Wanted: Two cents

[cracklinrosie]

I am having quite a conundrum. I applied for this job, the title is Environmental Scientist. Sounds great right. I'd actually be working within the realm of my degree. I'd be doing some field work out in the heat with all the bugs, mud, etc. That might sound bad to some of you, but I'd love it. I'd also get to learn a lot about flora, fauna,

Comments

[mylett]

it is possible to reconcile pragmatism with idealism. with a world view such as yours, i'm sure you have found it extremely difficult, if not, then impossible to remain completely and uncompromisingly idealistic to your eco-centric principles. please do not think that i'm trying to bash your ideals in some sort of tongue-in-cheek fashion, i'm just offering a view that is rare amongst this forum of old friends. we all live in a modern civilization that sits upon what once was a feral and untouched state of nature. we all consume fossil fuels, plastics, and innumerable products of modern industry. it's a contradiction and paradox that must be hard to accept as an individual that is so compassionate towards environmental issues. it's a guilt-ridden reality that the modern human must contend with. create, produce, consume, destroy... all in the name of fulfilling the average american life expectancy of 74.1 years of cynicism and hypocrisy.

anyhow, i think this job is an opportunity to finally put your education to practical use without requiring you to relocate or drastically alter your current lifestyle. there are absolutely zero consequences in it's acceptance. 4,5,6 years of college... you're 25, 26 years old... and there is no hint of permanence to this job. roll the dice.

[cracklinrosie]

Your point about actually using my education is why I'm even pondering the job at all. I have never actually worked in my field in the 2.5 years I've been out of school. Any other job is something I'm doing just to kill time until graduate school - which is a colossal waste of time.

You are right that in general you are one of the few voices of dissension in the ranks of this group. Your point of view is very different from my own, and in some ways that makes it all the more useful to me. I appreciate getting a peak at this from an entirely different perspective, so thanks for the input.