So what is your job?

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You know, any job is a good job, if you like the work, whether it's software or hardware or a mix. And money isn't everything.....it really isn't. If you are not happy where you are, 100k a year isn't that important.

I respect hard core coders and hardware engineers.....but those jobs are just not something Im interested it. It is important to find something you like.

G13, it was Reganomics that pushed me ahead...the economy boomed...My Shipmates and I rode that wave right out of the Navy and into successful civilian carreers all the way through the Clinton years right up to when the Internet bubble burst.... got to say that Y2K really saved my bacon though.....got a huge boost in income helping people prepare for the non-event....the DST thing we just went through was much like the Y2K thing as far as bumping up business..... Change = opportunity VISTA is probably the biggest opportunity for people who want to make $$$ helping small businesses and individuals upgrade/migrate.

So look for change...it presents new opportunities.
 
Darn straight, I've got a nice house, two kids, an unemployed wife. Two newish vehicles (my last new one got totalled by a drugged out whor..I mean, woman) and all the toys I can play with (that I want to play with at least). If I made 100k I might have a Lexus instead of a Toyota, but that'd be about it. Plus I save a crap load for my kids and a bunch goes to stocks, broke friends, family, etc.
 
Drug Dealer & Street Racer



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Just kidding...

Current High school student, not yet graduated from school. Planning to go to College and study something related to computers. Maybe Computer engineering or Electronic Engineer.
Year salary is around $300, not too bad for somebody who doesnt work yet. But fortunately, family situation is good and can afford my needs.

Hope to someday become a hardware tester like my messiahs Coolaler, Shamino, Eva2000 etc
 
I work IT in the local school district. Pay $38k yearly. It dosen't sound like much but the 3weeks vacation, school holidays, and the first two weeks of august (pretty much get 2 free weeks paid vacation) are awesome. I also sub for night janitors for some extra $$$. I usually work 7 until 3 or 4. However I get an hour or 2 lunch(depends on how busy it is). Right now there isn't much to do because the state testing is going on so the only time I can get into the classrooms and such is in the early morning or the late afternoon. So I have a lot of down time right now. However this summer is going to be hell... all the the pre 2000 computers are getting replaced, all 84 of them. And the begining of the school year is very hectic too. Then the work comes in spurts. Ya know how it is...
 
I had to replace 250 computers in one week when I was a senior at my HS (helped with all the IT since I was a sophmore). This was on a mostly token ring network with nics that needed their macs programmed. I hated that week, but I got paid well, considering I didn't have a real job. And I got to boss around a couple other kids :)
 
One reason I like surveying... I get to demo and buy robotic total stations for hard to reach areas even reflectorless mode, and touch the stars with GPS for boundary control accurate to a centimeter! All while roving around some of the most interesting land covering areas most never know exist.. Which all that data collection of course needs the best C2D machine to post process the data! Sweet when you think about it.
 
Hope I can help you out, here's my little slice of advice:

Been doing the computer thing for about 10 years or so.

I have a BS in Computer Engineering (with a lot of comp sci courses as well) from PSU. At the time, I took a lot of diverse honors course with the intention of pursuing my PHD in Computer Science and Engineering, so I have a pretty diverse educational background in the computer field (Programming, design, hardware, web, DBA, networking, etc, etc). That type of curriculum sets you up well for Graduate School, as well as a consulting career.

During school, I spent my summers working in the IT support department of global civil engineering firm. I also did a bit of side work (custom software, database, and computer system design and support). I decided near the end of senior year I was sick of school for a while and started my own consulting business (which I still own and do a little with). I did that for about a year, then joined another local consulting firm that provided technical support and IT outsourcing for a variety of sources as a Senior Consultant (still do some consulting for them too when needed) for a few years.

Currently, I am an IT Consultant for a large software company that provided transactional based billing and tracking software primarily to telecommunications companies worldwide (though we have done some work for eBay and Autotrader.com). I perform customized installations, provide application support, write custom applications, and a variety of other tasks as needed, mostly in a Unix environment. Chances are that our software is involved in someway in either your phone (landline and mobile), cable, or internet service. I get to travel around the western hemisphere a decent amount for free (paid trips to Aruba are pretty sweet), and when I am home, I can mostly work from my couch. I currently make upwards of $60K (I won't say how much upwards), and am looking at a promotion to a project manager position that should come with a decent pay increase as well.

I would say that making upwards of $85K is entirely possible (depending somewhat on your location) if you work hard and take advantage of the opportunities provided to you. I could easily make that where I am located, but I prefer the travel/work from home to the extra money and the commute (traffic here is Hell).

If you are looking into Engineering, pay particular attention to physics and math, and for computers, chemistry. One of my biggest complaints about my program was that there wasn't enough taught about the underlying chemistry of the various materials used in chip design (a pretty hot topic today). But then again, I decided I didn't want to do chip design and work for IBM/Intel/AMD, so maybe I am not the best person to ask.
 
Fun stuff. Plus you gotta love any excuse to have the latest machine. I keep telling my boss I need a C2D Widescreen laptop for my programming projects (and gaming when I am on planes/in hotels), but that hasn't worked out so far. :wink:
 
To people who think money dosent equal happiness such as Bill Gates, all i have to say is.....You DONT know how to spend it. if i had even $1 billion id be happy give to my friends and family (not all of it) go to awesome places like cancun and etc. go home play top notch games. Pay unix (if i had more than 1 billion) to actually make a good game that has the things i want in it.

Money buys you happiness. It bought you a wife (if you are married), cant take her on a date broke can you not to mention her ring.
Bought you the computer your using now.

Limitless possibilities. I love the evil thing called money.
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As you get older, you'll learn (hopefully) that most of what you are saying here isn't true. Money didn't buy me a wife (she had more money than me and paid most of the time back then. Now I support her, so we are even), though it did buy her a ring (that and having the right connections).

I bought the computer I am using now through my hard work, (which does provide money) with which I earned that money.

You will learn that while money is nice, there are more important things, like happiness. Money is worthless if you hate your job (which makes you very unhappy). I would much rather be happy with my job than have a job that pays more (see my post above). I could easily be making over $100K right now or more working for one of the big financial firms in NYC, but I would hate it, so I stay away.

While money is nice, and it is a great blessing not to have to struggle for everything financially, you will learn that NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN EVER BUY HAPPINESS.
 
I agree with you 100%. Anyone who thinks money buys happiness doesn't know what they are talking about. Money makes some things easy but it doesn't satisfy the inner being. If money bought a wife then she wasn't worth marrying.

My wife had far more money than I did when we met. I didn't find her at some resort or swank spot....we met in a Dunkin Donuts buying coffee.....how much money do you have to make to do that?

I will grant that you do need to make a certain minimum to keep you sheltered and fed, beyond that, you MUST be happy or the cash just isn't worth it. (PS Im pretty comfy now but I started life as an adult out of high school with $40 and the clothes my parents bought in HS for me...the rest I worked for)...money is a tool, it is not happiness.
 
Hey guys … great, great comments,

I’m a doctor! I have an undergraduate in kinesiology, a Doctorate, and 2 fellowships. I’ve been in school for more than 10 years, and have practiced for more than 8 years. I had my own clinic and on October 31rst, 2006, I closed my clinic to pursue this inner passion of coding that needed to escape.

I became a doctor to have the “life”. I have made millions, and have spent millions. Money, for me, did not bring the happiness that I expected. Even when I made as much as $15,000 per week. Unfortunately, you often have to make money, to truly understand, that money does not bring you happiness – for some however – it may. People who do not have money, often think otherwise, as I once did.

I’ve coded so many things, “on the side”, to help explain, demonstrate, and simplify many of the complex situations that needed explaining and I have learned, that when you love what you do, money does not matter.

I have never gone to school for computer science, or software engineering, yet I have most likely accomplished and read more than most. Honestly, programming in college was too easy, and at that time, I turned it down for so many … “ridiculous” reasons.

After all this time, I have learned, that, “life” comes from within. Scoring the winning goal, accomplishing the unbelievable, understanding the inconceivable, watching your kids grow, fighting for peace, sleep and tranquility, friends and family, self respect and … the inner smile.

Do what you love to do, and you will never work a day in your life!

I could be considered the lone Maverick (hence the name), and yes I do code weeee early hours in the morning, such as tonight. I love this stuff!

But most importantly, I do it to help others have better lives. There are so many businesses … and people, with different needs, that software is only at its beginning. If you could only understand the needs of the people, then you would understand why there is so much to do. You just need to think outside the box. You need to live life to understand if you don’t already.

The best and most fulfilling feeling for me, is having a person, tell me, “thank you for the fantastic work you’ve done, it really helps me”, is the most fulfilling sensation that has helped fill the void that I missed while practicing.

Only my 2 cents! Wishing you guys all the happiness and the best in life!
 
I consider myself very fortunate that I am able to do what I love.
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Couldn't agree more. I love what I do and even though every thing is not perfect, when looking at the big picture all the positive aspects of my job more than counter balance the few negative one. I also certainly agree with some of the previous comments above, money is not everything. It's nice to have enough for all the basic and some extra but tons of money won't keep you at your job if you hate it. Eventually it will catch up with you.
 
Law school........job and hobby hahahahahhaha, If I don't name it as my hobby then I wouldn't have much of a life cause it eats up most of your free time.
 
Lots of Navy representation in these forums, eh? Just wanted to let you know that one of the highlights of my early career was peeing an almost perfect FC emblem onto the wall of the OS barracks down in Dam Neck. It was visible for almost a month I'm told....
 
DrMav... I know what you mean... Usually with more money comes more headaches trying to manage that money. My Dad went and got into the field he is in because that was were the money was, and he hates everyday going to work. My brother has now gone and done the same thing and he is starting to realize that he is miserable. I have always told people to do what they love even if it isn't the highest paying career. Doing what you love brings happiness, not money. Money might help you get out of debt, but doesn't make you happy. I am now trying to pay off all my debts, it is hard, but I'm doing it. What keeps me going is that I'm doing what I have wanted to do since HS... I have always wanted to be a chemist and have always loved computers. Now I get to do both, since I'm the most computer savy of all the scientists, I'm actually gaining administrator responsabilities for the network/database that runs all the instrumentation and data processing. Even though I don't make a lot of money compared to a lot of other people here... I'm happy.
 
Well if all of you experienced people say money does not = 😀 than ill take your word for it. however i am sure its nice if you have the job you like.

Also what is a good job for a person who has "ideas"? Like if i worked for a company and i had an idea that would save money or an idea for a product or an idea to make a current product better. what would that be? I have lots of ideas and i get new ones by the minute.
 
I'm with you, My son has just completed his basic training in the Australian Army. He is now going on to do His Infantry training (3 months) then will be doning his paratroopers training. None of his training is easy and in all honesty, I'm not sure how many people just out of University could actually get through basic training.

I don't care if it's officer training or basic soldier training, it;s bloody hard, I,m very proud of my son and take my hat of to anyone in the Military Australian or overseas.

In regard to this post I'm a fully qualified Computer Tech but as I'm working for small business I,m earning less then my son, yet I'm more "qualified than him. I also served some time in the Reserves when I was young. So Gianti I take offence as well :cry: :x

Other jobs I have done is Fitter and Turner, Cleaner, Worked in a Petrol Station, Fruit picked and delivered papers.

In regards to Pay, who cares as long as you can afford the bills and enjoy your job, I left my trade job were I was earning twice the money I am now as I was not happy.

Now I work in a big boys toy store and work with all the latest tech, and PC's, as Computers are my hobby I'm happy. :lol:
 
spacemonkey211,

Yes definitely, the more money you make, the more headaches, concerns, and worries, you get – funny isn’t it. Nothing ever goes smoothly, therefore, conclusively, do what you love to do, and the love will give you the passion to fulfill your needs.

After many years of experience as a practitioner, the question was simple, was it worth it, was the cost/to benefit ratio really worth it. The day that I changed was the day I realized that my lifestyle (everything) was having an affect on my health (for instance - get diagnosed as terminal and you’ll truly understand what is really important – but that is all relative).

Many people who are unhappy, have health problems. Help their live’s, and you help their health’s. Giving a pill does not bring health, it only brings relief - generally speaking.

We often don’t need as much money as we make and we often spend more money than we need.

Love like you’ve never been hurt, work like you don’t need the money, and dance like nobody’s watching!
 
Avionics Tech in the Air Force.

In a nutshell, troubleshoot and fix problems on C-5's at Dover AFB and abroad when the need arises. The system I work on are the Core Processing, all automatic flight(autopilot, stability augmentation, auto trim, auto land). Also work on all the indication circuits from fuel quantity to all the engine data. The list really goes on and on, and I do quite a bit of stuff that is not in my career field.

Been to England, Germany, Kuwait. I might be going to Puerto Rico soon. Missed out on chances to go to Japan and Sicily. It has been an interesting ride, enlistment is up in May and I am separating.

2.5 years of college completed, and at this base in my career field it was very difficult to finish it up while enlisted. Other career fields are not as demanding so college IS possible, if you know ahead of time what to enlist into in order to have enough time.

I will finish my college on the GI bill starting the fall semester of 07 at one of three Texas school, UT, A&M, or U of H.

I know you might not have been interested at all in this route, but if you do have any questions, I can definitely tell you what not to do.

wes
 
Hey Gianti,

(Let me qualify my following statements) Training had everything to do with it NOT my beautiful mind :)!!

It really is too bad that you are so misinformed. Must be hard going through life like that. Then again maybe ignorance is bliss.

I can see how my Military training had NOTHING to do with the jobs and opportunities I have had.

After all those military brilliant minds could never work as an Orbital Analyst or anything remotely similar..

I would love to see you do some bore sight calculations, or better yet extrapolate a satellites ephemeris out to 7 days on paper (only have to do this for exercises or when the system that does this is out of order 😉). I am sure since I did this in the military that any commoner like yourself would be able to do this. :roll: :roll:

If ya would like to give it a wag, you let me know and I can post a simple example for ya. While you are at it could you maybe figure out the calcs for a stopping delta V for a Geosynchronous Bird.. That would be easy too right?

In case you have not yet guessed it yeah you pissed me off with your very narrow minded/ill conceived comment.

So you go ahead and take a shot at any one of those mmmmmmmK.
 
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