PDA

View Full Version : What Should I Do for A Living?



Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 1st, 2012, 08:52 PM
I'm lost. I have a B.S. in Physics, 3/4 a B.S. in Computer Science, and a Basic Electronics certificate from the military (kinda rusty there, however). I'm not interested in working, have low energy, get bored fairly easily (except with my many hobbies, which aren't marketable, far as I can see), and I strongly dislike being around people (I'm a diagnosed Schizoid, if that tells you anything), so I'm struggling with my options. I took some career assessments and one top result was writer, but I'm already recovering from tendinitis in both wrists from being on the computer so much, so I'd rather not pursue anything like that. Even if I got myself a good ergo keyboard...well, Software Engineering keeps coming up for people who prefer to work alone, but don't they mostly work in teams nowadays?

I'm currently in the application process for a state job training program (I have few specific job skills). I need to decide what I might like to be trained for and show that it would give me marketable skills. I'm considering some sort of Networking certificate, A+ certification, or general maintenance and repair. I was hoping I could just work in the back office of some shop if I pursue PC repair so as not to have to deal with customers, but what about networking? I'm thinking something like architecture and installation in businesses. Does it require a lot of interpersonal contact?

I'll take any semi-random job suggestions you've got.

MisterGaribaldi
June 1st, 2012, 09:24 PM
Well, you *could* go into the marketing and distribution of so-called "illicit" narcotics.

Actually, I'm told bath salts are a real killer hit right now.

:lolflag:

neu5eeCh
June 1st, 2012, 09:27 PM
Have you considered the trades? You might apprentice as an electrician? I'm in the trades myself. Electricians generally don't have to deal with customers. They're hired by contractors to do specific jobs. They don't work in the rain; and they can be loners.

Also, I find that the laziness and low energy goes away when you're doing something you enjoy. That's key. I feel for you though. Don't let anyone put you down and, most of all, don't feel sorry for yourself. Your candor is refreshing.

lisati
June 1st, 2012, 09:33 PM
Some good things to think about are what you enjoy doing and what you know you are good at.

As a friendly aside, don't let words like "Schizoid" put you off, it can sometimes be a sign of untapped intelligence and creativity.

TheKingOfComputers
June 1st, 2012, 09:42 PM
Be a computer programmer! They are in high demand with today's technology era and you get to sit around on a couch using only your eyes and fingers to type gibberish which will eventually be a full program. That cures your energy problem!

Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 1st, 2012, 09:46 PM
Well, you *could* go into the marketing and distribution of so-called "illicit" narcotics.

Actually, I'm told bath salts are a real killer hit right now.

:lolflag:

Hey, I just heard about these bath salts on the radio yesterday. Seems some guy in Florida lost his mind and ate somebody's face? Not sure I have the customer service skills to deal with that sort of person.

QIII
June 1st, 2012, 09:51 PM
Go directly to your nearest VFW or American Legion Service Officer. See what you can do to get a Service Related disability approved by the VA. Get into a Voc Rehab program.

And don't let smart remarks about mental illness and drugs stick in your craw. I was diagnosed while in the Army, did not lose my Company Command, did not lose my TS clearance and was promoted to Field Grade below the zone. (Schizophrenia is probably a different matter.)

Do not assume that mental illness is an impediment to doing what you want to do. Don't fall into the self-pity trap.

Take your meds, keep an even keel, start going to local NAMI meetings and realize that you are NOT alone or any less a man/woman because of something you did not choose to suffer from.

Paqman
June 1st, 2012, 09:52 PM
Hey, I just heard about these bath salts on the radio yesterday. Seems some guy in Florida lost his mind and ate somebody's face? Not sure I have the customer service skills to deal with that sort of person.

I believe they resolved the issue using the copper jacketed lead type of customer services skills.

TheGuyWithTheFace
June 1st, 2012, 10:06 PM
I believe they resolved the issue using the copper jacketed lead type of customer services skills.

Yes, but didn't it take several "meetings"?

lisati
June 1st, 2012, 10:10 PM
Hey, I just heard about these bath salts on the radio yesterday. Seems some guy in Florida lost his mind and ate somebody's face? Not sure I have the customer service skills to deal with that sort of person.

The kind of thing we hear of in the media is usually something that makes interesting news stories, but does little to bolster the confidence of those of us who have to deal with such things. But we digress.....

Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 1st, 2012, 10:18 PM
Go directly to your nearest VFW or American Legion Service Officer. See what you can do to get a Service Related disability approved by the VA. Get into a Voc Rehab program.

Well, I'm already in Voc Rehab, but someone is taking their sweet time getting my medical records, and nothing has been happening for months, which is why I decided to try and do something for myself by getting involved in the job training program.

The Air Force kicked me out 10 years ago for being put on anti-depressants, and I'm not on them anymore. I think maybe it's too late to get anything useful from them.

haqking
June 1st, 2012, 10:26 PM
*deleted*

QIII
June 1st, 2012, 10:26 PM
I'm bipolar and didn't get kicked out. Didn't lose my command or my TS clearance. Got promoted a year ahead of my peers. You got the shaft. I'm in both the VFW and the American Legion. If you can find a Service Officer who is worth his salt, he can help you negotiate the BS and red tape. Major depressive disorders and other mood disorders are compensible. Personality disorders are a mixed bag. But I can tell you this: when I sit in the waiting room at the VA hospital for my appointments with my psychiatrist, the place is full. You should be getting compensation and benefits.

I've spent the better part of three decades advocating for the mentally ill - being so myself. Schizophrenia, Schizo Affective Disorders and other disorders of that class are poorly understood by the general public and bear an unfair stigma. John Nash is schizophrenic, suffering both auditory and visual hallucinations, and he won a Nobel Prize for Mathematics.

Bandit
June 1st, 2012, 10:48 PM
Well, I'm already in Voc Rehab, but someone is taking their sweet time getting my medical records, and nothing has been happening for months, which is why I decided to try and do something for myself by getting involved in the job training program.

The Air Force kicked me out 10 years ago for being put on anti-depressants, and I'm not on them anymore. I think maybe it's too late to get anything useful from them.

Do what I am trying to do.. Get your VA Compensation and just retire. I am sick and tired of working just to make it paycheck to paycheck. Everyone I work around seems to be just ignorant rednecks. Seems like the only people driving nice vehicles are crack heads and thugs. Thanks to the military I have two blown knees, sleep apnea, crohn's disease, sleep paralysis, asthma, high blood pressure and post traumatic stress. The only decisions I want to make in life is if I should go fishing or just sleep in. I think I deserve that much after what I have been through. So your not alone in this world.

Next year I plan on moving to the Philippines with my wife and daughter. Then I can just relax on the beach with a beer in one hand and my _____s in the other.

Maybe then I can relax and contribute to Ubuntu community like I would like to do now.

QIII
June 1st, 2012, 11:00 PM
You paid your pound of flesh even if it wasn't like I did by leaving a part of myself is some s*** hole half way around the world. Only difference is I got orders and some didn't. For that privilege I have a bunch of surgical steel, wrecked joints and fused vertebrae. If you don't, it was only because of a crap shoot. You took the same chances I did by putting on that uniform. You paid as you were asked and the promise in return is due.

And now I will stop before I get political.

Max Blyss
June 2nd, 2012, 01:07 AM
When in doubt, brother... Just DANCE.

Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 2nd, 2012, 08:55 PM
When in doubt, brother... Just DANCE.

...? I hope that is a direct quote, otherwise, I take offense to being referred to as "brother."

lisati
June 2nd, 2012, 08:59 PM
...? I hope that is a direct quote, otherwise, I take offense to being referred to as "brother."

I don't think any offense was intended.

I am reminded of a poem I first heard many years ago, reworded slightly:

As you amble on through life, friend, whatever be your goal: keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole.

Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 2nd, 2012, 09:22 PM
I don't think any offense was intended.

I am reminded of a poem I first heard many years ago, reworded slightly:

I'm reminded of this poem I wrote just now:


On technical forums especially,
It happens without fail,
That some thoughtless guy
Assumes that I am male.

What they do not experience,
but is nevertheless true:
it seems but a doughnut hole
if it isn't constantly happening
to you.

Thank you. I also speak at bat-mitzvahs.

Max Blyss
June 3rd, 2012, 04:11 AM
...? I hope that is a direct quote, otherwise, I take offense to being referred to as "brother."


I don't think any offense was intended.

I am reminded of a poem I first heard many years ago, reworded slightly:


I'm reminded of this poem I wrote just now:



Thank you. I also speak at bat-mitzvahs.

At the time of the post, I was near to exhaustion,
and after some thought, figured I'd erred toward caution
The name StarKid is pretty ambiguous, you see
I figured on probability decreeing that you be a 'he'...
Intending no offense, I'd add an 'I'm sorry'.;)

odiseo77
June 3rd, 2012, 04:40 AM
When in doubt, use sunscreen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_OuHqdRhJE) (Yeah, maybe a bit sentimental, but nice to watch sometimes) ;)

MadmanRB
June 3rd, 2012, 05:11 AM
Perhaps world domination is in your future?
I know a good guide on how to do it (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EvilOverlordList)

Bandit
June 3rd, 2012, 05:39 AM
Cinderella - Dont know what you got until its gone..


I can't tell ya baby what went wrong
I can't make you feel what you felt so long ago
I'll let it show
I can't give you back what's been hurt
Heartaches come and go and all that's left are the words
I can't let go
If we take some time to think it over baby
Take some time, let me know
If you really want to go

Don't know what you got till it's gone
Don't know what it is I did so wrong
Now I know what I got
It's just this song
And it ain't easy to get back
Takes so long

I can't feel the things that cause you pain
I can't clear my heart of your love it falls like rain
Ain't the same
I hear you calling far away
Tearing through my soul I just can't take another day
Who's to blame
If we take some time to think it over baby
Take some time let me know
If you really want to go

Don't know what you got till it's gone
Don't know what it is I did so wrong
Now I know what I got
It's just this song
And it ain't easy to get back
Takes so long

Do you want to see me beggin' baby
Can't you give me just one more day
Can't you see my heart's been draggin' lately
I've been lookin' for the words to say

Don't know what you got till it's gone
Don't know what it is I did so wrong
Now I know what I got
It's just this song
And it ain't easy to get back
Takes so long

Don't know what you got till it's gone no
Don't know what it is I did so wrong
Now I know what I got
It's just this song
And it ain't easy to get back
Takes so long

malspa
June 3rd, 2012, 06:00 AM
What Should I Do for A Living?

I hear those guys with the "Will Work For Food" signs make out pretty well.

chili555
June 3rd, 2012, 02:54 PM
I'm not interested in working, have low energy, get bored fairly easily (except with my many hobbies, which aren't marketable, far as I can see)Yeah, me, too. However, in order to afford to be that guy; that is, in order to pay for my own food, clothing and shelter, I had to work very hard, save and invest carefully for many years. I recommend you do the same.

kevdog
June 3rd, 2012, 07:00 PM
Obviously one needs to learn how to strike a balance between work and hobbies.

pookiebear
June 3rd, 2012, 07:49 PM
If you are good at, and like to write, but hate keyboards because of the tendonitus. Get Dragon-Naturally-Speaking speech to text. Let it handle the typing for you.
You could also sign up for temp agency and work random jobs just for the money and use that money to pay for whatever hobby is interesting you at the time.
Whatever you do, DO NOT incur debt! this is the best advice I can give.

madjr
June 4th, 2012, 12:23 AM
I'm lost. I have a B.S. in Physics, 3/4 a B.S. in Computer Science, and a Basic Electronics certificate from the military (kinda rusty there, however). I'm not interested in working, have low energy, get bored fairly easily (except with my many hobbies, which aren't marketable, far as I can see), and I strongly dislike being around people (I'm a diagnosed Schizoid, if that tells you anything), so I'm struggling with my options. I took some career assessments and one top result was writer, but I'm already recovering from tendinitis in both wrists from being on the computer so much, so I'd rather not pursue anything like that. Even if I got myself a good ergo keyboard...well, Software Engineering keeps coming up for people who prefer to work alone, but don't they mostly work in teams nowadays?

I'm currently in the application process for a state job training program (I have few specific job skills). I need to decide what I might like to be trained for and show that it would give me marketable skills. I'm considering some sort of Networking certificate, A+ certification, or general maintenance and repair. I was hoping I could just work in the back office of some shop if I pursue PC repair so as not to have to deal with customers, but what about networking? I'm thinking something like architecture and installation in businesses. Does it require a lot of interpersonal contact?

I'll take any semi-random job suggestions you've got.

Hi Starkid.

I know and work with a lot of people with schizo (each with varying levels and even family members) and I believe you can do anything you propose yourself for a living instead of limiting yourself based on past experiences.

You can't avoid contact for ever and neither should you, never isolate because someone thinks you should. So with that said, The best skills you can start at your own pace are social and human-behavior-understanding skills.

Is all about "knowing thyself".

Thankfully we have all this great free information and communities to help us develop these skills. It's why the internet is awesome!

Remember is a human world (and we're all humans), so it's our world and not to anyone in particular. No one can take control of our lives, but ourselves.

So I believe these links will help you, as have helped a lot of people I know:

http://overcomingschizophrenia.blogspot.com/2009/03/coping-with-schizophrenia.html

12 Aspects:
http://www.mentalhealth.com/story/p52-sc04.html

Don't Compare Yourself to Others:
http://www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia/c/100/2649/coping-dont

So in the place I work, we help empower people with what they think (or a lot of society has made them think) are shortcomings...

Good luck and keep us updated!

Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 12th, 2012, 03:56 AM
Have you considered the trades? You might apprentice as an electrician?

That's one of the jobs I have narrowed it down to. What is the apprenticeship like? I mean, aside from the classroom portion, do you just follow somebody around who shows you things and supervises you?

Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 12th, 2012, 04:03 AM
Hi Starkid.

You can't avoid contact for ever and neither should you, never isolate because someone thinks you should.

Actually, I isolate myself because I greatly prefer it.


http://overcomingschizophrenia.blogspot.com/2009/03/coping-with-schizophrenia.html

I don't have schizophrenia. From what I've read, it's totally unlike schizoid personality disorder. I don't have hallucinations or delusions.

UltimateCat
June 12th, 2012, 04:30 AM
With the knowledge you already have in physic's and computer science you could consider:
- the Biotec field or maybe even Research and Development
( you would have to answer to a Dr. of authority of course)
or
-high tech computer mathematics

Best of luck to you in what you decide-;)

wilee-nilee
June 12th, 2012, 04:33 AM
Hi Starkid.

I know and work with a lot of people with schizo (each with varying levels and even family members) and I believe you can do anything you propose yourself for a living instead of limiting yourself based on past experiences.

You can't avoid contact for ever and neither should you, never isolate because someone thinks you should. So with that said, The best skills you can start at your own pace are social and human-behavior-understanding skills.

Is all about "knowing thyself".

Thankfully we have all this great free information and communities to help us develop these skills. It's why the internet is awesome!

Remember is a human world (and we're all humans), so it's our world and not to anyone in particular. No one can take control of our lives, but ourselves.

So I believe these links will help you, as have helped a lot of people I know:

http://overcomingschizophrenia.blogspot.com/2009/03/coping-with-schizophrenia.html

12 Aspects:
http://www.mentalhealth.com/story/p52-sc04.html

Don't Compare Yourself to Others:
http://www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia/c/100/2649/coping-dont

So in the place I work, we help empower people with what they think (or a lot of society has made them think) are shortcomings...

Good luck and keep us updated!

Tell us more oh Buddah, and this time try to keep out the projections and misread of typologies.

Tk007LwZFJW5ej
June 12th, 2012, 11:38 PM
Thanks, everyone. I think I'm going to go with some type of mechanical work - fixing trucks or heavy equipment, I'm not sure. I need to figure out what is more in demand. I want to move to a rural area, so I'm guessing tractors and stuff would be a better bet. I'll see my employability specialist tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes, but I feel relieved already just making the decision.

lisati
June 12th, 2012, 11:58 PM
Actually, I isolate myself because I greatly prefer it.

I don't have schizophrenia. From what I've read, it's totally unlike schizoid personality disorder. I don't have hallucinations or delusions.
Having a mild form of aspergers, I understand the isolation thing. I value my quiet time and often prefer interaction by keyboard over talking face to face.

What's often more important than the labels (which often have negative stereotypes associated with them) is being able to value and enjoy your strengths and abilities.

Bandit
June 13th, 2012, 03:06 AM
Actually, I isolate myself because I greatly prefer it.
LOL same here.. I am very social on the other side of a keyboard, but rather run people over in the walmart parking lot then have to deal with them.



I don't have schizophrenia. From what I've read, it's totally unlike schizoid personality disorder. I don't have hallucinations or delusions.
I totally understand this, I have decided over the years that its everyone else that is delusional. :lolflag:
LOL j/k I just thought you would get a chuckle out of this, but seriously they are.