Comments on: Man to Man Episode #3: Should I Change My Career Path?

By: jared

jared — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:11:31 +0000

Its remarkable how we all go through this over and over again. I believe whole heartedly in answering th calling voice even though i am now terrified to do it. I have done it before but 8 years in to a 20 year career i know there is smething else i need to be doing.

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 03:45:52 +0000

I met a friend who wwoof’ed abroad, I’ll vouch for its effectiveness.

Myself, I burned through 3 separate majors in school, then graduated into a job (read: paycheck) that I initially liked for a short time then came to despise. Throwing caution to the wind, I left the office & traveled the world before coming back to the states to become a writer – without having ANY training whatsoever. Truth be told, I don’t know if there’s really any single thing that I’d want to do for the rest of my life; I imagine this could be the case with your farming adventure as well. But do it while you can, you’re better off regretting the attempt than regretting the choice not to try it.

By: Jimmy Proulx

Jimmy Proulx — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:01:11 +0000

This has nothing to do with the post about the change of career but I wanted to congratulate Brett on the birth of his child. I have a boy and he is six months old. There is nothing like being dad. You will enjoy it.

By: Tarcas

Tarcas — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:05:32 +0000

As others have been saying, finish the degree regardless of the path you intend. It will give you a safety net in case you need it.
My recommendation is to not plan to make your hobby into your primary job. I had 5 years of undergrad and 2 of grad school for computer-related studies. Computers used to be my hobby, but now that I do it 40 hours/week by necessity, it’s no longer fun even at home. I run another business on the side (in the real estate industry) and intend to make that my main source of income in a couple of years, and retire from IT work. I expect that when that happens, I can have my hobby back.
My recommendation is to take up farming on the side. My uncle bought a farm while he was working as an engineer, and over the years increased the size of this side business. He retired from his engineering job early, and now farms in his retirement. He works for other farmers too, and loves it. As I’m sure you know, the farming business is not for the feint of heart. Many farmers invest their life savings in their crops year after year, and one bad year can wipe them out completely.
Also, as I’m sure you know, “organic” farming requires a number of certifications, as a lot of standard practices are forbidden in order to market the product as “Organic.” As Brett suggested, other farmers will be able to help train you (but don’t expect much if any pay) however organic vs. non-organic may be very different. You would be well-advised to do any training with an organic farmer. If you can’t find one, consider why that is before assuming that it either means there’s no competition, or conversely, that it can’t work in your area.
Also, study the business side of farming. There is a lot more to it than plant, harvest, and sell. As somebody mentioned, farming is a lifestyle. However, it is also a business and must be run as such. Whatever you do, don’t forget that.
Regardless how you choose to proceed, I wish you luck.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:31:10 +0000

For organic/traditional experience, check out WWOOF: World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. http://www.wwoof.org.

Farms put up open positions for hands. They work you anywhere from 8-12hrs a day, 4-6 days a week, and provide free room & board in exchange for good honest work. A great way to get practical experience for cheap.

By: Chris Peterson

Chris Peterson — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:52:45 +0000

Mark,

Two of my friend and I are in the same situation. We all did four years of undergraduate in philosophy, and after graduation decided that what we really wanted to do was farm. We are pursuing it slowly, but surely, but you definitely aren’t off your rocker. I agree with everyone else, you might still finish your degree, but definitely pursue what you really want to do first and foremost. Americorps and Peace Corps are both wonderful, but also check out WWOOF (world wide opportunities on organic farms) http://www.wwoof.org. That is a great way to gain some experience and figure our where to go next.

Good luck!

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:46:03 +0000

Life is too short to have regrets. You should chase your dreams.

I took my undergrad in civil engineering…worked at that for 3 years. I then moved into a high paced finance/stock market position. I then followed that up with an MBA, and now work at a high paying Private Equity firm. That being said, constantly chasing the mighty dollar doing “office work” isnt for me so I have now applied, and been accepted, to the police force of a major Canadian city. Life is an adventure. Live it!

By: Henry

Henry — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:10:43 +0000

Judging from the number of posts, this is a very common occurrence. I also believe that you should finish your degree. There is much to be said about completing something so challenging. I personally find college to be a way to learn how to “learn.” Much of what you experience in school gives you a set of tools for “real life”, and helps you find your passions. It seems to have done that for you. Nothing in life and school is useless. We embody everything we encounter… good or bad. Make the best of it!

In modifying Ghandi’s comment, “Be the change you want to see in the world”, I propose that you Be the person you see in you mind. Be the farmer, be the lumber..dude…guy, whatever he’s called. ;). Only then will you see if it is truly your passion. Don’t just dream your life, live your dream!

I hold a Bachelor’s of Architecture that took me 10 years to complete…mainly to satisfy my father’s dying wish. After working a few years in the field, I realized that I was dying. I jumped into Graphic Design and did many jobs without any formal training. I had all I needed from college and my side jobs…work ethic, time management, software experience…etc.

A big move for my wife’s career gave me the opportunity to teach Computer Animation part time, Nile I was studying Character Animation. I found my passion for teaching. I still teach and am now a trainer at an Architecture firm. Although I don’t practice architecture, I am still familiar with the field to train on it’s software.

I currently own a startup animation studio, and I still teach animation at college. My future is looking very bright now that I am “following my bliss!”

My past provides a foundation, my present is where I am building my life and my future is where my passions are driving me toward. Good luck with your choices. Everything will be amazing if you allow it to be. Above all else… Be Happy!

-hank

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:13:29 +0000

I’m not a man, but I had a similar experience at the end of college.

I was studying microbiology, planning a PhD an a life in the lab. One summer internship cured me of my Nobel prize fantasy. As 5-7 years in the PhD program began to sound more like a jail sentence, I dumped all my grad school applications in the garbage and instantly felt immensely lighter in spirit.

After a year working in eyeglass sales, a random comment from a colleague sparked my interest, and after another year I began Optometry school.

Today I own a practice which specializes in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy. I love it. My vision therapists often come to the field without a clear plan for the long term, but I require a Bachelor’s degree, as some previous posters have mentioned, because as an employer I want to know the candidate can follow through.

Find something you love, and do it now rather than in 20 years, because you never know what the future brings. Be happy now.

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:56:04 +0000

Good to see I’m not the only person who has similar issues!

I attended college, studied computer science first, switched to artificial intelligence later, but eventually dropped out. I worked as software engineer for two years with three different companies, but I hated each one of those jobs, as they were linear, repetitive and quite below my capacities, causing terrible bore-out. But mostly, because I couldn’t stand that all the people I worked with seemed to care about was money and making more of it. I went back to college to study sociology, which I liked, but I ran out of money after a year, so I had to leave again.

Now, I’m frankly just puzzled about what I’m supposed to do with my life at this point. I get offered jobs daily, but they’re pretty much a repeat of what I did before, so I don’t see any chance of progress in that.

Rather, I’d love to work in an environment that is related to sustainability and/or cloud computing, but such an opportunity just doesn’t seem to exist here (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). If I could afford it, I would go back to college to actually finish it and get a degree this time, but I have no way of financing it. I also thought about emigration, but again, financing is problematic right now.

It’s quite depressing to be regarded gifted by your environment, but not being able to deliver, since everything seems to be lacking any meaning. Some regard this to be an adolescence crisis.

Advice, anyone?