giant noob here with THE QUESTION

greetings fellow ATS, i've lurked here for a few years now semi-often. I'm familiar with all of the "major" and "minor" conspiracies and have read extensively into religious and spiritual topics from the current to the historic. That has caused a bit of a fork in my path as i see it. Aged 21 and going to community college right now; have had it in my head for the last year or so that i want to pursue a career in social work. all of the spiritual and moral stuffs that i have read has convinced me to help people with struggles in their lives, hardships i.e. social work program. There is another part of me that is a huge fan of the sciences and would love to become an engineer or a researcher in differing fields. but i am held back by the feeling that i need to help individuals or groups in their struggles and not devote my lifes work to the technologies that society has created. i know that regardless of what i choose there will be plenty of people to do the other. also i think that i can pursue a career in social work while still heavily studying the sciences on the side or do engineering work simultaneously but at a lesser capacity. As far as the strong spiritual code goes... i mostly agree(seems to be a recurring theme in my life... non commitment) with the idea that our existence on this earth is a sort of "prison" and that we can break away after death via meditation and astral projection practices to create a certain level of wisdom. i am a very large fan also of trying to spread peace and kindness in many ways. hehe sorry for the big mess of thoughts, but i dont get a chance to say all these things often. thoughts or comments please.

Welcome to ATS Enjoy your stay and don't feel bad, I scare myself more than I scare you

As for your question/theory: personally, I don't agree with it, but to each his own. I suggest you move it to the philosophy/psychology/metaphysics section, you'll get more responses there.

reply to post by smallfaction


Welcome to ATS!

You will have a good time

As a social worker, you might be offered government whitewash jobs, like assisting 9//11 or Hurricane Katrina victims, PTSD war vets, or victims of ritualistic sex abuse. Nowadays you might also be offered jobs to round people together for mandatory vaccines and the like. Just a heads up.

reply to post by vcwxvwligen


So now we have an inside man wewt

Welcome to ATS vcwxvwligen you will have a good time here

great. how exactly would i move this to another topic board?

reply to post by smallfaction


Very noble career choice.

As for science, its not all its cracked up to be in my opinion. But it might be for others.

Good to see someone not ignoring their inner call.

Welcome to ATS.

you know those two paths dont have to be mutualy exclusive. you could find a science that you enjoy and use it to help others or in some other way improve life or solving one of the major problems facing humanity. for example, becoming a shrink or behavioral scientist to help children suffering from mental illness or autisim. remember that doing work that you enjoy will be better quality then work you hate so find what you enjoy and use it to better the lives of others as well as your self. welcome to ats and enjoy, the minds on this site are some of the best and most imaginative around.

Welcome, friend!

As for career choice, I would say follow your heart. No career will likely play out in any idealistic or altruistic way that that you may have in your head. But, then again, I think that we largely create our experiences, so who knows. Whatever you do, do your best and if it is in your heart to help, I believe the best will come out of it. Also don't forget that some of the things you are interested in but don't focus on in school can become very rewarding hobbies or second careers later in life.

Best to you and yours!

Originally posted by smallfaction
great. how exactly would i move this to another topic board?

You could try asking a mod

Welcome to ATS. Firstly, FYI there is a BIG difference between a Newbie and a Noob. I think you fall into the Newbie category

Newbie usually refers to somebody that is new to something and does not have experience about how this something works and functions. As you begin to take a more active interest in this activity, you will become less and less of a newbie.

A noob is usually someone who displays a lack of skills or displays an inability to do something effectively or sufficiently given their relative level of experience.

One can teach a newbie and he or she will become a veteran.

One can try teach a noob, but they will likely just be a trained noob.

***

In regards to your dilemma: nobody in this life has the right to tell you what is best for you in terms of your occupation. This is a decision you must make yourself and listen to what feels logical above what feels morally right. In essence, you can probably have a career in both fields. Spend your working hours doing the science/research stuff, spend your free time doing voluntary work.

If you are financially well off, you could do a course in engineering or psychological research or something like that. Most of us work because we need to make payments whether it's our mortgage, rent etc. If you can find a job that combines your interests and don't mind working hard in, that's great and you are lucky,

Just be realistic and realise that you will have responsibilities to to adhere to. If you are not financially well off and you spend 40 hours a week doing voluntary work at the old age home, you will find it tough to survive. I'm not saying don't listen to your heart, just make sure you are applying that which is logically important to consider.

[edit on 13/7/2009 by Dark Ghost]