Author Topic: Still struggling with career choice  (Read 3892 times)

Offline NCtrueconservative

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Still struggling with career choice
« on: November 15, 2012 - 06:59:18 PM »
As some of you know I'm a college student majoring in political science, and am really worried (like alot of others) about my career options/choices. And with the re-election of a certain someone, it's not looking too good. I've been really thinking about what I want to do with my life, and as a sophomore entering spring semester in a few months, its time to start making BIG decisions. Passion is politics/american history. I could tell you anything and everything about them....but I really would like to be my own boss, and have been throwing around a few crazy ideas about a business to start up...y'all steer me straight

-Driving range- Seems to be a (relatively) cheap business to start, love golf, and we could use a nice one in our area. Don't know that there are enough golfers around here though, even though there are golf courses in all the surrounding counties and the one I live in.
-Gun store- We lack a really good gun store...insurance would be through the roof, and I don't know that we have enough people to make it that successful
-Young apparel store- One thing, believe it or not that we don't have in our college town (App State) is a clothing store aimed at youth. Like an 'Urban Outfitters' or something.

Either way, I've done research on all these things, and more, and the consensus is always SO DOWN....too much capital required to start, won't make any profit for 10 years, etc. I realize the key to ANYTHING is hard work,and they all take that. And I don't know that I would go into debt to start a business. I'm just at a crossroads here guys. There's alot to be said for doing something you love, but there's also something to be said for making enough money to support yourself and do the things you'd like to do.  Again, politics is my passion...but I would love to own my own place. Idk guys, help a brother out!  :bigsmile: Need some encouragement in these TOUGH economic times
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Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2012 - 10:49:17 PM »
Well.......... the first thing you need is motovation and common sense....  Yes this sounds very simplistic but I've seen more guys come and go over the years than I can remember. And I've known lots of guys that were "nice guys" but not good business people. After that it's commitment. Are you ready/willing to work to get things going? I'm not talking a 40-50 hour week, I'm taking a 60-100 hour week. And quite often for less than minimum wage. Espcially when the hours vs pay rate are factored in. Are you ready to sell your stuff to get start up capital? Borrow money?? Put your name on the line??Down grade your life style till your businss up and running( this generally takes 2-5 years, most new start ups fail in 3). Ruin what credit you may /may not aleady have?   And if your in a serious relationship any of the above can be a real deal breaker.

Have I scared you off yet?? No??? Good, I cant recommend a type of business for you, but start up capital is essential. Its not the same as a "side business" (I know I've had a few, and still do) This is your bed and butter, You have to live it, breathe it, eat it. There were so many things I thought I knew going in and found out I didnt. Taxes for example, are there right away not at the end of the year. Another thing is employees... some people will take this the wrong way but I have a saying any business owner understands without further explanation.... there is no ease in the term employees. Be very careful on whom you hire/trust. I learned this the HARD way and still have a bitter taste in my mouth years later. Depending on what business you decide on beware that workmens comp insurance can be very expensive. I know guys in the demolition business who's rate is 60% OUCH! Also keep in mind you will match employees social security deductions to the penny. For most part keep politics tp yourself unless you know what side of the fence your customer is on. I know there are a few exemptions to this but this is a general concept. Be very carefull who you give credit to. I've got long standing accounts that have been on COD for a long time. They know why and dont argue the point. remember a customer that doesnt pay you is not a customer, a customer that doesnt pay you is a thief!

I git a ton more but I'm tired of typing.... but if you have any particular questions I'll try to answer them. 

I've been in business since 84 and there's been ups & downs. Remember business is cyclical and this is by no means a banner year...... go figure.... 

« Last Edit: November 15, 2012 - 11:03:28 PM by BIGSHCLUNK »
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Offline Cuda Cody

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2012 - 10:55:44 PM »
Take it from someone who has a history degree (my wife), get a business degree and make some money!  She had to go back and get a business degree to make some okay money.  There's exceptions to everything, but really ask yourself what you want more, money or a job you love?  I believe if you do what you love, then what your love becomes work.  Do what you can make a boat load of money at and then do whatever you want with the money!  :2cents:
« Last Edit: November 16, 2012 - 01:02:48 AM by C O D Y »
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Offline NCtrueconservative

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2012 - 11:40:27 PM »
Very good advice guys...Its just SO HARD TO CHOOSE. I've spent time in prayer, still have no direction yet. I bet if you asked 100 ppl my age if they knew what they wanted to do, 80 of them wouldn't have a clue. And under these economic times, its downright scary
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Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2012 - 11:59:30 PM »
And I should add (no offense to you or Cody) college nonwithstanding..............
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Offline Cuda Cody

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2012 - 01:12:22 AM »
I will add, you might concider looking at college just like any other investment.  What's the ROI.  It takes a long time and a lot of money to get a degree.  What is the return on your investment of time and money.  It still blows me away that almost everyone I've talked to in college hasn't ran the numbers on their investment of time and money.  I personally did not see college as a good investment of time nor money for what I wanted to do and it has been one of the best decisions I've made.  My wife does good with her degree now and that was her decision.  There's a lot of ways to make money and be happy in this world and I can assure you the masses will NEVER be rich.  Try thinking for yourself and don't feel you have to do what everyone else is doing.

And I should add (no offense to you or Cody) college nonwithstanding..............
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Offline challenger500

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2012 - 01:39:02 AM »
Investment banking - you invest, practically someone else's money w/o having the risk of failure.
Just check the Wall Street hypothesis - when the **** hits the fan - government bails out for ya. little to no risk involved for you though someone else might loose their money
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Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2012 - 01:47:30 AM »
College - I more or less agree re Cody's comment on ROI. I'll add this: when I was living around DC in the mid 80s, and looking for work, I applied to be the asst mgr of a McDonald's. They told me that I needed a BA in Business Admin to be on their management team. I have several other similar experiences with prospective jobs at various levels. I have since learned that DC is an anomaly on several ways, and that's one of them. It being the seat of government, abouot 25% of the people living there are some flavor of lawyer, and all lawyers have the equivalent of a PhD. Therefore, DC suffers from degree devaluation.

When I got to Detroit in the late 90s, I had finished a BA and an MA based on the above experience. I was working with and getting paid the same as several guys who had high school diplomas. Detroit was not a particularly degree-conscious area.

Finally, your major is, in most instances, just not that important. In my experience, most employers just want to see that you have a degree, and they're not awfully concerned with the major. This would probably change if you majored in something really strange like Polynesian Languages, but for the most part it holds true. I have three degrees, and only the first (a 2 year) is closely related to what I do for a living. If you decide you do need college, I'd be more inclined to pick a major that interested me, so the work would be less of a grind. Or, double major. Do both American History and Business.


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Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2012 - 12:23:09 PM »
I not going to go on my college rant, but do have issues relaing to it. My one niece has an elemtary teaching degree and can get any bartending job she wants! On the other hand my other niece has a spanish degree and is in a very popular demographic right now.  I went to school for commercial art. Other than being able to lay out some good looking advertising for my shop over the years its been pretty useless. I think Cody hits it on the head w the return on investment thing.  :grinyes:
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Offline moparmaniac59

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2012 - 04:36:19 PM »
Computer science is a pretty demanding field. One thing to look at for the long haul is something that everyone has too have, such as medical care, food, housing. Everyone will eventually die. My nephew went into the funeral director field. There is a school in Texas that I believe takes a year to complete. He went there and now makes a really good living as a funeral director & the economy doesn't really effect this type of field, when you're gonna die, you're gonna die & your going to have to be buried or cremated. Nursing pays well, phamacy, dental. I believe you mentioned before about becoming a dentist. Why not? I know Obamacare is putting a sour taste in many doctor's mouths and will change the medical profession in profound ways, but there is still career opportunity there. Don't go in the retaurant field. It is statistically the most failing of all startup businesses. How about working with your hands? There's also good money in commercial refrigeration, electrical, plumbing & not a lot of startup capital for one of these type businesses.  :2thumbs:


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Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2012 - 11:37:04 PM »
Hey you could be the guy that comes up with a way to recycle grandma into Bio-fuel  :2thumbs:

Offline NCtrueconservative

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2012 - 12:48:08 PM »
Computer science is a pretty demanding field. One thing to look at for the long haul is something that everyone has too have, such as medical care, food, housing. Everyone will eventually die. My nephew went into the funeral director field. There is a school in Texas that I believe takes a year to complete. He went there and now makes a really good living as a funeral director & the economy doesn't really effect this type of field, when you're gonna die, you're gonna die & your going to have to be buried or cremated. Nursing pays well, phamacy, dental. I believe you mentioned before about becoming a dentist. Why not? I know Obamacare is putting a sour taste in many doctor's mouths and will change the medical profession in profound ways, but there is still career opportunity there. Don't go in the retaurant field. It is statistically the most failing of all startup businesses. How about working with your hands? There's also good money in commercial refrigeration, electrical, plumbing & not a lot of startup capital for one of these type businesses.  :2thumbs:


                                                                             Matt B.

Can't do dentistry because the good Lord didn't bless me with a scientific mind to understand that chemistry BS  :biggrin: Good thing about my college right now, is that I have no debt. Got a scholarship that pays for half of it, and I live at home. So I'm getting a university degree for the price of a community college basically. It will feel good to get out of college with no debt!!! That all changes though when one thinks of starting a business
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Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2012 - 01:32:10 PM »
Jeremiah (wow I must be losing it)

You should really sit down and figure out what you like to do and how you can turn that into a good paying career. I went to college and did post grad work as well and I could have continued on but I found out that it wouldn't dramatically increase my earnings by going further. I work with a ton of folks who got their MBA and I make more $$$ than them.  :money:

Think of it this way. Money is replaceable and time is not. How do you want to spend your precious commodity of time while you are here?

Otherwise you are just trading days for dollars.

Just my 2 cents,
Bryan

p.s. Choose wisely as many things can derail your plans in the near future. For example, I would not advise my daughter to go into my field because the rules of the game has changed.

« Last Edit: November 20, 2012 - 08:46:56 PM by HP_Cuda »
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Offline challenger500

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2012 - 02:32:53 PM »
One advice though, Stay out of Mobile/Wireless industry!!! Too shaky, headcount cut always when the stock value declines even tho the company would still cash billions.
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Still struggling with career choice
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2012 - 03:50:41 PM »
I have nothing to add unfortunatly !!
 I can tell you my whole life has been a comedy of errors , if I could do ti over I would do virtually nothing the same .

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