Braiiiins......
If I were to succumb to a zombie attack, would it even matter?
I don't know how to turn brains into money, so why not turn them into food?
Someone once complimented me on my book smarts. It was the first time someone complimented me in such a way that made me feel good about myself. At the time I had already graduated college, moved to the Big Smoke, and had enrolled myself for another three years of university.
I've studied business and literature.
I completed college with an A average. A year before I started, I didn't think I was even smart enough to go to college.
I completed university with a B+ average. This despite going through a mental meltdown during the fallout of an emotionally abusive relationship of seven years. This despite handing in first-draft essays corrected for spelling and grammar. This despite better measuring study sessions in minutes, rather than hours.
After that? I landed a six-month internship at a small but well established book publisher. In three months, I was made the managing editor.
But what do I have to show for it? I don't love my job. I'm disengaged from the industry. I'm paid about as much as a customer service rep. The industry is a constant battle of trying to get blood from a stone: there's no money. And I don't know where I'm going. I have no "career." I'm not on any proverbial "path." I'm stuck.
I don't know how to turn brains into money.
I'm book smart, sure, but I have no fucking clue what I'm doing in the "real world." It's like I'm in a bubble. I know just beyond that bubble I can do things. Put me to work; I'll make you rich, just as long as you give me a piece of the pie. I have modest means.
I know how people find good jobs. I've read about it. They do it by knowing people--"networking," they call it.
I don't have a network. I think I need to read about how to get one.
I don't know how to turn brains into money, so why not turn them into food?
Someone once complimented me on my book smarts. It was the first time someone complimented me in such a way that made me feel good about myself. At the time I had already graduated college, moved to the Big Smoke, and had enrolled myself for another three years of university.
I've studied business and literature.
I completed college with an A average. A year before I started, I didn't think I was even smart enough to go to college.
I completed university with a B+ average. This despite going through a mental meltdown during the fallout of an emotionally abusive relationship of seven years. This despite handing in first-draft essays corrected for spelling and grammar. This despite better measuring study sessions in minutes, rather than hours.
After that? I landed a six-month internship at a small but well established book publisher. In three months, I was made the managing editor.
But what do I have to show for it? I don't love my job. I'm disengaged from the industry. I'm paid about as much as a customer service rep. The industry is a constant battle of trying to get blood from a stone: there's no money. And I don't know where I'm going. I have no "career." I'm not on any proverbial "path." I'm stuck.
I don't know how to turn brains into money.
I'm book smart, sure, but I have no fucking clue what I'm doing in the "real world." It's like I'm in a bubble. I know just beyond that bubble I can do things. Put me to work; I'll make you rich, just as long as you give me a piece of the pie. I have modest means.
I know how people find good jobs. I've read about it. They do it by knowing people--"networking," they call it.
I don't have a network. I think I need to read about how to get one.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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Well, look at it this way: at least your skill set doesn't involve shooting people and blowing things up.
Turns out that isn't very marketable in the suit-'n-tie world. I have to modify it to "protect and serve" to get a job that'll eventually lead to that white picket fence and .4 kids. I'm not even sure they want me. Perhaps I spent too much time doing the former when I should have been doing keg stands and half-ass research papers. Either way, I'm kinda in the same boat you are here, buddy. Do I sell my soul (again) go back to the military simply because I know what I'm doing there and it's easy money? Or do I try to do new things, become a new person, flex what I spent 3 years in university "learning" so I can get a more prestigious career?
Networking is important. Talking shop with those in the same business is a great way to get some surface area in the job market. I tend to think that jobs are out there and we have to apply to them like lemmings going over a cliff.
I also think that modesty is a great way to get your ass stepped on these days. I live near Fairfax, VA... the median age is like 32.3 and the average family income is well over $100,000. Young professionals with tons of education-on-paper and book smarts. Something tells me these jackoffs don't sell themselves short about anything. They might suck at something in particular, but they won't tell anybody. It's that weird yuppie confidence. It seems to drive the whole economy in the D.C. Metro area. For some reason, it seems to be working.
You come up with a fancy title for yourself, back it up with some choice Exhibit A, and go for the $$$, man.
Nobody is there to help you out. Only you can make it happen. Ever get the feeling it's a lonely world?Posted 10-16-2009 at 11:22 PM by Plan9
Updated 10-16-2009 at 11:31 PM by Plan9 -
And you say you're not a genius.
Thanks, 9'er.Posted 10-19-2009 at 07:19 PM by Baraka_Guru 
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Oh, thanks for reminding me. I need to adjust my CUT.Posted 10-19-2009 at 07:22 PM by Plan9
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