Wwyd?

[run it, ride it]

I'm in my second-last semester for a BA in critical analysis in literature/media ("English"). I know what I don't want to do: teach, or have a desk job. Journalism at this point is not appealing to me, though I do have a knack for non-fiction prose.

I took the career tests... Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Survey. The Strong said I should go into law inforcement, across the board. Second choice was parks and recreation. What a cruel joke: I currently work in parks and recreation. The whole 'recreation' part? I'd rather it not factor in. Law enforcement: I call them in for backup when I'm tired of dealing with a situation. I respect what they do, but its not something I could handle on a daily basis. Too much 'general public' contact exhausts me, and the conflict... no way. I'd burn out and break down.

Well, the MBTI test agreed with me, resoundingly: "you should absolutely NOT got into law enforcement." It proceeded to suggest a slew of computer desk jobs. I was already all over that and minored in Computer Science for a while--no go. Not my thing.

Throughout my undergrad, I took a collection of anthro, psych, soc... too much research. Minored in drama--love the technical aspect, love carpentry and costumes and getting absolutely filthy. But the hours and the pay? I'm better off cleaning washrooms. Minored in music--again, hours and the pay... unless I become a famous rock star...

I want to be a cultural theorist. I love theory. I could be a professor if it weren't for the research. I just want to theorize in prose and say, 'forget language and forget research.' I would eradicate essays and theses, revamp the entire education system into problem-based learning models. I think the first part is called creative writing, and the second part is called med school. Former won't pay the bills.

Both tests suggested jobs in the medical field--I need an even balance of mind work and physical work. I'm interested in nutrition, kinetics. I certainly wouldn't mind working with athletes. My dream job might be vet tech for large animals--but literally, my current job cleaning washrooms pays more.

So I'll be headed into my fifth year for round two of the undergrad: science. It's the only thing I haven't tried. If that falls through... well, I want at least an MA in something, so I'll have to think of a research topic in English. Preferably something from THIS time period, about sex. My best writing is about sex. I always wanted to be a sexologist (ahh, but the research). A sexual theorist is the next best thing.

My parents have told me I'm a good candidate for med school--they know what they're talking about: my father is a physician and my mother is on the interview selection committee for the province's med schools. I have nothing to lose by applying, so I probably will.

I've mentioned money. Money in and of itself is not important to me, but it's required to support my sporting and equestrian habits. I want to live comfortably--more than $40 000CND. I have the resources to education to allow that. As I said--I want at least an MA, probably a PhD or at least some damned good technical training in SOMETHING. I'd be a great tradesworker. But my wrists won't hold up to farriery (see: minored in computer science--carpal tunnel). I always wanted to be a mechanic, but there aren't enough big words to sustain me.

I've got it down to a basic list of survival needs:
-Horses
-Running
-Words with more than one syllable
-Sunlight
-Lake/ocean

So if anyone has any suggestions...

(Apologies for the novel--English degree. Go figure.)