[Eleventeenth]

... ...



How?

Can I, by any chance, have your autograph?

Come on guys, this is the land of Ne - where anything goes and imaginations fly. Roll with it. And, yes, you can still have my autograph despite the untruths. You do still want it, right? Guys? GUYYYYSSSSS??!!! *runs after you with a pen and paper while scribbling autograph*

[nadjasix]

I've been a computer scientist. Now I'm a mathematician. I went into industry because I got frustrated with academics, but industry didn't have what I wanted, which was the freedom to think about difficult problems. Academics get a lot more time to think about them. In industry, you can think about difficult problems, provided you can make them pay. That's a difficult problem in itself since it's often years from when you first start thinking about a problem before you can do anything about it. Usually, we use the solutions other people have come up with and stick them into algorithms and sell them, sometimes with a nice user interface. In academia you can get away with just thinking about a problem and publishing what you thought---at least in theory. In practice, I've also been a dismal failure at getting published the last 3 years thanks to my procrastination/perfectionism problem.

In the end it's all about what you have passion for. I have passion for mathematics that lets me spend hours writing symbols on endless legal pads. One day it'll all come together.

I'm torn on the industry question, because there are huge advantages to having a strong infastructure in place when you want to get stuff done, as successful companies have. That's also the downside, because if there are infastructural problems, you're not getting anything done, or you're going to have to fight tooth and nail. OTOH, the wheels of academia always move very slowly, in my experience. And some of the waste and bloated bureaucracy bugs me.

I like the idea of turning science into useful products (biofuels, for example) and selling them. What I don't like is being forced to do things that would make Patrick Bateman blanch just to keep getting a paycheck.

We'll see what happens, maybe I'll get really into the paper writing/mentoring stuff...

[Word Dispenser]

Come on guys, this is the land of Ne - where anything goes and imaginations fly. Roll with it. And, yes, you can still have my autograph despite the untruths. You do still want it, right? Guys? GUYYYYSSSSS??!!!

Bahahahaha!

[Eleventeenth]

the wheels of academia always move very slowly, in my experience. And some of the waste and bloated bureaucracy bugs me.

You aint lying.

[MattNYNC]

Come on guys, this is the land of Ne - where anything goes and imaginations fly. Roll with it. And, yes, you can still have my autograph despite the untruths. You do still want it, right? Guys? GUYYYYSSSSS??!!! *runs after you with a pen and paper while scribbling autograph*

'twas pretty obvious you were lying, sir. I'll still take the autograph. ;)

[hela]

I've worked a lot of retail, done some teaching, spent time as a freelance writer/editor, played around in marketing, dabbled in crisis management, and currently work in advertising. Eventually, I'll go for graduate studies in software engineering or clinical psychology.

I recommend trying things until you find what you like, obviously.

[Eleventeenth]

I've worked a lot of retail, done some teaching, spent time as a freelance writer/editor, played around in marketing, dabbled in crisis management, and currently work in advertising. Eventually, I'll go for graduate studies in software engineering or clinical psychology.

I recommend trying things until you find what you like, obviously.

If you don't mind me asking, what was your experience with freelance writing/editing? Pros, cons, good, bad, ugly. What was difficult/challenging about it? You also mentioned marketing - did you do some copywriting?

[hela]

If you don't mind me asking, what was your experience with freelance writing/editing? Pros, cons, good, bad, ugly. What was difficult/challenging about it? You also mentioned marketing - did you do some copywriting?

I currently write copy at my current position. Also do some ad design for deadlines.

I started out as a freelancer, and I recommend it, especially if you're considering corporate marketing/advertising. It can be hard to get started, but if I could give three tips to myself starting out, they'd be:

1) Update your Twitter as often as possible.
2) If you don't have paying work, start something that should be and spin it until it is.
3) A good portion of your job is looking for paying projects, so... do that all the time.

The worst part of being a freelancer is that you have to drive yourself forward, and you have to do it constantly, and often for jobs that pay pennies a word. It's hard to make it on a freelance salary.

The best part: you're entirely in control, don't have to answer to anyone, can choose your projects, and don't have to bother with social niceties 95% of the time.

[Hecait]

Hmm...well, I've been told that I would make a good English teacher, writer, photographer, or vetrinarian.

I have always loved photography and it is one of my hobbies. Right now, I'm majoring in Captive Wildlife Care and Education (my childhood dream job) and minoring in Psychology. I constantly ask myself if this career is the right choice...and I'm not sure. I am indecisive, as always.

[Eleventeenth]

I currently write copy at my current position. Also do some ad design for deadlines.

I started out as a freelancer, and I recommend it, especially if you're considering corporate marketing/advertising. It can be hard to get started, but if I could give three tips to myself starting out, they'd be:

1) Update your Twitter as often as possible.
2) If you don't have paying work, start something that should be and spin it until it is.
3) A good portion of your job is looking for paying projects, so... do that all the time.

The worst part of being a freelancer is that you have to drive yourself forward, and you have to do it constantly, and often for jobs that pay pennies a word. It's hard to make it on a freelance salary.

The best part: you're entirely in control, don't have to answer to anyone, can choose your projects, and don't have to bother with social niceties 95% of the time.

Thanks for the valuable input. I'm looking to freelance in order to fund some other ventures and create another revenue stream, not in order to get into corporate marketing. Twitter - good advice. I have some follow-ups if you don't mind:

1. Can you elaborate on your #2 a little bit?
2. I know that editing/proofing can pay pretty low (but there are some specialty areas that you can charge a decent rate - i.e., science), but original writing can pay pretty decent. Some copywriting can pay low, but there are some good wages for good, professional copy. I'm not talking about writing an internet article for $4 - I'm talking more about writing an annual report for a business, or an advertising campaign, etc.
3. You mentioned not having to deal with niceties 95% of the time, but I've heard that customers can be really annoying, pesky, and anal, which basically wears on you. Was that your experience?

I also agree with you - I think most people tend to underestimate the amount of time/effort that needs to be put into drumming up business on a consistent basis.