Re: NNG: Career Choices

Better yet, learn a trade and don't forget computers! I grew up with a father and a grandfather in the trades and was a journeyman in high school. Then I went to university for the engineering degree. Got an unrelated graduate degree later. And I'm still working in the trade. But what I bring to it now uses everything I learned.

Hauspiper is giving wise advice. I work all over the place and everywhere I go the folks are looking for skilled tradesmen. As my father used to tell me, "I know you're going to college, but I'm going to teach you a trade and you'll always have work...." He was right. And decades later what I built is still valued and in use. Nothing matches getting your hands dirty and your mind stretched at the same time.

What I do is complex. Most of it gets built on the computer before the materials ever get near the site. So learn as much as you can and see how you get to use it all.

Even more, as he says, find a way to work on the real thing. The computer simulation not only represents just the smallest fraction of everything going on in a railroad, but it lacks close contact with the most aggravating and fascinating part of the real thing: all the crazy people involved getting dirty and puzzled at the same time!

Timothy