For a couple of months or even farther back since the passing of my Grandfather I have felt confused on where my life is headed and what I wanted to do with it. I have always thought to be an Archaeologist and see the world while enjoying History everyday. But recently I have become more interested in Human Rights, Humanitarian Aid, and groups such as the ICRC, WFP, Amnesty International, and Blood:Water. I browse official sites in hopes of Career pages(if they have them that is), and see what they usually look for in hiring and what I could possibly do in terms of a degree that would not only let me see the world but also help people in the process.
Translator, I could aim for a Foreign Language degree or maybe a dual language degree maybe even three. French, Arabic, and Spanish. All which are taught at U of M. Who knows.
Environmental Engineer. This has always fascinated me especially the aim is to actually help people.
CIVL 3140 - Environmental Systems Engr (4) Fundamentals of environmental engineering systems with emphasis on the integration of the concepts of chemistry, hydraulics, economics, English, and social sciences as they can be applied to benefit mankind. Three lecture hours, three laboratory hours per week. PREREQUISITE: CIVL 3180.
I would definitely have to study up on my Math for something like that. But what could be better than helping build wells, and other things that would improve the livelihood of people?
Journalism even to make sure the story and the knowledge of events gets out and that the world knows. English has never been a strong suit of mine but certainly not the worst.
Maybe I am just crazy. I am 23 going on 24 and some of my friends tell me I need to hurry up and make a decision and stick with it before I hit 30, and even then I might not even have my mind made up yet.
On May 27 2009 17:16 omninmo wrote: just focus on living well each day. you cant save the world my friend. you cant even help it really.
rule number 1: don't let anybody get you down. Even if you have zero chance, sheer willpower does amazing things.
As was said a while ago: soldiers don't want to die, and civillians want to be left alone. Thus, it is extraordinarily easy for a small group of highly motivated individuals to create major amounts of change.
Yeah, Margaret Mead said something like that :
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
You don't have to get a degree in a field though to do that. It may seem like it, but it's not necessary.
Helping the whole worlds pretty hard, but helping a few people out before you take a dirt nap. That can be done. I'd personally strike Journalism from your list. Newspapers are dieing off like crazy and we are really going back to yellow journalism as legitment news has to compete with bloggers and internet bullshit. As a translator I'm not sure you will find the fufillment you seem to be looking for. Its a importent job, but I dont think you will really feel like your helping the world a great deal. Environmental Engineer sounds like a winner to me!
I kinda get the OP's point. I am interested in helping animals mostly cause I have a degree in veterinary medicine. And I also would like to be useful and helpful.
@ the OP: look at the Rotary club. As far as I know they offer some financial aid and help in missions around the world.
you can help the world, but you might want to start off small.
first, volunteer or help out in your local community, then people will know of your great deeds, then maybe you'll be working for the city, then the state, then you'll be helping more and more people along the way.
Become a vegan. It's probably the best way to help animals and the environment (shy of stopping driving your tank to work) and you'll feel good and have low cholesterol. And just try and be nicer to people. Life would be nice if everyone was nice to eachother.
At the end of the day what you do for a career doesn't matter, and you shouldn't worry too much about it. Do something you enjoy so you don't get angry.
All of those aid positions (especially places like USAID, who probably do the best work) need technically skilled people, so as long as you can stomach it, I'd go for the engineering.
you can help the world, but you might want to start off small.
first, volunteer or help out in your local community, then people will know of your great deeds, then maybe you'll be working for the city, then the state, then you'll be helping more and more people along the way.
This is a bit too modest for the unfettered ambition don't you think?
It is true that in [aristocratic] ages the notion of human fellowship is faint, and that men seldom think of sacrificing themselves for mankind; but they often sacrifice themselves for other men. In democratic ages, on the contrary, when the duties of each individual to the race are much more clear, devoted service to any one man becomes more rare; the bond of human affection is extended, but it is relaxed.
-Tocqueville in Democracy in America Vol II.
Of course, my first instinct was to say the Church, but that is hardly a vocation for the uncertain. In mastering foreign languages though, it is noted that most who begin fail, and missionaries are one of the few exceptions.
- Use and write open source applications - Never pay for software or any intellectual property - Support your favorite artists/devs by going to their show or buying their tech support - Join and subscribe to www.greenpeace.org for only a few bucks a month (they need all kinds of professionals, check their job offers) - Never join the army, discourage your friends to do so - Make sure your career don't conflict any of the above, always value ethics before profit
Off the top of my head I think top professions if you're interested in helping: - Lawyer - opens up many branches and possibilities - Environmental engineer sounds like a really good one - Biological engineering research - help finding how to make people smarter and end all wars and poverty
Dude, youre almost 24 with no degree? Wake the fuck up, stop thinking about your lifes purpose or whatever religious shit youre on. And if youre really planning to do humanitarian work or whatever, please realize that its going to be completely useless in the long run, if you get kicks out of it, well whatever, but dont think you can just change any kind of situation by just wanting.
Better worry about your own priorities first, do you want a family? Well then you might want a job that requires a degree, so you can support your damn children throughout school and maybe save something for your pension so you dont live like shit once you get past 50.
The one thing I'll say to you is that whatever you study or intend to do =/= what the actual job is or what you end up doing. Studying environmental science may be quite fun in college and you have ideas that you're going to be making a difference, but the actual job may in fact be the most routine boring thing in the world in which any difference you may make is unseen.
On May 27 2009 18:10 HamerD wrote: hate to be a smartass but probably 'saving the world' would involve virus bombing brazil, china, india and the US.
I'd say you can pitch in by not reproducing, but we probably don't have to worry about that, since you chase internet tail across the pond and get played.
Back to the op, you shouldn't go into journalism with the intent of changing the world. That was hard enough years ago in the field, and now with it evolving/dying, it's even more difficult. If you wanna do war reporting, you have to cooperate with the military (do some research on pooling systems for war journalism in the US Gulf War) or basically get blacklisted. Even if you get around that, you still have to go through editors, who take orders from the owner (got his own agenda) and advertisers (who also have their own agenda). You'd have a better chance of working as a local journalist here and making the world a better place.
From the stuff you listed, working as an environmental engineer probably has the most potential of actually helping people on a large scale. That kinda stuff effects everyone. I really don't know much in that field, so I can't help beyond that.
My own personal view on helping the world is that it's a lot easier to achieve by doing it locally. The results are usually tangible (ie. if you help a homeless guy down the block, he'll thank you every day and that will motivate you more. A guy in Africa probably needs help too, but you won't see any results and it will wear you thin.) Not to mention, you have to go through a third party for more worldly help, so you don't even know if the cash you donated is going directly to the cause, or to some director's pocket.
Little things add up. Help coach a sport. Volunteer at a food shelter. Give away some clothes or stuff like that. Donate blood, etc etc. Doing charity work is kinda like government—it's a whole lot more efficient at a local level. Look what these dudes do on their own: http://homelessbus.org/. They do it completely out of pocket because they were sick of having their donations used improperly by Red Cross and all those other organizations.
I have the same crazyness as you. That is why im taking physics, in hope for being able to be involved in a breakthrough. Enviromental engineer is a nice one too :D
Yes, im trying to reduce wastage, be nice. It's not easy but i have to really study hard too ~
EPT
