A friend of mine who is a recruiter told me he has stacks of resumes from people like this.
They grew up in well-to-do suburban neighborhoods. They graduated from a prestigious high school, went to an expensive, well-known university and pursued that to an advanced degree.
Mommy and Daddy never let them have a part-time job, as they did not want their grades and college admissions to be affected. They are in their mid to late 20’s, have an advanced degree, and have never worked a day in their life. Not even at McDonalds.
“Can’t do a thing for them” he says.
This is, perhaps the worst piece of advice in American history.
I'd love to work with Dolphins at Sea World. The idea of getting up every day and working with them, teaching them tricks, playing with them and socializing with wild dolphins (before they are trained) sounds like an amazing job. Heck, even going on archaeological digs sounds like a hoot. Acting in a Broadway play could be a lot of fun too.
Unfortunately, I also know that a lot of other people think this way, and that these job doesn't pay beans - unless you are the 0.0001% and hit the "Big Time". So, I got my degree in Engineering; and when I retire, perhaps I'll get that dream job. In the meanwhile, I have a job that provides a comfortable living.
Loving what you do is important, but it must also be tempered with a good dose of 'reality'. Choose a career that you like, that you can do well - and when you have reached your level of success, then you can do whatever the heck you want to do. The first task, is earn enough that you are not a burden on your parents, or society.
PhD = Piled high & Deep
does any learning actually happen at colleges these days?