Our Careers and Paths

[Who'saWildManNow]

Finally, today I have become a Certified Professional Controller (Air Traffic). It has been a long, exciting and stressful process (just under 3 years) of learning, training and not killing peope . Today is a great day for my family and I.

The reason I started this thread, besides being excited about my promotion, was b/c I thought back on how many jobs I had and how much I went through to get to where I am today. I am 31 and have worked as a mason apprentice, a waiter/bartender, at Victoria's Secret (Yes, In college.. awesome), a Hibachi Chef and a video editor for MTV. All these jobs were great but would never have given me the oppurtuniy to have a family and most importantly, be able to take care of them.

What do yo do and how did you get there?

For all the young guys, what is your plan?

YES, this is another "offseason" thread 30 days from kick-off.. :talktohan

 

[NDOM]

AWESOME! Congrats dude. Now could you imagine ME as and air traffic control worker??? LOL None of you would fly ever again.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Finally, today I have become a Certified Professional Controller (Air Traffic). It has been a long, exciting and stressful process (just under 3 years) of learning, training and not killing peope . Today is a great day for my family and I.

The reason I started this thread, besides being excited about my promotion, was b/c I thought back on how many jobs I had and how much I went through to get to where I am today. I am 31 and have worked as a mason apprentice, a waiter/bartender, at Victoria's Secret (Yes, In college.. awesome), a Hibachi Chef and a video editor for MTV. All these jobs were great but would never have given me the oppurtuniy to have a family and most importantly, be able to take care of them.

What do yo do and how did you get there?

For all the young guys, what is your plan?

YES, this is another "offseason" thread 30 days from kick-off.. :talktohan

First of all...Congradulations!!!! That is great. I have a friend from HS that is a Air Traffic Controller...she BANKS!

About me....and a little on the career.

1969 - 1987 Raised in Small NM town.

1987 - Went To NMSU to Play College ball

1988 -1992 - Transferred to UNM to Play for the Lobos.

Career
1993 - 1995 - Moved to So Cal (Thousand Oaks) and worked for Rockwell International as an Environmental Engineer- mainly working on Water Law and compliance. Enjoyed the Northridge quake- not.

1997 - Toured Europe with a Backpack and my brother. Ran with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain the first week of July 97, scary-scary-scary. Yelled at in a Catholic Church in Vienna, Austria by a little old Austrian Lady—still have no idea why. Spent some time in Mozart’s home town.

Career
1995 - Present - Started working at Intel in Sort/etest, moved to Israel for a 3 month work assignment. Came back to NM...then moved to Oregon where I worked 3 years. Then Moved back to NM...and now work for Intel PTD Automation on next gen process as a Software Engineer. I live in New Mexico and work for Intel Oregon.

 

[GainesvilleIrish]

As "young guy", I have very high goals (who doesn't at 18?). I'm planning on graduating UF with a dual degree in Finance and Political Science with the goal to attend a tier 1 law school.

After law school, my goal is to work with a top firm doing Corporate Law and eventually making my way to partnership at an early age with intentions to retire early.

Odds of that happening....... very, very slim. But thats the plan as of August 2, 2011.

 

[TerryTate]

Congratulations my man.

ND undergrad
Worked at GE in Finance
Currently in Northwestern (Kellogg) MBA Program part-time
Working in Finance/Strategy now

 

[HawaiianIrish]

Finally, today I have become a Certified Professional Controller (Air Traffic). It has been a long, exciting and stressful process (just under 3 years) of learning, training and not killing peope . Today is a great day for my family and I.

The reason I started this thread, besides being excited about my promotion, was b/c I thought back on how many jobs I had and how much I went through to get to where I am today. I am 31 and have worked as a mason apprentice, a waiter/bartender, at Victoria's Secret (Yes, In college.. awesome), a Hibachi Chef and a video editor for MTV. All these jobs were great but would never have given me the oppurtuniy to have a family and most importantly, be able to take care of them.

What do yo do and how did you get there?

For all the young guys, what is your plan?

YES, this is another "offseason" thread 30 days from kick-off.. :talktohan

Congrats Bro, and thank you in advance for keeping all of us air passengers safe...

Since 2001 I have been serving and protecting the people of Oahu..
Being an L.E.O. is very fun, exciting, stressful, but most of all rewarding. You have the ability to make a positive difference each day....

 

[IrishLax]

'10 ND Undergrad (Civil Engineering, Structural Concentration)
Thought I was going to grad school but then got a sick job offer with a start up company... now doing a lot of work with the DoD and DHS in both the field and on the capture side.

I love it because I always wanted to be in the military but never had the stones to actually do it... and this is the next best thing. Got to touch an F22 Raptor just the other day... so cool.

I also moonlight as a writer for ESPN and some lacrosse magazines/websites since I hung up the cleats. I will have a really cool piece coming out in a couple days on a former ND player who started a charity that is doing a lot of great work in Uganda and the Ugandan lacrosse team that is going to compete in the 2016 World Cup (hopefully). It's like Cool Runnings with sticks and pads.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Undergrad at Ohio State in City & Regional Planning, class of 2013.

The career hasn't begun. I'd like to get into city or state-level administration in Ohio or the midwest fixing rustbelt cities.

Graduate school pending, probably at Cornell, Michigan, or Ohio State, or law school at Notre Dame would be pretty slick.

 

[fitz_bu47]

Congrats buddy, the day you are officially done is a GREAT day.

I went to a small NAIA school in Kansas to play football, graduated in 2003. All through college I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor or a teacher/coach. My last semester I coached for Baker after my eligibility was up, and while I loved it, it just wasn't IT for me. So I bartended and went to juco to get the science pre-req's I needed and started chiropractic school in '05. First semester of chiropractic college I got married, and I got cancer, so I withdrew for treatment. Got rid of the cancer, kept the wife (she's awesome).
Went back that following summer and finished in '09.
Currently practice w/ my mentor, who treated me through high school and college, and got me interested in the first place. Loving every minute of it, and all the school was worth it to help people everyday....Only downside is being only 1.5 years into my career and I am 30, but everything happens for a reason.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Congrats buddy, the day you are officially done is a GREAT day.

I went to a small NAIA school in Kansas to play football, graduated in 2003. All through college I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor or a teacher/coach. My last semester I coached for Baker after my eligibility was up, and while I loved it, it just wasn't IT for me. So I bartended and went to juco to get the science pre-req's I needed and started chiropractic school in '05. First semester of chiropractic college I got married, and I got cancer, so I withdrew for treatment. Got rid of the cancer, kept the wife (she's awesome).
Went back that following summer and finished in '09.
Currently practice w/ my mentor, who treated me through high school and college, and got me interested in the first place. Loving every minute of it, and all the school was worth it to help people everyday....Only downside is being only 1.5 years into my career and I am 30, but everything happens for a reason.

Alot of respect...you beat cancer! Cheers man.

 

[fitz_bu47]

Thank you sir, hope none of you have to deal w/ it.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Congratulations my man.

ND undergrad
Worked at GE in Finance
Currently in Northwestern (Kellogg) MBA Program part-time
Working in Finance/Strategy now

Impressive Terry.

What are your thoughts on Northwesterns Computer Science Dept? I am loooking into working on a second Masters and NU has a program that I am interested in. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[MacIrish75]

2006-2010: Undergrad at Indiana State University in Elementary Education.

2010-present: 2nd grade teacher in Columbia City, Indiana.

I'm about to start back this winter on my Masters in Education. Following that comes Masters in Educational Leadership. I know I at least want to go that far with it, to be able to become a Principal. I don't know how much more schooling I'll want to go through at 28/29 when I get my principal's credentials, but if I can swing it I think I'd like to get my PhD in Education.

 

[Jason Pham]

'10 ND Undergrad (Civil Engineering, Structural Concentration)
Thought I was going to grad school but then got a sick job offer with a start up company... now doing a lot of work with the DoD and DHS in both the field and on the capture side.

I love it because I always wanted to be in the military but never had the stones to actually do it... and this is the next best thing. Got to touch an F22 Raptor just the other day... so cool.

I also moonlight as a writer for ESPN and some lacrosse magazines/websites since I hung up the cleats. I will have a really cool piece coming out in a couple days on a former ND player who started a charity that is doing a lot of great work in Uganda and the Ugandan lacrosse team that is going to compete in the 2016 World Cup (hopefully). It's like Cool Runnings with sticks and pads.

That sounds like an awesome life, man. Congrats.

I just graduated this May from ND in political science and history. Starting law school at UPenn this fall with hopes of academia afterward.

 

[Kak7304]

'08 grad from ND w/ a BS in Biological Sciences
'09 MA from Loyola University Chicago

Currently, I'm about to start my 2nd year of medical school at the IU School of Medicine. My career goal is to be an orthopedic surgeon and ultimately, work for a group that takes care of a professional sports team or high-profile college athletics program.

 

[Riddickulous]

I go to community college and my life lacks direction.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I go to community college and my life lacks direction.

You just jinxed yourself. Here comes success!

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

AWESOME! Congrats dude. Now could you imagine ME as and air traffic control worker??? LOL None of you would fly ever again.

Either you'd be crazy focused or wayyy too laid back lol.. either way it'd be scary as hell.

First of all...Congradulations!!!! That is great. I have a friend from HS that is a Air Traffic Controller...she BANKS!

About me....and a little on the career.

1969 - 1987 Raised in Small NM town.

1987 - Went To NMSU to Play College ball

1988 -1992 - Transferred to UNM to Play for the Lobos.

Career
1993 - 1995 - Moved to So Cal (Thousand Oaks) and worked for Rockwell International as an Environmental Engineer- mainly working on Water Law and compliance. Enjoyed the Northridge quake- not.

1997 - Toured Europe with a Backpack and my brother. Ran with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain the first week of July 97, scary-scary-scary. Yelled at in a Catholic Church in Vienna, Austria by a little old Austrian Lady—still have no idea why. Spent some time in Mozart’s home town.

Career
1995 - Present - Started working at Intel in Sort/etest, moved to Israel for a 3 month work assignment. Came back to NM...then moved to Oregon where I worked 3 years. Then Moved back to NM...and now work for Intel PTD Automation on next gen process as a Software Engineer. I live in New Mexico and work for Intel Oregon.

Thanks SW.. Thats sick that you ran with the bulls dude.. wow.

As "young guy", I have very high goals (who doesn't at 18?). I'm planning on graduating UF with a dual degree in Finance and Political Science with the goal to attend a tier 1 law school.

After law school, my goal is to work with a top firm doing Corporate Law and eventually making my way to partnership at an early age with intentions to retire early.

Odds of that happening....... very, very slim. But thats the plan as of August 2, 2011.

Shoot high bro!! My buddy just graduated Duke law.. he loved it.

Congratulations my man.

ND undergrad
Worked at GE in Finance
Currently in Northwestern (Kellogg) MBA Program part-time
Working in Finance/Strategy now

Thanks TT, same to you.. Great education.

Congrats Bro, and thank you in advance for keeping all of us air passengers safe...

Since 2001 I have been serving and protecting the people of Oahu..
Being an L.E.O. is very fun, exciting, stressful, but most of all rewarding. You have the ability to make a positive difference each day....

Thanks and your welcome! That's great man.. you sound like you'd be a cool, fair officer.

'10 ND Undergrad (Civil Engineering, Structural Concentration)
Thought I was going to grad school but then got a sick job offer with a start up company... now doing a lot of work with the DoD and DHS in both the field and on the capture side.

I love it because I always wanted to be in the military but never had the stones to actually do it... and this is the next best thing. Got to touch an F22 Raptor just the other day... so cool.

I also moonlight as a writer for ESPN and some lacrosse magazines/websites since I hung up the cleats. I will have a really cool piece coming out in a couple days on a former ND player who started a charity that is doing a lot of great work in Uganda and the Ugandan lacrosse team that is going to compete in the 2016 World Cup (hopefully). It's like Cool Runnings with sticks and pads.

I know what you mean, I work on a Navy base as a civilian controller and love seeing the Harriers and F18s come in.. Met the Blue Angels this year.. Awesome that you write for espn lax.. Im assuming your gonna post the link for us?

Undergrad at Ohio State in City & Regional Planning, class of 2013.

The career hasn't begun. I'd like to get into city or state-level administration in Ohio or the midwest fixing rustbelt cities.

Graduate school pending, probably at Cornell, Michigan, or Ohio State, or law school at Notre Dame would be pretty slick.

ND Law would def be sick.. Or if you went to Cornell you could be like Andy from The Office.."Big Tuna is a super ambitious guy, you know? Cut your throat to get ahead kind of guy, but I mean I'm not threatened by him. I went to Cornell, you ever heard of it? I graduated in four years. I never studied once. I was drunk the whole time, and I sang in the acappella group, 'Here Comes Treble.'"

Congrats buddy, the day you are officially done is a GREAT day.

I went to a small NAIA school in Kansas to play football, graduated in 2003. All through college I knew I wanted to be a chiropractor or a teacher/coach. My last semester I coached for Baker after my eligibility was up, and while I loved it, it just wasn't IT for me. So I bartended and went to juco to get the science pre-req's I needed and started chiropractic school in '05. First semester of chiropractic college I got married, and I got cancer, so I withdrew for treatment. Got rid of the cancer, kept the wife (she's awesome).
Went back that following summer and finished in '09.
Currently practice w/ my mentor, who treated me through high school and college, and got me interested in the first place. Loving every minute of it, and all the school was worth it to help people everyday....Only downside is being only 1.5 years into my career and I am 30, but everything happens for a reason.

That is a hell of a path my man. Congratulations on your health and defeating that @*#$ing disease. Im with you on the age and the experience but you are there now, where you wanted to be.. all that matters.

2006-2010: Undergrad at Indiana State University in Elementary Education.

2010-present: 2nd grade teacher in Columbia City, Indiana.

I'm about to start back this winter on my Masters in Education. Following that comes Masters in Educational Leadership. I know I at least want to go that far with it, to be able to become a Principal. I don't know how much more schooling I'll want to go through at 28/29 when I get my principal's credentials, but if I can swing it I think I'd like to get my PhD in Education.

Nice, one of my best friends is a teacher and taking classes to eventually be a principal.. It's funny b/c he's a complete maniac on the weekends and the strictest math teacher ever during the week.. Good luck brother and enjoy your summers off.

 

[IrishLax]

That sounds like an awesome life, man. Congrats.

I just graduated this May from ND in political science and history. Starting law school at UPenn this fall with hopes of academia afterward.

Poli Sci, eh? You take any classes with John Griffin per chance?

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I go to community college and my life lacks direction.

You just jinxed yourself. Here comes success!

Ha, it's totally gonna work.. I did the community college thing for a bit and bounced around job to job for a while.. I will say one thing.. You have to put your resume or face out there as much as you can.. Fill out every state and federal job application you can..

 

[Jason Pham]

Poli Sci, eh? You take any classes with John Griffin per chance?

I didn't. I focused the major on international relations and political theory. Did you take a class with him?

 

[gkautz10]

About to enter my junior year of college. I attend Manchester College which is about 35 minutes southwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am majoring in accounting and planning on becoming a CPA and hopefully move to Charleston, SC upon graduating. That will put me kinda far from Notre Dame so hopefully I get a good job where I can fly back a few times a saeson

 

[NDFan4Life]

You guys have some great jobs. Congrats to all of you.

This is my life in a nut shell:

School (hated it)

Navy (loved it)

DHS (eh)

DOJ (hopefully)

 

[IrishLax]

I didn't. I focused the major on international relations and political theory. Did you take a class with him?

Yeah I took two with him. American Congress and Strategy in Society. Two of the three best classes I took at ND.

Penn for law school... pretty damn impressive my friend. Hope you still have time to run the site between all of the suing and being sued

 

[BeauBenken]

Okay. Here we go.

I just graduated from Muncie Central High School (class of 2011).

I'm part of Ball State's "Connect Program" this coming fall. I will take all my freshman courses at Ivy Tech and then be automatically transferred to Ball State University (after maintaining a 2.0 or above).

This fall I will also be coaching one of our city's youth football teams. I'll be head coaching my former elementary school. Even though it's really 5-6th graders. I had planned to work with the my high school, but the opportunity to head coach right away is too enticing.

At BSU, I had originally planned to major in Excercise Science, but now I'm not so set on it. I want to do something sports related though, or whatever will set me up for my career goal of being a football coach at a college.

 

[Rack Em]

PROUD member of the '08 ND Transfer class (half as smart, twice as fun)
'11 ND Undergrad (B.A. in Economics)

Starting J.D./M.B.A program at Loyola Chicago this Fall.

 

[Jason Pham]

Yeah I took two with him. American Congress and Strategy in Society. Two of the three best classes I took at ND.

Penn for law school... pretty damn impressive my friend. Hope you still have time to run the site between all of the suing and being sued

I've heard nothing but good things about him. So many awesome profs and so many awesome classes at Notre Dame. I took a fifth year just to fit more things in. If money and time weren't a thing, I'd be there awhile. What was your third best class?

I'm stoked for Penn. Was gonna live with another Domer actually until he got off the Harvard waitlist and jumped ship. I figure if I can keep this forum floating with all the characters we've got running around, I can probably handle law school. Haha

 

[BeauBenken]

I've heard nothing but good things about him. So many awesome profs and so many awesome classes at Notre Dame. I took a fifth year just to fit more things in. If money and time weren't a thing, I'd be there awhile. What was your third best class?

I'm stoked for Penn. Was gonna live with another Domer actually until he got off the Harvard waitlist and jumped ship. I figure if I can keep this forum floating with all the characters we've got running around, I can probably handle law school. Haha

Glad to help.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Great stories guys!

Denied to ND (knew it would happen), denied to UCLA (heartbreaker), accepted to USC, but couldn't bring myself to go there. Decided to save money and got to a state school. Was a year away from graduating from their business school when I had an epiphany in an accounting one day, where I realized I loved working with kids, it was what I was good at, and it was where my hear was. I got up and left the class and switched majors right then and there. I was a little bit depressed b/c I knew it would take me 2 and 1/2 yrs to graduate/student teach, and I knew I was taking a vow of poverty, but I got some great advice from some important people, and I haven't looked back.

So I've been teaching at a GREAT Catholic school for the past 10 yrs (3 yrs 3rd grade, 5 yrs 5th, 2 yrs middle school), and coaching at various levels (from as young as 5th grade all the way to h.s.). My favorite coaching moment was taking my h.s. girls basketball team to the CIF Southern California Championship game (the furthest in the school's history), where we fell by 2 points and I still to this day wish I had done a couple things differently so those girls could have celebrated a championship on that Long Beach State floor. :banghead2

All in all, despite our vows of poverty LOL, my wife and I both love our jobs and are very happy. And with the housing market crashing, even bought a house (which I thought would be impossible). It's a good life.

 

[BearGB]

Wow! Ya'll are very impressive!! It's fun to hear what different people do!

I'm graduating from ND this year with a degree in Civil Engineering (concentrating on the structural side). And I'll be in the Navy for at least five years afterwards, serving on submarines (I'm prepared for the jokes this is gonna lead to...).

Who knows what will happen next? Hopefully if the construction market is better by then, I may land a job or do some grad school - we'll see!