Career challenges

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What career challenges are you facing and what challenges do you expect to face over the next few years?

(might be interesting to hear from everyone ... and hopefully, non-political)

[Niels Bohr 72]

Career challenges?

Well, trying to obtain a PH.D while going to work part time. All the schools I've looked require PH.D candidate to be full time student. You'll be given assistanship, and aprenticeship grants. But, that's not enough to feed the family. Maybe if I'm given a fellowship, it would be great.

Edited May 3, 2010 by Niels Bohr

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Career challenges?

Well, trying to obtain a PH.D while going to work part time. All the schools I've looked require PH.D candidate to be full time student. You'll be given assistanship, and aprenticeship grants. But, that's not enough to feed the family. Maybe if I'm given a fellowship, it would be great.

does your wife work?

Edited May 3, 2010 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[Niels Bohr 72]

Yeah. But, she works a little above minimum wage. It sucks. Maybe if I could save enough aside for fours years before I go for the Ph.D. Unless if I get my masters first, then it'll be 2.5 years for the Ph.D. Masters can be obtained part time. It's going to be a long journey. I think that's the best bet eventhough it'll be longer than a conventional student. I'll probably get to Ph.D in my late 40s.

does your wife work?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It's going to be a long journey. I think that's the best bet eventhough it'll be longer than a conventional student. I'll probably get to Ph.D in my late 40s.

Good luck.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'm an urban designer / landscape architect who is currently finishing up licensure. Basically, I originally joined the firm I work for right now as a beach head into the Bay area. My plan was to work there about 2 years before finding a position in SF proper. Two things have happened since...one I really like working for my company and had wanted to expand my time from 2 to 4,5 years. Unfortunately my field is one of those fields that was hammered by this last recession with maybe 30-35% unemployment. Over the past 14 months or so I've gone through 2 furloughs - the first Feb 2009 until July 2009. I'm on my second furlough as of April 1st.

Last January I decided my firm was on too shaky ground to sit by idly. So I've started to apply to other positions across the US including my area. I'd prefer to stay in the bay area but I can't be too picky right now. Not sure what my prospects are, but I spend at least 2 hours a day reading studying firms, reading publicly posted resumes/portfolios to get an idea of the competition etc. I built a portfolio website from scratch last year and have probably poured at least 200 hrs in developing it and expanding it, something no one else in my field does (to such an extent). I also spend a lot of time on graphic design.

I'll just have to see how these pan out over the next 12 months or so.

Ironically life is still better than 07 - fall 08 while my wife and I were separated by the US gov. It was pretty hard, given we had spent every day together for about 2 years before we started on the visa.

Edited May 3, 2010 by Sousuke

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Things continue to go very well for me. Since I started in the industry a little over 10 years ago, I've made great progress. I hold my current position for close to 4 years now and am looking forward to a career move this year - a move that appears to get sweeter every time I look. There was consideration taking a position that would have required making a physical move (not exactly my preference right now with the housing market here in FL being what it is). Just last week, my former boss has requested my taking on and leading a major project - lots of visibility and, thus, a great opportunity. Plus, my former boss is awesome - I'd love to work with her again. Bottom line is, aside from a better compensation structure with the change, as long as I get the project done on time and target, I can essentially write my own ticket for the next move. I have also been courted by another division of the firm, so there's always a back-up plan if, against all odds, this move doesn't come to fruition. It's an interesting time for sure. This is one of the things I truly love about America - opportunity, opportunity, opportunity.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Good responses so far. Keep 'em coming!

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Challenges are AWSOME! Look forward to them everyday!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Challenges are AWSOME! Look forward to them everyday!

What are yours?

My challenge is being in a company that is "flattening" its structure more and more every year, reducing opportunities for advancement. I have options to do lateral moves, but I'm torn on whether it's worth doing or whether I'm better off 'developing' my current role into something I like.

[Calypso 464]

My challenge is to find a decent job. I taught high school for two years then worked in a BPO company called Wipro. I was there for four months and resigned two months before I flew to the U.S.

I received my green card about a month ago and haven't started my application process yet. I am still looking at other fields. I love teaching but it demands much of my time even before and after school hours.

I'll see soon how things work.

Perhaps I can be a strip club coordinator for a change.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Calypso

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Perhaps I can be a strip club coordinator for a change.

[/font]

vj'ers get a discounted rate?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

What career challenges are you facing and what challenges do you expect to face over the next few years?

(might be interesting to hear from everyone ... and hopefully, non-political)

I work in the nuclear business (DOD, DOE, NRC and private company experience). There has always been a job for me.... I just have to travel to do it. My trade publications say there will be a shortage of my peers for the years to come. yay me!

[Jenn! 918]

I'm continuing to take these damn actuarial exams (have one tomorrow). Working full-time + baby at home means that the studying has not gone well. I need to pass one more to become an Associate. If I pass the one in the fall, I'll do that and they'll have to promote me into management. At that point, I'll be looking for about a $30,000 pay raise, and if they don't do that for me I'm going to have to look elsewhere.

[justashooter 430]

just finishing up my first semester in 25 years with a 4.0 on 17 credits. having a great time. BSN is 3 years away from here, and will prolly go to nurse practitioner before i am 55.