JobQuest: Coda

[athelind]

I am not a scientist.

I am not in a job where I am doing science, particularly not the kind of ecological sciences that I thought was my calling.

For years, for decades, I had I Am A Scientist, and if I am not Doing Science, I am Wasting My Life carved on my soul.

And because of that, I wasted my life.

But you know what?

I Got Over Myself.

I Am Not A Scientist. I Am Not Doing Science.

And I am finally Doing Something With My Life, because I have let that go.

I am in a position to make good use of my skills and experience. I am in a position to do some good with the second half of my life.

Hell, that's right there at the top of my resume:

Coast Guard veteran with degrees in Earth Systems Science and Biotechnology seeks a position that will integrate his education and experience, to make positive change in the world.

I am there. I've got that.

And it's not at all the job I saw for myself. It's not the job I was expecting.

Life surprised me.

And Life is Good.

Allow yourself the possibility of surprise.

---

Edit: On reading this the next morning, I realize I didn't clearly state something very important:

I Am Not A Scientist. I Am Not Doing Science.

I am not "following my dream"—but I love my job.

I haven't "settled". This is not "disappointment".

I am in a job that leaves me engaged, fulfilled and, at the end of more days than not, happy.

Life surprised me, and Life is Good.

---

Comments

[archteryx.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm about to join you in this "not a scientist" bit, it looks like. I'm certainly pounding hard on alternatives.

Oorah.

[eclipsegryph.livejournal.com]

"I am in a job that leaves me engaged, fulfilled and, at the end of more days than not, happy."

That is always great to hear/read. XD

[athelind.livejournal.com]

Of course, if I'd Gotten Over Myself in 1990 or so, I'd still be in the Coast Guard, with a couple of decades of "engaged, fulfilled, and happy" under my belt.

Unless I'd retired at 20 years instead of 30.

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Life is Good, indeed.
Me Engineer
Me mainly chat with customers on phone, do social work like as not...
but I make people happy, the company I work for makes people happy (on the whole) and I love my job, too.

It's a good feeling.

Almost makes up for the bastard 25 mile drive across London every day.....

[terminotaur.livejournal.com]

Its weird for me. When I finally let go of needing that to define me, and relaxed, enjoyed what I was doing (though it was as a technician), that was when I ended up getting the best shot at being a scientist. :)

I don't know if I really can define myself now. I still think of myself more as a technician. Maybe its best not to really put too much into the definitions because then there's the chance for things to surprise you, or in some cases create new definitions.

[castleclear.livejournal.com]

My own less impressive career path was likewise informed by serendipity as well as "getting over oneself". Each person has the capacity, great or small, to make a positive contribution, even if it's merely a smile of encouragement. Best wishes to you and the other dragons. P.S. Flame me if you must, but please remember to be kind to humans and elves.

[wy.livejournal.com]

I think I got the other half of the coin flip, Aeth. Doing science *for* the Coast Guard.

And I think I love it too.