How do I figure out what I want to do with my life?
I’m a freshly graduated mechanical engineer and I started work last week at a quickly growing lighting company. Work isn’t as exciting as I thought it’d be. It’s just ‘okay’ and I really can’t see myself there in the long run if I’m not having fun.
I’m a very social person and engineering doesn’t seem to be a very social career. I’m outgoing, intelligent, non-traditional, experimental, and I like to play pranks and joke around. The office environment at work is unappealing as everyone seems restrained, like they can’t act like themselves.
I’m looking for a way out. I have some ideas of what I’d really like to do: rehab houses, real estate sales (just passed test), bartend (it seems so fun, like I wouldn’t even call it work), technical or medical sales, pursuing an MBA, and psychotherapy.
I’m money hungry, but have great morals and am willing to work very hard. I’m not sure how to go about things right now. Can you offer me any advice or share some of your experiences with me?
Posted in psychiatrist career
content rss
July 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
Hi there,
I pretty much volunteer much of my time with recent grads and college students to help them find a careerpath that’s right for them. I’m also responsible for hiring people within my organization as well and I come across alot of individuals who change their jobs because they are not "satisfied."
If you are looking into making money and want a challenging career path, real-estate or bartending isn’t probably the best way to go. What I mean is, after 10 years of working as a bartender or real-estate agent, you’ll still be in the same position.
There are 2 great careerpaths: Medical Device Sales or Technical Sales
Medical Device is very hard to get into without any previous sales experience. They typically look for people with outside sales experience. They recruit not pharma reps but more of the specialty sales rep within the pharmaceutical companies because of their network and understanding of how the hospitals function. You will need to invest a good 2 - 5 years in proven outside sales to get into Medical Device. However, once you are in, you are closely working with surgicial doctors, providing consultation, you are in the OR, and best of all, probably bringin home about $150-300k a year! Only draw back is promotions and upward mobility is limited.
With your experience and education, another field could be Sales Engineering. Many Tech Firms look for people who are business savy with a technical background. You deal with other technical individuals in the field to go over specs, cost analysis, research, sales negotiations, etc etc to get the job done. Earning potentials could range from $50k + $150k typically based on your experience and the company you work for. The earning potential isn’t as high as medical sales rep but you have a better chance of progressing into different fields with those types of experience. You can go into product development, management, and my personal favorite, "business development."
my recommendation is to visit http://www.monster.com and look at the different medical device sales position and sales engineering positions to see what interest you. Also, try to network to find out if you know anyone in the industry and go out a field ride with them to know the business. You might enjoy working in the OR or you might more enjoy providing a business presentation and solutions to a company.
Either way, you’ll never know if the job is right for you unless you know the job.
Cheers!
July 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
Work is not really meant to be fun. That’s why it’s called work. If, as you say, you’re money hungry then you’re going to have to put up with a job you probably hate as those are the ones that make the best money.
If I were boss I’d want someone who was there to work and not to socialize and play pranks and joke around.
But, if you hate engineering that much and don’t mind having wasted the time and money to get your degree, then go ahead and quit your job and start bartending and flipping houses. I’m sure you’ll be raking in the dough in no time that way.
Whatever you do, good luck.
July 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
Only you can chose what you want to do. Try and do something that you are truely passionate about, look around, write letters, do some research on possible places. Don’t be afraid to get in contact with people; the worst they can do is say no.
Take time to think about where you want to go and what YOU can do to acheive that, there’s no point getting an amazingly paid job if you’re miserable there!
Let me know how it goes
Enjoy your life.
Angelchild
July 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
First of all, being money hungry and having great morals just do not go together. ;-p J/K! Maybe… For me, I talked to people who worked in the areas that I was interested in and I also did some research (outside of talking to people) to see what those jobs entailed. If I were you, I would consider getting a mentor or doing some volunteer work in those areas (naturally, many people will let you help out if they don’t have to pay you!). Just a thought…
July 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
The place I work is in need of a mechanical engineer right now … given my luck, you aren’t anywhere near where I live. Anywho …
I work with the intellectually disabled at a training facility. I don’t know what your interest is but this is what this job entails:
adapting electronics (radios, tvs, ipods, remotes, etc.) in order for special needs individuals can use it.
It seems pretty cool - the guy that used to work with us always was taking apart a radio or tv and putting it back together to work 10 times better.
It’s a state job … the boss of the department only works 3 days a week (and they are only 1/2 days) - you get your own desk and pretty much your own office in the afternoons. A plus for many males out here is that most of the employees are female, so if you’re looking for a gf, theres tons to pick from.
July 31st, 2009 at 7:01 am
My only advice to you would be to keep your current job while you decide. A lot of people are in the same boat and it takes time to really know what you want to do in life.
All the best to you!