VERY IMPORTANT OPINIONS NEEDED!!

[Army of GOD]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.

So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:

1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.

So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

[Phatscotty]

Hope you were'nt thinking Nasa

[b.k. barunt]

I myself am also interested in black holes. Unfortunately people here in the south frown on such predilections. I've had to pursue my interests somewhat secretly to avoid such inconveniences as burning crosses on my front lawn and such - rather awkward explaining it to the wife last time it happened. Black holes can be a fascinating area of study but these redneck assholes down here are so fooking close minded - i hope you live in a more progressive environment. I say go for it!


Honibaz

[billy07]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.

So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:

1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.

So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

i'd love to see you entering the world of black holes, you stick at it. bye

[Army of GOD]

Dammit! They've made it through my spam filter!

[BigBallinStalin]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.

So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:

1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.

So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

2) Changing to Biophysics would lead you to a life that counters your dreams. That route is nothing but disappoint and personal failure. Every waking morning will be spent with the thought: "Why did I choose this god-damn field?" or "f*ck me, 7AM already?"

3) A minor in computer science is a great minor to have on the side to pay for your further studies---hopefully being astrophysics.

1) Go with what you love. You'll be proud that you're one the few people in the world who had the opportunity and determination to follow a career that they actually wanted to follow. Astrophysics will make you enough money, unless of course you're some crazy person who thinks buying a huge yacht will bring everlasting joy.

[TheProwler]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.

So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:

1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.

So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

What size of inheritance are you looking at and how old/healthy are your parents?

Nothing says "Follow your dream!!" better than a seven figure inheritance.

[Woodruff]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.
So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:
1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.
So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

Here's the advice I give to my students. If there is a job that you believe you'll love, do everything you can to find out if you will, even if it means working for free with an internship...while continuing to work TOWARD that job by way of education. The most important thing you can do IN YOUR LIFE is to find a job that you truly enjoy. Far more important than anything else, in my personal opinion, including selecting your spouse (ok, some will probably debate that, so I'll go ahead and say we'll just agree to disagree). And if you do manage to land a job you love, you really will never work another day in your life...you'll get paid to have fun all day, and how can you beat that?

As to Computer Science...it is currently an overloaded career field. It actually IS tough to find a good job with good pay these days in the computer industry. Not impossible...but very, very far from guaranteed. Now, it's possible that may change in the coming years as EVERYTHING is becoming computerized, but looking at how many people are majoring in the Computer arena (never mind Minoring), I don't expect that to change. I know people I worked with in the military who came out with 20+ years of experience and Masters Degrees who had to take entry-level computer positions...I am not kidding. And military computer training is some of the best that there is. That being said, a MINOR in computer science will be good in ANY arena, as it might just be the "one difference-maker" between you and someone else who might land the astrophysics (or electrician or woodworking, for that matter) job.

[Army of GOD]

2) Changing to Biophysics would lead you to a life that counters your dreams. That route is nothing but disappoint and personal failure. Every waking morning will be spent with the thought: "Why did I choose this god-damn field?" or "f*ck me, 7AM already?"

3) A minor in computer science is a great minor to have on the side to pay for your further studies---hopefully being astrophysics.

1) Go with what you love. You'll be proud that you're one the few people in the world who had the opportunity and determination to follow a career that they actually wanted to follow. Astrophysics will make you enough money, unless of course you're some crazy person who thinks buying a huge yacht will bring everlasting joy.

I get what you mean. Honestly, I don't need money to be happy. Though, what I'm afraid of is what the enormous debt America has will mean to me when I start my career. I don't mind not being rich, but I don't want to barely be getting along.

What size of inheritance are you looking at and how old/healthy are your parents?

Nothing says "Follow your dream!!" better than a seven figure inheritance.

I have no idea and 50s. They're divorced, and I honestly have no idea what they're settlement was, considering it happened when I was too young to understand what the Hell was going on.

Here's the advice I give to my students. If there is a job that you believe you'll love, do everything you can to find out if you will, even if it means working for free with an internship...while continuing to work TOWARD that job by way of education. The most important thing you can do IN YOUR LIFE is to find a job that you truly enjoy. Far more important than anything else, in my personal opinion, including selecting your spouse (ok, some will probably debate that, so I'll go ahead and say we'll just agree to disagree). And if you do manage to land a job you love, you really will never work another day in your life...you'll get paid to have fun all day, and how can you beat that?

As to Computer Science...it is currently an overloaded career field. It actually IS tough to find a good job with good pay these days in the computer industry. Not impossible...but very, very far from guaranteed. Now, it's possible that may change in the coming years as EVERYTHING is becoming computerized, but looking at how many people are majoring in the Computer arena (never mind Minoring), I don't expect that to change. I know people I worked with in the military who came out with 20+ years of experience and Masters Degrees who had to take entry-level computer positions...I am not kidding. And military computer training is some of the best that there is. That being said, a MINOR in computer science will be good in ANY arena, as it might just be the "one difference-maker" between you and someone else who might land the astrophysics (or electrician, for that matter) job.

Hm. That's interesting, because everyone I've talked to up to this point seemed to praise how open the computer science field was.

[Woodruff]

As to Computer Science...it is currently an overloaded career field. It actually IS tough to find a good job with good pay these days in the computer industry. Not impossible...but very, very far from guaranteed. Now, it's possible that may change in the coming years as EVERYTHING is becoming computerized, but looking at how many people are majoring in the Computer arena (never mind Minoring), I don't expect that to change. I know people I worked with in the military who came out with 20+ years of experience and Masters Degrees who had to take entry-level computer positions...I am not kidding. And military computer training is some of the best that there is. That being said, a MINOR in computer science will be good in ANY arena, as it might just be the "one difference-maker" between you and someone else who might land the astrophysics (or electrician, for that matter) job.

Hm. That's interesting, because everyone I've talked to up to this point seemed to praise how open the computer science field was.

Speak to people actually in the industry, rather than on "common knowledge", which is at least ten years behind the times.

Let me put it this way...the last time the military had a "bonus" for re-enlistees in the computer fields (to try to keep them from jumping ship to civilian life at the end of their enlistment) was in 2003. The military is no longer worried about losing significant numbers of EXPERIENCED computer people to civilian life.

[muy_thaiguy]

I can see where you are coming from. As I have a great fondness for history and have dreams of working out in the fields and finding some civilization or something that no had found before. The only problem is, that most jobs involving history relate to teaching in most aspects and due to many budget cuts and the what not, such a job would be a miracle. However, I have given other fields of study thoughts, like cooking.

Personally, I would say go for it, but have a back up that would also satisfy you as well in case your dream job doesn't pan out.

[Woodruff]

Personally, I would say go for it, but have a back up that would also satisfy you as well in case your dream job doesn't pan out.

Yes, this is definitely sound advice.

[Army of GOD]

As to Computer Science...it is currently an overloaded career field. It actually IS tough to find a good job with good pay these days in the computer industry. Not impossible...but very, very far from guaranteed. Now, it's possible that may change in the coming years as EVERYTHING is becoming computerized, but looking at how many people are majoring in the Computer arena (never mind Minoring), I don't expect that to change. I know people I worked with in the military who came out with 20+ years of experience and Masters Degrees who had to take entry-level computer positions...I am not kidding. And military computer training is some of the best that there is. That being said, a MINOR in computer science will be good in ANY arena, as it might just be the "one difference-maker" between you and someone else who might land the astrophysics (or electrician, for that matter) job.

Hm. That's interesting, because everyone I've talked to up to this point seemed to praise how open the computer science field was.

Speak to people actually in the industry, rather than on "common knowledge", which is at least ten years behind the times.

Let me put it this way...the last time the military had a "bonus" for re-enlistees in the computer fields (to try to keep them from jumping ship to civilian life at the end of their enlistment) was in 2003. The military is no longer worried about losing significant numbers of EXPERIENCED computer people to civilian life.

Well, the one's that I've talked to have all been CompSci professors and majors. Which I now realize aren't the best, considering they aren't actually doing anything in the field. Though if I remember correctly, theProwler is in the field? Right?

[Woodruff]

Well, the one's that I've talked to have all been CompSci professors and majors. Which I now realize aren't the best, considering they aren't actually doing anything in the field. Though if I remember correctly, theProwler is in the field? Right?

It does seem as though theProwler is, yes.

[hecter]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.

So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:

1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.

So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

1. Astrophysics is a pretty cool career with very few positions open (but also not many applicants). But hey, it's what you want to do, so as long as you're not afraid of moving to the city where the first job opportunity you get, then by all means, go ahead.

2. Better job opportunities, yes, but it's not what you really want to do, so why would you do that?

3. Minoring in computer science these days just isn't going to cut it. 20 years ago, ya, absolutely. In fact, most people that got into the field back then had a math degree (I'm not sure if there was even a computer science degree program out there at the time, to be honest). But now days, no way. Quite simply, why would a company take you, somebody with an astrophysics degree (cool but irrelevant), over 50 people with computer science degree and software development working experience (co-op jobs)?

[Titanic]

These two have said everything I could say, follow your dreams and do something you love (no point 9-5ing on a job you dispise) but keep an realistically open mind about it as well.

2) Changing to Biophysics would lead you to a life that counters your dreams. That route is nothing but disappoint and personal failure. Every waking morning will be spent with the thought: "Why did I choose this god-damn field?" or "f*ck me, 7AM already?"

3) A minor in computer science is a great minor to have on the side to pay for your further studies---hopefully being astrophysics.

1) Go with what you love. You'll be proud that you're one the few people in the world who had the opportunity and determination to follow a career that they actually wanted to follow. Astrophysics will make you enough money, unless of course you're some crazy person who thinks buying a huge yacht will bring everlasting joy.

Personally, I would say go for it, but have a back up that would also satisfy you as well in case your dream job doesn't pan out.

[Falkomagno]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.
So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:
1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.
So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

Here's the advice I give to my students. If there is a job that you believe you'll love, do everything you can to find out if you will, even if it means working for free with an internship...while continuing to work TOWARD that job by way of education. The most important thing you can do IN YOUR LIFE is to find a job that you truly enjoy. Far more important than anything else, in my personal opinion, including selecting your spouse (ok, some will probably debate that, so I'll go ahead and say we'll just agree to disagree). And if you do manage to land a job you love, you really will never work another day in your life...you'll get paid to have fun all day, and how can you beat that?

As to Computer Science...it is currently an overloaded career field. It actually IS tough to find a good job with good pay these days in the computer industry. Not impossible...but very, very far from guaranteed. Now, it's possible that may change in the coming years as EVERYTHING is becoming computerized, but looking at how many people are majoring in the Computer arena (never mind Minoring), I don't expect that to change. I know people I worked with in the military who came out with 20+ years of experience and Masters Degrees who had to take entry-level computer positions...I am not kidding. And military computer training is some of the best that there is. That being said, a MINOR in computer science will be good in ANY arena, as it might just be the "one difference-maker" between you and someone else who might land the astrophysics (or electrician or woodworking, for that matter) job.

Good post here indeed. The life is only two decisions. One is what to do for living. The second one, is find with who. If you succeed in both decisions, you will have a happy life.

[AAFitz]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.

So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:

1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.

So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

What size of inheritance are you looking at and how old/healthy are your parents?

Nothing says "Follow your dream!!" better than a seven figure inheritance.

Or talent.

[tzor]

Amazingly enough, I'm actually going to try to be super serial about this, considering I really need help.

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government or something to do theoretical astrophysics (honestly, it's always been my dream to study black holes and I'm pretty damn stubborn). But my parents and older sister don't think that's likely at all to happen.

So, right now, I'm kind of stuck in what I should do:

1) Continue on the path I'm on
2) Change to Biophysics, which my mom keeps telling me my uncle (a radiologist) says that I'm guaranteed a job and good pay.
3) Minor in Computer Science, which I've been told millions of times that it's another guaranteed job with good pay.

So I'm asking anyone if they know anything about any of the stuff I just said, and I said it in the order that I'd be happy with first.

As someone who first started with a degree in Physics / Astrophysics minor, then later got a MA in Computer Science, I would say first and foremost follow what you really want. Astrophysics is an interesting subject. Having a minor in Computer Science is also a good thing, you will need computer skills, but most of your needed computer skills are merely common sense. The advantage of the minor is that you can leverage that in your Atrsophysics side (modeling and other topics is as important to astrophysics as it is to any other field) allowing you to find a niche within the field that keeps you within the field and earning something to keep you on your track. But in that sense it's not the minor but the knowledge; computer science is not one of those fields you really need a degree in to get a good job; just knowledge.

[TheProwler]

Well, the one's that I've talked to have all been CompSci professors and majors. Which I now realize aren't the best, considering they aren't actually doing anything in the field. Though if I remember correctly, theProwler is in the field? Right?

Yeah...I'm a computer programmer...well, really I do all the work from defining system requirements to design to development to implementation to maintenance and enhancements. In other words, I work alone and cover the entire development cycle.

I think to say "the computer field" is kinda like saying "the automobile production field". There are many different skill sets and such a wide scope of duties.

If you are thinking of programming, I would guess low-level programming might still be a good field...leaning towards development for electronic devices. But I live about 15 minutes away from RIM where there are thousands of these types of jobs; not sure what it is like elsewhere.

Developing custom applications for small businesses is not what it used to be. There are so many vertical market applications out there that most businesses can find one that suits them well enough to make it an attractive (and much more affordable) option. That said, if you find a nice niche market and develop a good vertical market application yourself you can do quite well. And having control is an entire system is very gratifying. The struggle now a days might be to develop the skill set to actually develop a system from start to finish as there are less small development shops where you can gain that wide scope of experience. You probably won't be able to do it just coming out of school. I got lucky because I was employed by a small development house in the early 90's, where I was eventually tasked with developing entire small systems on my own. Then I got a job at a small company where I developed a fairly large piece of custom software on my own for the first 5 years or so, then I headed a team of programmers for a few more years. So I got a lot of "start to finish" experience.

In my area, there are a number of large companies that develop their own in-house software. My wife works in that field (as a business analyst - so on the less technical side of things) and there is no shortage of work. But you will normally have a very narrow scope of responsibilities. You develop the n-tier library of data tools that adhere to certain defined rules of the database design. Or you program code to generate reports. Or you develop user interface forms or Web pages. But you don't normally do several of those things.

Network administrators and the like seem to be earning pretty big bucks around here. They are billing out at over $300 an hour for some work (I've been involved in a network upgrade project for a company in my area, and I have been advising on the proposals). I think there is more work in this area than systems development - but I think it would be pretty boring; just applying knowledge and not really problem-solving.

3. Minoring in computer science these days just isn't going to cut it. 20 years ago, ya, absolutely. In fact, most people that got into the field back then had a math degree (I'm not sure if there was even a computer science degree program out there at the time, to be honest)

hecter!!! Dude...U of W had their Computer Science Honours program in the 80's (and also honours "Applied Math with Computer Science" which was my program and had the same computer science requirements as the CS program plus more core math requirements). I know, it's before you were born, but it's kinda like regional history for you. I was told back then, there were only two universities in the world that gave out an actual Bachelor of Mathematics: U of W and some university in Russia. Elsewhere it would be a Bachelor of Science or even a BA.

[GENERAL STONEHAM]

Oh puhleeeeeze!

Stop this madness my son. Spend a year at least studying the effects from alcohol and drugs, before jumping into a career. Otherwise, you'll be kicking yourself in the ass for some infantile decision you made.

Life is to short.

The loyal drone of C.C.
GS

[jay_a2j]

My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics

I believe this is one of the area's that should be cut. I mean seriously, does the government need to spend money on the study of black holes?

Get a doctorate in Socialism, no doubt they will be in high demand in the future.

[TheProwler]

Oh puhleeeeeze!

Stop this madness my son. Spend a year at least studying the effects from alcohol and drugs, before jumping into a career. Otherwise, you'll be kicking yourself in the ass for some infantile decision you made.

Life is to short.

The loyal drone of C.C.
GS

AoG, he's right in a way.

Balance. Life is all about balance. I think there's so much to experience in life that it is best to distribute your energy into many activities. Don't stress about it. In 100 years you'll be dead. And will you have died with any regrets? Of course. Just try to reduce the number of big regrets. If not pursuing astrophysics is going to be a big regret, then you have to go for it. But if you are really undecided, then make a logical decision based on weighing out what is important to you. Then carry on and see what happens. But never forget to party. You must always party.

[Woodruff]

My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics

I believe this is one of the area's that should be cut. I mean seriously, does the government need to spend money on the study of black holes?

Who said the astrophysics position had to be with the government? Try to use some flexibility in your thought-processes, if that's possible.

[jay_a2j]

My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics

I believe this is one of the area's that should be cut. I mean seriously, does the government need to spend money on the study of black holes?

Who said the astrophysics position had to be with the government? Try to use some flexibility in your thought-processes, if that's possible.

Learn how to READ. (If that's possible)

So, as of right now, I have a dream future, which, I've been told, is pretty unlikely to happen. My "dream future" includes getting a doctorate in astrophysics, and then hopefully working for the government

You get so caught up trying to talk smack about me you end up looking like an idiot. (which is possible)