New Poster. Complacent Life? Advice? You?

[Kallisandra]

Where does the story start. I graduated in 2003 after 5 years of uncertainty in college. I finally decided to pick a major. I picked engineering, what the heck was I thinking? Seriously, engineers are BORING (no offense intended). Some of my coworkers are okay, but none are to the caliber of what I was used to in college. Was this the attack of the QLC? Did I find myself too complacent?

My first job out of college, I faced the evilness of corruption and of course sexual harrassment, unfairness, bosses with no sympathy. Did I feel sorry for myself? I think I did. I sojurned in a pit of despair for about 6 months, renewed from self-help books and of course MSN advice, I got lucky. I had a wonderful opportunity to work at a better company, and of course for more pay.

Currently at my 2nd job. I feel no better, I feel complacent. Were my parents right? I had picked the complete WRONG career for myself. What do I do now? I have bills to pay, I haven't ever allowed myself the luxury of depending on my parents. I've paid off my student loans, I have no car payments and I am on the correct financial savings plan.

It just seems like I have tried to do all the right things, but there is no major goal. All my friends seem like we're stuck in complacent behavior. That what we have is just good enough for now. What happens 10 years later when we're still stuck in the same place?

I couldn't imagine coming to this job everyday. What are my avenues? I'm considering going back to get an advanced degree, but considering the law school route, I'd study patent or IP law. Any advice?

[cache]

Welcome to the boards!

It sounds like you are definitely in the thinck of figuring things out...which may take some time(frustratingly so...). Anyways, it sounds like you have a decent job moneywise, so while you're figuring things out, just bank as much as you can, so when you do figure it out, you can have some financial freedom to get into those areas.

My interests change from day to day, and I never stay interested in something for longer than a few days, so I chose Hr as a career, knowing that it was a diverse field where I would have a lot of room to move around whenever I get bored. What type of engineer are you?

[Chameleon]

I'm kinda in the same boat, I'm not sure of a "career path" per se, but the job pays well and has enabled me to grow in other directions. I've been able to pursue lots of activities that I wouldn't have if I had the pressure of grad school or an 80hr/week job. Is there anything you've wanted to do that you can take a shot at now? Pursue a new hobby? Take an art class? Learn a new language? Travel? Teach an ESL class?

You might also want to consider finding a mentor to help you figure out what you are interested in doing professionally.

[Kallisandra]

The thing I know is that I don't like electrical engineering. I've already explored the avenues I could for it. I had wanted to do sales engineering but I'm not sure I could live day to day sucking up to people to get them to buy stuff from me. It's hard to find a mentor, because they just push me towards engineering more. I usually meet people on the airplane, at coffee shops, and they tell me that I should have done business, seriously.

I'm not exactly lacking friends either, because I stayed in my college town, San Diego. A lot of my friends stayed, however eveyone is so complacent. They are okay where they are now, and aren't doing anything to change it. So when do you make a change? The inspired people leave. They go off and do other things.

I also had picked up some hobbies. I rock climb, I sail, I collect music. I still play the piano, but it's hard to focus my energies on what I consider a scary step. I finally had a blowout with my mom because I am supposed to buy property, and make the right financial decisions. She never figured that I wanted to drop everything and go back to school. I am having a QLC!

Do I want to make a financial step towards what could be disaster or stay where I am?

[sparky88]

The thing I know is that I don't like electrical engineering. I've already explored the avenues I could for it. I had wanted to do sales engineering but I'm not sure I could live day to day sucking up to people to get them to buy stuff from me.

I am not an engineer, but I do sell CAD software. And my husband is a mechanical engineer/sales AE (he demos the software). I can identify with not wanting to suck up to people to get them to buy stuff. I guess most professions require you to suck up to someone though. The part that is hard to deal with is making a completely unpredictable income. And having your well-being (finances, health, social life, work schedule) hinge on customers decisions/demands. But that's sales for ya.

however, I would definetly recommend staying at your job until you figure out what exactly you want to do. especially if it pays the bills.

[spiritedaway]

I totally hear you. Sometimes I wonder if it's just the grass is greener on the other side syndrome, or it's just a cycle. Sometimes it takes a while to settle on your first few jobs though, before you find your niche.

I've been at my job for a few years now. I enjoy it for the most part. It's related to my degree and my interests, the pay is not something I can complain about, but the routine is getting to me now. Besides that, I am not entirely thrilled with the new management.

I have thought about a job change, but what should I do when I'm already in my field? So I am just waiting and thinking (and probably appearing complacent as a result). Sometimes I wonder if I'll eventually be stuck in the same place again after a years like it's starting to feel now.

On the bright side, I've been working hard to save, my job pays the bills, and I have the flexibility to do what I love (i.e. travel and other hobbies) and if my job ever becomes miserable (which I doubt), I could always up and quit (at least for a while).

You should figure out what you are really interested in before committing yourself to an advanced degree.

I've been there before (and I may be there or getting there again) and I know it's tough, so good luck!

[Kallisandra]

I totally hear you. Sometimes I wonder if it's just the grass is greener on the other side syndrome, or it's just a cycle. Sometimes it takes a while to settle on your first few jobs though, before you find your niche. ...

You should figure out what you are really interested in before committing yourself to an advanced degree.

I've been there before (and I may be there or getting there again) and I know it's tough, so good luck!


Thanks. I know that I am not the only one feeling like this. It's hard to sit around some days and get paid to do nothing. It's a slump and makes me feel like I haven't accomplished anything. The thing is, I live in San Diego. It's hard to get ahead. I get paid what is considered average. Actually if I lived in other states I would be considered rich. I make the income of most two income families in other states. But in California, I barely make enough to survive if I were to commit to a mortgage, which seems to be the only step right now. Not to mention, in California, to make more money you need an advanced degree. I guess it can't hurt to just take the LSAT right? I just need some new goals.

[caddymac]

Kallisandra, if you don't mind me asking, what type of EE are you (VLSI, analog circuit design, power)?

Anyway, have you talked to anyone at your company (HR, your manager, your manager's manager) about your future career path? A lot of times in the corporate world if you don't speak up then management thinks everything is going fine for you.

Also, have you thought about an MBA program? That seems to be the popular choice for engineers to go into, although patent law is also a pretty common route.

Best of luck!