Good careers

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cjjtulsa

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A lot of the nurse practitioner schools (like NNP) are requiring a PHD now instead of a Masters. I never saw the point, going with a NP or PA is supposed to save money compared to an MD. If you make the requirements similar (excluding residency) there is no point, just get an MD/DO. Degree creep is a pet soap box of mine.
Mine got both of her degrees from OU. Of course, in Oklahoma an APRN has to work under a doctor, but that isn't the case in many states. In those states a Nurse Practitioner can open his/her own practice. But if a PHD is now required, I agree - there's no point in not going MD/DO.
 

Raido Free America

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My next door neighbor owned a hamburger stand. all three of their sons worked in this grwing up. All these boys went to collage and then got advance degrees. Two in fnance, banking, the oldest in aerospace engineering, and worked for NASA. All these guys ended up owning and operating hamburgers stands. They were really good at this, prospered, and invested well, and retired comfortabley at a young age! My idea of a success story!
 

aarondhgraham

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There are two major theories on picking a career:
1) Choose something that you love doing and you'll never have to "go to work".
2) Choose something that you can do that will earn a good living and lead to a retirement pension.

I was blessed with a good mind,,,
I'm no genius mind, you but my IQ is well above average.

Subjects like Algebra-Science(s) were easy for me,,,
Everyone I knew encouraged me to be some kind of high-paid Engineer/Technician.

I also loved photography,,,
I was an avid amateur for 8-years of military.

When I got out of the military I had no idea what to do,,,
Should I pursue my dream of being a professional photographer?
Or should I use the technical training I go in the USAF and become that Engineer/Technician.

The third option was to choose a career that would make me a good living,,,
But might be one of those white collar jobs that bore one to suicide.

Here's what I found out:

I did go to a good community college and obtained an AS degree in Commercial Photography,,,
I found out that nothing sucks the joy out of an enjoyable hobby quicker,,,
Than trying to make a living doing it.

I did this for 13 years and it ruined my love of the art.

Yes, I had the brainpower (and USAF training in electronics) to become a Seismic Technician,,,
I worked in the oilfield industry doing seismic surveys exploring for oil.

Long hours and a completely ridiculous work schedule made that job a real pain,,,
Burnout in this field was high and while I lasted longer than some,,,
The money simply wasn't worth it to me.

I remember when I got out of the USAF I told a few friends that I would enjoy accounting as a career,,,
Monday thru Friday workweeks with specified job duties that did not include fixing broken stuff.

Everyone laughed and said, "Aarond, that job would bore you to tears."

Basically I wanted to make my living sitting at a desk in an air conditioned office,,,
But all of my close associates warned me against that career path,,,
My mistake was thinking they knew better than me.

Back in 1996 my life fell apart,,,
Divorced after 17 years,,,
I was a wreck.

Without going into the gruesome details I made a decision,,,
I was 46 years old, newly single with no debt, 10K in the bank, and a paid for automobile.

I could start over if I wanted to.

I enrolled at a university with the aim of becoming a Career Tech Vocational Instructor,,,
I stumbled into a few good job opportunities as a student,,,
And ended up with a BS and MS in Education.

I almost tripped up by going back into that same old rut of Technical work,,,
But then a great thing happened to me and I took a job at my university,,,
They needed someone to teach the faculty how to use computers.

I took the job only as an interim thing,,,
But all of a sudden I had a decent paycheck and every weekend off.

It wasn't the most exciting job and really wasn't what I had planned for my future,,,
But as it worked out it was the perfect job for me at that stage of my life.

I spent my time developing and teaching seminars for the faculty,,,
And retired from the university 16 1/2 years later with an adequate pension.

My path isn't a model for anyone else,,,
The reason I typed this long tome is just to say,,,
Examine your self and decide what kind of life you want,,,
Then choose a career path that will support that desired lifestyle.

For me, the career field itself wasn't very important,,,
It was the ability to live the lifestyle I wanted.

Air conditioned office and weekends off.

Aarond

.
 

HFS

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...

Another big key is keep your health in order.
If you are in bad health you will not be able to fix busted things and there goes your hard earned money.
^^Amen.
And no matter how much money you've got it is little comfort if you have chronic or constant health problems.
 

xseler

These are not the firearms you're looking for.
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One of my college professors told me this --- "You can either eat well, or sleep well. It's very rare to have them both."

Hate to say it, but this was probably the best thing that I actually learned in college (I had scholarships and worked a 40 hour job. Graduated debt-free.) I did get a degree in Economics in the mid 80's.....not the best time for that degree. Went back to retail and ended up in big box management, retail cat herder is what I called it. Made good money, slept reasonably well, and had enough to 'semi-retire' at 57. I now have a part-time gig at a big box as a regular clock puncher. I rarely think about work when I'm not there. Sleeping very well, now!!


.
 

radarmonkey

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I grew up farming and ranching. In 91 I tried college but it wasn't for me. Returned to farming for a bit then tried LE. I didn't have the temperament for it and I let it destroy my first marriage. In 98 I got my CDL and hit the road. I bought my first truck in 01 and just kept the wheels turning. I wouldn't recommend trucking as a career anymore. We are on the fast track to automation. I've made decent money for an uneducated redneck. Lost a bunch and started over with a different approach. I got a wakeup call back in May about how fragile life is. I took a tumble cracked my noggin and nearly broke my neck. It took about 8 hrs for me to get to an ER in Iowa. I've been home since mid June and after a couple surgeries and tons of PT I'm not sure I'll ever be sharp enough to haul freight again. I've been trying to think of something else to do.
 

allmac

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I've always been a late bloomer. After high school ( which I hated ) I worked a little bit of construction and then to restaurant work ( that's where the girls were ).
In my late twenties I knew that I had to get a career started. I got a lucky break as a plumbers apprentice and learned a trade. This decision along with fleeing California were the two best decisions I've ever made.
I'm working as a plumber in the aerospace industry now. I'm well compensated, it's easy work and I enjoy going to work every day.
For me, WHERE I ply my trade (Oklahoma) is just as important as the career path I chose.
Would I recommend a plumbing career to a young person? Depends on the person. No one has more job security than a licensed plumber and if you're working for someone you can expect 65-120k per year working 40 hours without any student loan debt. I think its a pretty good gig. YMMV
 

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