9 answers
Kang
Student
Fremont, California
5
Questions
Asked
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Career you love that is risky or career you are neutral on that guarantees good money?
I love nature and want to pursue something related to environmental science or marine biology, however, I am currently planning to go into a tech career (computer science or computer engineering) because it guarantees a good salary and job security.
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9 answers
Nicole Nelson
Head of Sales and Operations
29
Answers
American Fork, Utah
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Take the risk! You will be so much happier going to work every day if it is a job you love and a job that excites you. Having true happiness will always be more valuable than money.
Lena Tjosvold
Consumer Insights
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Lena’s Answer
Follow the threads of what interest you - professionally and personally- and be open to learning about new things and areas you haven't even considered yet. Don't get trapped into the 'either passion or money' paradigm because it's not always true. Also don't assume that a certain path/industry offers job security or any guarantees - because nothing is guaranteed. Careers are long and you need to have the interest and energy to keep going in role after role. The most important is that you feel energized by & happy with the work in your next step, and the step after that. Wishing you the best of luck, Kang!
Great points, thank you so much Lena!
Kang
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
454
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
Who says you cannot do both.
First you have to have money to pursue what you are passionate about.
Many high tech companies offer sabbatical where you will be able to do what you are passionate about.
Make money - stash away savings and then pursue what you want to do.
May be there are jobs that allows you to make decent money where you can pursue your lifelong dream.
First you have to have money to pursue what you are passionate about.
Many high tech companies offer sabbatical where you will be able to do what you are passionate about.
Make money - stash away savings and then pursue what you want to do.
May be there are jobs that allows you to make decent money where you can pursue your lifelong dream.
That's a great perspective, thank you so much Atul!
Kang
Nancy Hamdan
1
Answer
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
Both environmental science and marine biology require the technical skills of IT professionals.
Is there a way you can study both or have a double degree of tech and environmental science/marine biology?
Is there a way you can study both or have a double degree of tech and environmental science/marine biology?
I appreciate your support, Nancy
Kang
Michael Thompson
Application Security Engineer
1
Answer
Auckland, New Zealand
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Research Tech industries that have an environmental bias. Do your technical training and then use that knowledge and skill for what you are passionate about.
Thank you, Michael for the advice.
Kang
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3458
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Kang!
Deciding on a career path can feel like a daunting task, especially when you're being pulled in different directions by your interests. You've got a deep love for nature and the environment, with a particular interest in environmental science and marine biology. But you're also considering a career in tech, like computer science or computer engineering, because of the attractive salary and job security it promises. To make the best choice, it's crucial to consider the upsides and downsides of each path.
Let's talk about a career in Environmental Science or Marine Biology:
If your heart beats for nature and you're driven to make a positive difference in the environment, a career in environmental science or marine biology could be incredibly fulfilling. These fields involve learning about the natural world, conducting research, and devising strategies to safeguard our ecosystems.
Upsides:
1. Meaningful Work: A career in environmental science or marine biology lets you play a part in preserving our planet's natural resources and biodiversity. It's a chance to make a real difference in tackling environmental challenges.
2. Personal Joy: If you feel a strong bond with nature, working in these fields can bring immense personal joy. You'll get to explore and study different ecosystems, marine life, and their interconnections.
3. Variety of Career Paths: Environmental science and marine biology open up a broad array of career paths. You could work in research at universities or government agencies, conservation organizations, consulting firms, environmental advocacy groups, and more.
Downsides:
1. Financial Aspects: Careers in environmental science or marine biology might not always offer high salaries compared to other professions. Funding for research can be competitive, which might affect financial stability.
2. Job Market: The job market in these fields can be competitive due to the limited number of positions. You might need further education beyond a bachelor's degree (like a master's or Ph.D.) to improve your chances of landing a good job.
3. Fieldwork Challenges: Careers in environmental science or marine biology can involve physically demanding fieldwork, long hours, and potentially tough working conditions.
Now, let's consider a Tech Career (Computer Science or Computer Engineering):
A tech career, such as in computer science or computer engineering, comes with its own set of benefits and considerations. These fields are known for their high demand, competitive salaries, and job security.
Upsides:
1. High Earnings: Tech careers often come with high salaries. The demand for skilled professionals in computer science and computer engineering is always growing, leading to competitive salaries and benefits.
2. Job Security: Technology is a key part of our modern world, and the demand for professionals in these fields keeps growing. This offers job security and a wide range of opportunities across various industries.
3. Flexibility: A tech career can offer flexibility in terms of job roles and industries. With the fast pace of technology, you can delve into areas like software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, and more.
Downsides:
1. Lack of Personal Connection: If your passion is nature and the environment, a tech career might not offer the same level of personal connection or satisfaction you'd find in environmental science or marine biology.
2. Limited Exposure to Nature: Tech careers usually involve working indoors with computers and technology, rather than being out in nature. If being surrounded by natural environments is important to you, this could be a drawback.
3. Continuous Learning: The tech industry is always changing, requiring professionals to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. This means you'll need to keep learning and improving your skills throughout your career.
In the end, the choice between a risky career that matches your passion for nature or a safer career that promises good money depends on what's most important to you. Consider factors like financial stability, job satisfaction, personal fulfillment, and long-term career prospects.
If you're stuck between these options, you could also look for ways to blend your interests. For instance, there's a growing need for tech professionals in the environmental sector. Here, you can use your tech skills to tackle environmental issues through data analysis, modeling, or creating sustainable solutions.
Top 3 Reliable Reference Publications:
1. National Geographic Society - www.nationalgeographic.org
2. Environmental Science & Technology Journal - pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag
3. Marine Biology Journal - link.springer.com/journal/227
Remember, fortune favors the bold!
Deciding on a career path can feel like a daunting task, especially when you're being pulled in different directions by your interests. You've got a deep love for nature and the environment, with a particular interest in environmental science and marine biology. But you're also considering a career in tech, like computer science or computer engineering, because of the attractive salary and job security it promises. To make the best choice, it's crucial to consider the upsides and downsides of each path.
Let's talk about a career in Environmental Science or Marine Biology:
If your heart beats for nature and you're driven to make a positive difference in the environment, a career in environmental science or marine biology could be incredibly fulfilling. These fields involve learning about the natural world, conducting research, and devising strategies to safeguard our ecosystems.
Upsides:
1. Meaningful Work: A career in environmental science or marine biology lets you play a part in preserving our planet's natural resources and biodiversity. It's a chance to make a real difference in tackling environmental challenges.
2. Personal Joy: If you feel a strong bond with nature, working in these fields can bring immense personal joy. You'll get to explore and study different ecosystems, marine life, and their interconnections.
3. Variety of Career Paths: Environmental science and marine biology open up a broad array of career paths. You could work in research at universities or government agencies, conservation organizations, consulting firms, environmental advocacy groups, and more.
Downsides:
1. Financial Aspects: Careers in environmental science or marine biology might not always offer high salaries compared to other professions. Funding for research can be competitive, which might affect financial stability.
2. Job Market: The job market in these fields can be competitive due to the limited number of positions. You might need further education beyond a bachelor's degree (like a master's or Ph.D.) to improve your chances of landing a good job.
3. Fieldwork Challenges: Careers in environmental science or marine biology can involve physically demanding fieldwork, long hours, and potentially tough working conditions.
Now, let's consider a Tech Career (Computer Science or Computer Engineering):
A tech career, such as in computer science or computer engineering, comes with its own set of benefits and considerations. These fields are known for their high demand, competitive salaries, and job security.
Upsides:
1. High Earnings: Tech careers often come with high salaries. The demand for skilled professionals in computer science and computer engineering is always growing, leading to competitive salaries and benefits.
2. Job Security: Technology is a key part of our modern world, and the demand for professionals in these fields keeps growing. This offers job security and a wide range of opportunities across various industries.
3. Flexibility: A tech career can offer flexibility in terms of job roles and industries. With the fast pace of technology, you can delve into areas like software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, and more.
Downsides:
1. Lack of Personal Connection: If your passion is nature and the environment, a tech career might not offer the same level of personal connection or satisfaction you'd find in environmental science or marine biology.
2. Limited Exposure to Nature: Tech careers usually involve working indoors with computers and technology, rather than being out in nature. If being surrounded by natural environments is important to you, this could be a drawback.
3. Continuous Learning: The tech industry is always changing, requiring professionals to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. This means you'll need to keep learning and improving your skills throughout your career.
In the end, the choice between a risky career that matches your passion for nature or a safer career that promises good money depends on what's most important to you. Consider factors like financial stability, job satisfaction, personal fulfillment, and long-term career prospects.
If you're stuck between these options, you could also look for ways to blend your interests. For instance, there's a growing need for tech professionals in the environmental sector. Here, you can use your tech skills to tackle environmental issues through data analysis, modeling, or creating sustainable solutions.
Top 3 Reliable Reference Publications:
1. National Geographic Society - www.nationalgeographic.org
2. Environmental Science & Technology Journal - pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag
3. Marine Biology Journal - link.springer.com/journal/227
Remember, fortune favors the bold!
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
193
Answers
England, England
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Personally, I went fully for following my passions and talents rather than purely following the money, and for me, having jobs I enjoy has been very important - I don't think I'd personally be able to cope with the daily grind in a job I didn't enjoy.
Of course, that doesn't mean it's not an option for others - some people certainly do follow the money in earlier life and transition to something they enjoy more later. I guess that decision comes down to your personal values - how much do you personally value job satisfaction against pay?
I guess the ideal, as a couple of the others have pointed out, is to find a career where you can satisfy both - and the environmental sector is becoming increasingly tech-focused, so that's certainly an option. My first job was in an environmental lab, and there's plenty of tech in the instrumentation used, but also in the management of data - we had an in-house tech guy who built a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database to keep track of samples and data for us. I'm also aware of people coding machine learning models for research in biology and similar areas. Maybe combination roles along those sort of lines might work out well for you.
Of course, that doesn't mean it's not an option for others - some people certainly do follow the money in earlier life and transition to something they enjoy more later. I guess that decision comes down to your personal values - how much do you personally value job satisfaction against pay?
I guess the ideal, as a couple of the others have pointed out, is to find a career where you can satisfy both - and the environmental sector is becoming increasingly tech-focused, so that's certainly an option. My first job was in an environmental lab, and there's plenty of tech in the instrumentation used, but also in the management of data - we had an in-house tech guy who built a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database to keep track of samples and data for us. I'm also aware of people coding machine learning models for research in biology and similar areas. Maybe combination roles along those sort of lines might work out well for you.
That sounds really interesting, thank you Joseph! Definitely will look into tech environmental roles!
Kang
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1500
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is really a dilemma. I am not sure your financial status now. If you do not really have a big financial burden, I would recommend you go for your dreams first when you are young. Usually, I assume you do not have a family for the time being.
Imagine that you have to work on the job for 8 - 10 hours everyday 5 - 6 days a week, it would be a pain if you have no interest on the job. In fact, there is a no job guaranteeing there is a good income. The market trend may change. Recalling the days of financial tsunami in early 2000 and 2008-10, it does not guarantee a good income in any jobs.
To consider from another angle, all industry/career can have good income if you can do it good regardless you are an entrepreneur or work for some corporates. You need to have the commitment and advocacy on the career.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Imagine that you have to work on the job for 8 - 10 hours everyday 5 - 6 days a week, it would be a pain if you have no interest on the job. In fact, there is a no job guaranteeing there is a good income. The market trend may change. Recalling the days of financial tsunami in early 2000 and 2008-10, it does not guarantee a good income in any jobs.
To consider from another angle, all industry/career can have good income if you can do it good regardless you are an entrepreneur or work for some corporates. You need to have the commitment and advocacy on the career.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Great insight, thank you Rebecca!
Kang
Tatyana Bacon
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Tatyana’s Answer
Go with what you love and figure out how to better apply it in your career - find business applications if you will. If you're not something you enjoy, you'll probably not want to put in the effort to make it/yourself as successful as you could be.
Thank you, Tatyana!
Kang