I call upon the sages [Archive] - FRED Entertainment

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Peoria

10-05-2005, 05:10 PM

phit_demon

10-05-2005, 05:21 PM

Cool idea for a thread dude.

I'm going to film school. It's all I've ever wanted to do my whole life...make movies that is. Well, when I was a kid I wanted to be an actor, but that's just because they were all I could see on film. When I grew up I learned there was alot more going on behind the camera than in front of it.
When I first left school, I was afraid there was no money in it, so I worked like a fool for four years between two companies: a bank and a directory enquiries hotline. Both of them sucked the big one and I ended up being fired from the first job and leaving the second. That's when I kinda realised I'd never make anything of myself unless I pursued what I love...and so here I am. My friends' and I's first short movie just got shown in the Irish Film Institute (an artsy-fartsy cinema in Dublin), which was a pretty big thing for me. Now I'm working on my own short script, hoping to shoot it in November...

Razorback

10-05-2005, 05:28 PM

I've been trying to decide upon a career/ major/ college for quite some time now and I've got enough to worry about as is. I'm about to have a fuckin nervous breakdown over this. I wanted to know what everybody does, how they got there, if that's where they want/wanted to be, how much work is involved in college, and pretty much anything else that has to do with finding out what you want to do in life and getting there. You are my last hope, so any helpful advice, stories, what have you would be greatly appreciated. Please and thank you.

Don't sweat it so much.... life is short, but not THAT short that you have to drive yourself nuts thinking about what you should do.

Anyway, here are the top five things you should know before going on with life:

1. College is not just the years that follow right after high school.
2. College doesn't need to be 4-years. It can take 2, 3 or 27.
3. Most people will never care what college you went to.... unless that college is Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Stanford, or Columbia.
4. You will change your career.... about a half dozen times. It is more likely than not that whatever you get your degree in that you will NEVER do that job.
5. As long as you go to school until you die, you don't have to pay back your loans. So get a few PhD's.

phit_demon

10-05-2005, 05:45 PM

Don't sweat it so much.... life is short, but not THAT short that you have to drive yourself nuts thinking about what you should do.

Anyway, here are the top five things you should know before going on with life:

1. College is not just the years that follow right after high school.
2. College doesn't need to be 4-years. It can take 2, 3 or 27.
3. Most people will never care what college you went to.... unless that college is Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Stanford, or Columbia.
4. You will change your career.... about a half dozen times. It is more likely than not that whatever you get your degree in that you will NEVER do that job.
5. As long as you go to school until you die, you don't have to pay back your loans. So get a few PhD's.

I'm shocked and impressed by the unexpected quality advise. Is it possible that behind that harsh exterior lies a sage, so full of knowledge and wisdom that you would make the Dali Lama blush???

Zens7s

10-05-2005, 05:51 PM

I wanted to know what everybody does
I am the VP of Operations + some letters that mean nothing to the outside world for a Fortune 500 technology corporation with an excess of $5 Billion in net worth last year.

How they got there
How did I get here...good question. Ummmm...I worked my ass off and learned to play the game? I am only half jesting. I could give you my full career track, but instead I will sum up what I have learned:

1. Your college major doesn't matter unless you want to be a lawyer, doctor, or teacher. I was psych/bio double major. You could poll the people I work for and the people that work for me and I bet not one of them knows that, or cares. I have never functionally used it.

2. No matter what people like to say, the truth is that it is who you know that progresses your career. There isn't a business out there (corporation, music, or film) that isn't about people at it's heart, and "who you know" is learning the people business well. This is why internships come in handy in college.

3. If you want to know how we wish business worked read "How to Win Friends and Influence People". If you want to know how it really works read "The 48 Laws of Power".

4. Major in something that will keep you interested long enough to get the paper. Do as much cool shit as you can while in school...take the chance to study abroad, take the chance to study broads :). When you get into the real world you have to be balanced and worldly. But you also have to have the paper.

5. WHATEVER you do pour your heart and soul into it. I have little patience for the people that sit around and whine about their lot in life and then do nothing to change it and wait around for somebody else to do it for them. There are a great many of these people in this world. Nobody is out there saying "Gosh, today I will go looking for a 22 year old kid who has been writing cool stuff in his spare time."

6. You will have to be low-person on the totem pole in the beginning of your work life to gain experience. It's unavoidable. At the worst you spend two years working and learning everything you can to step over the idiot you work for now.

If that's where they want/wanted to be
Absolutely. I have a kick ass job. Don't get me wrong, my job is extremely stressful, but it's worth it. Of course, my idea of stress is different than many people. They say they are "Stressed" if they have to do work that keeps them past 5 one night and they get told off by one person. I think it's stressful when I need to decide whether to put 300 people in Barcelona out of a job because their cultural work ethic doesn't match ours. ;)

How much work is involved in college>>
Meh, depends on what you define as work or if you take a major you hate just because you think it will make you big bucks someday. Trust me, your future cash flow has little to do with what you major in, it's what you do it the experiences that counts.

Pretty much anything else that has to do with finding out what you want to do in life and getting there.
If you want to be a musician then do everything in your power 24 hours a day to make that happen. If you want to be a businessman then learn everything you can from anyone you can.

When I was your age I was way too serious about school and life. I lightened up a lot my freshman year. Don't stress so much about the future that you forget to live the here and now to the fullest.

Razorback

10-05-2005, 05:51 PM

I'm shocked and impressed by the unexpected quality advise. Is it possible that behind that harsh exterior lies a sage, so full of knowledge and wisdom that you would make the Dali Lama blush???

I am your hero.

Razorback

10-05-2005, 05:55 PM

Zens put teacher up there (as one of the few majors that matter towards your career).... but you don't really need to study anything special to become a teacher. You just need a few extra electives and a test or two.

I would add pilot to her list, though. At least I HOPE they study how to fly before they take the job. ;)

phit_demon

10-05-2005, 06:06 PM

I am your hero.

Hero is such a strong word...you're more of a svengali.;)

Mighty Wingman

10-05-2005, 06:10 PM

Razorback

10-05-2005, 06:19 PM

You don't wanna buy anything sold or processed , or sell anything bought or processed , or process anything bought sold or ...processed.

Oh man.... I love that movie.

phit_demon

10-05-2005, 06:19 PM

You don't wanna buy anything sold or processed , or sell anything bought or processed , or process anything bought sold or ...processed.

All pigs exist, I exist, therefore I am a....no wait, that's not right.

By-tor

10-05-2005, 06:34 PM

I joined the family printing and office supply business. Zens is right about the low man on the totem pole. I started out doing grunt work, worked my way up to printing jobs for a major university(if ya call Baylor major), and now after 20+ years find myself running the business with my two partners(my brother-in-law and his brother) and my wife, and alas still doing grunt work when needed. I was a bartender and kitchen manager before joining the family business. I stongly suggest avoiding the food service industry. Bartending was the bomb, but once you go into management, its a 24/7 headache. Biggest advice: Don't sweat it yet. You are way too young(although more mature than half the adults I know) to let your career choice mind-fuck you this soon. Go to college and get the basics out of the way. One year in, and maybe things will become clearer for you. Regardless enjoy the trip, and remember us little guys(please, no pecker jokes) when you hit the big time.

jjcourtright

10-06-2005, 03:21 PM

I am a physicist working as a chemist. Probably as close as I will ever come to working in my field. Most jobs in my field are only available to PhD's...and fuck that, I'm not even sure that I want to finish my MBS in physics. I loved physics as an undergrad, but I'm having to work way to hard as a grad student. While I didn't go to community college, looking back on it, it would have been a pretty good idea. Get the first two years of school out of the way on the cheap. College is hardly work at all - especially the first two years. I pine for those days.

As I'm sure some of you have guessed that I'm not really content doing science anymore. Politics are the future for me. Surprise, surprise, nowhere near what I learned in college. In college, I didn't know what I wanted to do in the future, so I did something that I enjoyed at the time. Now, I do know what I want to do in the future, so I'm working on doing it.

Most choices now won't have any impact on your future, so do what feels good at this exact moment...or more precisely what feels good during the weekend that they give you in college to "decide your future."

Zens7s

10-06-2005, 03:31 PM

Have you ever wondered why we have strayed so far from college actually being worth it to your career?

I think one of the problems is that schools are staffed by people that aren't in the real world anymore...or never were. If you could really get business people to teach business you might learn something. Grades too...grading people on random memorization of useless facts only tests their ability to memorize.

College is so damn expensive now, and for what exactly? It's like the best scam ever...we can convince you that this $100K piece of paper is worth more than spending 6 months at the library and taking internships or working.

I know I am rambling, but this is just flying through my head right now.

Razorback

10-06-2005, 03:38 PM

When I finish my masters I will owe close to $100,000 in studen loans. My PhD should push that up into a number that I will never be able to pay back.

jjcourtright

10-06-2005, 03:50 PM

Jesus. I'm at about $30K, and I only have one more class to take to finish my masters.

Razorback

10-06-2005, 03:58 PM

Jesus. I'm at about $30K, and I only have one more class to take to finish my masters.

I have six more classes. I am thinking about taking 4 per semester just so I can finish it up faster! :eek:

jjcourtright

10-06-2005, 04:01 PM

That's rough. A physics masters degree is only eight classes long - two a semester for two years. Why are you not thinking about taking three per semester? Either way, it is two semesters, and three would be at least marginally less brutal than four.

Razorback

10-06-2005, 04:05 PM

Zens7s

10-06-2005, 04:49 PM

I do not have my masters, and I don't forsee getting it anytime soon. The Bent-ster, on the other hand, just finished his and it was pretty brutal. Private school tuition and work for an MBA left him pretty wiped out financially and mentally over the three year period. Has it helped him get a new job? Nope.

I just can't imagine being back in school now. [Shudders]

Razorback

10-06-2005, 05:05 PM

Has it helped him get a new job? Nope.

Heh! I feel his pain. :)

Zens7s

10-06-2005, 05:35 PM

Heh! I feel his pain. :)
I think sometimes you have to work so hard at school that you must let your work slide a bit. By doing so you kinda blow your chances at really fast growth where you are. It forces you to go out and look for a job elsewhere after graduation, but depending on what your master's is in, you may or may not recoup that money and time lost.

I am speaking purely in the corporate sector. In certain occupations your salary is directly related to your level of education and you are rewarded accordingly.

Razorback

10-06-2005, 05:38 PM

I think sometimes you have to work so hard at school that you must let your work slide a bit. By doing so you kinda blow your chances at really fast growth where you are. It forces you to go out and look for a job elsewhere after graduation, but depending on what your master's is in, you may or may not recoup that money and time lost.

I am speaking purely in the corporate sector. In certain occupations your salary is directly related to your level of education and you are rewarded accordingly.

Oh well, you can't take it with you when you die.

On my headstone it might say PhD but it won't say "Owed a shitload of money on his student loans." ;)

Zens7s

10-06-2005, 05:49 PM

Oh well, you can't take it with you when you die.

On my headstone it might say PhD but it won't say "Owed a shitload of money on his student loans." ;)True. So if you get this piece of paper does that mean we get to play "doctor" ;)

Razorback

10-06-2005, 05:51 PM

True. So if you get this piece of paper does that mean we get to play "doctor" ;)

I was thinking more student/professor. You haven't done your homework in some time and I don't think you are going to pass unless you perform some extra credit.

Zens7s

10-06-2005, 05:56 PM

I was thinking more student/professor. You haven't done your homework in some time and I don't think you are going to pass unless you perform some extra credit.See, therein lies the problem. I prefer to be the one sitting at the desk and having someone else under it.

OH! The power struggle that would ensue!

Razorback

10-06-2005, 05:58 PM

See, therein lies the problem. I prefer to be the one sitting at the desk and having someone else under it.

OH! The power struggle that would ensue!

A good professor works closely with his student to make sure that she gets it right. Sometimes he has to give up power to achieve the intended result.

Zens7s

10-06-2005, 06:25 PM

A good professor works closely with his student to make sure that she gets it right. Sometimes he has to give up power to achieve the intended result.
COOL! I love that method!

Razorback

10-06-2005, 06:26 PM

COOL! I love that method!

I know you do.

Aaron

10-06-2005, 06:31 PM

True. So if you get this piece of paper does that mean we get to play "doctor"
giggity

I was thinking more student/professor. You haven't done your homework in some time and I don't think you are going to pass unless you perform some extra credit.
Giggity-GIGGITY

See, therein lies the problem. I prefer to be the one sitting at the desk and having someone else under it.

OH! The power struggle that would ensue!
GIGGITY!

A good professor works closely with his student to make sure that she gets it right. Sometimes he has to give up power to achieve the intended result.
That one's also sexual...
http://www.thedrunkenclam.com/wallpapers/quagmire-mugshot_thumb.gif

Razorback

10-06-2005, 06:41 PM

Giggity?

Feckin' Irish.

Aaron

10-06-2005, 06:44 PM

Giggity?

Feckin' Irish.
Fair enough, I'll peddle my family guy quotes elsewhere...
*throws napsack over shoulder and walks towards the sunset to the tune of the littlest hobo*

Razorback

10-06-2005, 06:51 PM

Only thing worse than the Irish is Family Guy.

Aaron

10-06-2005, 07:20 PM

Only thing worse than the Irish is Family Guy.
Is there really a need to carry your phit beef onto me?

Razorback

10-06-2005, 07:33 PM

Is there really a need to carry your phit beef onto me?

Who? I am just stating a fact. Sheesh! Everyone knows that the Irish are evil people, but not as evil as Family Guy.

You should be happy that Family Guy is worse than your entire country.

ILovePapaSmurf

10-06-2005, 07:37 PM

Everyone knows that the Irish are evil people…

Leprechauns aren't evil…

Aaron

10-06-2005, 07:41 PM

Leprechauns aren't evil…
*waits for warrick davis picture*

Razorback

10-06-2005, 07:46 PM

Leprechauns aren't evil…

Oh wait, I was thinking of the Scottish. Nevermind.

Threadkiller

10-06-2005, 08:23 PM

I'm about to have a fuckin nervous breakdown over this.
I hope the breakdown was averted. So uh, if you are still looking for answers to this question I will add my tale of woe to the heap.

What I do: Nothing. I'm currently "taking a break" and working some temp jobs before applying for law school. If I don't get into law school I will likely apply to graduate schools to work on my Master's. Either way, student loans will ensue.

I got my Bachelor's of Anthropology without a penny in student loans by working my butt off and finally lucking into a job with some kick-ass stock options. An Anthropology Bachelor's would be more useful if it had the softness and absorbancy of Charmin Ultra. At least then I could wipe my ass with it.

Advice? Most of us at some point in college had to decide what was more important, money, or doing something we really wanted to do. I haven't given up on doing something with the degree and knowledge I have obtained but it's a much longer road than others.

TLS

10-07-2005, 09:33 AM

Zens7s

10-07-2005, 12:20 PM

I forgot one good piece of advice. Screen the people you will work for as tough as they screen you. Having a tough but fair, fun boss makes life go a million times easier....no matter what you do. Of the last four people I have worked with, all four were amazing people. I still communicate with them, they all have helped me get my next positions, and it's such a blessing! They write killer letters of recommendation also.

I just thought of this, because this is the memo my boss left on my desk this morning (Note - I just got a new office and I have a rather small temporary desk until my furniture comes in.)

"THIS IS AN ODD LOOKING DESK. Hardly any room to work on the TPS reports! (Maybe more room in the basement, bring your red stapler). Give me a call. [name]"

It's nice to work for people who know when to make you laugh and when to be serious.

phit_demon

10-07-2005, 02:34 PM

Oh wait, I was thinking of the Scottish. Nevermind.

Anyone can make mistakes...even a yank.;)

Zens7s

10-07-2005, 02:40 PM

Anyone can make mistakes...even a yank.;)
I get called that all the time where I live, but they mean north of the Oklahoma/Texas line. It's funny to think that you refer to all of us as that.

phit_demon

10-07-2005, 02:45 PM

I get called that all the time where I live, but they mean north of the Oklahoma/Texas line. It's funny to think that you refer to all of us as that.

I don't, but if he's gonna call me "Feckin' Irish" constantly, I gotta throw something back, right?

Razorback

10-07-2005, 06:04 PM

Anyone can make mistakes...even a yank.;)

I am Icelandic. But then you are Irish and I understand that your people have trouble with geography.

DangerSeeker

10-07-2005, 07:27 PM

Oh, Jersey is the ICE hole of America! Damn my ears. No wonder Bon Jovi had so many songs about Rejyvykq.

Aaron

10-07-2005, 07:41 PM

I am Icelandic. But then you are Irish and I understand that your people have trouble with geography.
Again, please, dont lump me under all this.

DangerSeeker

10-07-2005, 07:46 PM

And suddenly Aaron doesn't want to play Buck-Buck.

Aaron

10-07-2005, 08:07 PM

And suddenly Aaron doesn't want to play Buck-Buck.
http://www.streetplay.com/photos/images/buckbuck.jpg
this game looks fun!

10-08-2005, 01:27 AM

I wanted to know what everybody does
I am a Broadcast Operations Coordinator- responsible for maintaining on-air content and signal in accordance with FCC guidelines and company S&P (I get paid to watch TV all night long)

how I got here
I'm not real sure- far cry from my first real job owning/operating my own lawn care business at 17 (I say business because I wasn't just mowing the neighbors yard for a few bucks- I was bringing in about $400 a week) I moved from that to Nuclear Propulsion to Law Enforcement to inventory control to register jockey to prison guard to electrical assembly to shipping and receiving to radio broadcasting to master control to news photographer and finally back to master control. It's been a long strange road...

if that's where I want/wanted to be
I'm still not sure where I want to be and I'm pushing 33. I'm up for shift supervisor next month- getting paid to watch people watch TV... does it get any better? That is the question though- Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life? No- probably not. I've got some stuff I'd like to do for myself, like become a somewhat well-known author.

how much work is involved in college
Considering I dropped out of college... twice... I can't really say. I didn't really drop out, I just never finished- ran out of money, got a better job and moved. School was alway easy for me though. I mangaed to carry a 3.4 while working 60 hours a week and 20 on the weekends. The amount of work really depends on you as a person.

anything else that has to do with finding out what you want to do in life and getting there.
Don't limit yourself to what people expect of you. If I had done that I'd still be working at the prison and hating life and everyone and everything. Keep an open mind and be willing to try anything. Kind of a broad generalization, but don't ignore that big wide world out there.

You are my last hope,
What? Do I look like Ben Kenobi?

so any helpful advice, stories, what have you would be greatly appreciated. Please and thank you.
See everything above.