Anyone have regrets about their career choice?

[yellowperil]

Did you pick a career that turned out to be nothing like you expected, or some job market that became saturated while you were in school? I majored in psychology in college (stupid, stupid, stupid) and now I'm having a hell of a time getting job interviews in law school. Most employers are either looking for top 15%/law review, or in the case of IP law (which I'm interested in), an engineering degree. I really regret not majoring in electrical engineering (the biggest draw for patent firms) or at least sticking with my microbiology major. Damn it, I could have at least studied accounting or something useful. :|

Question for lawyers out there: anyone know what the market is like for non-patent IP law (i.e., copyrights/trademarks/trade secrets)? Is it mainly in the domain of general litigation firms? Thx

 

[Ness]

I don't have any regrets... of course I'm not out of college yet

 

[Ameesh]

no

 

[IBuyUFO]

every single damn day I wake up. That's how much I regret my career choice. Damn I wish I was dead and get this over with.

 

[yellowperil]

Originally posted by: IBuyUFO
every single damn day I wake up. That's how much I regret my career choice. Damn I wish I was dead and get this over with.

What was it?

 

[IBuyUFO]

Science/biotech. It truly does not pay no matter how hard you work. Yeah I need to edit this. Warning to all you kids out there thinking that science it's fun and worthwhile. Helping the human race does not pay well Become an Admin or something. I was shocked when I found out how much the admins were getting paid in the company I work in. That jus ain't right.

 

[milagro]

Originally posted by: IBuyUFO
every single damn day I wake up. That's how much I regret my career choice. Damn I wish I was dead and get this over with.

awesome tag!!

seriously, be glad you have a science degree. I obtained a science/engineering degree in a vary narrow field of study. I worked in the industry for 5 years and got sick of it and knew I would be unhappy continuing on. If there's something else that interests you, take the plunge and do not be afraid. In my case I even took a pay cut for a year and a half but it was worth it. My working life improved a thousandfold. I never have had a day where I hated going to work ever since I changed careers. Don't get hung up on "i need to stay on this career path because its what I studied in college". College taught you how to learn. Now go do something that makes you happy.

edit: sorry I got sidetracked...be glad you have a science degree because it does lend itself well to a ton of industries/careers...

 

[IBuyUFO]

I need to stay there because it's hard to find other jobs. I need to make car payments, and property payments so I have very little left at the end of the month. I can still tolerate the job but it's getting old.

 

[CrazyPerson]

would you like some fries with that?

 

[milagro]

Originally posted by: IBuyUFO
I need to stay there because it's hard to find other jobs. I need to make car payments, and property payments so I have very little left at the end of the month. I can still tolerate the job but it's getting old.

well i didn't say it would be easy...anything really worth doing takes effort. I had debt, payments, mortgage etc and jumped careers in 2002 when everyone was supposed to be happy to have a job. I worked for a company doing a job that really became a drag on many levels. I wasn't enjoying my work and the quality of my work was suffering as a result. After working there for about 3 years, I decided to make the change. I drug my ass to a job I hated w/ people I didn't get along with for another year and a half until I could get out permanently. You just need an equal dose of persistance and patience and you'll get there. Just making the decision and taking the first few steps is a huge psychological advantage that will at least help you through your remaining time at your current position/company...

 

[IBuyUFO]

Originally posted by: CrazyPerson
would you like some fries with that?

yes, I want fries. Don't forget to put that cajun seasoning or whatever that stuff is. How do you like your job at the burger joint?

 

[Ferocious]

In my younger days I became an Electrical Engineer for awhile (power systems and controls) because I heard it was a good paying field.

I hated being an engineer.

 

[ColdFusion718]

yep. did EE and now no jobs anywhere.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
Did you pick a career that turned out to be nothing like you expected, or some job market that became saturated while you were in school? I majored in psychology in college (stupid, stupid, stupid) and now I'm having a hell of a time getting job interviews in law school. Most employers are either looking for top 15%/law review, or in the case of IP law (which I'm interested in), an engineering degree. I really regret not majoring in electrical engineering (the biggest draw for patent firms) or at least sticking with my microbiology major. Damn it, I could have at least studied accounting or something useful. :|

Question for lawyers out there: anyone know what the market is like for non-patent IP law (i.e., copyrights/trademarks/trade secrets)? Is it mainly in the domain of general litigation firms? Thx

you should be able to find work, ~50% of the U.S. is women so you have about 130million potential customers.....any type of specialty?

 

[Miramonti]

as long as things go well I have no regrets.

 

[NinjaGnome]

I regret not being able to even narrow down what i want to do to 3 things. There are so many things i'd like to do in life.

 

[StageLeft]

I got a science degree but the major was psyc. I'm fairly happy where I am now (software), but do sometimes wonder if I should have done something more. I'm just glad I didn't really screw up and get an even more useless degree like sociology or something. Word of advice to those picking their majors: You can pick an easy one now, but when you get out of school don't kid yourself into thinking that your anthropology major or English major is nearly as useful as the guy with a chemistry or engineering or business major.

 

I (in highschool) studied Machine Toll & Die, right after graduation I landed a job in a machine shop that manufactured helicopter rotor hubs for Sykorsky, I stood in front of a drill press drilling holes 8 hours a day for 6 months, I quit and went back to what I loved, repairing motorvehicles.

I have been very happy ever since

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Roger
I (in highschool) studied Machine Toll & Die, right after graduation I landed a job in a machine shop that manufactured helicopter rotor hubs for Sykorsky, I stood in front of a drill press drilling holes 8 hours a day for 6 months, I quit and went back to what I loved, repairing motorvehicles.

I have been very happy ever since

You mean drilling holes 8 hours a day wasn't rewarding?

 

You mean drilling holes 8 hours a day wasn't rewarding?

I have no idea how people can do this type of job, it's amazing they don't have more suicidal drill press operators

 

[tarheelmm]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Roger
I (in highschool) studied Machine Toll & Die, right after graduation I landed a job in a machine shop that manufactured helicopter rotor hubs for Sykorsky, I stood in front of a drill press drilling holes 8 hours a day for 6 months, I quit and went back to what I loved, repairing motorvehicles.

I have been very happy ever since

You mean drilling holes 8 hours a day wasn't rewarding?

Not if its the same holes......