What to do

[ch3cooh]

I graduate in May with my bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering. Right now I am interviewing for a full time job for after graduation. Companies ask me when I am available to start working. I am tempted to tell them that I am available as soon as I get back from field session out on the western slope. There is also the temptation to take some time off and travel. But in order to do that I need money, money I would get from working. Not to mention that I am super anxious to get out there and start working since I passed up the oppurtunity for an internship last summer so I could go abroad for a semester. Ack!

[nemesis331]

TRAVEL...if you don't do it, you will kick yourself for the rest of your life. this is your easiet opportunity to get away. no strings attached. you don't have kids, your not married(this is based on my guessing abilities, correct me if i'm wrong) and you don't have to worry about vacation time. this is your best bet. i know theres no easy answer, but honestly think about this
"Quit worrying about the stupid things. You have 4 years to be irresponsible. Relax, work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time hanging out with your friends. So stay out late, go out on a Tuesday night when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you dont have. Drink until sunrise. The work never ends, but college does."
-Tom Petty
its almost a last chance to get away and just go for it. you have the rest of your life ahead of you to work...go for it man!

GOOD LUCK

[bluepea]

Don't think that just by getting a job that you're immediately settling down. You can work for a year or so and either take a leave of absence or quit to travel for awhile and figure it out when you get back (provided you haven't picked up a lot of debt/payments). Also, being married doesn't mean you can't travel either. Jake quit his job in June and he and I backpacked Europe over the summer. We had intended to make it a much longer thing initially, but for lots of reasons didn't. Anyhow, he's employed once again, in a better job and better location (okay, that was partially luck, but still). I've heard that employers look at traveling/backpacking as a positive attribute as it shows independence and versatility. Jake's new boss was totally impressed by what we did.

We are settling down a bit more but will continue to travel, whether it be over a weekend, just for a week, using up all of Jake's vacation for a stint or taking some excess time off of work. While understanding that travel is very important to people, that doesn't mean you have to give up your career, especially if it's something you've worked really hard for and are excited about starting.

[pinion]

Originally posted by nemesis331@Dec 8 2005, 11:47 PM
"Quit worrying about the stupid things. You have 4 years to be irresponsible. Relax, work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time hanging out with your friends. So stay out late, go out on a Tuesday night when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you dont have. Drink until sunrise. The work never ends, but college does."
-Tom Petty

[snapback]91887[/snapback]

Can I still follow these rules if I'm not in college and I have a real job?

[Qwardian]

Originally posted by pinion@Dec 9 2005, 08:15 AM
Can I still follow these rules if I'm not in college and I have a real job?

[snapback]91918[/snapback]

sorry you've been forfeit.

you must follow these rules:

1: You cannot quit, you can however apply for medical leave
2: Spend money you dont have no more in excess of your monthly capital,
3: Dont mix beer and wine
4: Stay up late everynight, except when you have a meeting in the morning or jay leno is off his game
5: get mad at kids traveling off of mom and dads money, when you secretly wish to be them.


I didnt make them up. the government did.

[kingcrazylegs]

take a month or so to travel before starting work for sure

[Somnambulation]

Nice Tom Petty quote

[nemesis331]

Thanks...i live by that

[ch3cooh]

I never should have even considered this. I know what happens when I start to think about hitting the road. It's all I think about. Last night I found myself checking flights and destinations. This just started out as a whim and now I can't think about anything else. Destination ideas anyone?

[nemesis331]

hmm...how much time do you have to travel?

[ch3cooh]

I'm hoping at least a month but it will depend on the company I get a job with and how much I can negotiate with them. I may be able to finagle them into more. One of my classmates isn't starting until november but isn't planning to travel. NOVEMBER, god the things I could do with almost 6 months.

[nemesis331]

i would look into Australia, south america, Europe or southwest asia. where have you been before?

[ch3cooh]

I've been all over europe. I spent last semester as an exchange student in Austria and it was my 3rd time in europe so I am ready for something new. I was thinking of australia and new zealand this time around.

[nemesis331]

that would be my first choice. im studying in Australia next year and i can't wait. its a totally different part of the world. i would say that would be the trip for you then. go for it!

[The Monsignor]

You're definitely looking at a tough decision, but Yeah, i'd go for a bit of work, save money up hardcore, then take a leave of absence to do the trip...

gets you some experience, and a reference, so you can live more worry free on the vacation, knowing you'll have little trouble finding work on your return...

[nemesis331]

Either way good luck...keep us posted..give me something to read in the wee hours of the mornin where i got nothing else to do!