career ideas

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

joaks

Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
884
Location
San Diego, CA
Hey guys, I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for a career change for me. I am open to almost anything; the issue is that I have a PhD (molecular biology) which puts me into "over qualified" for a lot of jobs.

My current boss is moving and I can either go with him and leave my wife behind or find something new here. Having *very* poor results looking in my field. I found an ad for CRST- they are offering free training even (trucking) maybe that would work (?).
 
Last edited:
Wife is looking in the new location (Winston Salem) and applied for both jobs (really) in her field. One was already filled the other we are waiting on.
 
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Wife's not moving, huh.

You could always under report your education.


Yeah, this. What would make you happy? Go work at a tire shop!
 
How old are you?

In all seriousness, the airlines are on the cusp of needing tens of thousands of pilots. The career has really sucked since about 2001, when 9-11 caused thousands of pilots to be furloughed and thousands of jobs to be outsourced. The precipitous drop in wages brought relatively few new applicants to the career, and there weren't any openings for them...

Now, with thousands of guys in my generation due to retire every year, and few to replace them, the career seems viable once again.

You'll have to pony up on the order of $60K to get all your ratings. But you can live anywhere that Mrs. Joaks lands a job...and no, you won't be the only airline pilot with a PhD...or MBA...or JD...or MD...lots of guys in the cockpit with serious education...they just like flying...
 
Originally Posted By: Astro14
How old are you?

In all seriousness, the airlines are on the cusp of needing tens of thousands of pilots. The career has really sucked since about 2001, when 9-11 caused thousands of pilots to be furloughed and thousands of jobs to be outsourced. The precipitous drop in wages brought relatively few new applicants to the career, and there weren't any openings for them...

Now, with thousands of guys in my generation due to retire every year, and few to replace them, the career seems viable once again.

You'll have to pony up on the order of $60K to get all your ratings. But you can live anywhere that Mrs. Joaks lands a job...and no, you won't be the only airline pilot with a PhD...or MBA...or JD...or MD...lots of guys in the cockpit with serious education...they just like flying...


I'm 38. Is there a concern with me being too old?. 60k is big money for me but I will look into it. I am not familiar with pilot education. Interesting idea...
 
Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_biology

I looked this up to understand what it is that you do. I would say you could work anywhere in the world from teaching High School science, college, to developing a T-Rex from DNA bone matter..You are one smart guy...


Not sure if there is much of a market for T-rex cloning :-)

The issue for us is that there are too many of us.

In the meantime if anyone wants a cloned creature I will do that freelance :-)
 
Originally Posted By: joaks
Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_biology

I looked this up to understand what it is that you do. I would say you could work anywhere in the world from teaching High School science, college, to developing a T-Rex from DNA bone matter..You are one smart guy...


Not sure if there is much of a market for T-rex cloning :-)

The issue for us is that there are too many of us.

In the meantime if anyone wants a cloned creature I will do that freelance :-)
lol
 
If I were a molecular biologist or research scientist, I would look for a job with UNESCO. They are enganged in lots of programs, training, research, fellowships etc all over the world. Just make sure they don't send you to Yemen, unless you really enjoy goat kebobs, quat and the safety of living among a heavily armed populace. A mere stint may turn into a longterm relationship. It could be the adventure of a lifetime.

UNESCO SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIPS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY APPLICATION FORM
 
I work in healthcare and seen folks with less education than your PhD go into medical equipment sales. Usually its nurses with a few years experience, but I met an orthopedic implant salesman with a mechanical engineering degree, a guy with a business degree from Stryker, etc...

OT: I would love to do the pilot route but can't turn back the clock.
 
Prison Guard. Prisons are in every state. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365days a year work.

Other than that do what you enjoy and its not work..
 
My mailman was a wicked smart guy. Philosophised a lot. Delivering the mail was his "occupation" in the literal sense; it kept his body busy while he thought stuff through.

Not sure about the career track for that in the present day, though.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
My mailman was a wicked smart guy. Philosophised a lot. Delivering the mail was his "occupation" in the literal sense; it kept his body busy while he thought stuff through.

Not sure about the career track for that in the present day, though.


Cliff Clavin was your mailman?
grin2.gif


Cliff_Clavin_in_Cheers.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: Astro14
How old are you?

In all seriousness, the airlines are on the cusp of needing tens of thousands of pilots. The career has really sucked since about 2001, when 9-11 caused thousands of pilots to be furloughed and thousands of jobs to be outsourced. The precipitous drop in wages brought relatively few new applicants to the career, and there weren't any openings for them...

Now, with thousands of guys in my generation due to retire every year, and few to replace them, the career seems viable once again.

You'll have to pony up on the order of $60K to get all your ratings. But you can live anywhere that Mrs. Joaks lands a job...and no, you won't be the only airline pilot with a PhD...or MBA...or JD...or MD...lots of guys in the cockpit with serious education...they just like flying...


I've been thinking about this as well but I assume it's the younger you start the better?
 
I can only offer encouragement if you're 38 with a PhD and continuously overqualified. I've found myself both underqualified and overqualified due to my age and experience...and it seems to be a sliding scale based on if the employer wants someone over 50 to take on x. At 38, they still think you're young and capable versus questionable. Career change is doable and I'd agree with the idea of doing something that dovetails out from your previous experience. Good luck.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Post-Graduate Degree
Replies
19
Views
5K
Shannow
buster
  • Locked
Career/Job change advice
Replies
12
Views
1K
Al
2002 Maxima SE
  • Locked
Career and Pay
Replies
3
Views
1K
VeeDubb
V
  • Locked
Just thinking how employment has changed....
2
Replies
26
Views
5K
The_Jeff
R
  • Locked
Considering a career change, picking up a trade
2 3
Replies
45
Views
15K
fdcg27
Back
Top Bottom