So I've been thinking about what makes me really happy and other things I can do with my life. I love computers and programming, but there are also times where I think about doing other things, and there's no reasons why I shouldn't look into them.
So one of the things that I was thinking about was going to get a job as an "Open Source Officer", which, despite its name, has nothing to do with open source software.
Instead, it's a job where I would consume foreign media and create analysis of it for the CIA. The thing that I would enjoy is that it's basically what I do for my blog, but in an official position. God help us all...
But it would give me a chance to use my language skills and do something that I find interesting. I don't feel that it conflicts with my libertarian ideals either because the Founding Fathers never precluded the use of external espionage by government, and were in fact using spies themselves. Knowing what the rest of the world is important, and can be valuable intelligence.
I think that I have something of a knack for foreign languages (despite what my mother would say about my grades in German in high school) and my dad was also a whiz at languages, so I guess it runs in the family.
It's just something that I've been thinking about.
You have to do what makes you happy. Every day that I go to school and sit at a job I can't stand, I wish that I could just do what I love full-time. It will be easier once I graduate or so I keep telling myself. I hate that I always have to put things off until...
If you truly know what you want to do, figure out how to get there, and just go for it. You'll kick yourself later for all those missed opportunities. No regrets...
Hey, Maurice. Like you, I've frequently entertained a career in intelligence analysis. Probably unlike you, though, too many aspects of my life are, shall we say, not in accordance with the general expectations of a security clearanced individual. Nuf said.
My greatest strengths are out-of-the-box thinking, insightful analysis and effective communication.
I also enjoy my work as a software developer (since 1987 - w00t!) but my enjoyment is in the task and ~not~ in the environment in which that task is performed.
I don't like deadlines and half-!ssed design and "we'll-improve-it-later" mindsets, etc. My best moments in programming are when I'm coding for myself.
I wish you clarity, courage and a bit o' luck as you contemplate your career-change options.
Oh, sorry I didn't answer your last email. Guess I got caught up in life and left you (and a few others) sitting on the side of the e-curb. Mea culpa!
Later!