I don't wanna grow up...

What am I going to do when I grow up? I don’t know is the most common answer. For a long time I felt I wanted to be research scientist. Now that I’ve done that I realize that I don’t want tot do that for the rest of my life. That means it’s time for a new career.

What kind of career. This is really the exciting part. I can be whatever I want! I am getting ready to graduate with portable, valuable degrees that are in demand. I’ve already committed to leaving my current job in the end of August. So I have a bit of a deadline. That’s good, it makes my musings timely and nothing bring decisions like a deadline.

One of the jobs that I’m considering is in sales and service for microscopes and their accessories. Over the past three years I’ve built up considerable expertise in this field. I have a lot of connections among the sales and service people I’ve met and I’m working those connections for an in. There are four main companies involved in microscopy: Olympus, Nikon, Zeiss, and Leica. You probably recognize some of those names, they make cameras you may own. These jobs would allow me freedom to travel a lot, and meet new people. It would pay pretty well and give me the opportunity to move up in the area of biomedical instrument sales. I could make a pretty good career out of it I think.

The other job I am considering is more directly related to the Public Health and Public Administration masters degrees that I’m finishing up. It would put me back in Maine, which would be nice. I would be working planning and implementing the pandemic influenza response plan for Southern Maine. Doesn’t that sound cool? This is a huge opportunity to get into a field I’ve been interested in for a while, Bioterrorism defense. I will make great inroads into the field of infectious disease and public health planning. I’ll have to opportunity to go to national conferences and get practical experience in administering and planning at the state level.

Right now I don’t have either job. But I’m interviewing. I fell like I’m trying to decide my career path right now. Both jobs give the opportunity to get in at the bottom floor and move up fast. This is what’s been on my mind a lot lately. It’s a tough decision to make, but I’m excited to have to opportunity. Who knows what the future holds?