General Discussions

**jamestl2** · 05-08-2008, 03:06 PM

With my junior year of college coming to an end, I'm just beginning to realize what's in store for me in the real world ahead. I'm an information resources major and I'm still not quite sure what type of career I want.

So my question to my WT friends is what advice do you guys have? What would you tell someone like me, who isn't quite sure what he wants do, but knows it would want to have something to do with the internet, blogging; maybe some web design, coding, and management thrown in too.

I've already got an internship lined up for the summer and if that goes well, a job for the next year or two at an internet research firm through the university, so I'm not TOO screwed at this current point in my life

.

Based on my WT posts, websites I own and operate, and just the general knowledge I have and share, what do you guys think I'd be best at? Or am already doing?

Maybe some great tips could help out others who aren't exactly sure about their futures too

.

**NullPointer** · 05-08-2008, 03:36 PM

I'm also finishing up my third year as a computer science major. Unfortunately for me I spent my first three years in college as a caterer (I'm a manager now

) rather than getting a job in my field for more than just a summer. But one thing I do know is that I don't want to go to work for someone else maintaining someone else's code or work in a cubicle. Personally my plan for after I graduate is to try to make it on my own for a while, maybe just have a job on the side to pay the bills, while I try to get a project or two off the ground. If that doesn't work out I'll probably go to grad school.

I did something similar to an internship last summer and I met some people with some really good ideas and talent so maybe if you're lucky you'll figure out what you want to do along the way.

Obviously I'm not the best person to give advise considering I'm in the same boat

Hope that helps, best of luck.

**jamestl2** · 05-08-2008, 03:46 PM

Thanks Matt

That's actually what I don't want too. I know I DON'T want to be working a cubicle in the typical 9-5 Monday through Friday setting.

While I would have liked to try and make it on my own too, honestly, I don't know how feasible that is for me ATM, I haven't made that much with adsense (about $80). I was just looking to make a little extra cash with that program.

There aren't many who make careers off of adsense though.

**NullPointer** · 05-08-2008, 03:56 PM

Not every project is about making money off of adsense

I've got more ideas than I have time so if you need something to keep busy with drop me a line and i'll be happy to share. Personally, I think the reason so many projects fail is because the people working on them set out to get traffic and generate adsense revenue.

**jamestl2** · 05-08-2008, 04:28 PM

Actually, I didn't start my sites just for adsense, that would've been "icing on the cake"

. I started them because I enjoyed starting them, blogging, forum administration, etc.

I'm not sure what you meant by your projects, but feel free to share

.

**peterlh35** · 05-08-2008, 10:49 PM

start studying hard and finish college asap so i can go out hurting a better job

**jv17** · 05-09-2008, 08:24 AM

just do what you want to do...besides your work will not love you if you dont love it..

**jamestl2** · 07-25-2008, 10:28 PM

Say, if anyone has any more ideas about possible online jobs, careers, etc., I'm sure guys like Matt and myself would be most appreciative of the guidance.

I'm still not quite sure what I want to do with my future just yet (and being cooped up the way I've been for the past few weeks causes me to think about these sorts of things). But I do know I want to do something with websites, being online, or something along those lines. It's just a matter of what options we have.

**blue-dreamer** · 07-26-2008, 02:45 AM

The first thing you should do after finishing college is go and travel the world. You will learn a lot and it will give you plenty of time to find out who you are and what direction you want to go in.

**jabo** · 07-28-2008, 02:29 AM

The thing about leaving college is that the world will get tougher. You will get more competition and your friends will be away from you a lot. There are lots of jobs out there, but they will not come to you, you should be the one looking out for them. Before I finished my studies, I went out to see all the possibilities out there and tried each and every one of them until I got my first job. But you know what, in college, there is always this want to get out of it, but when your out in the working life, you would always remember college and dream of it, so I suggest that before you leave college, make sure that you make the most out of it, study hard and have fun....

**eautocad** · 07-28-2008, 02:41 AM

work for yourself, others are out to screw you over. it would make you sick to see some employers green sheets

**johnlloyd** · 07-28-2008, 07:41 AM

just finish you study first before thinking anything else!

**sweetie21** · 07-28-2008, 07:02 PM

start your own business

**jamestl2** · 07-30-2008, 02:46 PM

I've always wanted to work for myself, but I never knew exactly what I wanted to do, or what options I had, given with my current skillset.

About traveling and having fun, it would be nice, but those things cost money, which is one of the reasons I'm asking about this, as I don't have very much ATM. And I certainly don't want to have some dead end, entry-level job that won't take me anywhere.

It just seems tough with all the work, patience, and responsibility required to survive in the real world.

**jedz** · 07-30-2008, 03:58 PM

Work harder and always try your best in everything that you'll do. Keep yourself focus on your job and learn things that will help you to grow as a person.

**ECSuite_Russell** · 07-30-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamestl2

Actually, I didn't start my sites just for adsense, that would've been "icing on the cake"

. I started them because I enjoyed starting them, blogging, forum administration, etc.

I think this is most important. Do something you enjoy! I started out in a career I chose based mostly on potential earning and minimal time required to be spent in school. Huge mistake, I was miserable. Find something that will keep you happy with your work day to day.

**joerandom** · 07-30-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eautocad

work for yourself, others are out to screw you over. it would make you sick to see some employers green sheets

Ha, this is very cynical but also true in many cases.

That having been said, I highly recommend working either as a freelancer or an employee with a few startups after leaving college. I did this and my business knowledge increased quite a bit -- in a startup the hierarchy is usually pretty flat and the methodology is exposed for everyone to observe and critique (or maybe I just got lucky). I worked for three screwy startups before finding my ticket to a decent paycheck, but the experience I got in the first three was invaluable.

**Aadriyah** · 08-05-2008, 07:22 PM

Set your goals but don't make your life so predictable.

**jabo** · 08-07-2008, 02:39 AM

I have seen in T.V, just can't remember the show, an interview of a lady who is paid to drink at bars... awesome job ain't it..lol... I think that you should look for something that you are comfortable with and that you know you would have fun with....

**abhi** · 08-07-2008, 02:53 AM

When I finished my studies in IT(programming), I was jobless for about 4 months. Though, I had the qualification and potential, there is always one who can be better than you and surely a company or someone who will need your knowledge instead the guy who is better than you. So, don't worry about what will happen. Study hard and you will surely get a job. Anyway, I think that sometime a person can get a good job by chance.