Serious Career Advice Request

Foreigner · 07-29-2007, 09:57 PM

Hello: A little bit about me.

I'm 28, have a philosophy degree (

) , a job history in sales, and have been playing poker as my fulltime job for the past 18 months. I have been doing quite well but don't really see a serious future in it for me. Frankly I'm afraid to go "big time" with it.

I've done a little freelance writing as well, but don't see a REAL future in it either.

Do any of you have jobs that you actually like that I could check out that wouldn't require me to get another degree? I really don't even know where to begin.

I feel like my life could generally use more structure. I've been living inside my own mind for awhile now. Plus, to get a mortgage I'd need to go to a banker with more than "Yeah dude, I'm a professional poker player."

The last thing I want to do is get another sales gig though. I'm a good pimp, but don't really want to be one.

Any input/advise/job offers

would be greatly appreciated.

Help!

Cheesefood · 07-29-2007, 10:27 PM

What jobs did you have in mind when you decided to major in Philophy?

Sounds like you seriously need to wake up. If you've been playing Poker for 18 months, you've been letting any job skills you have erode and your resume will have a big 18 month black hole. You might as well go back to school just to get the career counseling.

elkdog · 07-29-2007, 10:37 PM

I have an undergrad degree in English and Philosophy, and I'm a grad student at the moment. Though I actually planned it this way (having heard all the same jokes about liberal arts that you've heard), I'd say that further schooling isn't the worst thing in the world, if the field/profession speaks to you. I'm studying theology, hoping to end up a professor, and the guidance/advice/knowledge I gained from earning a Master's have been tremendous. I'm starting a Ph.D. program this fall, and though it's a lot of school to go through, I'm more dedicated to it and am a lot happier than I was with the (pretty good) jobs I had before I went back to school. YMMV, of course, but I'd caution against ruling out grad school.

Foreigner · 07-29-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesefood

What jobs did you have in mind when you decided to major in Philophy?

Sounds like you seriously need to wake up. If you've been playing Poker for 18 months, you've been letting any job skills you have erode and your resume will have a big 18 month black hole. You might as well go back to school just to get the career counseling.

There is alot of truth to this. But a degree in philosophy is no more worthless than any other liberal arts degree.

I've been making decent money, but it is inconsistent. like being on commision or freelancing or the like.

Really the only "job skills" I've got are sales related. Schisterism doesn't fade with a long break, though the desire to do it might.

EDIT: I've got BS to put on ym resume for the last 18 months, so I'm not worried about that.

Foreigner · 07-29-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkdog

I have an undergrad degree in English and Philosophy, and I'm a grad student at the moment. Though I actually planned it this way (having heard all the same jokes about liberal arts that you've heard), I'd say that further schooling isn't the worst thing in the world, if the field/profession speaks to you. I'm studying theology, hoping to end up a professor, and the guidance/advice/knowledge I gained from earning a Master's have been tremendous. I'm starting a Ph.D. program this fall, and though it's a lot of school to go through, I'm more dedicated to it and am a lot happier than I was with the (pretty good) jobs I had before I went back to school. YMMV, of course, but I'd caution against ruling out grad school.

I would not be opposed to going back to school altogether. The idea of getting another worthless degree horrifies me though.

Career counselling has been a complete wash for me. "What do you like to do?" "What are you good at?"

If my best option is to go work in the oilfields or get another lousy sales job (which btw is what prompted me to go back to school and finish my degree.) I'd be better off really hustling the freelance writing market and playing poker.

30K a year doesn't sound too bad for entry level living on my own terms. But I want to do something more "normal" that I could enjoy. I just have no idea what that is.

Beerrific · 07-29-2007, 11:05 PM

What about teaching? Like highschool? Good hours, can keep up with brewing and poker, plus you get the summers off. Depending on your state you may or may not have to go back to school to do this.

If you like sales get into business. Drug sales rep? Good money there and I know a couple people that really like it. Can go back and get your MBA...not worthless.

Foreigner · 07-29-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerrific

What about teaching? Like highschool? Good hours, can keep up with brewing and poker, plus you get the summers off. Depending on your state you may or may not have to go back to school to do this.

If you like sales get into business. Drug sales rep? Good money there and I know a couple people that really like it. Can go back and get your MBA...not worthless.

I applied to teachers college. It was something I was really into. My marks were where they needed to be but there were so many people applying and so few positions that it was a 10 to 1 shot. Needless to say, here I am. I could very well apply next year, but another 12 months of downtime sounds hard to stomach.

I'm in Canada, btw. I *could* teach at a montesorri school without another degree, but that kind of gig is really hard to get. I would be very happy if I were able to find one.

Maybe even something like tutoring in the meantime I would find agreeable.

Thanks for your input. I think I'm soured on sales for life.

Orpheus · 07-29-2007, 11:29 PM

I got my teaching degree in Canada. Applying to Teacher's College in Canada is just like he is saying. It's as competitive as getting into law school in the U.S. I guess that's what happens when you pay teachers commensurate with other professions with the same level of schooling (Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, etc.)

JustDave · 07-29-2007, 11:32 PM

From your other threads it seems like you really enjoy cooking, how about something like that?

Granted, you wouldn't get the dream job without the experience/education, but you could always see if anyone's hiring a peon/grunt and get your foot in the door and work your way up from there ... and if you decide you like it, then you could always go to culinary school ....

homebrewer_99 · 07-29-2007, 11:45 PM

Man, I feel for you.

I am eligible and planning on retiring in 2 years and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I'm dead serious!