Opportunities

Before I say anything, I want everyone to know that I am 100% committed to returning to school next September to finish my degree in my final 8 months of school, so I can graduate with all my friends, my sister, and ensure that I actually get my degree. It's what I do after that which I'm wondering about.

I can't give much for details, but in essence I've been offered to buy into a company owned by a family friend, and basically co-manage it. I would learn all there is to know between February and September, at which point I would go back to school, finish my degree, and then graduate and... not work as an engineer? Is this an option? Did I go to school for 4 years to do something else almost entirely? It's not like I won't be able to put my computer engineering knowledge to work in other aspects of my life, keep learning and gaining computer related skills, they would/could be relevant for this business, as well as for my paintball one (but that's very hush hush). I could even front the money a few years in the future to start an engineering related company, and then hire a P Engg, and subsequently myself, so that I can get my P Engg, as starting an Engg company was what I meant when I said I wanted to start another company. It would thus bring my number to 3... Yikes.

It doesn't really scare me though, which in turn scares me. I mean, I love working with computers and code and integrated circuits and all of that fun stuff that I signed up to do for a living. But there is so much other stuff I love to do too that I could do for a living. Perhaps that is what has always bothered me, is that while some people have a dream job, be it Professional Swimmer, Electrical Engineer, Furniture Maker, or Porn Star, to name a few, I've always been eager to do one of many jobs, like Teacher, Writer, Actor, Director, etc. And it doesn't come down to choosing one, but rather, finding a way to choose all of them and still have time for myself.

Leastways, I haven't made this decision yet. To clarify for anyone interested, the monetary reasons for either choice are similar, if anything the business has potential to earn me more over time than being an Engineer, but as such it's not like a guaranteed raise. The business is also an established one, it has been operating for more than 10 years and is financially stable. The choice is really just coming down to how I want to live my life.

As per usual, if you have any comments, suggestions, or advice, comments please.

What is This Crap?

Well, to answer that question... it's a bit of everything. Perhaps I don't know how to start this, maybe I'm on the edge of a major self breakthrough, or breakdown for that matter. Maybe I just want someone to tell me that I'm insane, or maybe I'm looking at the multiple choice of life and trying to find the best answer, even if they're all right, but in a nutshell... Well I want to do everything.

To even list briefly all of the things I want to do before I'm 30 (because it's a long list) would be excessive, but I'll just make note of a few of the bigger ones.

• Expand my business to the point of autonomy
• Start another business
  
• Write and publish a novel
• Learn how to swim, and subsequently do stuff that requires swimming skills
  
• Obtain my bachelor's degree (and decide if I want to attempt to get my master's)
• Become a Professional Engineer
• Write a song (lyrics and notes)
• Run for Mayor (winning optional)
• Join a band
• Make a video that is shown at the Toronto Film Festival
• Get married and start a family

Like, really? Are these goals realistic? Well there isn't anything impossible in the list, but many of the points contradict each other. For all the good it has done in introducing me to people who have had a huge affect on my life, Engineering actually hinders many of my goals, specifically if I want to become a Professional Engineer. Strangely enough, becoming a P Engg is likely at the biggest risk of getting the axe. I mean, there is so much I can do in those 5 years becoming one. I don't really want to work for someone else for the rest of my life, so it seems silly to get too deeply involved in a career that requires that.

But back to the matter at hand. There is a lot I want to do, and a lot that I haven't even thought of too. I have until September 2010 to get as many of these goals out of the way as possible, and perhaps some others too. If you have suggestions for stuff I should do or learn in my time off, comment with your ideas. They must be moral and legal ideas as well. Aside from that, this blog will update the whole interwebs with my progress in self development and fulfilling these goals, one by one.