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"TES" == The Eternal Squire writes:
TES At this point in my life I would attempt to dissuade ANYONE TES from attempting to build a career from technology of any TES sort, unless it is totally in that person's blood. I am TES talking dedication far in excess one would normally give a TES spouse. [...] Rush Limbaugh is always talking about this kind of bitter advice. Young people who are interested in getting into the radio business often ask their more senior counterparts, only to be told, "you better not get into this business -- you'll get eaten alive". Sure, it's hard, but if you ask someone who hasn't been successful himself, that's the kind of answer you'll get. Rush encourages would-be radio personalities to follow their dreams. My philosophy on this type of thing is simple, and mirrors Rush's. If you do what you love, you'll be great at it. If you do what you don't love, you'll be mediocre. I had a girlfriend who was fascinated with psychology but took computer programming because she thought that was where the money would be. When she graduated she got a job she didn't like, and she didn't do very well, even as others did great in the same field. To his credit, Mr. Squire did mention that someone who is passionate can do fine in his chosen field, even in hard times. I suppose if you've made up your mind in advance that you will be mediocre no matter what you do, then you might as well choose a field where mediocrity is punished the least, but I can't imagine living my life like that. TES 1. There are now very heavy market forces toward TES globalization. This means most technology jobs at the low TES and medium ends of the scale are being outsourced to TES third-world countries such as India, Mexico, and China. Not to slam those countries or the accomplished professionals in them, but some types of work are more easily outsourced than others. Some of the most exciting work in technology fields is not exported. TES 2. There is rampant age discrimination in the field, and TES companies make it extremely expensive to prove such. Your TES chances of getting and keeping an engineering, software, or TES electronics job diminish greatly upon reaching the age of TES about 35. Your chances of such upon the age of 40 are such TES that a great amount of luck is called for. This type of bitter (though generally true) remark reminds me of the lament of many single people. Sure, the vast majority of people you could possibly date won't work out, but you only need to find a few good fits in your entire life. Why be content to have an ordinary job, or an ordinary mate? The median age where I work is around 40, and our most cutting edge research is being done by people in their 50s and 60s. I'm 37 and I think I'm currently the youngest in our department. TES 3. Engineers and other "techies" have now become such a TES commodity that at many large companies treat them with a fair TES degree of contempt. Basically, Dilbert is more true to life TES than you might think. True enough. Drunk, drooling men in bars are a commodity, too, receiving a good deal of contempt. When I set out to meet a woman, I make sure I'm not drunk and drooling (or even in a bar!). Likewise, when I apply for a job, I emphasize my unique abilities. TES 4. Craftsmanship is no longer a guarantee of immortality. TES Whatever dedication you place into your work will largely TES wind up in a landfill eventually. Our landfills are full of successful products which have made fortunes for their creators, but I assume you're talking about projects being scrapped instead of completed. Again, my outlook is far more positive. If you can make machines bend to your will, your skills will always be in demand. TES Yes, this all sounds bleak. But this is life. TES In your point in life, I would recommend working your way TES through an accelerated liberal arts degree at a community TES college where you could possibly obtain some credits for life TES experience. Take practical courses: accounting, computer TES programming, 4 units of a foreign language, and how to teach TES English as a second language. Take some arts: pottery is TES generaly easy. Take math up to integral calculus. Then fill TES your mind with civics, western history, and culture. TES At that point you should be prepared to teach English in the TES Peoples' Republic of China. Wow, this sounds bitter. The original poster expressed enthusiasm and an interest in a specific field, and now you'd have him put his time and energy into just about everything else! Every one of the jobs you mentioned has a dreary place for its mediocre practitioners: accounting sweatshops, computer code grinders, etc. And for goodness sake why take up an art just because it's "generally easy"? I'm starting to wonder if Mr. Squire has ever felt like doing something and then done it and enjoyed it and felt good about it. To the original poster of this thread, I'd say, examine your reasons for pursuing electronics. If it's because you think you'll enjoy it and really dig in, then do that. If it's just because you heard that's where the money is these days, take a lesson from my old girlfriend (and me, and Rush Limbaugh) and do something you're passionate about. David |
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