how old? what do you do?

[Alvin03]

I'll start off saying that I have no idea what to do with my life. I had aspirations to be a video game designer when I was 11 or so, but a few years later my Dad finally proved to me that going into such a competitive, fast paced field isn't the wisest move. Other than that, I've never had an overall goal for my life.

So now I'm almost 23, and I'm finally gritting my teeth making that big push towards getting my life going. I'm at absolute zero as far as life goes. Single, no debt, unemployed, clean record, average GPA, High School Diploma...so maybe that isn't exactly zero, but that's about where I'd place myself.

My current plans are to join the Air Force and take advantage of the GI Bill, which covers up to 4 years of college after serving a minimum of 2 years, or 3 years for full monetary benefits. It's at this point I realized I need a heading, a goal...and fast.

I have a considerably high IQ, I just never really applied myself to anything. I can't list much for my interests. I love the English language, reading, writing, poetry. I love philosophy and psychology, and who doesn't love technology and video games? But I don't know if I'm interested enough for a career in those fields. Basically, I wrote that out to help you help me, but please don't confine your ideas to those boundaries.

With the military, I can get a Bachelor's Degree. I think this is the most realistic end-game goal. Maybe I could push for a higher degree in the future, but I don't have to plan that far, and who knows what the future holds?

There's always the idea of owning my own business when all is said and done. I've never liked the idea of people making money off of my work, but everyone has a price right?

I wanted to post this on this forum because this website is a great resource for job trends, but I don't even know what to type in the search engine, and I really want a 6 year projection. The job market is constantly changing and evolving, so where's it going?

[fitftw]

^ you sound like me. I'm going on 28, unemployed for almost 3 years, was in the Navy from 2005-2009, got my Associates degree from a community college, am attending university for a bachelor's in business administration. That's where I stand now. My education is free of charge so I won't carry any stupid student loans, plus the Post 9/11 GI Bill pays me around $2k in my pocket every month that I'm going to school so it's like why NOT go to school since I get paid for it on top of tuition being free? I may not be super successful like some kids in their early 20's posting crazy degrees and jobs on here, but I've been to around 30 countries in Europe and South America and traveled the world on a boat. The military is the best thing for anyone in their 20's who has no other options.

As long as I'm settled into a job by the time I'm 30 I couldn't care less. I live with my girlfriend and I pay half of everything.

[suprachica79]

23 y/o with a B.S in Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management. I just started a 2-year contract position working in the Quality and Records Management department at Boehringer Ingelheim, the 9th largest pharmaceutical company in the world, and #1 largest privately-owned pharma company in the world. Started back in mid-November after finishing a 4-month internship in the same department this past summer. Currently going for my MBA which I should be able to finish by the end of 2012. I love my job, even with the 150-mile round trip commute everyday, because I've seen first-hand working in a pharmacy that the drugs this company makes saves lives everyday. And they seem to have a higher moral-compass than most of the other large pharma companies, although not without their faults.

And because I got this job, and because the head of my department took a liking to me over my internship and has almost guaranteed me a full-time position within the next year, I can afford to get the FR-S

Also work part-time/per-diem at my old job as a pharmacy technician at Baystate Hospital. I work every other Sunday which will most likely pay for my car insurance on this FR-S haha

[fitftw]

^ 150 miles round trip? I'd either move 50 miles closer or find a new job. Say goodbye to 1/3 of your paychecks for gas, or instead of buying an FR-S perhaps a Prius or similar hybrid would make more sense. I could never have an hour and a half commute to work no matter what it was. I'd kill myself.

[suprachica79]

Originally Posted by fitftw

^ 150 miles round trip? I'd either move 50 miles closer or find a new job. Say goodbye to 1/3 of your paychecks for gas, or instead of buying an FR-S perhaps a Prius or similar hybrid would make more sense. I could never have an hour and a half commute to work no matter what it was. I'd kill myself.

Way cheaper to live with my parents and pay the gas than move closer. And it's not a third of my paycheck, it's 1/6th haha. It took me a year and a half to find this job once I graduated college, people should really stop saying "just find another job," clearly it isn't that simple. This pharma company pays better than any other pharma company I have seen, gives way better benefits, bonuses, paid time off, and I don't have to move across the country for it. Once it becomes permanent and I make more money, I'll be in a better position to consider moving closer. But, when my student loans become due when I finish my masters degree, it's looking like about $700 a month for 30 years, which is basically rent/mortgage money. So moving out is not an easy option, and might not even be financially possible at that moment. All depends on how much I get paid by then.

And the drive isn't super bad. 1hr5-10min when I drive in at 6, 1hr15-30min when I drive home at 3:30. It's my alone time to zone out and listen to sports talk radio haha.

Oh, and apartments very close to my work are in the $1000-$2000 range per month for a 1 bedroom, gotta love snobby CT

[fitftw]

that's the north in general. I pay $1,160 split between 2 people for a 2 bedroom + electric/cable/phone/car insurance so around $800 a month per person. Sucks when you're only putting $2,000 in your pocket every month but it could be a whole lot worse right now. I'm just glad to not deal with student loans. I'll get my Bachelor's degree and not owe anyone a penny for it.

[GregV]

24.. studied mechanical engineering at syracuse for a 2 years before I decided photographing race cars was more enjoyable.

Now in charge of marketing/advertising for a textile manufacturer.

[suprachica79]

Originally Posted by fitftw

that's the north in general. I pay $1,160 split between 2 people for a 2 bedroom + electric/cable/phone/car insurance so around $800 a month per person. Sucks when you're only putting $2,000 in your pocket every month but it could be a whole lot worse right now. I'm just glad to not deal with student loans. I'll get my Bachelor's degree and not owe anyone a penny for it.

Consider yourself lucky sir. I went to a private school because I had planned on becoming a pharmacist and would then be able to pay the large loans. Instead, I graduated with a much less desirable degree and am making less than half of what I would have had I become a pharmacist, and I have about 3/4's of the loans instead. Not a good trade-off. But, I learned a valuable lessen not to take things for granted and to work your ass off in school. Instead now I have to work my ass off and climb the slow ladder and pray that by 33 y/o (10 years of work) I'll make what I would have made starting as a pharmacist at 24 y/o. I really screwed myself by not taking advantage of the opportunity I had in school but o well, can't change the past, just have to look forward to the bleek future haha!

[NastyNate]

30. Geek Squad Supervisor. Played Marine in another life.

[Syldrin]

25 years old and i'm a hospital corpsman in the United States NAVY.

[NastyNate]

I have good memories of Pendelton.

[fatoni]

26 radiographer but in school for radiation therapy/dosimetry

[Repyt]

23, sysadmin for an outsourced IT company. Same job in the ANG. Providence, RI is home yes the northeast is over priced for housing!

[ABM74]

13; 14 in about a month..
Currently waiting until I can legally have a job(lol!)
I plan to major in civil engineering down the road, as I still have a decent amount of time until I attend college.