I agree with Miss Beth 100%. If you want to try something different, meet with a career counselor or a head hunter, think creatively about what you'd really like to do, and what would get you where you want to be in the future. (Something with horses?)

Don't give up free flying and a flexible work schedule too easily!

I donno, i know i will go back to Air Traffic Controll, but I feel like someone that's been dating the same person their whole life and wonders what the grass is like on the other side, and in 5, 10 or 20 years from now I don't wanna look back and be like "Wow, all I have ever done career wise is Air Traffic"

Well, put on your thinking cap and come up with some creative new things to try. I worry that you might not thrive taking orders day in and out from someone who just might not be as smart as you are.

Melissa, air traffic is so not the only thing you are going to do career wise but, believe me, personal assistant is just not the place to go exploring.

Think of all the shit you hate to do for yourself and having to do it all day every day for someone else. Never off on a wednesday afternoon for lunch with your girlfriends...

so many other fun jobs in the world.

What about some really challenging, high-level volunteer work--like being on the board of directors of an animal charity? That might open some doors...

Does your friend like her job? Talk to her and find out what a typical day is like. It might be a great opportunity, you never know. If you are working for the right executive, he/she may provide you business opportunities and a place to flourish, versus just picking up laundry and paying bills.

You are young. Now is the time to experiment and try out different things. Go for it.. explore your opportunities.

Melissa--you're an air traffic controller and a dominatrix. I cannot think of two more interesting jobs where people truly depend on you.

I think personal assistant sounds like hell on earth....but really only you know what excites you.

P.S.--what happens when you turn 32? They don't let people over 32 be air traffic controllers?

Melissa,
I went on Salary.com just to get an idea of what you are most likely being paid. Yes, you ARE nuts....unless you are really looking forward to living on one third to half your current salary. I can't imagine why you would want to do this.

Most jobs have boring routine things about them. You should be proud that the safety and welfare of hundreds of people every day lies in your hands.

Most of the Vixens would just love to be making the amount that even assistant Air Traffic Controllers make.

On top of that, if you are half good, you do have job security.

Go find other ways of giving back. I don't think that "personal assistant" is what will get you there. To make what you earn, you would have to be stellar.....and lucky.

I am all for telling people to pursue their dreams, but in your case, I think that staying put is by far the best option.

The grass on the other side? It's gray, as in the color of the cubicle walls you'll be sitting in, and if you take the job, soon after that the hospital walls you'll be in because you'll be driven nuts by it. Don't. You're a personable, intelligent person who I assume thrives on the difficulty of the work you do. Fixing the xerox machine? Seriously, you want to do that? Nevermind, if you really do, just skip ahead straight to the psych ward cuz you are definitely nuts.

Normally I'd say if you want to then yes go for it, but in this piece of crap economy I now say stick to what you have! Things are too risky to be changing careers right now - just my humble opinion.

The FAA wont hire anyone over 32 for air traffic control, just like the FAA forces air traffic controllers to retire at 56.

My friend loves her job and has become best friends with the exec she's working for(I wouldn't be surprised if they end up in a relationship seeing as he's young and single as is she).

I don't know anymore, maybe things will get more exciting and better when I switch to McAuthor Airport because right now I'm sick of the Hamptons, sick of the people out here that seem to think Starbucks being out of Lemonade is the end of the world, I'm tired of hearing people bitch and moan when they have to wait to land. And lately it seems like everywhere I go some wanna be hippie yuppie out here just for the weekend has to ask me if I'm a rebublican because I have an NRA sticker on my car window, and I'll typically say yes because I don't care what others think of my political views, but i'm tired of the speech that follows about how all republican views are bad, yada yada yada.(and Carly, you're not one of the weekend people I hate)

Lately I've only been staying at my house if i have work early the next day and staying with my friend in her apartment on the North Shore in Port Jefferson.