Marcel has an interesting background... although I must say that I might not have pegged him as a potential mathemetician. He seems more like a liberal arts kind of guy. He and I went a similar way, but by a different route:

I always wanted to be a psychologist. I was going to change the world. I went to college and grad school for a BA in general psych, and an MS in counseling and psychotherapy. I also did an internship and had a stint as a counselor working mainly with adjudicated offenders and chemically dependant people. But I was riding around in an MG, had hair halfway down my back, and an earing (this was in the late 70s!) and I figured out that I'd never make a living that way. So I got a job in Human Resources and did that for a long time.

Now, I'm a web designer/developer in a content management environment, and it's boring... but pays the bills. However, I never really left psychology or human services in my head, so I started HopeScope so that I could try to make a difference on my own terms. And instead of trying to change the world, I try to help peeps to change their own. I get to use my education and skills here, plus I have the benefit of being able to love all of my peeps, which I might not be able to do if I had to have "clients". Phooey! >: I live for my personal life, my music and other interests, and my peeps here. I get very involved with everyone because I cannot be effective if I don't. That's just me.

Essentially, Marcel is right. Have a dream and pursue it, but have a practical backup. And you have to give 110 percent. But you should be passionate about at least one thing, and go after it.

TC