Kane's minor personal crisis.

[Kane]

I'm in kinda a quandry.
I realised today taht I'm not happy with my Uni course, thought about it some more, and reised that I don't want to be a programmer to make a living. Computing is a hobby, not what I wanna base my existence around.
The difficulty is taht I've realised this too late to change my course.
I've already done a year, and am retaking it. If I wanted to change course, I'd have to foot the bill for the entire year rather than the subsidised amount, which I simply can't afford.
I'm not really that sure what else I could do anyway.
I'm not incredibly athletic, although I'm somewhat agile. I've been told that I have something of a gift for languages. I'm reasonably good at coming up with stories. I can act and sing a little...
All in all nothing that is going to get the kind of lifestyle that I wanna live.
I could become an actor, but I've had no formal training, and my acting is probs mediocre or a little above average (think sorta Bruce Willis quality acting skills witout the muscles)
I could become a translator, but I need far more practise to do so, and classes would cost more money than I have.... I was considering dropping uni to get a job till summer, then see if I have the money to run away to Japan and teach English, and go from there.....
The only other real choice I have is to continue my boring course, and try as best as I can, but I really don't feel like it's something I wanna do.

It's somewhat stupid to ask here, but I'd rather not talk to my family about my fears yet, I don't know what my frieds would suggest.
I'd normaly talk to Beki-chan about this kinda thing, but she hasn't been around lately.

I'm open to suggestions......

[Kirby]

I'm kinda in a rush to get back to class.

Sorry to hear that

[Kaiser Sigma]

To loose the money is a drag... but to do something that you don't like it's even worse...

[_E_]

Kane, why dont you do something that you like? I am quite sure that Computers are not the only thing you find interesting in life....

[Kane]

That's the problem.
I enjoy learning Jap. I enjoy acting. I just can't really back it up with any funds.

[shinji^]

Hmm.. I'm sure you can find something man. I learn Japanese too, and I like it the most, so I'm going to use my knowledge of Japanese, to earn some money.. Like translating or somethin'

[Betamax]

Bear with me whilst I disclose my life history

Back @ level 1 I enrolled onto a joint BSC/BENG course in mathematics and computer science. Basically this option meant that I could chose modules from
both mathematics (being again sub divided into pure, applied, and stats) and cs. you can divide this as equally or as unequally as you like, so long as you take at least 1 module in either subject per semester. The reason for my choice in this was because I didn't really have a plan for my life.

All was ok until level 3, when I was faced with a major dilemma. Without going into too much details I ended up in a similar situation as you are know. The solution was that I dropped the cs part of my pathway entirely and switched entirely to a Bsc in applied mathematics.

I was doing that for about 3 months, when I decided that I wanted to do a masters. Again I switched my course without much issues.

So I did level 4, it was bloody hard but I enjoyed it to the point that after I guaaduated this summer I started a Phd course.

Anyways as you can see I've changed my direction about 3 or 4 times over the past few years. What I'm thinking is that you may be able to switch to a joint course. IIRC we offer a course in CS and a modern language (including japanese). I'd be surprised if your uni didn't also.

This may not be a brilliant solution but it's worth enquiring about to your advisor of studies to. Seeing how you are still in level 1, I can't see why they wouldn't let you swap to that. Plus you wouldn't have to repeat a year or pay the full fees (yuk).

[RF]

Well, Im kind of young but, Im planning to be either an architech, or do some 3d animation, technical drawings using autocad, inventor,3d studio, etc, along with just normal arch drafting. I would like to do some videography, but I have no clue how to go about it. Im going to have to work for the next 3 summers to help pay for the courses. They come out to around 5k a year . But in my starting years of working I can make as much as around $55k a year, so that will help me pay for my loans.

The way I see it, If you dont like it, change it. You cant go the rest of your life hating what you do for a living. You will depress yourself, and possibly the people you live and work with. So its never too late to change.

Totally IMO, no offence to anyone.

[Ryos]

> I enjoy learning Jap. I enjoy acting. I just can't really back it up with any funds.

Go into Japanese history. Combines the best of both worlds. The pay's lousy, but the journey is fun. And where else do you have an excuse to show anime at work whenever you want to?

[Takmadeus]

I will tell you the truth about what you shall do...... you better take a decision.... having studied something for 1 year is not a big deal......, i studied electronic eengineering last year... then i jumped int o med school (don't ask why... i had my reasons to do so) then, the good thing is that I could think a lot (6 months) before taking a decision, and trust me.... that's one of the hardest decisions of your life, but do not be afraid..... the bad part is the same.... i had six months of pure loneliness..... and everyone looked at me like a quitter, or better said... a living failure..... i will not quit again, and even if there are some things I do not like from my carreer, I will be strong... take it as a challenge, not as something boring...... besides, I know it is hard to follow the path of the hobby (electronics were my hobby back then) but be strong.... my advice: finish what you are doing, you gotta overcome it... then, when you assured your title, study what you want..... do not hesitate.....

another thing.... your parents or responsible, or whoever provides you is not eternal..... so you better assure that ytou won't be left ignorant and poor.... finish what you are doing, then you will be a little more safe, and as you will have the opportunity to get some money, you will be able to pay a better thing.....

[Dark Watcher]

heh..sometimes we are called the Jack of all trades but master of none...We too had interests in programming, acting, etc (imagine a schitzo on stage pretending to be a scitzo..hahaha)
anyways..most cases landing acting careers are based moreso on who you know, or luck...many known actors never even went through formal training..it's a dream...you never know...
We also had varying interests...and since the studies themselves were quite expensive..we immersed ourselves in books, and talked to people of the trade.....glad we did..here in the US..anything computer related has taken a severe hit in unemployment...to our luck we had learned other trades to find work in....go with your passion..finding something you enjoy is always good, but always keep that backup career in mind...

[Shiori]

You best take a break, Kane, like what I'm doing now. You're just prolly burned out from all that studying and working. A term off just bumming around the house sometimes does wonders.

[Kane]

>You best take a break, Kane, like what I'm doing now. You're just prolly burned out from all that studying and working. A term off just bumming around the house sometimes does wonders.

Unfortunately, ofing to my growing disinterest, this seems to have already happened :P
I do have a lot to think about. I suppose I really ought to talk to my lecturers/ teachers....

[Ryos]

> I suppose I really ought to talk to my lecturers/ teachers....

That's a good idea. They can inspire you to stay on...or go on a different path. I did the same thing when I switched majors.

[ready2rumbelX]

This might sound harsh, Kane, but:

"When there is a will, there is a way".

I'm sorry about your bind, and the last thing you should do is do something you don't wanna do, especially when it concerns your livelyhood. Is there no one who can sponsor/help you out to change to the course you wanna take? Your parents, close friends? Cause no matter how annoying/difficult or impossible it is to follow that quote, it's the truth. So, is there anyway I can help you out, Kane?

ready2rumbelX

[Kane]

/me gets a chance to speak to Beki-chan.
She appeared on ICQ for about 10 minutes, and gave me the advice I needed. I don't know what I'd do without her.
She said to me:
"Concentrate on your Japanese. You like it, you enjoy learning the language, and using it. Become a translator, become an English teacher in Japan. Do what you want to do, not what you feel you have to do"
So: when I get a mo, I'm gonna talk to my Jap teacher, and student services, and try to change my degree at the end of this semester.
Thanks people, for your input too. You've all been a great help

[ready2rumbelX]

I'm really happy for you, Kane. I love when things turn out great at the end.....say, when you learn fluent Japanesse, maybe you can teach me. What do you say, Kane?

ready2rumbelX

[Kane]

>I'm really happy for you, Kane. I love when things turn out great at the end.....say, when you learn fluent Japanesse, maybe you can teach me. What do you day, Kane?

Maybe
Try starting by watching Anime with no subs

[Ryos]

> I love when things turn out great at the end.....

Wait to see if they turn out great by whether Kane can get that job or not. IIRC, the requirements for teaching English in Japan are going to be raised fairly soon. Might be something worth checking before deciding on that, Kane. There isn't a lot else you can do with a Japanese degree - even less than a Japanese history degree.

[ready2rumbelX]

Originally posted by Ryos
> Wait to see if they turn out great by whether Kane can get that job or not. IIRC, the requirements for teaching English in Japan are going to be raised fairly soon. Might be something worth checking before deciding on that, Kane. There isn't a lot else you can do with a Japanese degree - even less than a Japanese history degree.

Well, that won't really help Kane feel any better, and don't think so negative. Things can turn out great, and they will. I prefer being optimistic, cause it WILL turn out for the better for Kane....for everyone.

Originally posted by Kane
>Maybe

Try starting by watching Anime with no subs

I already am.. It's quite difficult though...

ready2rumbelX