You never know where you will end up!
I watched Cosmos, and wanted to be an astronomer like Carl Sagan. So I liked science. I also liked history. I struggled with math (arithmetic and algebra).
I wanted to be a geologist, but also liked physics. But the math in physics was over my head. Then I took calculus, and physics became accessible.
I still wanted to be a geologist when I started college, yet still took a lot of math. I soon learned I liked math more than science, because you could make it up: it did not have to be grounded in reality. So I pursued a bachelor's in math
I took computer science courses (I think they were required for my math major) and was good at that, too, so I took more computer science courses, and picked up a computer science minor.
I went for a PhD in math. But I struggled, so I quit after two years, yet not before picking up a Master's degree for all my trouble.
I spent all summer unemployed and applying and interviewing. I was about to run out of money. I had only $500 left! Then I got two offers from the federal government to be a statistician, and took the second offer because it was in a better location. I have been there ever since.
I am now considered the resident expert in my unit, and earn as much as a supervisor. I serve on one oversight board and one steering committee. I do a lot of research, but also support-work, like system validation (I create my own programs to replicate the system and we compare results and fix errors).
I got an "innovation award" recently (a piece of paper) for a project from almost ten years ago. I was just doing my job, though, and doing mostly what others told me to do. But one of these people is dead, and the other retired. So I get the certificate!
I often am just the last man standing. Sometimes life is not planned, but situations arise and one must rise to the occasion. That seems to be the trend. I usually feel inadequate, but who else is going to do the work? So I do my best and often succeed!
I never thought I would be here this long, but I can retire in 6 years, so I am on board for the duration. I am part of the institution and help train the new people. Yet I just want to pass the torch and fade into oblivion.
After I retire, will still think of math and science. I do so at home every evening. I watch a lot of science YouTubes. But it will be nice to not have deadlines, tasks, and deal with people! And to sleep in or else stay up all night, as I please!
