I have the BEST woman in the world

[Fishpart]

Sometimes the service is good to move you out on your own and still have a support system. Any of the branches are a good place to learn independence and develop a work ethic.

[Patrick]

Fishpart,

Do you really feel comfortable with the idea of ME running around with an M-16? If you do, maybe you're the crazy one.

[Fishpart]

You would be surprised at what a Drill Sergeant could accomplish with you (if you were willing to learn ). It's kind of like what the guys we have here are trying to accomplish, but with a little more stress.

[Carl]

Fishpart,

So true except that drill instructor's are far less tolerant and far more persuasive then most of the folks here.

Seriously Patrick, have you entertained the idea of going in the service? It's really not a bad deal, especially if you're not going to college yet, or you don't want to go. If you change your mind afterward, they will even give you some money for it. If there is something you like to do and they have a need for it, they will formally train you and make you even better at it. Think about it, if you enjoy working on small boat motors as a hobby, maybe the Navy or Coast Guard has a need and a progrm for something like that. It might be worth looking into.

If not the service, then maybe a trade school or college. You can make as much or as little of college as you want. You can learn in spite of the immature people that are wasting Daddy's money. In a few years, this world will not be as kind to you.

There are a lot of people giving you good advice. I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears.


Carl

[Patrick]

The service isn't for me. In most cases, I'm anti-military. To me, taking a life is taking a life regardless of the context. Of course there are times when this is necessary and I understand that. In simpler words, I have a fine line of when I support the war and when I don't. For example, WWII. Sure we murdered plenty of Germans but it was for a greater good. Anyways, not looking to start a beliefs battle here and I'm not putting the military down at all, it's just not for me. Just believe me when I say I'm not joining the military. If I could pick what battles to fight, fine but I just don't picture fighting without personal reasons.

I did want to be a lawyer. I really thought it was smooth sailing after school but it's not. I got the chance to meet some lawyers and they have a pretty stressful life.

I think I'd rather do something with my hands. Some sort of craftsman ship. Electrician work or carpentry. Probably the former. Ever watch these shows like This Old House and shows like that? Everything is electric now and networked. There's probably more wire in those houses then there are nails. And since I'm always going to live by the ocean, saltwater means corrosion, corrosion means I'll have a constant supply of work.

[schoolie monster]

I absolutely agree about the rhythm part. That's what I meant about "fitting" into life. If you add factors such as wanting a family, a house, a boat, etc. You really need to get it done and get a job.

I just think it would be more ideal to be able to go out and experience different jobs and working environments before making decisions about these things.

I've always been pretty down to earth and logical, but at 27 or 28, I was light years ahead of myself when I graduated college. I was capable of making better decisions. Your awareness of yourself and your environment goes way up.

I was really speaking from an idealistic point of view, not really a reality point of view. It is an imperfect system, but if you look at all factors, unless you really have no aspirations of family and a homestead before your 35 or 40, you really need to go that route. Get that piece of paper and get out there. I mean, it ain't like you can't or won't change. I completely changed careers two years ago. But, I wish I could have made this decision in school, but I'm happy now.

And I don't discount the fun aspect. I think we get alot of things out of our system during those years.

Maybe we are looking at it from the wrong perspective. Maybe the failure isn't in the system, but in guidance we recieve. A little bit from the school systems, but MOST of all, from our parents. I know that I plan to be much more involved in my daughter's (and any other kids I have) planning than my parents were with mine. They were borderline worthless when I was undertaking that process. I think the two questions to ask are what do you really enjoy and in what type of environment would you be comfortable.

Sure, money is important, but enjoying your work is more important. If you hate your job, what kind of life is that. You look toward the end of the day, the end of the week, to vacation... no wonder life seems to go so fast.

I debated marine biology, but 12 years ago, going to Penn State and taking on a business major was the easy route. My years at PSU are very special to me. I met my wife, alot of great friends, and I learned and did alot of cool things.

But on a day to day basis, I'd be way more happy being on the discovery channel, than watching it. Talk about a great office.

I guess that's a pang of regret. But I be pretty young yet...

Anyway, sorry for the autobiography. I really dig this philosophical stuff, as you can see.

Honestly Patrick, if you have a passion about the ocean as you claim, go that route. Whether its fixing motors or building boats, or whatever... you'll be that much closer to that which you enjoy. And the notion of don't mix business with pleasure is complete and utter BS. In the 21st century, it is OK to enjoy your job.

[Jaiem]

Patrick (08-17-2001 11:58):
I did want to be a lawyer. I really thought it was smooth sailing after school but it's not. I got the chance to meet some lawyers and they have a pretty stressful life.

FYI - Nobody's life is without stress! Some at times more than others, some fields/professions more than others, some places more than others. But all jobs have an element of stress. That's why it's called "work" and they pay you!

About choosing your future at a "young age", is 18/19 really all that young? Yes, I agree someone that age lacks a great deal of experience (Patrick, hint-hint) but unfortunately we can't live 30-40 years without making a decision about the direction of our lives. And in most states, 18/19 is pretty much a legal adult anyway. An 18/19 y/o can drive, get married, go into the service, enter legal contracts, be arrested/tried as an adult, run for most public offices, etc etc. And it's only a mere 2-3 years from the big "21" where most of the other age restrictions are gone. IOW, if we as a society say an 18/19-21 y/o is old enough to be trusted with most adult privilages and be held to adult standards, why not then expect an 18/19-21 y/o to also be able to start in a direction for thier lives too?

One other point - Age is no guarantee of having direction as well. There are many 30-somethings who still don't have any clue, direction or goals as to what they "want to do with" or "want to accomplish in" thier lives. Being directionless isn't a sin, but even while you're looking you need to provide for yourself. Even if you decide to change paths later everyone has to start somewhere.

That's where going to a good school, being in a realistic program (not a do-nothing program like Nordic Folk Lore or Egyptology), applying yourself to your studies and making good use of your elective credits becomes important. Even if you decide later in life the major you took isn't for you, odds are more general courses in things like math, computers, finance, marketing, accounting (the #1 best business subject IMO!), english writing and presentation skills, etc will do you well in just about any endeavor in life.

(Pardon the long winded post.)