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No confidence, worried about the future.
DCthulhu
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
So, I'm a technician in the Navy. In three years I'll be a civilian again and it scares the shit out of me. I have no idea what I'm going to do with my life and I'm not particularly good at anything. I just know I hate my current job and that I don't want to do anything remotely like it. I'll have a free education to take advantage of, but I don't know what I should be looking for. I don't have a knack for math or science, so several potentially good jobs are already out the window.
I really don't want to be one of those bitter fucks who stays in the military just because it's a steady paycheck, but I'm not terribly confident in my ability to net a job outside of "fast food drone" once I step off the brow for the last time.
Oh, adulthood sucks.
I really don't want to be one of those bitter fucks who stays in the military just because it's a steady paycheck, but I'm not terribly confident in my ability to net a job outside of "fast food drone" once I step off the brow for the last time.
Oh, adulthood sucks.
DCthulhu on
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Also, use the time you are there to build some skills. You might hate it, but I guarantee you will be able to learn something applicable to other jobs you absolutely won't hate.
alternately, there are plenty of white collar jobs that don't require sciences either.
what do you like to do... or more accurately, what could you stand doing for 40-50 hrs/week for the next 30 years to put food on the table?
Oh, I'm fully aware of the fact that you can't just "get" something like aeronautical engineering without a lot of time and effort. I just know I'm TERRIBLE at math.
I'm a decent artist, but I really don't want to spend that money on an art major.
I think illig was on the right path with his question, but "artist" is like saying: "Oh yeah, I figured it out, I am going to be a rock star!".
So, think of something plausible that will give you means of surviving and time to devote to an activity that you find more fulfilling, in this case, aparently art, I will asume its visual arts.
PS: In the neighboring sub-forum PA:AC you will see some really talented artists that do make a living from art, you should drop by the Q/A thread or chat thread to know about what real posibilities an art major could give you.
Last I heard architects make a decent living.
So question: Do you hate being a technician, or do you hate being a technician in the Navy?
Because though the difference may seem subtle, it's a vastly different world once you're out. Just by virtue of being a Navy tech, there are lots of businesses that would snap you up to do the same sort of work (see: just about any defense contractor on/around Navy bases, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, etc.), but you wouldn't have to salute your boss or go to sea.
That said, engineering is definitely a path open to you. The biggest hurdle is to convince yourself that you don't "suck at math", but that maybe you needed a better teacher to help you past the part that didn't make sense. Math education in the US stinks and encourages people to decide they suck at math rather than giving them the tools to push through.
So yes, you can absolutely pursue engineering--or any other math heavy path--if that's what you want, and by thinking about this now you've put yourself in a good place to start learning about it and bolstering your education to get to a four-year university.
I gtfo'd the Air Force after my first 4 years. Take your GI Bill to the nearest solid University, get a business degree (some math required, but we dumb that stuff down due to working with stupid people and having stupid people take the classes
The main takeaway: You have a freaking degree paid for, go get it. Start taking 1-2 classes/semester right now (At least the AF paid for me to do this) then use that sweet sweet GI Bill to get your degree.
TylerJ on League of Legends (it's free and fun!)
I kick myself daily that I wasted my college years and didn't get a valuable degree.
I just finished Calc 1 with an A. The only people who suck at math are the ones who say they suck at math and then wash their hands of it. You only suck at it as bad as you want to.
Graphic Design
Advertising
3d animation for film
3d animation for games
3d model making
toy design
product design
storyboarding
directing
illustration
motion graphics
web design
web development
There are a lot more but I'm too lazy to make a giant list. Basically, I want to school for animation and now I'm making flash banners on the web at an advertising studio.
I'm gonna disagree with anyone that says you should figure out what you want to do while you're in school. You should go in with a plan. I know it sucks, but you've gotta choose. Very few people end up choosing something that makes them shout with joy at the chance to do that sort of work. We all just do the best we can. Think really hard, then make a decision.
A lot of my friends became accountants. They have jobs. They make good money. Can't really say if they're happier than me or not. I'm sure it depends on the person.
On the other hand, there are some people that just couldn't do anything different and for those people I couldn't recommend it more. I do concept art and illustration and I don't think I would be me without it. I love my job and I make a more than comfortable living doing so.
How do you "catch up" when going back to school? When I get out of the Navy I'll be 27. That's nine years without any schooling. I'm afraid I'll be way, way, behind.
Yea, and if you're doing math/science, start taking remedial classes now.
Otherwise, start taking regular classes now. 1-2 a semester is very doable, and I assume the Navy will cover it. Get crackin'!
Also, if you're not taking super-hard/stressful classes, you could do an art minor. It can be too much, since it will be very time-demanding, but if you're taking business classes mostly (I say this as someone who took a lot of business stuff) you'll be fine.
TylerJ on League of Legends (it's free and fun!)
MWR or Fleet & Family should have resources to point you towards a local community college or even a distance learning program, so check it out. You might have to take an aptitude test to figure out where you should start, but heck you've got three years to buck up your education with USN resources, definitely use them!
Then it wasn't a very good program. Good architects are half-structural engineer/half-artist. It's also often an incredibly competitive field that doesn't pay commensurate to the training required, and is subject to the building boom/bust cycles that construction experiences.