Career Poll 2: Matching Ambitions and Realities

[eri]

I picked option #1. Before starting college, I had envisioned myself in a job, probably affiliated with a college, and doing research in astronomy. I earned a PhD in physics and am currently an assistant professor of physics at a small university, doing research in astrophysics. I didn't have any particular specialty in mind when I started college (other than generic astronomy) and changed fields a few times in that area before settling on my current area(s) of research. But mostly still doing observational (and some computational) work, which is what I had imaged before starting college.

 

[ZapperZ]

Again, did you have a specialization in Astronomy that you had in mind before you started college? And is that the same specialization that you are in now?

I have a feeling that Option 1 isn't as clear as I thought I had written it. Remember, the emphasis is on exact field, exact specialization.

Zz.

 

[f95toli]

Then I missunderstood what option 1 meant. I doubt anyone could meet that criteria.

The exact field I am working in didn't even exist(!) before I started univeristy (the first experimental demonstrations were done in 1999), so I could obviously no have known back in 1995 that this is what I wanted so specialize in.

 

[ZapperZ]

Please contact me here, or via PM, if you would like your vote to change. I can modify the count. From what I understood, it looks like Option 2 or 3 might work for you.

And this applies to everyone else who took this poll. If you think that you selected the wrong option, please contact me. I will only change the poll count for a particular option upon your consent.

Zz.

 

[JakeBrodskyPE]

I started off in a related field of practice to what I studied (Electrical Engineering), and then I slowly drifted away (toward Control System Engineering) even though I still work for the same company all these years.

Also note that what we studied 25 and 30 years ago isn't really what we do today anyway. Computers were very different back then, as were the methods we used to design systems. We rely on computer modeling far more today than we did back then. We were much stronger on prototyping and measurement than we are today.

One last note: I did get to do many of the things I envisioned myself doing, but as an amateur, not as a professional. And that isn't always a bad thing either. I did get into aviation, but as a private pilot, not as a commercial pilot. I did get into RF design, but mostly as an amateur radio enthusiast, not as an electrical engineer.

Yes, I still have many of the same technical itches that I liked to scratch when I was in high school --but often enough I'll do those on my own instead of asking someone to pay me to do them. And honestly, it is more fun that way.

 

[gbeagle]

I picked choice number five. Not exactly sure if that was the right choice. At one point in high school I wanted to do what I do now, but by the time I headed off to college I had changed my mind.

I started high school in the fall of 1998, and early on in high school I had wanted to be a software developer. Then the dot-com bubble burst, which put a big damper on that. By the end of my senior year of high school, I had decided I wanted to do particle physics. I got a B.S. in physics, and then a PhD in experimental high energy physics.

I work as a software developer now though.

 

[ZapperZ]

Another bump for those who are in the work force but haven't taken the career poll yet. And I have yet to hear from one person who chose Option 1. If you did, and haven't contacted me yet, please do so.

Thanks!

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Another reminder about this poll. If you have completed your education, I would appreciate it if you can participate in this poll, especially if you have a STEM background (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

I am debating whether to keep this poll open-ended, or to end this some time. Haven't decided yet. At some point, I would like to make some simple analysis of the result, but I think almost everyone can draw up his/her own conclusions from the way the poll has gone so far.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FIRST POST IN THIS THREAD FIRST BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THE POLL

Thanks!

Zz.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

I am in the same area of study, but different field.
In high school I wanted to be an electronics engineer. I ended up as a software engineer. In college I took physics and math, but I had trouble understanding the physics so I changed to a math major. I got a masters in math, but never worked as a mathematician. I started programming as a hobby and it ended up being my career.

 

[CJ2116]

I chose option 5.

From the time when I was in 3rd grade until the very end of my senior year in high school, I wanted to be some form of guitar player (Live, studio or whatever). When it finally came time to start applying to music schools, I started to panic. I thought everything that I had recorded to send to potential music schools was absolutely atrocious and I was embarrassed by it. All of this topped onto the fact that I hated playing in front of people. I don't like being the center of attention!

So, about a month after I graduated from high school I decided to enroll in college. It was basically an impulsive decision because, to be honest, I had never really envisioned myself doing anything other than playing music. Around this time, I started becoming increasingly interested in math and physics. Seemed to be a perfect fit!

I graduated last May with a degree in math and two minors (physics and astrophysics). On reflection this was, without a doubt, the smartest thing that I have ever done (Although, for a while I thought it was the dumbest!)

A few months ago I got a job as an operations researcher at Fort Knox, and so far I really enjoy it. My goal during and after college was to find a job that was mathematics oriented, so in that sense I'm right where I want to be now!

 

[NegativeDept]

I voted #5 "completely different area." However, I might not meet the criteria for the poll. To be precise: I'm defending my PhD in about a month. I would argue that, for all practical purposes, I have completed my physics education.

However, one might reasonably argue that I am still "in school" until my thesis defense. If this is what you meant, then I apologize for the errant data point!

Either way, I think my response is within the bounds of the poll. Based on my current job applications and career prospects, it is overwhelmingly probable that I will work in a completely different area from my pre-university ambitions. But I won't be offended if you disagree. It's a cool idea for a poll, and I don't want to mess with the data.

 

[ZapperZ]

Another reminder, especially if you are new to the forum, to participate in this poll if you qualify. Please read the entire first post of this thread before casting your vote.

Thank you.

Zz.

 

[ZapperZ]

Another call for anyone who qualifies and haven't taken this survey yet, especially if there are any professionals who recently became PF members.

Thanks!

Zz.

 

[BH Wiz]

Based on Zapper's extreme emphasis on choice 1, i think i'll deliberately choose a specific field and specialization from now (just for the heck of it :p ) though i doubt the poll will live long enough for me to participate in it and share my experience :P

 

[PAllen]

Just to argue there exist examples of option 1: My best friend in high school intended a career in theoretical physics in the area of general relativity. Virtually all of his published papers touch on general relativity and he is a tenured professor noted as an expert in the field.