Professional Prestige & Fulfillment | Asian American Poll

PROFESSIONAL PRESTIGE & FULFILLMENT
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:10:04 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

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WHAT YOU SAY

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I'm in my 3rd year of university right now, and I'm still unsure as to what I want to do in terms of my career. I have gone from wanting to be a lawyer, to a doctor, to a psychologist, to an urban planner, and now, back to a lawyer...for lack of options.

I am thoroughly confused. My personality does not fit the stereotypical lawyer personality...I am quite introverted, shy, and I don't like conflict. I'm probably more of a psychologist type of person. In fact, most people tell me I should go into some kind of counselling field. I would, but I don't have the grades to get into honours psyc and clinical psychology.

I feel trapped...

Advice, anyone?

Lost and Wants to be Found Saturday, November 17, 2001 at 17:25:08 (PST)

For all of you lawyers out there,

I am an undergrad majoring in psychology and I am aiming to attend law school after I graduate. I've heard a lot of bad rap about the career of a lawyer. E.g. long/irregular hours, boring paperwork, competitive colleagues, low pay.

Obviously, satisfaction varies in all careers, but what I want to know is this: is there something systemic and all-pervading in the legal profession that drives so many to leave?

I would love feedback from all of you lawyers out there who know anything about this...I don't want to enter law school with a blind eye to what really goes on out there in the working world.

Chinese Girl "Law School Hopeful" Friday, November 16, 2001 at 16:02:27 (PST)

haha! thanks all for your replies -- I was just sick of things at work that day, going through a rough patch, but it's going a little better at the moment. NAX --I'll keep that programmer idea in mind, ... not that I'm all that ugly or fat, but weird, I'm not so sure ... hahaha!
a little less sick of people at the moment ... Sunday, November 11, 2001 at 05:06:44 (PST)

You can be creative in your career choices. I think a career and profession should be something you have a passion for. If not, then it will merely be a "job" rather than a career or profession.

People need to assess several things- what they are good at, their personality, what they love to do. Money should not be the most important consideration (though, still should be a consideration- so that you can at least make a living). I have a law degree, but may also considering other options (may start my own business on the side- which will be part time, but may become full time).

With Asians, I think they need to think beyond the box- outside of just becoming physicians, lawyers, investment bankers, engineers, IT professionals, accountants (these are all great careers and are prestigious in the eyes of Asians and everybody else, but Asians should not go into these only because of the money or only because of parental pressure). Some successful people became successes because they took risks and dared to venture outside of their comfort zone (and think outside of the box)

Be creative, there are many opportunities out there.
My 2 Cents Saturday, November 10, 2001 at 11:40:33 (PST)

obviously Pop doesn't know shit about the medical field. yes the doctors did once make plenty of money in the past, but now they are slaves to the insurance companies, being told what they can or cannot do. unless they really enjoy what they do for living, i will bet most will regret going into medicine when they start hospital rotations and residencies.
anti-Pop Friday, November 09, 2001 at 21:21:56 (PST)

Sick of People,

Honestly, unless you are in a socially isolated enviroment. You will have to take "crap" every once and a while.

My theory is to take what you love and make it into a career. I took my hobby and I started a company. I gave up my placement at a dental school, a medical school, and a graduate program in math to start the company.

I work much harder than I did as a consultant in one of the Big 5 (or is it 4 now a days). But I love what I'm doing. I still take "crap" as the owner of the company. But its just a part of the life.

You can work in Department of Immigration and Naturalization or Department of Motor Vehicle. I think it is a specific job requirement to "hate people" at those jobs. ^_^

If you a naturally "blunt," "straight-forward," or "abrasive" you can get a job as a debt collector or bounty hunter.

Getting paid for doing what you love is the key to being happy at work.

AC dropout Friday, November 09, 2001 at 10:46:43 (PST)

I think mostly asians are very money oriented. Which is very funny. Sometimes it buggs the hell out of me beacause they sound so cocky. I think being money oriented is not so bad if you have the right motives. Just dont measure your whole life based on money. And guys. there is more carreer choices other than engineer,computer programmer,doctor or lawyer. Ha ha ha be happy
7 angels Friday, November 09, 2001 at 10:30:15 (PST)

you could be the ugliest, fattest, weirdest person if you were a computer programmer and a darn good one! not all IT people are geeky or cool. a shoulderful of dandruff, smelly programmer works for us with his visible butt-crack exposed when he bends over. he has a bright mind - that's more important than his looks for the company. :) everyone here respects him because of his mind, of course - he's not the coolest person to hang out with. my dream job is to be a fighter pilot since watching some sort of Top Gun series when i was little in the 80s. it's called Super-something...
NAX Tuesday, November 06, 2001 at 12:50:28 (PST)

A medical doctor is by far the dream job. You have it all: high income, high education, prestige in every country, and you do something that has meaning to other people.
Pop Monday, October 22, 2001 at 02:02:41 (PDT)

hey, "sick of people", you must be more positive! Whatever you do in life, you will meet people who "crap" on you even when you're nice! You need to do what makes you happy! Don't worry about the money or prestige! People will use you and manipulate you especially if you're nice in almost any career; however, there are good people out there, too! Not all lawyers are crooked, not all businessmen are greedy, and surprisingly, not all doctors are empathetic.

medical student Friday, October 19, 2001 at 12:04:25 (PDT)

I hate people now. What kind of job is good if you hate people because they are all rude and disgusting. And even when you are nice (or is it because of it?) you still get crapped on? I think I wish I was a computer programmer, but I believe that even as a programmer, I would still get crapped on. What do you guys say?
sick of people Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 20:20:56 (PDT)

As a reconstructive plastic surgeon at a major university in the midwest, I believe that I must have the dream job.

Not many jobs in this world can give one the daily opportunity to make an immediate, palpable positive impact on someone's life.

To boot...the pay is not bad!
AM - plastic surgeon dsong@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 20:41:51 (PDT)

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