Open thread, Jan. 12 - Jan. 18, 2015

Gondolinian

If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.

Notes for future OT posters:

1. Please add the 'open_thread' tag.

2. Check if there is an active Open Thread before posting a new one. (Immediately before; refresh the list-of-threads page before posting.)

3. Open Threads should be posted in Discussion, and not Main.

4. Open Threads should start on Monday, and end on Sunday.

If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.

Previous Open Thread

Next Open Thread

Notes for future OT posters:

1. Please add the 'open_thread' tag.

2. Check if there is an active Open Thread before posting a new one. (Immediately before; refresh the list-of-threads page before posting.)

3. Open Threads should be posted in Discussion, and not Main.

4. Open Threads should start on Monday, and end on Sunday.

In the vein of asking personal questions of Less Wrong, I need career advice. Or advice on finding useful career advice.

I'm an undergraduate student, my course is "Mathematics & Theoretical Physics", BSc, but I'm already convinced I don't want to try to be a career scientist. Long-term, my career goals are to retire early (I've felt comfortable enough on what I live on as a student that the MrMoneyMustache approach seems eminently doable), with the actual terminal values involved being enjoyment and lack of stress, so becoming a quant also seems like a bad choice what with having to get a PhD first. Teaching just sounds horrible to me.

What this leaves me with is the much broader range of careers that are either mathematical or sciencey enough that I could use the degree for them, or the jobs and graduate programs that just ask for a degree and don't care what kind. I have too many choices, every particular one I look at seems okay but not great, I have no idea how to even begin narrowing them down or ordering them.

Short answer: business

Long answer: The high-paying in-demand jobs mostly fall into four categories right now: business, technology, engineering, and health care. Health care would be the toughest switch for you from where you are right now as you'd nearly have to get a 2nd major to get into a grad program there. Engineering would probably require graduate school since your degree isn't in engineering, and I'm not sure how easy it is for a non-engineering major to go that route. That leaves business and technology, and just a rough guess from your descri... (read more)

4[anonymous]11y

Hey Rowan, The way to figure this out is to work backwards. Find people who have the ideal day you want, with your strengths and skills, then work backwards to deconstruct their careers. Use that to come up with a list of potential careers, then talk to people in that career (find them using LinkedIn) to answer a few questions: 1. Is the demand for this career going up or down? 2. What are the biggest surprises I should watch out for? 3. What does a typical day look like? Would I enjoy it? 4. What would be my biggest wins in college be in terms of skills, network, credibility , and projects that would allow me to quickly land a job when I get out? I put up a video on this process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6sXNR7kL-c&list=UUCi-drAVuy8g4N8TfODHgUQ I'd also be happy to chat with you about any further questions you may have: http://selfmaderenegade.net/lets-chat/

6Lumifer11y

Which marketable skills do you have or would be willing to acquire?

9

Open thread, Jan. 12 - Jan. 18, 2015

9

9

9

Open thread, Jan. 12 - Jan. 18, 2015

9

9