Moneys nice, but finding a career that makes you happy makes for a better life. If your interests lie along the lines of government service, then that is probably a good place to start.
Your entire post indicates you should enlist with the military, in whatever branch appeals to you, and see what they can offer to you. Much to learn, great times all over the world, friends to last a lifetime, and seriousness of purpose. What more could you want?
Nothing wrong with FBI, Secret Service, etc. Less money, but good bennies. Additionally, you can always get out and go into the private sector.
You can serve your country AND make a lot of money if you marry a CIA agent, go abroad, then lie about your trip and slander the White House about it. Then you can write a book full of crap and get photographed for Vanity Fair.
Oh wait, you actually want to HELP your country? Never mind.
One word...Plastics
Get a public sector job. You've already said that this interests you the most. Sure, money is important, but so is doing something that you enjoy. You can always move the the private sector later.
Learn Arabic which is in extremely high demand. (Or any Middle-Eastern language) Work for FBI or CIA or any intelligent agency. Work there for a couple of years until you get burnt out. Then you can work in private sector and make a killing.
Learn Arabic which is in extremely high demand. (Or any Middle-Eastern language) Work for FBI or CIA or any intelligent agency. Work there for a couple of years until you get burnt out. Then you can work in private sector and make a killing.
Don't answer this online, do it on a piece of paper...but list the fantastic vocations and horizons you had as a child. See how they match up with your passions, talents and skills.
Then check out the book some love to hate, Pastor Rick Warren's THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE.
Then dive into anything you can find by Zig Ziglar or Steve Douglass (yes, ss in Douglass).
Then you'll be better prepared to make a choice.
How can you go into consulting right out of school? Serve your country first, then go into the private sector, you will be happier and more successful in the end.
Seems like ROTC into one of the service branches would be a good option (pays better than enlisting and you might get some help with college $$) then take that experience into a different Govt. job - FBI, etc. You may make more in the private sector, but then again, you may not.
OK, you could be a soldier or something.. =o)
I live in another country, but I faced a similar choice to the one that is confronting you about 34 years ago now. And from what you have said here, I'd say the choice is obvious.
Service. Serve your country. In the capacity that you see fit. I chose military service myself, but other service has value as well.
If you choose to serve, that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Money is nice. But it doesn't compare with what allows you to go to sleep each night, knowing you have made a difference.
But also don't think the choice is as stark as it may seem. People can serve in the most surprising places, and not all of them mean you don't earn money. If you decide to go into the private sector, that doesn't mean you're making a choice not to serve people as well. If you work for a corporation and you do your best to ensure that corporation behaves ethically, that's a valuable task as well. Helping that company to make money so it helps your nations economy can be important as well. In whatever you choose to do, keep your eye out for the chance to do what's right and meaningful.
But if you choose more traditional forms of service - remember they do not have to be forever. If you make the choice to serve, in ten years time, you might decide to leave public service in pursuit of a buck - but you'll always be able to remember that this wasn't all you've done with your life.
Why not start by *not* posting stupid vanities on an internet news forum.
Do you really need strangers in an Intenet forum to tell you what to do with your life?
Join special forces. Maybe Rangers, or if you're really daring, the Navy SEAL challenge. You wont get ANY anti-terrorist training in college, no matter what your major. Visit www.navyseals.com forums for some insights. Physical demands are similar for both Ranger and SEALs, although in different ways (with similar dropout rates).
It is very difficult to get into intelligence; the application process is lengthy. I've known of several people whom have waited years going through "stages" of the process. These people had multiple degrees and spoke several languages.
You might be better off planning on going into the private sector first and try for the rest as you work.
Son, you have a bright future ahead of you. Just remember these three words:
"Integrity, integrity, integrity."
;-) :-D
What do your parents have to say? Hard to believe they wouldn't weigh in with an opinion. Here's mine: Join Army ROTC & go for a commission (don't enlist). Branch MI. After 8 years or Major, leave the Army and apply for CIA. Go for DO or DI. Take any overseas positions you are offered. Get a mentor. Don't discount what the 'rents have to say -- they know you best.