Help with a sociology assignment

[Oneironaut Zero]

I've got an assignment where I've got to interview two people to determine their social status. I figured I'd just post it here, because it's due pretty soon and I feel this is probably the fastest way to get some answers, if people are willing to participate (and maybe even get to know a little more about some of the peops, here at Dream Views ). So, if you could help me out, I'd appreciate it! Just answer the following questions: 1)How would you describe the development of your relationship with your immediate family (parents, siblings, children), over the years? 2)What is your current level of education, and how would you describe your experiences in high school and college (if you are in college now)? 3)Describe your occupation. Is this something that you’ve always wanted to do? If not, what career do you have your heart set on? If so, what is it about this career that you enjoy so much, and how do you feel that the desire to enter this line of work developed? 4)What do you feel about the concept of materialism? Is the accumulation of wealth all-important to you, or are you someone that leads a more “simple” life? 5)What are some of your core values? 6)If you could accomplish two goals, before you die, what would they be? (serious answers only, please )

[pj]

I'll give it a go: 1)How would you describe the development of your relationship with your immediate family, over the years? Immediate family, huh? Not much to describe. More in love with my wifeling than ever, love the kids even more even though I wouldn't have thought it possible, and my life is utterly devoted to them all. There really hasn't been much "development". My parents are very old - depression and WWII generation people, immigrants, etc. I continue to have a huge amount of respect for them and all their generation endured and accomplished, though I have never really gotten along with my dad, though our relationship is as good as it has ever been. My mom is not well and not terribly lucid anymore. My two younger sisters are not particularly close to me, but we stay in touch and know we're all always there for the others. 2)What is your current level of education, and how would you describe your experiences in high school and college (if you are in college now)? College grad, Mechanical Engineering primary, business and liberal arts secondary degrees. I was a D student through high school due to some personal problems and the fact that I utterly hated school. Junior college changed all that; I found myself easily getting straight As and finishing a semester's worth of course work in a couple weeks. After a couple of degrees, I took a long hiatus. I returned to college in the early 90's to completely my Mechanical Engineering degree. I loved just about everything about college and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2000 - 21 years after actually starting that degree. 3)Describe your occupation. Is this something that you’ve always wanted to do? If not, what career do you have your heart set on? If so, what is it about this career that you enjoy so much, and how do you feel that the desire to enter this line of work developed? Ooh... this is hard. I am in business in several different ways, and involved in several businesses. I like to think of myself primarily as a specialty machinist. I also do engineering and marketing consulting, sales work and a lot more. My interests and experience are rather expansive. 4)What do you feel about the concept of materialism? Is the accumulation of wealth all-important to you, or are you someone that leads a more “simple” life? The accumulation of wealth is not a primary concern. I've had many opportunities to take positions that would have made me wealthy, at the cost of the freedoms I enjoy as an independent. Wealth does not take precedence to my comfort, health and state of mind. If I can't have fun and be flexible, I don't want to have anything to do with it. My life is anything but "simple," but I keep it at a level where I am calling the shots. That's what is important to me. On the other hand, I am an AVID capitalist. Even though the pursuit of wealth is not the lord of my life, I am adamant about my right to benefit from my efforts and ideas according to my own terms. I regard most taxation and social programs as extortion and theft. 5)What are some of your core values? I got into them up there a bit. Liberty is tops - my ability to live according to my own values and leave you to do the same. I see capitalism as the only logical extension of this; the moment anybody else lays claim to my life blood - be it wealth, property or time - they are effectively enslaving me... no matter how benevolent or well intended the purpose may be. It is one thing for me to help my neighbor in need... it is quite another thing when my government orders me to do so or takes my money and does it on my behalf. That is evil, pure and simple. 6)If you could accomplish two goals, before you die, what would they be? My life is already complete. If I died while typing this sentence, I'd depart content. I'd love to see my kids grow up. That would be one thing. I would love to properly record and produce some of the music I write and perform. That's really a small thing, but it is something I would enjoy leaving behind.

[Spartiate]

I've got an assignment where I've got to interview two people to determine their social status. I figured I'd just post it here, because it's due pretty soon and I feel this is probably the fastest way to get some answers, if people are willing to participate (and maybe even get to know a little more about some of the peops, here at Dream Views ). So, if you could help me out, I'd appreciate it! Just answer the following questions: 1)How would you describe the development of your relationship with your immediate family (parents, siblings, children), over the years? 2)What is your current level of education, and how would you describe your experiences in high school and college (if you are in college now)? 3)Describe your occupation. Is this something that you’ve always wanted to do? If not, what career do you have your heart set on? If so, what is it about this career that you enjoy so much, and how do you feel that the desire to enter this line of work developed? 4)What do you feel about the concept of materialism? Is the accumulation of wealth all-important to you, or are you someone that leads a more “simple” life? 5)What are some of your core values? 6)If you could accomplish two goals, before you die, what would they be? (serious answers only, please ) 1) I am an only child and therefore very close to my parents. We get along very well (except for the occasional frustration, my parents prefer to back each other up even if one of them is wrong) and have many similar interests. I have grown more and more independent from them lately (I'm 17 by the way) and seem to have become more irritable in their presence. 2) I'm in my first year of college (what we call CEGEP here) studying in natural sciences, a pre-university program that leads to fields like engineering, medicine, etc. I found high school itself to be extremely boring and unchallenging, even though I excelled at it (graduated first out of around 500 students with a 93% average). I enjoyed the social part however, made a several good friends and quite a few connections. College so far has been the complete opposite. I moved the summer after graduating high school and left most of my friends behind. So allthough I now find the classes to be more interesting and challenging, the extended school hours and "new guy syndrome" have taken their toll on my social life. 3) Well I'm a full-time student right now, the plan is to hopefully become a pilot in the air force via a university mechanical engineering degree. If that doesn't work out, I'll probably end up in the aerospace or aeronautics engineering fields. Those of you who know me already know of my profound fondness for flying and aviation. 4) Although I do believe that wealth is important and that money can buy happiness, I don't believe in using that wealth simply for the fact of possessing something (which is pretty much my definition of materialism). I have very specific goals and hobbies, some of them are quite expensive, therefore it is in my best interest to make the accumulation of wealth one of my top priorities in order to pursue these activities. I would never, however, consider enriching myself to be an objectif, more of a means to achieve them. 5) None really, my values are very relative to a given situation. I think that one of my only beliefs that is set in stone is that the end justifies the means; other than that, my world is in shades of grey... 6) Properly balance a stable career with a healthy familly life. Own a plane. College grad, Mechanical Engineering primary Ooo, we should talk about that some time...

[Oneironaut Zero]

Thanks for the participation, so far, everybody. I've used Burns' and pj's posts for my assignment, but don't let that stop you! I've always found getting to know more about everybody here fascinating.

[Volcon]

1. Well I would say my relationship has gone down a little, more frequent arguments, but thats just normal teen things. 2. High school, It's pretty intresting, school is school. 3. Psychiatrist, Not sure why but I have always been intrested in the subject, Though I am still evaluating my choices, somewhere around 10-12 years in college for it seems a little...large. 4. I want some wealth, I would like to be able to provide for my family, and i enjoy tech things. But I dont plan on being all about money. 5. Core values? Hm, loyalty and being courteous to others. 6. Hm 2 goals? Eh, find a wife, cant really think of a 2nd actually...

[Burns]

You'll have to let us know what grade you get on your assignment, O

[Burns]

1)How would you describe the development of your relationship with your immediate family, over the years? I believe my relationships with my immediate family has improved over the years. Especially with my dad and stepmom - we were always butting heads when I was in high school (due to visitation issues, etc), but now that I'm an adult and all that is behind us, we can just enjoy each other's company more instead of playing the divorced parent game. My relationship with my mom and sister have always been good, but I feel it's matured and improved over the years as well. 2)What is your current level of education, and how would you describe your experiences in high school and college (if you are in college now)? I am a college graduate, with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. My high school years were pretty normal. I played all the sports and always had a 3.5 GPA or higher. I didn't party in high school at all - never had a drop of alcohol til college. Besides schoolwork and sports, I also worked at a video store to afford my first car, insurance, and spending money. I was a good kid. Got a scholarship to college. College was ok but kinda confusing in ways - was in a bad relationship and changed my major a bunch of times. Still never got out of control with partying or anything though. Was in college for a total of 6 years after high school, completing general education requirements, electives, and course credits. 3)Describe your occupation. Is this something that you’ve always wanted to do? If not, what career do you have your heart set on? If so, what is it about this career that you enjoy so much, and how do you feel that the desire to enter this line of work developed? I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician, which is the equivolent of a Registered Nurse in human medicine. I can do everything a doctor can do except prescribe medication, perform surgery, and make a diagnosis (though my tentative diagnosis' are usually correct). Yes, this is something I've always wanted to do. Due to my bad relationship in college that I mentioned, I was pushed to do something other than veterinary medicine, which is why I changed my major so many times. But once that relationship was over and I met my now-husband, he encouraged me to pursue my dream of going into veterinary medicine, which I did and I can't imagine doing anything else. 4)What do you feel about the concept of materialism? Is the accumulation of wealth all-important to you, or are you someone that leads a more “simple” life? I live more of a "simple" life, I guess. Hubby and I were just discussing this a couple nights ago. I am content to have a healthy family, a nice modest house, and the things I need without having to live paycheck-to-paycheck. I don't need a huge house or a fancy car to be happy. I love my life as it is and really appreciate everything I have. 5)What are some of your core values? I guess family life is a core value. Without family, I have nothing. My family's happiness and health is very important to me. I also value the human-pet bond, which I hope to help strengthen each and every day I go to work. 6)If you could accomplish two goals, before you die, what would they be? Travel to England and see some sights. I've always wanted to visit there and hope I can someday before I die. Other than that, my other goal was becoming licensed to work in veterinary medicine, which I have already accomplished.

[pj]

I just flushed my answers out a bit more, as I ended up with a little more time for it.

[lizmunchausen]

i used to do sociology. are you going to say you interviewed the people in person whose answers you use, or say you got it off someone on an internet forum ? lol

[Oneironaut Zero]

I'm just going to say I talked to a few people online. More than likely, I will go with the people that I've known for quite some time, anyway. But I'd like for a lot of people to answer, simply as a way to get to know each other. Heh. I figure: Why drive somewhere and/or have someone give me the answers verbally, when I can already have the text written out? Mwuahaha. <---Genius. lol

[grasshoppa]

can we answer in PM?

[Man of Shred]

1)How would you describe the development of your relationship with your immediate family (parents, siblings, children), over the years? Stale and boring. The only family members i really have anything in common with is my cousins 2)What is your current level of education, and how would you describe your experiences in high school and college (if you are in college now)? I passed grade 12. I always hated school. I didn't have many gf's at all. I had a handfull of friends. I am sill pretty much the same way today. I lost my virginity at age 21. All and all i'm at the bottom of the social latter, and no matter what i do it always seems to be that way. 3)Describe your occupation. Is this something that you’ve always wanted to do? If not, what career do you have your heart set on? If so, what is it about this career that you enjoy so much, and how do you feel that the desire to enter this line of work developed? My job was pretty much just handed down to me from my dad. I hate it to this day. I never ever wanted to do it. Although I am planning on taking a hypnosis course. 4)What do you feel about the concept of materialism? Is the accumulation of wealth all-important to you, or are you someone that leads a more “simple” life? 5)What are some of your core values? I'm not sure. I had values handed down to me and found out most of them are hypocrytical BS. today my few values are. Always take care of #1 however if you can afford to give some hep by all means do it! 6)If you could accomplish two goals, before you die, what would they be? Have lots of sex. Wake the world up to what sheep they really are.

[Oneironaut Zero]

Great answers, guys. Keep 'em comin, everybody.