Korean Job Discussion Forums

[WoBW]

I used to consider myself an expert in a particular field (something to do with stealth and stopping ships from getting blown up by missiles).

Now I consider myself much more of a generalist:

Computer Aided Design for a while (Ahh, Patran. The memories)

Programming (Fortran rocks, whatever you C++ Gecks say)

Project management (Don't forget to update your management plan and prepare your monthly FOU!!)

Driving a Taxi (Great money - more than when I was a project manager)

English teacher (speaks for itself)

Graduated in applied physics (1st class honours)

Unfinished MBA - took a keen interest in economics, organisational behaviour and corporate law.

If you were a manager in a decent company, would my experience look attractive or would you prefer somebody who has stayed in the same field their whole working life?

[BS.Dos.]

Your pretty good at blowing your own trumpet as well aren't you.

[nate1983]

[PRagic]

Just my 2 cents, but a manager looking at your resume, depending on how you structured it, would more than likely question your stick-to-it-iveness. What job are you going for? Related to the one you did in the military? Related to computers? Then a manager would be asking how current your experience and education are.

Another consideration: From the load of jobs you've had in different fields, it could very well be surmised that you have a mental disability such as ADD, depression or that you could be bi-polar.

Guess the long and short of it is that you'll be competing for near entry level jobs against people with more current training and a lot less baggage. Don't see where you'd have an edge. Sorry.

My dad always said pick one thing and get good at it. If you're really good at one thing, the rest will take care of itself eventually.

[Ginormousaurus]

In terms of getting a specific job in a specific field, then there's no doubt that being an expert in that field would be to your best advantage.

As for me, I want to be a jack-of-all-trades. Not to get me a job, but just because it would give a sense of fulfillness. Not everything in life is about your job/money. Knowledge in many areas can be just as rewarding.

(However, I may regret this approach to life when I'm 60, poor, and have no time left to become an expert)

[PRagic]

Well spoken. I guess I should have qualified my last remark. I think it's important to get good at one thing, but that 'one thing' should be something you have a passion for. The rest, then, takes care of itself.

There is this one little hole-in-the-wall 'jeun' Korean pancake place in Shinchon. The owner is fanatical about making his little pancakes. It's what he does, he's great at it, and he's proud of his work. There is always a line coming out the door.

[Cornfed]

In general, if you are a male without any connections these days, employers will only hire you as a machine they can plug in to do a specific job and not worry about until you are no longer able to do the job, whereapon they will replace you with another machine. The idea that they should hire you because you are an and accomplished and exceptional person who could contribute intellectual capital to their enterprise would be quite incomprehensible to them. Hence being experienced in a specific field would be the way to go, unless of course your speciality were outsourced to India or something, in which case it's flipping burgers at MacDonalds for you if you're lucky.

[PRagic]

Wow, beat before you begin. Tough way to go through life.

[bobbyhanlon]

generalists are more interesting, but other things being equal, the experts make the money. i think that for a generalist to do very well, they have to be pretty exceptional.

[PRagic]

Yeah, two words...TONY ROBBINS. A generalist made good. Funny stuff.

[shapeshifter]