job in social services arranging care packages for the elderly.

She enjoys it, and the pay is good.
She shares a flat in Hastings with a work colleque and its a palace compared to the box she was living in previously with her ex boyfriend.
Unfortunatly, she dosnt get on too well with the work colleque anymore, and her bedroom leaks everytime it rains so she is in the process of finding a new place to live which is such a shame as aside from the leaky roof its an amazing little flat.

She dosnt think she'll stay in that job forever, and still has thoughts about going travelling and the possibility of going to university.

She is happy with how things have turned out so far, and I'm assuming shes looking forward to the many journeys she has ahead of her biggrin

The Tea FairySILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...


Posted:
I love this thread! It's so comforting to see how things work out for most people in the end....

I spoke to my mum about becoming a teacher at the weekend and she's really supportive of the idea, which is great, she may even help me a little with course fees when the time comes. I feel so much more happy and relaxed now I have a vague plan for the next few years! I can see a light at the end of the unfulfilling-office-job tunnel! ubbrollsmile

It's really hard to keep motivated in my current office job now though, I just want to hand in my notice and run out the doors!

Idolized by Aurinoko

Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....

Bob Dylan


faith enfireBRONZE Member
wandering thru the woods of WI
3,556 posts
Location: Wisconsin, USA


Posted:
I've been driving to work and daydreamed about keeping on going

Faith
Nay, whatever comes one hour was sunlit and the most high gods may not make boast of any better thing than to have watched that hour as it passed


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