"Answer for question 4196."? That's not a very catchy title.

[indigozeal]

[Error: unknown template qotd]If you asked me this not too long ago, I'd be amazed at what I'm about to say, but: no. Though I work in translation, my degree's in a laboratory science - geology, actually - and I had planned eventually to go on to get a Master's in paleontology. I originally chose geology because I've had an interest in minerals ever since I was a kid; the discipline seemed to be the perfect synthesis of research, science, and the outdoors; and the region of the U.S. where I'd like to live (go back to, actually) is big in the field, so I could do significant work in the field near home. As I worked through the major, though, I was just horribly turned off by the type of the people the field seemed to attract - cliquish & petty; unwilling to work together on anything; and just so childish. (The capper came when I had trouble finding a professor to partner with for a project and was told that while my grades were excellent, no one wanted to work with me because I didn't go to department mixers. I didn't go to the mixers because I was busy trying to help my mother cope with the aftereffects of a serious stroke, but this evidently was no excuse.) Maybe it was just the folks at my school, but the experience soured me on the field. Getting a degree was a big fixation for me for a good while, but once I got my geology Bachelor's, I had just had it.

I've learned the Japanese language completely on my own initiative, save for one class that wasn't essential to my education. Thanks to the Internet, I can work in the field from anywhere, meaning that I'm not place-bound by my job; I'm judged by the quality of my work, not by social politics; and I earn more in translation - while working at home, in a job where I can to an extent set my own hours - than I would in an entry-level geology job. And it's just such fulfilling work for me: learning about a variety of fields; helping people out; giving texts new audiences. While there are seminars I could attend, there's not much I could learn through formal university education that I couldn't with practical experience. I am done with school - and, man, is it a relief.
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Comments

[jazzminarino.livejournal.com]

Here from QotD. I really love your response. I think this is fascinating. My heart thumped a bit at the comment about your mom (I'm in a similar position now, though thankfully, people are more understanding - I assume). I've been receiving pressure to pursue a Ph.D. but often have similar thoughts.

Thank you for your perspective.

[indigozeal.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for taking so long to get to this - I thought LiveJournal was notifying me when I got replies (when it wasn't), and I came across your note only today. Thank you for your kind words, and I'm very sorry about your current troubles with your loved one - I hope you and they have the support you need familywise, from the medical staff, and from your school. I wish I could give you more original advice than to do what feels right for you personally and the career path you want, but I don't think there's any better. (And, like in my case, the career path you want can change the more you find out about a given career - I'm glad, though, that you seem to be working with a better class of colleagues.) Good luck!

[vanilla-skie.livejournal.com]

I'd probably do my dream and be an aerospace engineer. Or any kind of engineer that would enhance my current job would be good too.

[indigozeal.livejournal.com]

I apologize for seeing this late - I thought LJ was notifying me when I got replies, but that's apparently not the case! I'm not familiar with the professional climate in engineering, so to speak, but I take my hat off to anyone cut out for it. It certainly is lucrative, and it certainly must be a satisfying profession, being able to devise brand-new inventions, systems, or solutions, or being able to improve existing ones.

[vanilla-skie.livejournal.com]

I *might* still be able to achieve my dream, if I happen to get a permanent job with the company I work for and then get 50% or 100% towards tuition expenses. I hope this happens!

[indigozeal.livejournal.com]

Oh, excellent! That'd be a wonderful opportunity if it materializes, and it sounds like you're in a good position to make it happen! Good luck!