[gaustin]

I've worked for small businesses and big hulking bureaucracies. I've done a little contracting. I'm always searching for a place or set of circumstances where I can joyfully engage and excel for the long term. One of my biggest character flaws is my tendency to be restless and dissatisfied.

I guess my most happy place would be contracting or consulting. University was also a very happy and stimulating time for me, though I didn't realize it at the time.

I'm having a really difficult time with my career path and work life at the moment. Can you tell?

[Symbol]

I hear you loud and clear.

I've worked at two startups: one small and untested that failed, and another that was more a very immature established company(they had products, customers, revenues, etc) but espoused the "work all the time, because there's too much to get done" philosophy.

I've also worked for a private company that did consulting for the US Government (mostly, but not all, for the DoD). The quality of life was great, but I was surrounded by people who were interested in punching the clock.

I started working as a game developer earlier this year, and have found its lows way lower than I imagined and its highs few and far in-between.

I don't think there is a panacea. I second the opinion that: - work you find rewarding - with people you enjoy doing it with - for acceptable compensation

is about as good as it gets.