Deciding what to do with your life?

[EricCO]

I would really appreciate input on this from all of you. You all share the same passion that I do and that is fishing.

Right now I'm at a point in my life where I need to decide what I should do for a living. My current profession is in Human Resources. I'm finding less and less satisfaction from this every day. I do find satisfaction in helping people solve problems which is why I got in the profession to begin with. I'm 26 years old, so the world is still my oyster.

How did you decide on your career?

Are you happy with your career? Why?

With my passion being fishing and an ability to find satisfaction in working with people, what do you suggest I persue?

[JKJ]

How about training to be a DNR enforcement officer?

[cisco]

Good luck finding an opening. DNR enforcement positions are currently in BIG demand, altho states such as Minn and Wis are not meeting even the minimum numbers for an effective force. Tommy Thompson is now gone, but he left many warden spots vacant after retirements, resignations, etc. I doubt that the new guy will be much better, as he has already canned George Meyer and picked his own cabinet member Sec of the DNR.

Besides, at age 26, how feasible is going back to school for two years to complete a minimal criminal justice program?

With a "passion for fishing" and a desire to help people, take a look at possibilities with one of the manufacturers -- Pure Fishing (Berkley, Fenwick, AbuGarcia, etc.) would be a great place to work. Entry level jobs must be available somewhere, then work to move up the ladder.

[Eyez]

I just fell into my career, because it was the only job a college dropout could get in Bismarck, ND that paid more than 6.50 an hour. As I got better at it, I moved to a related position in the field, and as I progress, I make more and more money, and get to do more fun stuff each day. I'm a professional computer geek, and I'm lucky to work at a place where I can take time off for tournaments and other fishing trips when I want. I thought seriously about going the DNR route, and I was a biology major in college, but I wasn't ready for college yet. I still think about going back to school and becoming a fisheries biologist, but that may be something I save for when I'm rich and don't have anything to do but fish and play computer games. :)


Eyez

[dkooser]

Eric,
I understand the delima. I was a UPS supervisor and thought that was my ultimate career. The older I got, the more my expectations for myself and life changed and eventually decided on a career change. You know what I do for a living now, know where I live etc. You are in a prime state (no kids, not married, etc) to make a career change once you identify where your interests lie. Consider some career placement advise.

Until then, use my philosophy: Work is a filler between fishing trips. Not the other way around.

[Hans]

How about an HR job at a fishing related company? You're already trained, have some credentials, etc. This will put you into the industry, using skills you already have.

When you get situated at the new company, take some extension/night course-work in marketing, and suck up to the head of marketing. Then just keep "networking", maybe volunteer for some booth duty at trade shows, etc., etc., etc.

Hans

[Jesse-WI]

Based strictly on what we have been told, I would suggest you find a job that pays well while allowing for lots of spare time. Only you know how much money you need to be happy. The job need not fit your every desire but should be something you could honestly look at and say that if I am still doing it in 5 years that would be fine or the career path it offers is acceptable.

With your spare time do some volunteer work to help people and fish to relieve stress and enjoy life. I'm sure at times you could find senior citizens or children that would allow you to do both at the same time. We have all heard the take a Kid Fishing theme.

[Kevin A]

How much education do you have & in what field? HR can require a host of talents, whether they be from coursework or 'life'. I can name a number of careers where you can walk in & start at very attractive wages (40-50K+ entry level), but you'll need the right education.

[Tom (Mich)]

Eric, if you truly like helping people, consider a career in health care. While I'm a hospital administrator now, I'm originally trained as a registered nurse. With the current nationwide nursing shortage, you can essentially work anywhere,anytime. Shifts are flexible, thus allowing more on the water time. The pay is decent, not great - perhaps $55k annually depending on the region.

Early in my career (I'm 37 now), I worked 12 hour shifts in the ER, therefore only really worked 3 days per week (Grad school at night). I fished and hunted 2-3 days per week. Those were really the good old days......

[troy/CO]

How about working in public education - CHRISTMAS BREAK, SPRING BREAK, SUMMER BREAK, LOTS OF FISHING, AND VERY LITTLE PAY.

GOOD LUCK!!

[EricCO]

I currently have a bachelors degree in Human Resources and am certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR).

My current job is an exempt leve HR Generalist in the Public Sector. Before this job I had a non-exempt level HR job in Healthcare.

[Ray]

EricCO,
Let me say one thing I feel sorry for you and all the young people coming into the work force today. I am 48 and when I came into the work force we had more opportunity than what you guys have today. My opinion right now the way things are run today it is not going to get any better in the future. I am a railroad worker and I have been doing the same work for the last 28 years and I am sick of it. There is nothing I can do about it now, I have to much time to throw away and start over with another job. There is no way I can make the same money and get the same benifets that I have now. I do not think you would like the union field just by reading your post. But as far as I am concerned I feel the union is the only place today for somebody with just a high school education to make a lively hood. The union has been good to me, they get me good pay and benifets. As far as the rest of the people working in the work force today if your not unionized you are not going anywhere. They will screw you into the ground. So it is your decision all I do now is go to work, do my job, work safe, and go home. In 10 years I will be on pension. If it wasn't for my union I would not have what I have today.

["COMA"]

Be a "G"-man!. The hours are predawn till noon or a little later. Plenty of time to hit the local lake for the aternoon hot bite during the week when every body else is still at work. Gets your body trained to getting up early. Keeps you in excelllent shape. Off all weekends, Occasional saturday morning for a few hours. Plenty of discarded pop cans to buy bait and fuel with. Every now and then I get some thing I have always been looking for. If your fortunate enough to get a sporting goods store you get all the old discarded tackle!. I got a nice bait caster reel one day. Save up ten casey's pizza coupons and lunch at the lake is "free"! :-Þ One mans trash is another mans treasure. :-) See ya on the water! "COMA" THE "G" stands for GARBAGE!

[Rick-Wy.]

I would suggest an insurance agent. Farmers or State Farm or the like.

I have several buddies that are. They made a significant committment in the beginning, but now have lots of time off and make lots of money.

I see no real stress in their job (not including the beginning). Once you get the "ship" afloat you have a product that people have to purchase and you have the company to cover your screw ups. (to a point)

Need to be a "people person" of course.

Probably would be hard on your fishing career in the beginning.

For the record, I am not a agent, but a 46 year old mechanical consulting engineer. If I had to do it over and with what I know today, you can bet an agent is what I would be.

Rick

[Bret N]

Eric,

Take it from someone that knows, if you go back to school, DO NOT BORROW MONEY TO DO SO! I can not stress that enough. I have a graduate degree, a good paying job, but I send nearly one of my paychecks each month to my student loan lender. After six years at this job, I can't say that it's anything more than a job. Having it to do all over again, I'd think long and hard about learing a trade and doing that instead. My buddy is a printer and he works 3 12 hour shifts on most weeks. So he is regularly off 3-4 days every week. That means by taking 3-4 days off work, he's off for about 12 days. Why weren't they explaining that to me in high school? At this point in my life, time spent w/ friends and family doing the things I enjoy is far more valuable to me than some "career". Unfortunately, I'm locked into my present "career" until I can get my loans paid off. Didn't mean to write a book, point simply being choose wisely, and that work is just that; work. Good luck. Bret

[Iowa Eye]

Eric
If you are a people person you might consider a sales career. I am an engineer that drifted into sales. Look for a product that is relationship selling - repeat business, no closing every sale, take care of your customer. Look for a position that has a fairly large territory in an area you enjoy. I travel parts of three states and at times pull my boat and fish evenings. You may also get to go on fishong outings with customers. I will be going on two 4 day flyins to Canada and 1 trip to Erie this spring.
It is not all fun, that is wy they call it work, but you travel and above all take care of your customers. In it's most basic form relationship selling is simply finding out what the customer wants and figure out a way to give it to them.

Good Luck

[KevinA]

I'm not real familar with HR skills/education(didn't spend any time on that side of the campus)...we have a very large HR area, but it's wise to stay away from them. I'm in a tech area(chemist by training, I spend most of my time in process troubleshooting, statistics, process modeling)...if I were to do it again I'd probably go into chemical engineering..either way it's quite easy(with good effort) to work your way into 70-80K a year & name your own hours to a large extent. Your training is a long way from this area though.

Another option is computer systems analyst. Computer networking/systems analyst is still a bit of a wide west show when it comes to requiring a sheepskin in the science. You don't necessarily need a degree in computer science you just need to know what you're doing. I have a friend that basically trained himself, got the certifications and is doing very well consulting at $150-$200/hr. And yet another friend that has a degree in plant pathology of all things & is now a systems analyst....

With a people-skills background sales is always an option. There's very good money in medical equipment sales & as a regional account rep you set your own schedule. You have to like hopping a plane to the next meeting. As long as we're in sales... how about working your way into higher end boat or yacht sales? You'll need some additional training, but it won't be another 4 year degree. You'll have to pay your dues anywhere you go.

Be sure to put yourself in a position where you'll have the opportunity to continually improve your skills...approach your career in a way that your skill set makes you an independent agent of sorts. Tom Peters uses some marketing speak & calls it 'branding yourself'. If your skill set is strong your employer will fortunate to have you. If they don't meet your expectations move on...you'll have a new & better job in five minutes. Lastly, START INVESTING NOW. Live slightly or moderately below your means and invest the difference. If you're not sure how to invest, learn, hire somebody elses brains, or go with an S&P 500 index fund (vanguard 500 is inexpensive). Your young & time is your largest investing ally. Start now & you'll be retiring in your early 50's...then you can start a whole new career....it never ends.

[EyeBoy]

Eric;
Your never too old to go back to school. I'm 53yom and a sophmore in college. I spent over 25 years repairing cars and light trucks and like you I finally hit the wall. There were a couple of other issues that came into play to help facilitate my change, but it was getting so that I couldn't hardly go through the door of the shop, and turn a wrench.

The new career path that I have undertaken is to persue my nursing degree and and become a registered nurse. As Tom (Mich) stated it's a wide open field. My goal is to work in an Emergency Dept. that has rotory wing medic flight. I may not make it, but that is the goal. Another thing to consider with being an RN. there is what is called the "traveling nurse" program. When one goes to work for one of these outfits, you can request to be sent to Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Minnesota:P (just kidding), pretty much wherever one would like to go. Furthermore, the money is good and you work your 3/12's, or 4/12's then your done for 3 or 4 days.

I'm not saying that nursing would be where you would want to go, but there is something out there for you somewhere. NEVER GIVE UP!!!!! Take care and good luck.
ON-PLANE!!!TOM

[drb]

I am 35 years old and have been with a Fire Department in Wisconsin since I was 19. We work a revolving 24 hour shift and work 100 shifts a year. I make slightly more than 50k and have terrific benefits. The job is extremely rewarding and very team oriented. I'll retire at age 53 with over 1 million dollars in a deffered compensation plan and a pension of 85% of my salary. I used to fish in excess of 100 days a year all over the country and was involved with tournament fishing for a while. Many of my coworkers do the same and are great fishing partners. My fishing has slowed down due to raising a family but I still have many chances to get out. If you need to make more money, many of us on the fire department work on the side. There are quite a few of us who own a business besides the fd and make very good money. I cannot recommend it enough. GOOD LUCK

[JPR]

Eric,
All I can tell you ,as if it may be any help, is that I spent 11 years of my life doing something that I hated. I finally figured out that talking to Mr Steering-wheel on the way to and from work was no way to live. I now do construction in Co. and make a decent living. I am at pretty much my own time and the pay is peice-work(you get paid for the work that you do). To have watched my father work all those years for the all mighty dollar and then to learn to catch big pike with me only to pass on a very short time later really opened my eyes farther. Do what you love and hold the time that you are doing what you love as precious as the money you may make. Tight lines, big fish, beautiful sunsets. Jeff

[Rigs]

I have to side with drb. I'm a full time firefighter here in my home state of Montana.

Not only is the job fullfilling, but I get plenty of time to bowhunt, and fish. Benefits here are great, and I an also socking money away for my retirement.

If you want a Job that is a kick in the pants, look into the fire service.

Good Luck
Rigs

[vetspet(ind)]

i am 52 yrs old and really love what i do...i'm a veterinarian and have watched my profession really change since i graduated back in 1975....worked in virginia minnesota back in 1978-82...really loved the area...worked almost too much to enjoy the great fishing up there...my biggest advice is to do something you really like and find challenging...i go to 40-50 class hours per year just trying to keep up with all thats happening in vet medicine...indiana just made it "legal" that we must attend 20 class hours yearly but keeping up with everything is really fun...seeing all the changes...i enjoy working with people...find challenging the various cases we get at my busy 4 vet clinic....every wk there is 2-5 cases which stump us and make us research the case by calling a specialist or referring the case to a specialist....we have a great profession and i don't know if i will ever retire...the biggest complaint i hear from past employeed vets is that we don't make the money other professionals make...the few vets i've worked with that did not like being a vet seemed to hinge their unhappiness on their income...so for me the no.1 factor is that you must like what you do and possess the skills to do well at whatever you do and want to keep up with those skills....money has to play a part but for me it has never been my primary motive...when i worked in minn i took a big pay cut...the problem there was i never had time to fish so being in God's country did not really help if i can never get away and fish...steve

[TLY]

Little pay does not strike a chord. It is all in the balance of things I guess. Time off is great, benefits are great so it all adds up. My bride just retired after 23 years and the unions, bless their black hearts, have done well in preparing folks for this.

But the above post says it all. Help other folks in fishing whenever you can. Volunteering is nice. I hope to have time for this soon.

I, on the other hand, do not intend to 'retire', but to balance the work-a-day world with the bite and weather conditions. I am fortunate in that I can do this. I have a very understanding employer (me)

In retrospect, values are all messed up. Most young folk want beemers, want..., want... but wait! We gotta work for it!!!
Those folks joining professions where they enjoy coming home each day and have helped some one are fortunate, thati spart of the reward.

I hire engineering professionals and many resumes are spelling out the requirements of who they will work for, not what they can contribute to the enterprise. Maybe I should go back to the farm
it was much clearer there. So when I see my boat is better than your boat stuff, a person does what they can to meet their need, not some peer pressure BS pushed on them by a Ranger (an example only, Rangers are fine). Loosing control here B4 I get banned for life.

Ice will be gone in 5 weeks!!!!
Can dig boat out in 3-4. Life is good
TLY

[Box]

Hehe... Eyez - I make computer games, so I'm part way to your college days!... but I'm not rich! ha! Actually, if you play any hunting games, odds are I was involved with it. I now play games all day, every day. Got lucky and timed it right with a Deer Hunter project, and it's been totally fun since then. I'm now 33. I just quit that job (with that publisher) to try it being self-employed in the game industry. It is going well. It ain't always fun... but I wouldn't trade it.

I got biology degree and did mosquito research for 5 years - very, very little pay. Wanted to try something different, so went to computers.

I looked into all the DNR type jobs, and came to the big conclusion after talking to DNR employees - either get a Masters degree or you must go through the ranks starting with volunteering and totally low pay... Lots of people want those jobs, so demand is high, pay is low. But rewarding if you get them.

As far as fishing jobs... hmm.. I wouldn't be good one to answer, but I did get to fish in the '99 FLW Okeechobee tourney one day, with David Walker who ended up on the Wheaties box. Boy can he fish! That was for a game we were doing. I also got to hunt turkeys and deer with Buckmasters, even got on TV with a buck I shot.

I guess my advice would be to take chances - you are still young, so don't let yourself get into a trap of not trying new things. If they don't pan out, fall back on HR.

Good luck! :)
Box
MN

[cisco]

You don't mention that fire fighting is the most dangerous occupation. However, I'm sure all of us here would thank those of you who are willing to do what you do to keep us safer.

[Hank]

In my mid forties and have a good job with good pay.. Big problem is that I live in an area that has lousey fishing.. My priorities are finally in the right place and when/if I have to make a move, the first priority in my job search will be to find a location that has fantastic fishing.. I will not look for a job and then look for fishing.. I will live in an area with great fishing and then look for a job..

[Wallydoc]

You started a fascinating post; reading the suggestions beats looking through the catalogs one more time! I thought I would weigh in a little on the prospects for working for a Game and Fish Agency, since several people had suggested that and since that's the route I took. I was in school (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) until I was 32 years old. I went into Wildlife Research and that is a competitive enough field that in Colorado at least we seldom hire people without Ph.Ds. I don't have any regrets, it was the cost of getting the job I wanted, I never considered another career. There are other avenues into DNRs or DOWs. Property or hatchery technicians may have wildlife degrees but it isn't required. Techs work directly with the resource and many are commissioned officers. I suspect the pay would be a cut for you, although Colorado pays better than most states. District Wildlife Managers here or Game Wardens in other states need bachelors degrees in wildlife, biology or a closely related field. You would have to go back to school, but my guess is you could get another B.S. in two years. If you are in the state system you may even be able to lateral into one of those positions if you can sell them (fellow HR people) on the premise that your life experience substitutes for wildlife related coursework. I've never held that particular job, but I work with them quite a bit and my experience is fishing/hunting is a vacation-only activity. By definition you work most weekends, particularly during peak hunting and fishing periods. You have time off when others you may wish to fish with don't. Your days off are not necessarily days off. You may be on call and everyone has your phone number. Aquatic, Terrestrial, or Habitat biologists must have a B.S. in fisheries or wildlife, and many have Masters degrees. Some weekend work, usually by choice. This is generally a very competitive field. The good news is many of the people who came on in the early 1970s when most agencies expanded are retiring now. Opportunities in Colorado at least have never been so good, and this will continue for a few more years. Job satisfaction is not what it was if you talk to old-timers. Wildlife management is now politicized to an unbelievable extent; you work in a fish bowl. If you have a thick skin it can be a great job with decent pay. On the plus side the PERA retirement is fantastic. Good luck with whatever you choose. I give you credit for asking hard questions so soon into your career; you have lots of time and flexibility enough to pursue the answers.

[hockeybum66]

Don't let your age decide what you want to do. I am 35 and a student at San Jose State. I am in my second year and have 2 to go to get my degree in occupational therapy, something I always wanted to do.

Sure, I will be 38 when I get started but it will be worth it.

Good luck,
The bum66

[dave]

I am finding by the time most people get to age 40 & have been in jobs & careers they went to school for they need a change.I know a number of people with jobs that pay 30-40 dollars an hour & have been in their careers for a long time but can't stand their jobs any more & would change jobs if the security was there.I had welding jobs for 15 years in dumpy factories & made enough to get by but on the side I had a little lure business.Kept at the lure making thing for 20 years until I quit my job & now make lure so you guys can go out & snag bottom & buy more.What I do now I would not trade for anything.

[WAeyes]

Likes fishing and is a people person. Why not guide? Helping people catch fish. Yea, thats it!

[greenseed]

Make money, make some more and when you're done, make some more.
Retire early, then fish.
Don't worry about others...they won't worry about you! Don't get ill, others won't care, insurance will probably have an escape clause and you'll have to pay for it anyway.

Buy lots of disability and longterm care insurance.
Don't move to La La Land. Chart a budget and look at real cost of being an adult. Nothing left to do but make more money!

Good luck

[Craig]

Unless I missed them (Went through the list pretty fast!) none of the posts suggested you be a teacher. I find that interesting. Funny, none of my students wanted to be either. After the last school year I had several tell me they are thinking about it. They saw how much I enjoyed it. I'm also a coach. Can't think of a better job. I really enjoy what I do.

People think the high school kids are awful. That simply isn't true. I've only kicked two kids out of class all year. Last year I only booted four for the entire year, and I teach in what our town considers a rough school.

People think the pay isn't any good. Not true either. You aren't going to get rich, but you won't starve. I have a Ranger walleye boat (681VS), a nice home and two cars and a pretty decent retirement savings.

I always tell the kids there are three really great things about being a teacher...June, July, and August. Give it some thought.

[Greener Grass]

The Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Many people look at the negative parts of their jobs and almost always never look at the positive sides.Have a look at the positive sides and rethink about what you posted here. Have a long hard look at what you do now and make a written plan at how you are going to change your life by taking on a new carreer. Come up with a good reason in an interview situation as to why you left a stable long term paying job to pursue another occupation. Are there carreer advancements in your company that you work for? Some of these things take time and effort on your part. They do not come overnite. Have you spoken to your supervisor about your thoughts? Can your company offer you more "satisfaction" by expanding your job description? What does your wife or partner think about this? For the record.....We have found that people who were not satisfied in their past job with a previous employer are many times not satisfied in their new jobs. Food for thought.

[sib]

whoa, ya had me scared there. if the G stood for government, i was gonna add "lose all your friends". but G as in garbage, everybody is your friend. I promise i'll have mine down to the curb before 6 am.;-)
"go outside and play"
sib

[AquaMan]

Dude, when you find out the answer, lemme know. I am still working on my ideal job...retirement! :-)

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[eyemaster]

Look into a job in a specialized fishing store.After working for a city department for 20 years, doing a job I didn't like, I finally just walked away and pursued my true passion which is fishing.I have been working at a fishing store for the past couple of years and love it.I talk fishing all day,give gps seminars,take kids fishing,write fishing articles and for once in my life, I can't wait to get to work.The pay is not nearly as good, but I've found that job satisfaction out-weighs pay bigtime.

[AquaMan]

Cabela's in Grand Forks, MN is hiring as is the one in Owatonna, MN. That would be fun!


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Goldpig]

My brother worked in Owatonna since the beginning and I wouldn't recommend it. Although you get good deals on equipment, and fairly flexible hours, the pay is just not adequate. Nor is it easy to get used to retail hours. It is no fun working on weekends and holidays!

[Scott Richardson]

Work like you don't need the money,
Laugh like you've never been hurt
And, dance like nobody is looking.

I was a college student, a steel worker, a gandy dancer on the railroad, and a packer in a glass plant. I worked in politics several years, then returned to school to get my degree in journalism at age 30. I have been able to combine my love of the fishing with writing to become the outdoor writer for the newspaper I work for and with Ted Takasaki for magazines. I am very happy. I could always use more cash, But, you can't put a price tag on feeling good about what you do.

Go for it whatever you decide "it" is. There is no failure, only stepping stones to success.

[Buckeye]

How about getting into business for yourself? I am and have the luxury of being my own boss, come and go as I please (unless it's spring, summer, or fall), fish all the time (unless there's work to do), hunt when the seasons are in (as long as the fall work is done and the combine is winterized), and the pay is unbelievable (most of the time you can't believe you have more costs than what you just sold your product for) . I get to do all that stuff because I farm full time.

By the way I have some items for sale that are all slightly used and in mint condition....a boat, rods, reels, guns, hunting dogs.........

[Kevin L.]

Eric,

Holy Cow! What a loaded pile of questions this is. How do you decide what you will do when you grow up? First thing on my list is to never close your doors. Don't rule anything out. I've been many things, job wise. I'll be many more things. I have been through three college degrees and don't do any of them. I design and build fishing boats and I work at a pet store. I do what I like to do. The trick is making a living at these things. I don't make a living at any one job so I have several. They say that is because of the "market". I'm not sure that's true.

Try a lot of things, if you have time. I've been anything from a cook, musician, chiminey sweep (top hat and all), bicycle machanic, youth director in a church, volleyball ref, and others. Now I'm at a boat company working on things that I love. I like where I am and I found that out by trying a lot of things.

Bottom line is, none of us can tell you how to do it or what to do. You have to find that out for yourself. Sorry that this is the way it is most of the time but there you are. Good luck in finding your life's work.

Kev

[guess who]

Get married, have a 1/2 dozen kids, buy a boat, help your kids and wife deal with the everyday riggers of life, fish a lot.

[Walmart Greeter]

EricCO

Combine your smiling face, people skills along with the catchy phrase "would you like a cart today?". And you too could be a walmart greeter.


:-) IaCraig :-)
I'm not really serious, but some days it sounds like a good escape.

[GORD]

You could probably be just about anything you want to be. People don't plan to fail. They fail to plan. Read some books about career choices. Take an aptitude test. Make lists of your likes and dislikes. Do you belong up front dealing with the people, or do you belong alone at the back of a wharehouse somewhere? indoors or outdoors person? Do you take charge? or just fall into line with the others? Like computers? Enjoy driving and moving around or do you want a 9 to 5 in an office. What are your hobbies? Could you make a living related to a hobby? Only you know the answers. How many years do you want to train for a lifelong career? Do you have to have a prestige job or are you happy with a lesser job with more self satisfaction? I've seen people climb the corpoate ladder then drop to the job of janitor. Less money, but they are happy because there is less stress, no meetings, no reports, no deadlines and less headaches. Standing outside and watering the grass isn't all that bad. look at jobs like... game warden, conservation officer, national parks, forestry. look for job satisfaction, good wages and job security.

[Eyez]

Cool, that's neat having your fingers in those kind of projects. My game of the month is Diablo II, but it was Age of Empires before that, and Starcraft before that.... Playing games is a lot of work :)

[WalleyeJason]

Remember the biggiest risk in life is not taking any risks at all!

[Stan]

Eric,

We spend a lot of time these days trying to analyse everything, including career choices. Many times we get caught up in a multitude of small distinctions/differences. The funny thing is that most individuals I've been in contact with, end up in a position somewhat different than their original "ideal". This is due to the old "opportunity knocks" situation, as well as changing priorities as we all go through the maturational (read aging) process. This is not to say forget about the analytical aspect of choosing a career, but let you heart be your guide. Do what you really feel you want, you will be much more happy. the opportunities for income usually reveal themselves to those who enjoy their work (because it shows and they become successfull).
Working a full work week at something that doesn't "float your boat" is certainly less rewarding than doing something that interest you, even at lesser pay.
Good luck, every one of us has to go through this, it would be nice if there were a formula or nice easy answer.

Regards,
Stan