(Too) Early career choice

[LukaPandza]

Hi, I'm new on this forum, I'm 14 and thinking about future . I just finished 8th grade and had to choose which high-school I'll go to. I always tought like: "There is enough time... I'll make my choice when the time comes", so I ended up with not much time to make an important decision.

In primary school I had straight A's every year and I was the best student in my generation (1998/1999). Since I was really bored during this summer break, I started thinkig about future .

In 5th grade I won the 2nd place in math competition so that's really my thing (math, physics, chemistry, formulas etc.).

I did some research on this matter and according to some online tests I'm INTP and I've got IQ of 128.

As far as the future career goes, I don't really have any specific dreams or passions (besides the fact that I'm good in physics and similar areas), so I looked at things from financial perspective. I figured that I would like to make a significant amount of money, but still want to have some free time (for example I wouldn't like to work long hours like doctors usually do). My best conclusion so far is that I think I would enjoy working in some university (not as a professor but rather some sort of researcher (the idea came to me while i was watching The big bang theory ), so I was thinking something like theoretical physic/mathematics etc.)

I posted this here to hear what you older and experienced INTPs think about all this.

 

[Pyropyro]

First of all, welcome LukaPandza

It's good that you're already planning for your future in such a young age.

I worked as a researcher at my University before. If you wish to go on that track then you should choose the field that you love to work on and that would constantly challenge you. I quit my job when my work became more of an admin chore rather than actual Intellectual Property and technology research.

You may need to work on a Masters or even a Doctorate if you wish to gain higher position and salary (and therefore money),

 

[Valentas]

Try computer programming. Stick it for a year and see what happens.

 

[LukaPandza]

First of all, welcome LukaPandza

It's good that you're already planning for your future in such a young age.

I worked as a researcher at my University before. If you wish to go on that track then you should choose the field that you love to work on and that would constantly challenge you. I quit my job when my work became more of an admin chore rather than actual Intellectual Property and technology research.

Well, areas like theoretical/quantum physics are constantly more and more challenging for anyone, but working in these areas would demand constant progress in one's field of work in order to continue getting paid for one's work.

You may need to work on a Masters or even a Doctorate if you wish to gain higher position and salary (and therefore money),

Well I would sure like to work my way to Phd but that would demand additional funding and the problem is that I am from Bosnia and my family isn't really wealthy... I found a few decent scholarship programs in Bosnia like this one: http://www.uwcmostar.ba/ ...they recently sent a group of students to Boston and payed ALL their education expenses.

 

[LukaPandza]

Try computer programming. Stick it for a year and see what happens.

I have thought about that but, I just don't see my future in programming, I know a thing or two about computers but I'm not good enough in it to make a living out of it.

 

[Valentas]

No one is when they start. If you think that mastering anything is fast, then the future will be hard for you. Everything you mentioned in your post takes time to master. Several years at least. When you are young, your attitude should be 'let's try this' not meh it's boring. It's a wonderful time to try many things. You will have easier time later.