I've never been this scared in my life.

[Phoenix15]

<< I've been thinking through the same thing.
I work for a bank doing software development.
What do I really accomplish? Nothing. I mean, I get my job done, and do a good job, but at the end of the day ... nothing has really changed. Maybe some people made some money. Maybe some people lost some money. Makes no difference to me. And in a year or two, whatever I develop will be replaced or remade by another division in the bank.

How the company does is completely out of my control since they're so big.
So I'm wondering ... what's the point. The pay is good, but what am I really contributing to society?

Telstar >>



My feelings exactly. I feel that if I don't do something now, before I start a family, I never will.

 

[Ladies Man]

office space comes to mind from telstar1's post

 

[Azraele]

Sometimes life is scary, especially with big decisions like that.

Good luck!

 

[dirtboy]

I've been that scared before...

One day my now ex-wife came home and informed me she filed for divorce and I was moving out, immeadiately. Within two weeks I quit my job, left money and many of my things with my ex because I couldn't transport them, and moved 2,000 miles home.

I had, no job, no money, no "things", no nothing. Talk about scary.

Now I'm working for myself, building my income back up, and starting life over again... and who would have thought, but the state now has a bill up for consideration that, if passed, will succeed in legistlating me out of business. That means my income will cease.

Scary? Oh yea... staring life over again less than one year after starting it over... sucky.

Be glad you have a woman that loves you! If I had that now, I wouldn't be nearly as scared.

[EDIT] When I was married, I was working as a network administrator. Since returning home I have been offered jobs working with computers and I too decided there was something better suited for me out there. Computer free for 9 months and loving it!!

 

[GrumpyMan]

The FBI likes to move their agents around alot sometimes, are you and your wife going to like that? You also will be fighting crime and most criminals are up at all hours of the night so you will too. It takes a toll on a marriage.

 

[Perknose]

Phoenix15, follow your passion, the money will follow. Life is short, gone before you goddamned know it, and no amount of extra green can make up for not following your dream. Go for it. Make a difference -- at least have the quietude within yourself that you tried.

 

[telstar1]

<< office space comes to mind from telstar1's post >>



Without a doubt. I just told my boss to rent that movie.

 

[Phoenix15]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I think we will enjoy the moving. We both want to travel, and have lived our whole lives here. We talked about it a grreat deal before Imade up my mind. I know too that I won't go straight to the FBI. It will take a few years of working at a local level to even be considered. Hey, nothing worth it is easy right?

 

[bunker]

I have a CJ degree. Still in it's wrapper, never been used. You want to get into the FBI? Stay with CS and take some CJ courses. The FBI will not hire you out of college with a CJ degree without 5 years of law enforcement experience or some other degree that will be beneficial to them.

Trust me, I tried.

 

[Piano Man]

I hear you Phoenix. I changed from computer engineering to music education. It is definately more worthwhile IMO. Congrats on taking a pay cut in order to do something you enjoy more.

 

[Phoenix15]

Well, today's the day!

 

[Nemesis77]

Since you have experience in computing and interest in law-enforcement, have you thought about joining NIPC? You could then combine both your interests

EDIT: Oh, almost forgot. Good luck man!

 

[ATLien247]

You're going to pass up a free ride to college? And half way through? Insane!

If I were you, I would stick it out for another two years and get your degree in CS. Then if you're still interested in CJ, I'm sure there is some kind of graduate program out there that will fit the bill.

 

[StageLeft]

<< i would wait until i had another job before i quit my first one. >>

 

[StageLeft]

<< So I'm wondering ... what's the point. The pay is good, but what am I really contributing to society? >>

Nothing. You work for a pay check. That is the one and only motivator in your going to work. I'm the same way. Right now it is fine with me; as long as I make my money I'm good but I can't say that in 5 years I'll feel the same way. Some people's employment gives them the luxury of adequate pay and also a feeling of contributing to society and that is why Phoneix wants to do what he's doing

In regards to bunker's post I hope that you looked into all this phoenix as I am also sure that getting into the FBI can't be easy at all.

 

[Phoenix15]

<< You're going to pass up a free ride to college? And half way through? Insane!

If I were you, I would stick it out for another two years and get your degree in CS. Then if you're still interested in CJ, I'm sure there is some kind of graduate program out there that will fit the bill. >>



It's not really free. If you read my above post you'll see that it is part of my salary.

 

[Phoenix15]

<<

<< In regards to bunker's post I hope that you looked into all this phoenix as I am also sure that getting into the FBI can't be easy at all. >>



As I said, my EVENTUAL goal would be to join the FBI. I know I'm looking at at least 3 years on a local police force before Iwill be seriously considered. I am also thinking of joing the National Gaurd as a way to pay for school and also to gain experience

 

[skace]

The reason someone would work a job that has no gains other than money is very simple. If you make more at job X then it opens up more choices for you down the road. You could retire early and be financially free for a good portion of your life.

The only thing I hope to attain from a job is the ability to never need one again. I don't want to retire at 65, I want to retire long before that.

 

[telstar1]

FBI Agent Application

 

[Crimson]

What I don't understand is why you feel your worth or your benefit is based soley on your JOB? I am a System Admin for a company, I make about 55k/year right now.. but as I see it, the job is just a means to an end.. I work not because I feel like my jobb makes me a better person, but I feel like my job enables me to do things outside of work which better myself and others. What I am getting at is if you get a job in which you make enough money to live like you want to, you can volunteer or donate time to charities or other endeavors to fulfill any desires you have to give back to your community. Why work for 40k/year for the FBI, when you can make 80k/year being a Sys Admin and donate time/money to other causes? You can be a volunteer fireman, rescue worker, etc...

Just a thought...

 

[Kerouactivist]

Nice post Crimson
I am graduating soon, I was planning on going to Law School but, I have recently changed my mind. I decided that Law School and the job that I would have upon completing law school really wouldn't allow me to pursue, Travel, have an active family life, among other things. I decided that I am either going to go back to undergraduate, or I am going to to pursue a Masters and maybe a PHD in international politics, and teach at a Jr. college (they pay pretty well and you don't have to publish very much) or maybe a university. If I go back to undergraduate, I was thinking of doing something in a computer related field.
What degree would be the best choice to become a System Admin or something along those lines???
Also, I have an undergraduate degree in Political Science, how much longer do you think it might take for me to get anther degree???

 

[telstar1]

any update?

 

[Toasthead]

Have you spoken to anyone in the FBI? My father worked for them for 20+ years and its not as glamorous as some might think. LOTS of desk work. Your aren't always out catchin' bad guys. Plus if you dont have a post graduate degree ( They prefer attorneys) then you are in for a LOOONG wait.


-Toast

 

[teddymines]

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both...

 

[Phoenix15]

Sorry for not updating, but I've been a busy little bee. Here is what is going on.

1. My employer agreed to keep me on as a part time consultant. I'll be able to keep my insurance etc.. and will now be paid hourly, instead of a salary.

2. I've looked at joining the Air Force reserve, but am unsure now if that would be a good thing for me.

3. I've talked to several local law enforcement people, and a FBI rep at a college career day. I really feel this is the right thing for me to do.

4. I've started a work out campaign. I'll be starting Tae Kwon Do classes in about a month. Hiyaaa!


Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I feel much better now!!!