An Alternate Career

Today at lunch a friend of mine asked me what I would study if I went back to school to start a new career. At the time, I couldn't think of anything because I really enjoy my work as a writer/editor/web page manager dealing with East Asian and Pacific issues. This evening, though, it occurred to me that one of my major hobbies is collecting minerals. Often these minerals are set in beautiful jewelry, but I also collect rough and polished loose stones.

If I had to choose a different career than the one I currently have, therefore, I think I would study to become a gemologist then get a job as a jewelry purchaser (i.e. the person who actually gets out to international markets and chooses stock for a jewelry store). I fear, though, that I would be spending much of my salary buying duplicates of nice pieces for myself!