Ok, so is there any career you thought/dreamed of following but were too afraid to try it? It doesn't need to be a fear of danger - it could be just that you fear it is financially risky, hard to get into or you do not have the right education for.
For me, it is pretty mundane/weird: either a food critic or a restaurant/club owner. :P
None.
None. There are a few I wanted to do but wasn't good enough, like professional basketball player. :lol:
National Park Ranger.
Not so much fear though, as that it's likely too late, age-wise. I guess that could be "fear" in a roundabout way.
Black panther radical. :(
Music,
It would have been so cool to be one of those idiots in a indie band driving round the country in a crappy van...but it would have done nothing for my life. I'm not a awesome guitarist. I know that. And only, what? 1% of bands ever get ANYWHERE let alone to mega star status.
So I kept it as a hobby and followed a normal life into university.
Uncle Sam once offered me the opportunity to get my PhD and then design telecom equipment for the Air Force. It would have been a cut in pay, and I would have had to move to Dayton, but there are days I wish I had taken him up on the offer.
When I was a teen I seriously considered becoming an Army officer. But my eyesight soon became bad enough to make impossible such a thing. Years later I considered creating my own business, but I soon discovered profits didn't make me really happy, while any loss made me intensely unhappy!
Forum moderator. :)
Quote from: Jaron on October 09, 2009, 04:04:02 PM
Forum moderator. :)
you were one, it failed horribly remember?
A NCO in Napoleon's Imperial Guard.
King of a small Caribbean country.
Quote from: Savonarola on October 09, 2009, 03:31:37 PM
Uncle Sam once offered me the opportunity to get my PhD and then design telecom equipment for the Air Force. It would have been a cut in pay, and I would have had to move to Dayton, but there are days I wish I had taken him up on the offer.
Still better than Detroit. Dayton's government functions. Sorta.
Commissar.
Don't turn around, Raz is in town.
Novelist
Personally I've dabbled in all the careers I've dreamed about, dipped my toes in so to speak. Most of them were disappointing.
So what did J-Dawg do? I apparently missed something.
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 09, 2009, 04:49:52 PM
So what did J-Dawg do? I apparently missed something.
Deleted the sub-forum he was in charge of. (while me & others were posting on it or trying to.)
hilarious.
It was pretty funny. KAPLand was a whacky Crunchtastic place. My first forum actually. so I learned my posting style from the gods of KAPland.
Yes you did Buddha :p
Academia
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Self-Employment
Nothing. What kept me from my career of choice was physical disability or more precisely, myopia.
Quote from: Slargos on October 09, 2009, 05:25:28 PM
Nothing. What kept me from my career of choice was physical disability or more precisely, myopia.
Didn't know that being an SA stormtrooper required good eyesight.
Quote from: The Brain on October 09, 2009, 05:29:46 PM
Quote from: Slargos on October 09, 2009, 05:25:28 PM
Nothing. What kept me from my career of choice was physical disability or more precisely, myopia.
Didn't know that being an SA stormtrooper required good eyesight.
Well, I don't know that it does, really. It's one of those things you can assume by inference though.
Quote from: Tonitrus on October 09, 2009, 03:23:58 PM
National Park Ranger.
A co-worker my dad clerked with at the FBI back in the early '60s went that route. They gave him a rifle, a horse and trailer and a truck to haul it with, and sent him to Yellowstone.
To this day, one of the only men my Dad ever knew that actually did what he wanted to do with his career.
Sculptor.
Academic.
Actually, I sorta tried both. What I was afraid of, was eternal poverty and dependency. :lol:
Quote from: Malthus on October 09, 2009, 05:57:43 PM
What I was afraid of, was eternal poverty
:huh: WTF
:Joos
Military.
I strongly considered applying to a military academy out of high school, and I again looked at becoming a JAG officer a few years ago.
I don't know about being afraid either time. I don't think fear was exactly it, and I"m not exactly broken up inside over not joining the CF, but that's the one 'what if' that's stuck with me.
Quote from: The Brain on October 09, 2009, 05:59:02 PM
Quote from: Malthus on October 09, 2009, 05:57:43 PM
What I was afraid of, was eternal poverty
:huh: WTF
:Joos
Yeah, if I lived in a scandi socialist paradise, I'd not worry about working as a sculptor, either. Someone else can pay my bills. :D
Quote from: Barrister on October 09, 2009, 06:13:09 PM
Military.
I strongly considered applying to a military academy out of high school, and I again looked at becoming a JAG officer a few years ago.
I don't know about being afraid either time. I don't think fear was exactly it, and I"m not exactly broken up inside over not joining the CF, but that's the one 'what if' that's stuck with me.
Yes, but isn't sending unemployed, alcoholic prairie niggers to prison for stealing a bike a more rewarding and interesting field of work?
Quote from: Fireblade on October 09, 2009, 09:28:13 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 09, 2009, 06:13:09 PM
Military.
I strongly considered applying to a military academy out of high school, and I again looked at becoming a JAG officer a few years ago.
I don't know about being afraid either time. I don't think fear was exactly it, and I"m not exactly broken up inside over not joining the CF, but that's the one 'what if' that's stuck with me.
Yes, but isn't sending unemployed, alcoholic prairie niggers to prison for stealing a bike a more rewarding and interesting field of work?
I don't live on the prairie. :rolleyes:
Combat engineer (I failed the West Point entrance PT test, but actually had the ROTC scholarship and turned it down) and meteorologist (specifically, I wanted to become a researcher at the National Hurricane Center).
Quote from: vonmoltke on October 09, 2009, 10:14:54 PM
Combat engineer (I failed the West Point entrance PT test, but actually had the ROTC scholarship and turned it down) and meteorologist (specifically, I wanted to become a researcher at the National Hurricane Center).
You wanted to be Dan Cock? Cool.
Quote from: The Brain on October 10, 2009, 01:18:43 AM
You wanted to be Dan Cock? Cool.
Y'know, if BB or Scipio were inclined to do gay porn, they could take the stage name "Don Cockass."
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 10, 2009, 01:25:25 AM
Quote from: The Brain on October 10, 2009, 01:18:43 AM
You wanted to be Dan Cock? Cool.
Y'know, if BB or Scipio were inclined to do gay porn, they could take the stage name "Don Cockass."
:bleeding:
Yes, they could. :)
I considered becoming a doctor at some point. I am not sure if that would have been better than my current career. Maybe.
I interviewed with the CIA but didn't follow up.
Military. I thought about it after college (and occasionally earlier), back when the job market was tanking and I couldn't even get an interview, but decided to try teaching in Korea instead. At this point I highly doubt I'll ever join.
My nephew did join the army recently, though, so I'll live vicariously through him.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 10, 2009, 03:02:36 AM
I interviewed with the CIA but didn't follow up.
That's what they all say... :zipped:
I'd love to own a restaurant/cafe :mmm:
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 10, 2009, 07:28:13 AM
I'd love to own a restaurant/cafe :mmm:
Do you need a HOT Latin waiter? :mmm:
Quote from: alfred russel on October 09, 2009, 05:03:49 PM
Academia
Reporter
Self-Employment
The above three are the careers that I've most wanted to follow in my life. I'm applying for grad school now, worked as a freelance writer for several years, and will be working for a woman helping her build up her company from a one-woman business to a 15-20 person factory. So I've sort of toyed with all of the careers that I wanted to do.
Oh, and add novelist to the list. I've written a book, but it was crap. I'll be working on another one at Christmas Break, when I have four weeks off from work.
Quote from: Jaron on October 10, 2009, 08:05:50 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on October 10, 2009, 07:28:13 AM
I'd love to own a restaurant/cafe :mmm:
Do you need a HOT Latin waiter? :mmm:
You don't like air conditioning?
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 09, 2009, 04:36:13 PM
Quote from: Savonarola on October 09, 2009, 03:31:37 PM
Uncle Sam once offered me the opportunity to get my PhD and then design telecom equipment for the Air Force. It would have been a cut in pay, and I would have had to move to Dayton, but there are days I wish I had taken him up on the offer.
Still better than Detroit. Dayton's government functions. Sorta.
And Rhine McLin leads the world in silly hat technology; but Dayton would still be low on the list of places I to which I would want to move.
Quote from: Jaron on October 10, 2009, 08:05:50 AM
Do you need a HOT Latin waiter? :mmm:
I'll bet he does, yes. Do you know one or something?
long story but I got discouraged from being a writer and journo around 1989. mostly because I was in a situation, did not stick up for myself, and just walked away. but by 95 I made the same decision again, actually followed through and in 97 I had a job as a writer and a journo.
novelist and foreign correspondent remain on the dream list.
Why the fascination with being a writer/journalist? :huh:
Perhaps it's from being the son of a writer (in particular, a sports writer) but it seems that while journalism has its perks, it doesn't pay well, has lots of competition, and depending on who you talk to may be a dying industry.
I want to be a Pilot. I used to lack school notes, now I lack money.
I always dreamed about being an actuary. :)
Quote from: DGuller on October 13, 2009, 03:42:21 PM
I always dreamed about being an actuary. :)
I was around 10-12 when I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. :hug:
About a year ago I received an email from an old childhood friend of mine, who I hadn't spoken to since the age of 13. WHen I said I was a lawyer he rpelied "nothing would have surprised me less." :lol:
Quote from: Barrister on October 13, 2009, 03:36:46 PM
Why the fascination with being a writer/journalist? :huh:
Perhaps it's from being the son of a writer (in particular, a sports writer) but it seems that while journalism has its perks, it doesn't pay well, has lots of competition, and depending on who you talk to may be a dying industry.
I dream of writing a novel. However, around chapter 5 it falls apart.
Journalists though, are scum.
Quote from: Barrister on October 13, 2009, 03:36:46 PM
Why the fascination with being a writer/journalist? :huh:
Perhaps it's from being the son of a writer (in particular, a sports writer) but it seems that while journalism has its perks, it doesn't pay well, has lots of competition, and depending on who you talk to may be a dying industry.
When I was 8 or 9, I discovered the wonderful world of carbon copying paper, and took it upon myself to start my own newspaper. I pulled my toy box out into the living room and put it in the corner so I could still watch TV, got all the really cool office supplies my parents would give me from their jobs, made a sign, and created my own News Bureau.
I spent all Friday evening working on a legal pad, pressing really hard and writing really slow to make as many copies as I could with the carbon paper. That one page of legal pad had tons of info on it: the state of the dogs, an interview with my 6 year old sister, news about my friends, info about dinner plans that weekend, etc. It was cool. I was so damned impressed.
Next morning, I'm all ready with copies of my Saturday Edition. The whole family was there in the kitchen, and I offered copies of the newspaper for .50 to everyone: Mom, Dad, and Sis. I was gonna clear $1.50, baby.
My Dad bought one, and said: "Now I can let Mom and your sister borrow it so now they don't have to buy one."
A career in underpaying journalism nipped right there in the fucking bud.
Ow. :lol:
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 13, 2009, 04:03:43 PM
Ow. :lol:
Yeah, Dad's a real sensitive cat when it comes to dreams.
"Dad, I want to go to Annapolis and be a naval pilot."
"With your grades, you can pilot your navel anywhere you want.""Dad, I want to go to film school."
"What, so you can refill my iced tea at Friendly's like the rest of the film school grads?"
I remember my dad once brought home a bunch of mid-80s mock-ups for laying out a newspaper page (this was before computers did everything). It was a bunch of wire stories, a big newspaper mock-up, and glue and exacto-knives. That was fun. :wub:
Quote from: Barrister on October 13, 2009, 03:36:46 PM
Why the fascination with being a writer/journalist? :huh:
Perhaps it's from being the son of a writer (in particular, a sports writer) but it seems that while journalism has its perks, it doesn't pay well, has lots of competition, and depending on who you talk to may be a dying industry.
Agreed. I have no interest whatsoever in pursuing any sort of writing career, and never had.
I don't know how to answer the original post since to be honest I never dreamed of having any sort of career I was afraid to try. :huh:
When I was younger I supposed I 'dreamed' of becoming a historian of some sort, but I took that as far as working toward the PhD before getting bored out of my mind... so I guess I tried it, sort of, and didn't like it.
Beyond that, I think it's more that I 'dreamed' about being successful, and I think I've achieved that goal.
Quote from: Barrister on October 13, 2009, 03:36:46 PM
Why the fascination with being a writer/journalist? :huh:
Perhaps it's from being the son of a writer (in particular, a sports writer) but it seems that while journalism has its perks, it doesn't pay well, has lots of competition, and depending on who you talk to may be a dying industry.
maybe he likes writing? Doing something as a career only because it's supposedly a good way to earn money is :bleeding: I'd much rather take home a bit less money and do something that I enjoy.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:35:26 PM
Doing something as a career only because it's supposedly a good way to earn money is :bleeding:
:console: :tinfoil:
Accounting. Just before I left Hong Kong for Canada, I figured that it was the one profession that I had the best chance of getting in and staying with. I was single minded to become an accountant during university. I chickened out when I got the civil service job.
Ice-cream shop operator. I love food. I encountered an absolutely delicious gelato shop in Berkeley. I actually talked with the store manager about opening a shop in HK.
Inventory management guy. I love organizing things and optimizing their placement and procurement. I enjoy keeping track of the number of toilet paper rolls we have in our home. This is probably the one thing I'll truly like doing.
Sales (of financial products). People have been trying to sell me all sorts of financial products. Every time they do that I can't help but think, gee these guys have no idea what they are talking about. Perhaps I can do better...
I'll do everything I can to prevent myself from doing anything stupid. I am a civil servant and I will retire as one.
wow what a cynical bunch. Nobody here has a career doing something they like doing? weird.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:43:01 PM
wow what a cynical bunch. Nobody here has a career doing something they like doing? weird.
I think it is rare to do something one actually likes doing. Most people just do something they don't really mind doing.
Quote from: Monoriu on October 13, 2009, 08:45:25 PM
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:43:01 PM
wow what a cynical bunch. Nobody here has a career doing something they like doing? weird.
I think it is rare to do something one actually likes doing. Most people just do something they don't really mind doing.
I'd accept that... That's what I'm doing - something I mostly don't mind doing) but people are making it seem that you shouldn't even try to do something you enjoy if it's not some kind of lameass "hot market" Fuck that. Been there done that. Got re-training to do desktop publishing, Flash, web design etc years ago. Was I able to get work? Yes. Was I able to get paid? No... not bloody likely. The problem with "hot careers is that they are only hot for a short time. 10 grand down the tubes as far as I'm concerned.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:43:01 PM
wow what a cynical bunch. Nobody here has a career doing something they like doing? weird.
My mother is the only person I know that ever did what she truly wanted to do with her life, ever since she was little: that was to be a nurse, and she did it for over 40 years.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:43:01 PM
wow what a cynical bunch. Nobody here has a career doing something they like doing? weird.
Joking aside, I like doing what I'm doing. I'm having a hard time thinking of a career I'd be more suited for.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on October 13, 2009, 08:55:12 PM
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:43:01 PM
wow what a cynical bunch. Nobody here has a career doing something they like doing? weird.
My mother is the only person I know that ever did what she truly wanted to do with her life, ever since she was little: that was to be a nurse, and she did it for over 40 years.
I know quite a few Nurses, Teachers, Doctors and other "Professionals" who profess similar stories.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:51:57 PM
I'd accept that... That's what I'm doing - something I mostly don't mind doing) but people are making it seem that you shouldn't even try to do something you enjoy if it's not some kind of lameass "hot market" Fuck that. Been there done that. Got re-training to do desktop publishing, Flash, web design etc years ago. Was I able to get work? Yes. Was I able to get paid? No... not bloody likely. The problem with "hot careers is that they are only hot for a short time. 10 grand down the tubes as far as I'm concerned.
What I object to are suggestions to follow one's heart with no regard about the chance of success or financial payout.
Quote from: Monoriu on October 13, 2009, 09:14:50 PM
What I object to are suggestions to follow one's heart with no regard about the chance of success or financial payout.
:yes: Virtually everyone I know that has done that has failed. That's not to say some don't succeed, but I'm not sure if the gamble is worth it.
What I do is nothing I ever planned on doing, but I thoroughly enjoy it anyway. :)
Quote from: Monoriu on October 13, 2009, 09:14:50 PM
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:51:57 PM
I'd accept that... That's what I'm doing - something I mostly don't mind doing) but people are making it seem that you shouldn't even try to do something you enjoy if it's not some kind of lameass "hot market" Fuck that. Been there done that. Got re-training to do desktop publishing, Flash, web design etc years ago. Was I able to get work? Yes. Was I able to get paid? No... not bloody likely. The problem with "hot careers is that they are only hot for a short time. 10 grand down the tubes as far as I'm concerned.
What I object to are suggestions to follow one's heart with no regard about the chance of success or financial payout.
well I never said you should do what you want without making a serious effort to understand what it entails, and taking it seriously in general. If you are flippant about it, you're doomed to fail in the first place.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 09:30:08 PM
well I never said you should do what you want without making a serious effort to understand what it entails, and taking it seriously in general. If you are flippant about it, you're doomed to fail in the first place.
It's unclear to me how well most of the folks to which I am referring planned things out. I would suspect people are always going to claim they are better prepared than they really are.
sure. I know a number of people who opened cafes/restaurants over the years because they thought it would be "fun". How wrong they were. (or at least were unprepared for the hard work aspect.) The ones who couldn't enjoy the actual work failed quickly and miserable.
I've had jobs I grew to enjoy like ESL Teacher, but I grew weary of having to teach children. Much different than teaching adults, which I found comfortable and enjoyable.
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on October 13, 2009, 08:43:01 PM
wow what a cynical bunch. Nobody here has a career doing something they like doing? weird.
I do, though I'm growing to hate the environment I'm doing it in.