Just because you want something, doesn't mean that you can realistically get it.

I think that is one positive thing coming out of this current economy. People are getting a hard reality check. There it is. Sometimes work sucks. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to. People are happy just to have jobs to put food on the table.

I had friends that were in your position in high school. They just wanted to play music because they "enjoyed" their music classes more than their math and chemistry classes.

Decades later and they are playing Bar Mitzvahs and weddings. And they STILL have to work crappy day jobs to fund their basic expenses.

So when you talk about your passions and wants, just make sure you think of the whole picture and get a good grip on the down-sides to the rosy parts.

 

I like ckits response

Work THEN play

combining the two can work, but I'd rather not bet my success in life on it

 

 

I felt the same was as you. I wanted to go off and do my own thing. But this one day at Sebring Raceway changed that.

I was walking around, getting to know everyone the night before the track event. I was talking to several different people. Young like me, up to people that were in their 60s. The cars at the event were nothing short of spectacular. Ferraris, Lambos, and tons of race prepped cars.

My thought was that these guys were around cars 24/7 working on them, painting them, tuning them, etc. I was madly wrong. These people worked hard and played even harder. Alot of them mentioned that they would never do what they did to their cars for a living.

Alot of them were in the computer field. IT development, Cisco CCIE certified network engineers, computer programming for flight simulators. Then there was another bunch that were mechanical engineers for the government and other large companies. They worked hard to get the money then they played with their toys because they got to a point where they didn't have to work 40+ hours a week just to get by.

What do I do? I design, produce, and install vinyl wraps on various vehicles with buses/coaches being my main source of income. I'm working for someone, but I'm not complaining. I'm good at what I do and don't have to worry about owning the business. Am I making good money? I'd say so. 70k a year for a 23 year old that didn't finish college.

My industry is considered somewhat of a trade industry. So a degree would only help me on the design side (graphics design degree). Other than that I've learned all my skills through experience.

Hope this helps. I'm talking alot because I too wanted to do my own business. But after talking to those old farts, my life has taken a better, secure turn.

 

strippers make some mean bank

 

Just because you want to do something, doesn't mean you will be able to do it well. Stick to something you can do well, it will make your life easier. Besides, once your passion is your business, it is no longer a passion, its just business.

 

Thank you all for the advice guys.

Contrary to the flak I am getting here for posting this thread, this has helped. I cannot think of a faster/better way to reach a large group of people with as many experiences and different backgrounds as I can on a forum like this.

I am going to finish the degree and maybe dabble in some tuning on the side if I am lead that way.

Thanks again!

 

Just some advice from experience.
I felt the same way when I was a CS major. I didn't want to be coding all my life. I went from CS to MIS.
I'm a technical business analyst and it's MUCH less mentally grueling than being a developer. Or you can also be in QA. Use what you're good at. There are other jobs other than coding or networking.
If you don't know what a BA or QA is, I wouldn't be surprised. I never knew what either were in college.

 

hahaha beat me to it

yes, s2ki is a perfect place to ask for advice, all the strange strangers dictating how your life should go

 

IMO you don't mix business w/ pleasure in more ways than one. You don't bone the boss's daughter and you DEFINITELY don't get a job in the same field as your favorite hobby.

Have you noticed that a body man's car always has the shittiest paint job? Or that the guys who own a tuning shop DDs 100% stock cars? IMO once a hobby becomes the way you earn a living it stops being as much fun.

I'm a Financial Analyst at day and a gearhead in my spare time. I just finished rebuilding my first engine and couldn't have had more fun, but if I did it every day I wouldn't have fun anymore.

Enjoy your hobby for what it is and make the most out of your career. They don't call it work for nothing!