I have started to apply for jobs as I am done with school (for now). I live in Sweden, Europe, not the US. Rather than pursue a PhD in mathematical physics I want to focus on triathlon and get a "real" job. I don't know If I will get any offers, but for the sake of argument, let us assume that that's the case. What job would be best suited (in terms of stress management, hours etc) to combine with tri?
1. Teacher
2. Patent Examiner
3. Sales engineer
4. Engineer
5. Other, specify.
Edit added Wednesday 19th of June:
1. I worked half a decade before going to college to buy an apartment which earns me some money. I am by no means rich but the apartment`s value is more than doubled now, which made it possible to buy a summer house with my family a few years ago. That is a long term investment so I won't see the (possible) benefits of that for a while.
2. I am situated in Sweden at the moment. I moved here back in 2012 and save for a year in Africa (year abroad to learn French) I have done my bachelor`s and master`s here. I don't mind changing location though, as long as it on this side of the pond. My GF is currently wrapping her master`s up in Hamburg, Germany, and will start to apply for a PhD pretty soon. I guess getting a job close to where she ends up would be nice.
3. Money doesn't make me happy. I am super boring. As long as I have enough to pay the rent and get food on the table, free time > money. I already have a wet suit, a Scott plasma, disc wheel/808, power meter, aero helmet and skin suit, so I don't think I'm going to spend a lot on triathlon, save for races.
4. This is my third year in triathlon. My PR´s for 70.3 are 31, 2.20, 1.26 (done this year in different races) respectively and my total is 4.28. So a MOP, but to my defence I was in a wheel chair between my first and my second season. This is the first time ever I have worked out 18 months consecutively and I still am way too heavy. (Something I will address in the off season.). I know I am far off the front but I believe I have the potential to go 29-2.15-1.22 on a fast and flat course (and a good day) based on my numbers in training. While that is anything but impressive, I would be very happy to hit those numbers this year. I have started to work with a local swim coach who is confident that I can be moulded into a decent triathlon swimmer. We just need time.
5. I have applied for a position at the European Patent Office in MĂĽnchen/den Haag. Other than that I have only applied locally. I have received more positive feedback than I had expected from engineering companies. Most people I talk to give the impression that getting that first job is super hard. That is why I wanted some input from strangers.
6. Maximizing my potential in triathlon is the 5 year project I will dedicate my life to. I am crazy competitive and thus I want a job in which personal success gets taken out of the equation. This is partly why I have considered becoming a teacher. And just to be clear: I do think teachers are important. It just doesn't turn my switch on in terms of competition.
I have some experience from a local high school and my uni (Calculus 1-3, linear algebra, mechanics etc) and I have found the work to be pretty chill in terms of stress levels. I was asked to apply for a full time position at the local high school only yesterday. Pros: The commute is less than 10 miles, the high school is in a very good area -> the kids behave most of the time and my boss is pretty relaxed about me going for a run during gap hours. I don't have to move. Biggest con: the salary. But it would make the boat more than float. Also, there is a bit more baby sitting than what I am used to at uni. Even though engineering students don't care for or understand mathematics, they want to pass their classes, which makes my job a lot easier.
7. Had I wanted to focus on career, I would have applied for a PhD in mathematics/physics/mathematical physics. Mathematical beauty appeals to me and I have a hard time believing that any job in the industry can get my wheels spinning in the same way. The only thing that makes me more alive is triathlon.
1. Teacher
2. Patent Examiner
3. Sales engineer
4. Engineer
5. Other, specify.
Edit added Wednesday 19th of June:
1. I worked half a decade before going to college to buy an apartment which earns me some money. I am by no means rich but the apartment`s value is more than doubled now, which made it possible to buy a summer house with my family a few years ago. That is a long term investment so I won't see the (possible) benefits of that for a while.
2. I am situated in Sweden at the moment. I moved here back in 2012 and save for a year in Africa (year abroad to learn French) I have done my bachelor`s and master`s here. I don't mind changing location though, as long as it on this side of the pond. My GF is currently wrapping her master`s up in Hamburg, Germany, and will start to apply for a PhD pretty soon. I guess getting a job close to where she ends up would be nice.
3. Money doesn't make me happy. I am super boring. As long as I have enough to pay the rent and get food on the table, free time > money. I already have a wet suit, a Scott plasma, disc wheel/808, power meter, aero helmet and skin suit, so I don't think I'm going to spend a lot on triathlon, save for races.
4. This is my third year in triathlon. My PR´s for 70.3 are 31, 2.20, 1.26 (done this year in different races) respectively and my total is 4.28. So a MOP, but to my defence I was in a wheel chair between my first and my second season. This is the first time ever I have worked out 18 months consecutively and I still am way too heavy. (Something I will address in the off season.). I know I am far off the front but I believe I have the potential to go 29-2.15-1.22 on a fast and flat course (and a good day) based on my numbers in training. While that is anything but impressive, I would be very happy to hit those numbers this year. I have started to work with a local swim coach who is confident that I can be moulded into a decent triathlon swimmer. We just need time.
5. I have applied for a position at the European Patent Office in MĂĽnchen/den Haag. Other than that I have only applied locally. I have received more positive feedback than I had expected from engineering companies. Most people I talk to give the impression that getting that first job is super hard. That is why I wanted some input from strangers.
6. Maximizing my potential in triathlon is the 5 year project I will dedicate my life to. I am crazy competitive and thus I want a job in which personal success gets taken out of the equation. This is partly why I have considered becoming a teacher. And just to be clear: I do think teachers are important. It just doesn't turn my switch on in terms of competition.
I have some experience from a local high school and my uni (Calculus 1-3, linear algebra, mechanics etc) and I have found the work to be pretty chill in terms of stress levels. I was asked to apply for a full time position at the local high school only yesterday. Pros: The commute is less than 10 miles, the high school is in a very good area -> the kids behave most of the time and my boss is pretty relaxed about me going for a run during gap hours. I don't have to move. Biggest con: the salary. But it would make the boat more than float. Also, there is a bit more baby sitting than what I am used to at uni. Even though engineering students don't care for or understand mathematics, they want to pass their classes, which makes my job a lot easier.
7. Had I wanted to focus on career, I would have applied for a PhD in mathematics/physics/mathematical physics. Mathematical beauty appeals to me and I have a hard time believing that any job in the industry can get my wheels spinning in the same way. The only thing that makes me more alive is triathlon.
Last edited by:
Schnellinger: Jun 19, 19 7:17