So, I've been struggling with choosing a career for years now, which has interfered with my ability to return to school on a full-time basis.
My childhood obsessions were twofold: animals, and architecture. In later years, I honed animals into primatology and language in non-human primates. In this time, I interned at a major zoo for many years working in many positions. One of these, my official internship, involved me as an actual research scientist and the head of a large number of unpaid staff (interns, volunteers and the like). I loved the work I did, and worked 70+ hours a week without even noticing, often becoming saddened when my father picked me up from work. I remember working over that one day, on my own suggestion, because my boss couldn't attend her Phd graduation party.
I'd just heard her on NPR on Monday, so now it's back in my mind. I've been told architecture is a poor fit for me as I'd spend a decade or more designing pipes and circuitry before I ever got to design so much as a shack, and that the profession requires more social skills than I think. Still, I love doing it all day.
I still love animals and animal behavior, however. I think I'd be very happy even at the entry levels of that career (as I've done them before). Yet I'd like to make a little money (enough to pay for very expensive GID-related medical procedures).
How do I decide? I'm tired of wasting time in my sad and ill-suited job.
06 Feb 2010, 2:14 am
