Well That Sucked...

[Nomad]

So today my dad came back from Topeka, Kansas and I mentioned to him that I was going to a free meeting about the University of Miami-Ohio (No relation to the Florida college) on Sunday evening. He asked me what the school was all about but I said that the schools main focus is history, international affairs, political science, and other such subjects on public service. As some of you may know, I deeply enjoy history and politics and as I revealed to my father today, I'd love nothing more than to pursue some sort of career in it.

As you also may know, I do 3D renders for architects in my spare time, it makes decent money for a part time job, working for few months makes me what working part time for a year would do, yet when I mentioned that I pretty much don't want to do that for a career, my father gave me 'The Look.' You know, that, "What the hell, seriously?" He's been hinting these last few months that he wishes my continued pursual in what I'm already doing. He'd give me some random story about a friend of his who wishes he could go back and pursue something like this when he had the chance, etc. However, I don't think he understands that I don't really like my job anymore. It started off as something neat, it's definately nice not to be broke--note:Not enough to pay for a quarter year of college even--but it has become extremely tedious. Due to my schedule, or rather that of my pseudo-boss, I'm forced to operate through mainly phone or e-mail. The annoyance has come with the fact it's like pulling teeth trying to get changes done to renders. I have to call him for weeks at a time just to get billing information and simple changes. In spite of this, I realize that what I currently do does have a wide variety of employment opportunities and that the social studies sector may be inherently void of opportunities aside from teaching.

This is probably the only corner of the internet I'd ask advice from, although I know ultimately it's my decision, I'm wondering if any of you had opinions on the situation. I suppose I'm just venting as well, so ignore that manifestation.

[mmonnin]

Come South and join some REAL people.;) OHIO ROCKS!!! w00t!

And Miami isnt cheap either!

Aside from that, do what you want, doing something you hate will be miserable if you end up doing it for the rest of your life. But if you have a talent, dont dismiss that as an oportunity in life to make an income.

[Nomad]

And Miami isnt cheap either!

Yeah, I've heard that too. I have a few teachers I respect quite a bit who are alumnists and recommend it to me and said they'd give me any letter of recommendation needed. I still want to find out more about the school, though.

[Crazy Joe]

The University of Miami is around $30,000 a year for non-Ohio residents... As much as I make fun of my friends that went there (I go to the University of Cincinnati) and such, it's a very good school for the things that you mentioned you want to go into... The campus is awesome and the scenery is outstanding... One bad thing is that it's in the middle of nowhere and not much to do outside of Oxford... It's about an hour north of Cincinnati... I'd say go for it man... I got a late decision on what I wanted to do with my life and what made me happy, but I wouldn't trade what I'm doing now for anything in the world... Money isn't everything and it's much better to make less doing something you love than doing something that you don't like as much just to make money... Hell, I'm going into teaching so that's definitely not something I'm doing because I want to make alot of money... For History and Poli-Science Miami is an excellent school...
Oh and just remember this... Miami was a University when Florida belonged to Spain...

[Lincoln]

Well, I'm going to be a Social Studies teacher, so I guess that sums up where I stand on it ;D

Seriously though, I don't consider myself locked in to doing that my whole life. I'll probably put at least 5 years in, and then start looking at what else I can be doing... whether that's moving to administration, running for some local board, or becoming mayor of wherever I end up, I think I'll end up wanting to do something similar to what you're talking about. I've been studying mainly history for Social Studies and have increasingly found it's the politics side that interests me... my god, early American politics is enough to keep me interested indefinitely. :D

I look at my technology skills as a supplement to what I'm going to do in life, not the focus. :)

[Crazy Joe]

Yea, the early politics sure were interesting... I mean as the Constitution is written in the Presidential election the top vote getter is the president and the #2 guy is supposed to be the VP... Can you imagine an administration with Bush Pres and Kerry the VP??

[Nomad]

I've been studying mainly history for Social Studies and have increasingly found it's the politics side that interests me... my god, early American politics is enough to keep me interested indefinitely.

Alexander Hamilton rocks my world.

In any case, I agree with your assesment Keebler. I just don't see technology as the focus of my life, or in my case the 3D thing. It certainly makes things easier, though. Also Joe, I can imagine it. It was called John Adams wishing to strangle Thomas Jefferson.

[RWB]

Good luck Nomad, I have a similar issue. I want to go back to get a degree in architecture and something like geology after going Air Force for a while. Needless to say they went nuts on me, even my brother got into the act. Makes sence to me.

I'd say go for it! Besides, I'd like to have less competition in the 3D area :D

[profdlp]

Do what you enjoy; the rest will follow.

Wouldn't hurt to keep those graphic design skills as an ace in the hole, though. A lot can change over the years...

[Crazy Joe]

Also Joe, I can imagine it. It was called John Adams wishing to strangle Thomas Jefferson.

Indeed... I just put it in a context that those of us not History buffs could understand... ;) I still think one of the coolest things I ever in History was write a paper in HS about what president we thought was the best one based on the qualities we decided made a good president and I did mine on William Henry Harrison... I got an A and my teacher said I was the first student she ever had to pick him... LOL

[Nomad]

My AP US History teacher also does AP Government, and in AP Gov't. he made a scale of presidential power 1 being I think was Millard Fillmore, Ten being Lincoln. I extended the line and put W.H. Harrison's name at negative one.

[primesuspect]

Matt: I will tell you this one time:

Your father does not always know what's best for you. He may be telling you what he thinks would have been best for him.

I have the same father. I am very familiar with your story.

Put it this way: If I had gone along with my father's plans for me, I would:

Not be self-employed
Not be living where I'm living (i love where i live)
Probably not ever have met my wife
Be unhappy, miserable, and a corporate slave.

I know that's a lot of speculation but honestly, I had to go against the grain in a big, big way to be happy. It takes a lot of courage, but if history and politics are what you love, then there should be nothing on earth that can keep you from pursuing that. Anything less would be selling yourself short, and the bitterness will stay with you forever, as it probably has with men like my father, and perhaps yours.

[GHoosdum]

Getting 'that look' from your father may have sucked. I can assure you it will suck a LOT more later in life to realize you're unhappy with the direction your life took. I'd say you should go with what you want to do and your father will eventually come to realize you were right - I had a few false starts and it took me a few years of college to realize that I really could go in any direction I wanted instead of the direction in which my family was pushing me. The sooner you start moving in the direction of what will really make you happy, the better off you will be.

And besides, if you come down to Miami U, you can hang out with the Nexlians on the weekend sometimes. :thumbsup:

[Crazy Joe]

Indeed... We're all cool people... Except for that CBDroege guy... He's a wierdo... ;D

[Nomad]

Thanks for the advice guys.

As for living in Ohio... I don't know...

:p

[profdlp]

Very funny. :shakehead

I'll have you know that three of my ancestors - all from Ohio - fought for the Union during the Civil War.

I started elementary school while living in Virginia at the same time the Centennial of the Civil War was being observed (mid-1960's). Out on the playground we'd play "Yanks & Rebs" at recess. It was me and this one little twerp from Connecticut against the rest of the whole damn class - we still whipped 'em, though. :ninja:

[Nomad]

Would it help if I added Indiana?

[profdlp]

Would it help if I added Indiana?
Not at all. It may even make things worse. ;D

[pseudonym]

Do what you want to do. You are already good enough at the modeling that you can fall back on that if need be. Just a little advice from someone with a degree that he really didn't want.