Carreer Advice needed

wheels686

Well-Known Member
Oct 25, 2006
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Grinnell, IA
I think im going to go into The general studies 4 year degree. I can still take business school classes but I also have to take classes from 2 other colleges to get my degree. If I did that I still wouldnt know what to do for a job
 

CyTom

Member
Mar 30, 2006
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Des Moines
If you're close to a business degree and interested I would recommend going for your CPA. Heck, I'm a Trans/Log degree out of school for 10 years and I still don't know what I want to do with my career. On the other hand, I've enjoyed life and don't take my work home with me which leads to plenty of quality time with the wife and dog.
 

zumbro clones

Well-Known Member
Jan 31, 2007
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Southern Minnesota
I suggest talking to the placement office about internships. Think long and hard about what you wouldn't mind doing. Don't try to figure out a job you'll love (you'll drive yourself nuts). Think about what you have an aptitude for and not necessary what would be your ideal job.

Talk to your advisor for help in areas that you might be weak so you can take the right direction in class planning.
 

Phaedrus

Well-Known Member
Jan 13, 2008
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Khorasan
I didn't know the first thing about Banking/Banks but if you're not an idiot it doesn't take long to get the hang of it.

Evidently, being an idiot is a prerequisite for running/working for one of the 6 major banking houses, as seen in the recent banking crisis....:sad::no:
 

BryceC

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Mar 23, 2006
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Evidently, being an idiot is a prerequisite for running/working for one of the 6 major banking houses, as seen in the recent banking crisis....:sad::no:

Unfortunately I'm in a cube and not on a 500k spa trip however.
 

Irresponsible

Active Member
Jul 3, 2008
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Seattle, WA
I am trying to figure out what kind of job I exactly want when I get out of college. .

What's up with the focus on getting a job? Move back to Mom's basement, buy a laptop, hook up the internet and spend all day being a cyber tough guy and seducing cyber girls...Not that I'd know anything about that...not at all...no siree. How can I delete this post?
 
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wheels686

Well-Known Member
Oct 25, 2006
1,429
292
83
Grinnell, IA
What's up with the focus on getting a job? Move back to Mom's basement, buy a laptop, hook up the internet and spend all day being a cyber tough guy and seducing cyber girls...Not that I'd know anything about that...not at all...no siree. How can I delete this post?

haha, but im already living with my fiancee out of the parents house, I dont think I could ever live with them again
 

SpokaneCY

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
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Spokane, WA
I am trying to figure out what kind of job I exactly want when I get out of college. I also dont know what to major in. The problem is I got to get out of college. I am a senior at UNI and have over 100 credits. I just dont have them in the right program. I have around 3 semesters left and took the semester off to figure out what to do so I didnt waste any more time or money.

Most of the classes I have taken are towards the business college. But they are not the upper level courses. I have thought alot about being a banker and trying to move up or just getting my degree and seeing what I can do. I also am interested in getting certified in IRA's or something like that.. But that is all interest.

I kind of figured that after 4 years of college I would have figured out what to do. I also thought something or someone would come to me and help me figure out what to do. I am really good with money and numbers just not with algebra ( which ive had alot of problems with school with) but banking is just an idea right now.

I just dont know what to major in or what type of job to work at. I currently work at Target Distribution center. I work 3 12 hour days and have 4 days off a week when my finance is at work so I have nothing to do. I certaintly dont want to be doing this the rest of my life though.

I also am intersted in coaching but not for a job. I have 1 or 2 classes left to be certified to coach in Iowa.

Any help would be great. I didnt know exactly what to write so I may have left out some things. I will try to answer any questions people ask

If you got any career or major choice ideas let me know. Im pretty open at the moment. And I got an appointment with my academic advisor on tuesday

Thanks for any help

As a 44 year old CPA who hates the finance and accounting industry whether its in-house or out-house accounting, follow your heart just a little. There are so many careers out there that sometimes you just fall into. A general college degree gets you in the door but its all up to you what happens when you get in. A mistake I think some make is wanting to "call" themselves something. Don't limit yourself to your coursework. Explore the FBI - they love the numbers guys. What makes your heart pound? What gets you excited? Explore that bunny trail. Being a grown-up taxpayer and upright citizen is important, but these will likely be the last months where you can be crazy. Study abroad (overseas you mooyaks), do a peacecorp stint, ski-bum for a winter... Had a buddy graduate in aero-e at ISU and he found his passion doing backcountry guide trips in the mountains somewhere.
 

CloneIce

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
37,771
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I can't believe all these people are telling you to hurry up and get out of school. My advice is try to squeeze one more tailgating season and last semester of heavy weeknight partying out of school!

Once you graduate you have to get a job, which means living your life on a schedule. No more taking a personal day and getting a keg on Monday. It is ok and all and the weekends are great, but take your time and enjoy the years of college where every day is an adventure and you never quite know for certain what is going to happen and where you are going to end up spending the night.
 

SeattleClone

Well-Known Member
Aug 15, 2006
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I can't believe it, over two pages of posts and no one has given you the *truly* good piece of career advice. Just ask yourself what you would do if you had a million dollars. Like these guys:

Peter Gibbons: Our high school guidance counselor used to ask us what you'd do if you had a million dollars and you didn't have to work. And invariably what you'd say was supposed to be your career. So, if you wanted to fix old cars then you're supposed to be an auto mechanic.
Samir: So what did you say?
Peter Gibbons: I never had an answer. I guess that's why I'm working at Initech.
Michael Bolton: No, you're working at Initech because that question is ******** to begin with. If everyone listened to her, there'd be no janitors, because no one would clean **** up if they had a million dollars.
Samir: You know what I would do if I had a million dollars? I would invest half of it in low risk mutual funds and then take the other half over to my friend Asadulah who works in securities...
Michael Bolton: Samir, you're missing the point. The point of the exercise is that you're supposed to figure out what you would want to do if...
[printer starts beeping]
Michael Bolton: "PC Load Letter"? What the **** does that mean?
 

4VR4CY

Well-Known Member
Aug 28, 2007
3,474
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48
Ankeny, IA
Does UNI have a Academic Success Center like ISU does? If so, go there and take an interest inventory/what should I major in test. I send a lot of my students there if they don't know what to do. Also, if you had a good advisor they should be able to help you. If you don't have a good advisor, switch to a new one who you like better or is more helpful!
 

kilgore_trout

Well-Known Member
Nov 10, 2006
2,190
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Madison, WI
Sounds like you have a lot of academic credits but haven't been admitted to the business college. My advice, don't bother. Transfer to Hawkeye and pick up a degree in something you are likely to enjoy, or at least tolerate, that will pay the bills. Life in college is not reality. You need a job eventually, we all do. Your problems with math, and your demonstrated writing skills, make a big upside in business questionable. Go get an MLT degree or something.

Ignore this advice if you have cash and an idea. Or you are pretty and can sell stuff.
 

ericlambi

Well-Known Member
Mar 24, 2006
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I don't have any great advice for you except that even if you supposedly knew what you wanted to do, it doesn't mean much. Most people make at least one major career switch at some point. In 2001 I got a degree in mechanical engineering. Right now I analyze investments in emerging market bonds and currencies. If on graduation day you had told me I would be analyzing turkish inflation-linked bonds for a living in less than 6 years I wouldn't have believed you nor had any clue what you were talking about.
 

kilgore_trout

Well-Known Member
Nov 10, 2006
2,190
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Madison, WI
eric, i'm curious about how your career made that pivot. plus, what's the best trade on turkish bonds these days?
 
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SmokinH2O

Member
Oct 10, 2008
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Ankeny, Iowa
I've been out of school for 14 years and worked for 4 different companies. Through the 1st five years of my career I worked for 3 of them. Each time I moved I got into a job I wanted/like more for more money. Don't think you have to get out of school, get a job and never be able to do anything again. It's your life, live it as you want. I do recommend a business degree. So many avenues you can take with that.


One recommendation I'd have is picking the top 3 types of jobs you'd like to have and calling up like businesses and asking to do a job shadow. Sounds kind of sophomorish but you'll learn a lot if you know what you're looking for. You'll see how the folks treat you, if their busy, the social interaction, the work environment, the type of work, the "product" the make/offer/sell. Once you have 3 you can kind of start comparing likes and dislikes. Then as you get into your final semester you can look for a job in


Finally, find something you really like to do. It makes going to work easy and living life a lot more fun.
 
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cloneluke80

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
1,772
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West Des Moines, IA
One fantasy that alot of college kids have is that they will get an awesome perfect job out of college.

That is so far from the truth. Cubicle jobs can be good, but decide where you want to live and that will dictate somewhat of what you do.

If you are in business and in the des moines area, you will most likely be financial in nature an be a low level cube dweller.

Its all about what you do once you get in the door.

If it wasnt for my love of Iowa, I might have done something in military/intelligence... But because of my love for Iowa, I am stuck in insurance...

Also try to have some technical skill that will be difficult to out source, not just a mid level manager that is susceptible to being clipped.

Have a real skill that not many people have and you will always have opportunities.

Here are some examples of people I know and what their majors converted to after college:

english = teacher
interior design = furniture sales
general studies = waitress
athletic training = secretary

so you see, majors with no jobs can basically mean you have got no further than if you had not gone to college....
 

Cyclonepride

Thought Police
Staff member
Apr 11, 2006
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A pineapple under the sea
www.oldschoolradical.com
The real question is, if you could have any job in the world, something that would make you jump out of bed in the morning, what would you do? I think too many people make the mistake of choosing a career path based on income potential, instead of something that they are passionate about. Here's the questions that I would ask myself to figure this out:

#1- What job or field would be fascinating to me?

#2- Could an entry level position for a degree holder in this field pay the bills?

#3- Would eventual success in this field lead to the kind of financial comfort that I am looking for?

#4- How much more schooling would I have to have to get there?

I would rank those questions in order of importance to your decision just as I have done here.