I guess this could be an extension to the topic "The economy and you" but this is about my personal problem that I would like some advice on. I'm new to this forum btw.

Well here is my problem:
I'm a High school Senior(Class of '09) and I don't know what I'm doing, to put it short anyways. I still haven't found a career that I really want to do, well not one that I could live off of anyways. I really truly want to train dogs and go to the Tom Rose school, but from what I have been told that will not make me enough money to live off of. So I was thinking of maybe doing the Tom Rose school and then going to college for another career, something to do with computers because I am pretty good at working with them. I'm just not certain what to do now. But nothing is certain anymore...the economy is crashing and no one is getting jobs, so I'm lost at deciding what career(s) to go into. I'm afraid that I will pick a career that won't be able to support me or a future family.

My dad says I should forget all about dog training and focus on working with computers, but then other people say "do whatever will make you happy" but me being happy won't count for much if I can't afford to live.

So I was wondering if anyone here had any opinions for me? Should I give up on being a dog trainer and just go into some boring computer career that will pay more? Or still go with my original plan and do both?

Thanks for any help

I've been an IT professional for 10 years. I know dog trainers that make more than I do.

Being a computer professional does not guarantee you a job any more than any other career. That being said...

In a time of low economy, people will generally NOT pay for or consume goods/services they deem "luxuries" or not absolutely necessary. Dog training may tend to fall into the luxury item category more so than having a working computer, especially for a business where computers are mission critical. (I don't know if you heard about it, but our Toronto Stock Exchange was closed all day for the first time ever, due to a large "computer glitch" - I'll bet those programmers were busy as heck)

With that said, you have people who make dog training/titling an absolute priority (breeders, sport competitors and show people) and companies who axe the IT people and outsource when things get tough.

I think training yourself in more than one discipline is ALWAYS the "safest method". If you can afford it, do both. You may even be able to do both part time. (Computer stuff during days, dog training evenings and weekends). You can also do contract work for things like website design, hardware support, and programming; and personal one on one behavioural work for the dogs.

If you find computer work "boring" - find something else to do. If you don't like your job, it filters down to your work, and you won't get many promotions, raises, or opportunities.

Hope that helps! Let me know your thoughts.

As the mom of a teenage daughter who is going through the same dilemma, I can sympathize. She is a gifted equestrian and artist who realizes that neither of her greatest talents/passions are likely to earn for her a realistic living (and in fact are more likely to cost a fortune). I myself was an art major, and I lived the very financially difficult result of that decision.

My advice to her, as to you is this: Go to college as soon as you finish high school. Even if you go as a liberal arts major until you figure it out, go. It's too hard to get back into it after taking time off from school. If you have a knack for computers AND dogs, nothing says you can't do both; in fact you must. If you are fortunate enough to make a living as a dog trainer right off, you will still have your computer education to fall back on if needed. If not, you will be able to support yourself while you pursue your passion.

You can never have too much education. I don't see this as an either/or situation; especially since you are young enough to have the energy to do it all. Educate yourself in a lucrative profession for sure AND never give up on what feeds your soul. You are young; you have time for all of it! Anyway, that's my opinion:-)

Welcome, by the way!

The other bonus of going to college right away is that by the time you graduate the economy will likely be much improved from today's nightmare, and job-seeking will be easier.

I agree with Kristel; no reason why you can't do both dog training and something involving computers, especially if you are able to get through your training before you are married/start a family...

Good luck!

Join the Army.

Let them put you through college. You'll learn a heck of a lot about yourself. Join the Active Duty Army and become an MP. After three years if you do well, you can go to Lackland and become a Dog Handler.

Finish your enlistment, and go forth with your life knowing that 1) You have served your Nation, and accomplished feats that most people only dream of.

2) You now have educational and other VA benefits to assist you in starting a new career.

3) Your resume looks pretty darned good.

4) You can fire, with accuracy, most small arms, defend yourself, make good food out of MREs and laugh no matter how bad life gets.

5) You'll have a really good idea of what you want to do with your life after some time spent serving in the military.


I don't have any vested interest in telling you to enlist- unless I talk you into the Guard, I don't get a damned thing, and I don't think the Guard is your best option (if you want to be a dog handler).

I just know exactly where you are in life. It's the exact same spot I was prior to enlisting. I have never regretted my decision to join the Army.

I wouldn't join the army, at least not right now. I don't wish this to go into a political discussion so I'll leave it at that.

You are young, and you don't know what you want to do for sure. Congratulations, many people suffered from this when they graduated from high school. My best advice for you, sign up for community college. Start taking your basics (english, math, history, etc). Take 12 hours (full semester)/4 classes each semester until you have your basics done. At some point during this you'll start to figure out what to major in. Whatever you do, get a degree, it's insurance, and the best investment you can make in yourself. If you end up training dogs for the rest of your life, at least you'll have the degree as backup. I'm in IT/Telecommunications, and believe me, as cool as you might think it is to work on computers, it's not. What it really is, is life long school. Technology changes so rapidly now, and you'll have to keep up with it (I'm talking about routers, switches, servers, etc) if you want to make your way in this field. It gets really old, constantly HAVING to learn something new ALL the time. I like learning, at a decent pace, but to have it shoved down your throat at every available opportunity gets old quite fast. These jobs are also quite stressful, especially if you are in a role where oncall and/or outages exist. Work can turn into a nightmare. Some people like it, some don't.

My best advice is to start college (Community college is inexpensive), take your basics, and enjoy your time. Rome wasn't built in a day, and you don't need to figure out what you are going to do the rest of your life right now, despite what people tell you. Getting your basics done at a community college, well those credits transfer to 4 year universities so you'll have all of the basics done when you decide what you want to major in. If you want to start a training business of some sort, do that while you already have a professional job/career going. If your dog training works out, then cool, you've got a backup career and can do what you want. If your dog training isn't paying the bills then you've just built yourself the best insurance plan possible.

Go into the Military.

Yes, we're in a war now - but combat will teach you things about yourself and life that you can not learn any other way. ( Trust me on this )

Serving your country is a duty and a privilege - you step up and place your life on the line and become something bigger than yourself.
The very concept of "duty" and "sacrifice" is virtually unheard of today ( outside of law enforcement and fire service ) and you'll look back someday with pride in your service.

 Quote: Tommy DeVito

If your dog training isn't paying the bills then you've just built yourself the best insurance plan possible.

A college degree is not a guarantee for a job anymore. Especially if you're paying for the loan yourself it can become nothing more than an expensive burden.

I'm going the military route myself. Ship quick and us dog nuts could go to boot camp together. Look into MOS 68T if MP doesn't appeal to you.

 Quote: Cathy Goessman

Look into MOS 68T if MP doesn't appeal to you.

Bah! MOS 18D will give you the most well-rounded human and animal medical training.

Tim,
This is from one who was a complete screw up in the military.

I wouldn't dissuade anyone from joining the military. You'll learn discipline, don't scoff it's a hard thing if you've never had any.
You'll learn a trade. As in using your hands together with your brain. A trade, any trade will serve you well through out life.
You'll earn credits for moving on in life when the tours are finished.
One way or the other you'll find new worlds beyond the (believe it or not) small world you've know so far, may as well see the world with someone you can count on covering your back. You'll make friends you'll value for the rest of your life.
You have so much to gain for a mere 4 years worth of effort you'll never be sorry for.

Tim, with all the issues vets have to complain about, it's very rare anyone regrets going into the service of their country. Ask any one of them you happen to meet.

Randy