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Wednesday, February 25, 2026

education, jobs, and personality

One of the biggest flaws in US education is that promotion is automatic. That is, so long as you make the minimum effort, you continue to advance until you graduate and are finished with school. Careers don't work that way. Continuous improvement is expected, but it rarely happens. People often start out in one field and end up in another. 

The usual career advice is to look for something you like and are good at. I think it's better to look at that question from the opposite direction: find out what you don't like and are bad at and then do something else. It's easier to eliminate unsuitable jobs than it is to search for the right one. In a similar way, just because you do well in school does not mean you should continue to get more diplomas. 

In my case, it took me a long time to figure out that I really hate jumping through hoops (such as filling out complicated paperwork), so in spite of the fact that I did well in school, the best job for me should be a simple one with a short training cycle and minimal bureaucracy. This is why I am now working towards my CDL so I can be a truck driver. Although I did well in school, I didn't enjoy it, which is why I no longer have any interests in jobs that have a long certification process. 

The social and personality aspects of working are at least as important as the technical ones. If you can't get along with your coworkers or bosses or have a strong preference for working alone, it doesn't matter if you have the right skills. That was a hard lesson for me to learn. 

If you're an introvert, you need to consider that when searching for a job. The same is true if you're very independent and like to do things your own way, or if you get frustrated with complicated rules and procedures. I value simplicity and efficiency, but many people do not. That rules out many kinds of work. 

It takes time to figure out these things and mistakes are inevitable. I'm glad I finally have it figured out. Life should be enjoyed, so don't waste your time with jobs and other things you dislike. I still have a toy truck from when I was a boy. The fact that I've kept it for so long should have been a clue. 

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