Friday, September 18, 2009
Necessity Is the Mother of Nobility
I thought this was pretty funny from a WSJ article about the collapse of the financial sector:
Like nearly 30% of Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates in recent years, Ted Fernandez set his sights on finance. Though he majored in materials science and engineering, he was wowed by tales of excitement from friends who went to Wall Street.Interesting that Mr. Fernandez says he "undoubtedly" would have taken the high-paying job if it were available, but now that it's no longer an option, he would rather save the planet. It reminds me of my decision to not become the world heavyweight champ. I don't want to glorify violence.
But when he stopped by an investment bank's booth at a job fair a year ago, it was eerily empty. The booth belonged to Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., and the date was Sept. 18, three days after the 158-year-old bank filed for bankruptcy. Now Mr. Fernandez, 22 years old, is getting a master's in engineering at M.I.T. and aiming for a career in solar-power technology.
"Undoubtedly, I would have gone into finance if the financial meltdown hadn't occurred," he says. "Now I won't make as much money, but I can go home at night and feel good about what I do. That's worth more than any amount of money."
Comments:
You know, I was planning to become a hitman, but the market has dried up with the recession and all.
So, I decided to become a pacifist.
I wonder how many more people like us there are out there?
So, I decided to become a pacifist.
I wonder how many more people like us there are out there?
Bob,
Somehow you turned into a heavyweight anyway, duh duh chhhhhhhh! Ohhhhh. Ahem.
You know what I think is so funny about this? He went from one economically unsustainable career path (finance) to another (solar power)!
Another thing it made me think of... before the collapse occurred, how many other "materials scientists" managed to find their way into Wall Street? I wonder what kind of an edge a professorial knowledge of "materials science" gives you when it comes to stock-picking.
What a joke
Somehow you turned into a heavyweight anyway, duh duh chhhhhhhh! Ohhhhh. Ahem.
You know what I think is so funny about this? He went from one economically unsustainable career path (finance) to another (solar power)!
Another thing it made me think of... before the collapse occurred, how many other "materials scientists" managed to find their way into Wall Street? I wonder what kind of an edge a professorial knowledge of "materials science" gives you when it comes to stock-picking.
What a joke
Nice catch. Funny how all those fables we are taught as children have the wisdom of the ages contained within.
Sour grapes, indeed.
Post a Comment
Sour grapes, indeed.
# posted by 
: September 20, 2009 at 11:53 AM
: September 20, 2009 at 11:53 AM Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]