25-02-2005 18:25									#1
	Change in plans - should I pursue a different career? Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

So here's the deal. I am almost done with my BA in chemistry, and my grades are not too hot. The prospect of slaving away at a boring industrial chemical laboratory (not a R&D one) is quite scary to me, to be honest, and the prospective job offers in the field look quite poor: bad career opportunities, and doubtful benefits.

Buuuut, there is a window of opportunity: I've been offered a job with a very solid crew of people, who want me as an Information Security specialist, due to some networks and computers background I've got from highschool. It's quite the lucrative place, and they're going to give me a professional training in networks and information security. They're after me because my background in chemistry can assist them with their customers. I think I'll get the job... but should I get it? I am very excited about all of this, however your input is always appreciated.

	25-02-2005 18:30									#2
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Go for it. It sounds fun, sounds like you're qualified, and sounds like they want you. If it goes tits up, you can always fall back on your BA and work in the chem lab.

	25-02-2005 18:30									#3
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Sounds good, although from here it is hard to say how much you're influenced by your own excitement about the new opportunity....
But even if it doesn't work - couldn't you always go back into chemistry?

	25-02-2005 19:01									#4
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What about the army?

	25-02-2005 19:31									#5
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We'll see.

	25-02-2005 19:41									#6
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Info Sec appears to have a much better future than industrial chemistry. I would make the switch in a femtosecond.

	25-02-2005 19:42									#7
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Sure go for it - unless you have a similar good offer in Chemistry! Especially when you don't really feel comfortable with that career anymore. Don't miss this - it's not as if you'd have to chose between 2 good opportunities, is it?

	25-02-2005 19:54									#8
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Could someone please tell me how does a daily routine in such a job look like?

	25-02-2005 19:56									#9
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Firefighting. You havew a set schedule of things that you want to accomplish, but 75% of the time is spent correcting emergent network problems.

	25-02-2005 20:00									#10
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does this inlcude the "not doing anything a major chunk of the time" part?

	25-02-2005 20:02									#11
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The time not spent firfighting is the time you try to accomplish those scheduled tasks. However, since you know all the passwords, no one else will know exactly how diligently you are working when you are not fighting fires.

	25-02-2005 20:05									#12
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I can imagine the firefighting tasks, but what are these scheduled tasks?

	25-02-2005 20:07									#13
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Network upgrades, firewall installs, instrusion detection installs, data backups, setting up passwords/e-mail/computer systems for new employees, etc. stuff like that.

	25-02-2005 20:10									#14
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What is "information security?"

	25-02-2005 20:19									#15
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Broad term - usually means the guy in charge of the firewalls and setting user access. In rare cases, it means a guy who actually writes code/designs hardware to perpetrate network intrusions or foil network intrusions.

	25-02-2005 20:21									#16
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Go for it. It's an expanding field and there will always be work available.

	25-02-2005 20:26									#17
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I reckon it maybe something like network security, though a non-descript title makes me wary.

	25-02-2005 21:01									#18
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Why are you even asking?

	25-02-2005 21:03									#19
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Because that's sort of 3 years of my life wasted.

	25-02-2005 21:13									#20
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Not at all. Education is valuable even if you dont work in that field

	25-02-2005 21:41									#21
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quote: Originally posted by Azazel Because that's sort of 3 years of my life wasted.

Nonsense. A degree shows a capacity for higher learning, a certain work ethic and a strength of character.

I have a Business (Accounting) degree and Philosophy minor, but have worked in IT exclusively since before graduation.

	26-02-2005 01:25									#22
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quote: Originally posted by Azazel Because that's sort of 3 years of my life wasted.

I told you that before you started the doing a chemistry degree

	26-02-2005 01:28									#23
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sounds good, and you could always fall back on chemistry if things don't work out

	26-02-2005 01:30									#24
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but I am kinda worried... you see, I want to make it big: either in enterprise, or scientific achievment. Isn't this kind of putting me back? Isn't it kinda sticking me in a place. I am not thinking in defeatist terms such as "chemistry as a fall back".

I MUST SUCCEED.

	26-02-2005 01:53									#25
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quote: Originally posted by Azazel but I am kinda worried... you see, I want to make it big: either in enterprise, or scientific achievment. Isn't this kind of putting me back? Isn't it kinda sticking me in a place. I am not thinking in defeatist terms such as "chemistry as a fall back". I MUST SUCCEED.

There's nothing wrong with a plan-B.

Take your chances while you're young and can afford it and take comfort from the fact that even if everything fails you still have enough brains and education to live at least an average life.

	26-02-2005 02:06									#26
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quote: Originally posted by Azazel but I am kinda worried... you see, I want to make it big: either in enterprise, or scientific achievment. Isn't this kind of putting me back? Isn't it kinda sticking me in a place. I am not thinking in defeatist terms such as "chemistry as a fall back". I MUST SUCCEED.

Capitalist

	26-02-2005 02:09									#27
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You know, I'm not an expert in chemistry or computers, or in job market of the state You live in, and most of my life decisions seem to be wrong ones anyway, so I will not even try to tell You what to do. This decision You have to take yourself. Just remember not to regret what You can not change later.
Whatever You do, I hope it will turn out good for You.
Good luck, take care

	26-02-2005 02:17									#28
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quote: Capitalist

Perfect example of people not understanding socialism, and making the capitalism-self reliance connection.

	26-02-2005 02:21									#29
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Thanks, Heresson! I don't sweat it, because I am still in the driver's seat with my life. But it's better to accomplish more.

	26-02-2005 02:33									#30
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quote: Originally posted by Azazel quote: Capitalist Perfect example of people not understanding socialism, and making the capitalism-self reliance connection.