Curse

Toxage · Jan 25, 2008, 12:36 AM // 00:36

I am struggling to discover what to get get a degree in and how I can give my life a purpose. I want to do something positive, something that will help better my community or the world in general. I could use your help in finding careers that positively affect the world. So if you know of a career that you think makes an impact post it! Thanks

Possible Careers:

Teacher - I help students learn, and educate future generations.

Principal - I help provide a good environment for students to learn.

Law Enforcement (Police Officer, FBI Agent?) - I help enforce the laws and rules of our country and protect Americans.

Military - I help defend America.

Engineer - I design things to make peoples' lives easier.

Malice Black · Jan 25, 2008, 12:58 AM // 00:58

Engineer.

Technology is the fast growing sector in the world, you'd be pretty stupid to miss out on it.

Halmyr · Jan 25, 2008, 12:59 AM // 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toxage

Military - I help defend America.
.

If you do end up joining the military, avoid at all cost any combat job ( infantry, armored and Artilery comes to mind) and you should be fine. Its a fine career ( as long as you avoid mentioned proffession)

I can tell you, takes time to decide what too do, I my self joined am joining the army ( Canadian, not americain) as a medical technician, and if I don't like it, I can stop in 3 years.

JellyBelly · Jan 25, 2008, 01:00 AM // 01:00

Quote:

I want to do something positive, something that will help better my community or the world in general.

IMHO, That mostly depends on you and your personality. The people that make the most impact in their jobs/careers, are the people that enjoy what they do. Make a list, pick things you enjoy, then pick the things in that list that you are good at. Now you have a starting point.

ensoriki · Jan 25, 2008, 01:08 AM // 01:08

Run for President.

And if you want to better community or make a impact.

It shouldn't be in your job.

Make something like a hobby, like picking up trash, just doing that everday makes an impact, or volunteer at a homeless shelter or buy homeless people deodorant.

Accursed · Jan 25, 2008, 02:00 AM // 02:00

go teacher.

we all hate teachers, but be one of the few to be nice xD

Celestial_Kitsune · Jan 25, 2008, 02:18 AM // 02:18

Making a Decision Takes Time

Career choice is a an uneasy decision because many factors might influence it. It takes time to discover what you want to do (or don't want to do). Many freshmen in college are still undecided, but that's ok. To discover yourself, you have to be proactive and learn about different careers. A good place would be Occupational Outlook Handbook. It includes description, education needed, salaries, demand etc. for many professions. Start exploring the professions you are interested in there.

A Balance between Attitude and Aptitude

The difficulty here is to understand what you enjoy doing versus what you are good at. Some people enjoy drawing, but they are not good at it, life gets in a way, and they end up with a degree in a "practical" profession such as programming. Take different classes and see what you excel at and what you enjoy. I believe that people can achieve many things if they really want something, but it is important to evaluate feasibility of your goals based on your situation (financial situation is one part of it).

Studying vs. Working

One thing I can't stress enough is a college major and the actual work may feel vastly different. Let us take an example of psychology. Many people love studying psychology and think they really want to be psychologists, but they never been to actual clinic and never seen real patients. I met many people who were unhappy about their profession...

The best thing for you to do would be to ask permission and "shadow" different people, see what their day-to-day activities are like, and ask yourself whether you would enjoy daily activities they perform. However, observing and doing are different things too. It would be even better to try some volunteering experience to get a better feel of the atmosphere.

Impact on Society

Many professions can make an impact. The ones that are the most salient to me are teachers and researchers. A teacher might influences lives of many students, and a researcher might make a discovery that will save millions of people. Since both of theses careers have a dark side, it is important to investigate is as well...

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."
William A. Ward

"There is nothing more practical than a good theory."
James C. Maxwell

What to do?

- Seek advice of a career counselor (you might have one at your school)
- Learn about your potential careers
- "Shadow" professionals and learn about their day-to-day activities
- Volunteer in the field or closely related discipline to learn about the general atmosphere

Resources:

10 Myths about Choosing a Career
How Do I Choose the Right Career?
What do you Like? (interesting graphical guide, but information is for 2006)
Occupational Outlook Handbook (most recent iinformation)

Redfeather1975 · Jan 25, 2008, 02:40 AM // 02:40

I would follow Kitsune's advice and seek a professional counselor to help.
There are tons of careers that make a difference. Sociologist is probably the one I consider the most influential, yet their work is behind the scenes providing important research to many other professions.

Inde · Jan 25, 2008, 02:50 AM // 02:50

I'm surprised medical isn't in there? There are many medical fields and professions to go into besides "doctor". Where you can improve individual's comfort, really work one-on-one, and know that you are making a difference in an individual's life.

Or you could do something you love as a career then volunteer in your free hours. Best of both worlds.

Divinitys Creature · Jan 25, 2008, 03:16 AM // 03:16

Shadowing someone at work is really worthwhile. I spent time shadowing my doctor and dentist and realised that I really didn't like anything medical. So it helped me rule those careers out.

placebo overdose · Jan 25, 2008, 03:37 AM // 03:37

well you could also look into working in comunity service and systems like that if not even for a hobby all the help we can get is great and it actually does make you feel good and superior

Kerwyn Nasilan · Jan 25, 2008, 03:55 AM // 03:55

You are basing your future on the wihms of random people in a forum. Bad call imho

Darkhell153 · Jan 25, 2008, 04:02 AM // 04:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerwyn Nasilan

You are basing your future on the wihms of random people in a forum. Bad call imho

I agree with this dude who I don't know...which is exactly why you don't want to entrust your future to people on a forum

Personally I think you should become a professional couch potatoe that way all the high paying jobs have less competition for me (another reason you shouldn't entrust your future to us)

maraxusofk · Jan 25, 2008, 04:09 AM // 04:09

become a billionaire. then ull have enuff to help everyone

lol everyone hates people in law and finances but yeah.....teachers should be the most respected b/c they make absolutely nothing for helping devleop kids into future leaders. athletes on the other hand..................

dronex · Jan 25, 2008, 05:06 AM // 05:06

You're a KUKU, do whatever you really want to do! Why do you care about others's opinions?

People like/dislike
Teachers, Principals, Police Officers, Military, Engineers...
You'll get different advices/opinions youre entire life but the final desicion is yours. So dont bother waiting for mindless offers and start using your brain.

I Dont Do Coke · Jan 25, 2008, 05:10 AM // 05:10

The entertainment industry is the largest and most-influential at the moment, but technology is getting big enough to be kind of a big deal.

You're asking this on GWG... Lawl. Change your family to change the nation to change the world.

quickmonty · Jan 25, 2008, 11:23 AM // 11:23

Join the army, get posted overseas, see how others actually 'live'. It's a real eye opener and may help answer your other questions about life.