Ask any eight year old this question and they are ready with an answer. Ask me, and I'll have no clue.
Ok, well I thought I had no clue, but then I went to collegeboard.com and viewed their alphabetical list of careers, causing myself to realize that I actually do have some idea. Although I could list about ten jobs I could see myself doing, I can now also list about 10,000 I cannot see myself doing. Funeral director...seriously, who majors in that?
Anyway, I am at the point where I must decide what I want to major in and pursue as a career, but I cannot commit. And I'm not talking about choosing between being a history or an English teacher. I am talking about being a history teacher, English teacher, elementary school teacher, nonprofit manager, politician, writer, sports analyst, or (the newest addition to the list) a veterinarian. So, that only leaves one answer: straight from Rory Gilmore, ladies and gentlemen it's the pro-con list.
(Feel free to deem me hopeless and stop reading now...)
1. Teacher- I decided to combine these all into one. Most of the things I dislike about teaching are general to the entire field, not the individual concentrations.
Pros: Very rewarding, good benefits, good start if I decide to go into politics
Cons: While I do enjoy working with children, working with them everyday at 7:30 am may make me want to kill myself. No lie. Then there's the parents, because we all know that all children are perfect and everything is the teachers' fault.
2. Nonprofit management
Pros: This gives me an opportunity to really help children, something I am really passionate about, without having to put up with them everyday. Plus, I would get to write and make speeches, both things I quite enjoy.
Cons: Job market is so-so. Plus, lately I've done a book drive and a toy drive. Both were major successes, but the receivers did not seem incredibly appreciative. Not that that is the most important thing, but it kind of left a bad impression. And last, Howard Roark tells Peter Keating in The Fountainhead that the outcome is not the important thing, you must enjoy the doing. I'd like to see the fruits of my labor in this field, but I don't know how much I would enjoy the doing. Another lesson learned from Ayn Rand.
3. Politician- HAHAHAHA scary thought
Pros: Being able to affect change, and being put in the same category as Mitt Romney
Cons: Being put in the same category as Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Former President George Bush, Mike Huckabee, President Obama, Bob Riley, and Al Gore.
4. Writer
Pros: I really, really, really enjoy writing. (Bet you never would've guessed that!)
Cons: No money unless I become J.K. Rowling, and that's not going to happen. Plus, I might have to get my start as a journalist, and I would rather chew my left arm off (or cheer for Alabama) than do that.
5. Sports Analyst
Pros: You have no idea how good I am at this. The things I discuss with my dad while we're watching sports are the exact same things that the experts are talking about ten minutes later. I stay one step ahead of them. Plus, talk about doing something you love. Writing+talking+watching football=dream job!
Cons: Well, I'd have to work holidays. And I'd have to get my start as a journalist, which we have already discussed. Also, next time you get a chance, take a look at a group of sports analysts on ESPN. There is one major difference between me and them...HINT: It's something I couldn't change without surgery. Think women can do anything men can? Maybe in the pre-Palin error. (No, that's not a typo.)
6. Veterinarian
Pros: I love children and animals. (Hence, the teacher/vet dilemma.) I would make significantly more money than most of the aforementioned jobs, and I could stay in school like forever. It would be rewarding, and I do not want a career that I have to do the same thing everyday, so veterinary medicine would be perfect. AND, I would really like to concentrate in herpetology (study of snakes...well reptiles). Know anyone else doing that? Didn't think so. Plus, it's a field in which I would constantly be learning. Call me a dork, but this is a must.
Cons: The science. I'm not a huge fan, and it is by far my worst subject. Something about it does not click in my brain. But I would hate to have this be the only thing that holds me back.
Well, there it is and I still have no idea. This would be one of those times it would be great to have a significant following so I could hear their opinions. A crystal ball would work too.
Why have you stolen my existence? And, please, feel free to hold on to it as long as you like!
ReplyDeleteLet's see, the ONLY career on this list I have not considered myself is Sports Analyst. The non-profit industry was brief for me; perhaps you are my more compassionate counterpart!
I actually laughed out loud when I read your veterinarian bit, not because I think it is ridiculous, but because I decided I wanted to go vet med a few months ago. My biggest reservation? The science aspect...mostly that UT doesn't offer zoology as a degree, and that was primarily what I wanted to do.
As to your potential as a writer, even Rowling started elsewhere. Writing will always be my ultimate goal, but I don't think I would ever want it to be my primary career. Besides, you keep busy too, writing all day long can grow tedious even for those of us who love it!
Also, politician is a nice career to table (like my jargon?) for now. Chances are you'll need to work you way up in a different field to really be successful. Campaign managers and speech writers stick to behind the screens. Lady Gaga is one of the few who's managed to move from writing someone else's lyrics to singing her own song! ;)
I won't try to sway you many other ways but, I will say this: Sports Journalism is probably one of those majors UT offers that Alabama does not ... in-state tuition anyone?
And, with that, I'm out - but look for more comments to come! I had no idea this was your blog, for some reason I thought it was another one!