Decision Time

[kilted exile]

Ok, this is somewhat of a pointless thread in as much as it has no effect on anyone but me. However I am in need of opinions/advice, and have decided to post it anyway.
I am approaching the end of my college course (graduate in August), and I am unsure of what I should do now. Here are my options:

1) Become a wastewater treatment plant operator. - I hold the neccessary licence required, and there are a lot of vacancies in that field. However it does not particularly interest me.

2) Go to Victoria,B.C to complete an Environmental Science Degree. - If I get a place I would be entered into the fourth and final year of the program, however, my chances of securing a place would be small as they only accept 50 college graduates a year.

3) Go to Lakehead University, to complete a chemical engineering degree. - My first love has always been Chemistry, however, it requires an additional 2 years & I am not sure I can do another 2yrs of school.

4) Go to Windsor, ON to complete Mechanical Engineering Degree - only 1 year & could likely get a place.

5) Get a job for a couple of years to make money to go to University. - not sure I would end up going back after years working.

6) Attempt to become a certified Enviornmental Auditor. - Never really been fond of desk jobs.

7) Find another job in Environmental Industry. - something like helping companies become more energy/waste efficient.

8)Volunteer with the UN aiding in clean water projects in developing nations for a year while I decide what to do.

Any input would be appreciated.

[Sitaram]

I would say DEFINITELY do not stop school if you feel that you need more school. However hard another two years seems to you now, it will be TEN TIMES more difficult after you are away from it and working for several years. It sounds like you really want the Chemistry, so go back for the two years...

Attempt the most difficult and most highly desired.... should you fail, you will know you gave it a shot.... but if you NEVER give it a shot,.... you will wonder all your life if you could have made it....

I shall give this more thought....

[Sitaram]

1) Become a wastewater treatment plant operator. - I hold the neccessary licence required, and there are a lot of vacancies in that field. However it does not particularly interest me.

Definite no... This is a path of least resistance. If you fail at other endeavors, you can always fall back upon this, I should imagine.

[Sitaram]

8)Volunteer with the UN aiding in clean water projects in developing nations for a year while I decide what to do.

I would say this is just an evasive postponement tactic... to put off making a decision.

In the 1960's, my friend in college thought of the Peace Corps. His father said, "You ought to look for someone who can do something for you." My friend decided against the Peace Corps. and went to medical school. He is now a physician.

[Sitaram]

5) Get a job for a couple of years to make money to go to University. - not sure I would end up going back after years working.

No,... you will loose the inertia and momentum and discipline which you already have now, to complete your studies....

You will be surprised how much less energy you have in your 30's than in your 20's, and how much less you have in your 40's than in your 30's.

[papayahed]

Here's my 2 sense.... speaking as a chemical engineer.

I'd either do 8 then 3 or 3 then 8 (preferably this one). As you know chemisty and engineering is fun!!!!!! Wastewater isn't so much fun, theres really not much science to it and it's boring.

What classes will you need for the next 2 years? the core ChE classes? again -> fun!!

If you would like I can tell you about my experiences and the jobs I've had.

[Snukes]

5) Get a job for a couple of years to make money to go to University. - not sure I would end up going back after years working.

No,... you will loose the inertia and momentum and discipline which you already have now, to complete your studies....

On the other hand, if being in school is what you really want, you might be amazed at how a year off will re-motivate you (and pad your finances!)

This also depends largely on what you're doing with that year. If you land a job that you really love, Sitaram is right. One thing will follow another and you may never get back. On the other hand, if you can find a decent paying, mind-numbingly boring job, you will suddenly remember how fantastic school is and how much you love staying up all night to complete that Redox Reaction worksheet. :D Using the year to do a resume-padding vollunteer type job also works to remotivate, I believe.

I suppose I can't argue with Sitaram that it's a delay tactic, one way or the other. Only you know whether or not it could work for you. I and many I know have successfully made it back into academia, and I'm proud to say that thanks to that one year of mind-numbing work, I should be able to get out of academia without any debt at all.

[papayahed]

Did I mention the fun ChemE's have laughing at Mechanical Engineers??

[kilted exile]

Ok, thanks for all the kind advice, it always helps to bounce ideas off of people.
Sitaram - The UN idea is something I have always considered doing, I know hewever that if I dont do it between courses I will have to wait until I am almost retired to do it.

Snukes - yes, working will quite adequately pad my finances. I am currently debt free from the last three years at college (mainly due to working as a mindless drone doing maintenance at a fast food restaurant for 1&1/2 years before I started)

Papayhead - totally agree, chemistry and engineering is fun. I have been in love with chemistry since my chem. teacher showed me that custard powder was explosive (I was 14 at the time), that weekend I successfully managed to blow the lid off of an empty can of paint using custard powder (the parents were none too impressed, but I thought it was cool :D ). I enjoy making jokes about the mech. engineering students at college - quite enjoyable pointing out that they are the lowest branch on the engineering tree. MechE makes product, ElecE makes it work, then I have to come along and clear up the mess they've made.

[IWilKikU]

I'm coming to the end of my undergrad-ness too and it is intimidating. But I don't have any chemical-engeneering certificates to rely on. All I've got is this damned literature degree :(.

[Koa]

I know the feeling Kik... I'm near the end and have a plan for next year that has 1% of possibility of success...Of everything that will be in my papers the only thing I really feel I know is the English language - not thrilling as I'm certainly not the only one. Wouldnt mind go on studying but on the other hand that would mean be a student for a few more years and getting dangerously near to the age of 30...

[IWilKikU]

Yeah... my plan is to become the world's best selling literary critic/novelist overnight. Think it'll work out?

[Scheherazade]

Oh, yes it does! Been there, done it! :p

Hello, Kik! :) Welcome back to the Forum and congrats on your wedding!

[papayahed]

Papayhead - totally agree, chemistry and engineering is fun. I have been in love with chemistry since my chem. teacher showed me that custard powder was explosive (I was 14 at the time), that weekend I successfully managed to blow the lid off of an empty can of paint using custard powder (the parents were none too impressed, but I thought it was cool :D ). I enjoy making jokes about the mech. engineering students at college - quite enjoyable pointing out that they are the lowest branch on the engineering tree. MechE makes product, ElecE makes it work, then I have to come along and clear up the mess they've made.


ok kilted, you have me curious what is custard powder?

[subterranean]

Least you still have choices..So lucky..

[kilted exile]

ok kilted, you have me curious what is custard powder?

Custard powder is used to make a british desert called custard (unless you've got a lot of time and can be bothered making it from scratch). It is a very fine yellow coloured powder. My Chemistry teacher, during class, threw some through a bunsen burner flame, and it gave a very small bang/pop. This of course got my mischevious brain working and that weekend I took an empty paint can, and partly filled it with custard powder. Then I screwed a hole in the side of the tin & poked a lit wooden splint though it. It produced a far better bang than in class & the lid jumped 2 inches into the air.

WARNING
I do not recommend younger viewers of this site to attempt this personally, you may not injure yourself conducting the experiment, however you will likely end up with one hell of a sore behind when your parents find out.

[papayahed]

oh, I thought it was something like the vinegar/baking soda trick.