OT: If you could do it again
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
I work at a college and am seeing this first hand. There are way to many people taking 'classes' for a 'Degree' that there are no jobs in. It is a waste of time and money. Go to a two year tech/trade school where employment possibilities are high and your debts are low. In the jobs that you are now 'in', keep on learning and learning and shifting as technology and trends keep changing and shifting. Always step forward if your boss asks you or if you have chance to learn something new.
A little over a year ago the 'Jobs' of growth were 'Government', 'Education', 'Healthcare'. That has slowed to a crawl. 'Gov and Education' jobs are slipping and will continue to slip for the next five years. 'Healthcare' is now getting over crowed in Applications and the 'new' crowd is not in it for the 'Care' for the patient, but for the paycheck. these people will be eased out in two/ three years. Learn a 'trade' and be good at it and shift with technology to side step 'downsizing.
A little over a year ago the 'Jobs' of growth were 'Government', 'Education', 'Healthcare'. That has slowed to a crawl. 'Gov and Education' jobs are slipping and will continue to slip for the next five years. 'Healthcare' is now getting over crowed in Applications and the 'new' crowd is not in it for the 'Care' for the patient, but for the paycheck. these people will be eased out in two/ three years. Learn a 'trade' and be good at it and shift with technology to side step 'downsizing.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro, KY
30 years of coal mining as a mechanic and electrician, up until 2004. Out of high school i worked in a full service gas staion (remember those days) then went to work in a mining rebuild shop, then on to the mines for 30. Wish i was still there enjoyed it very much. Enjoyed working on and repairing equipment. Made a great living and had great benefits. The operation that i worked at shut down in 2004 and i thought i would move on and do something different. Work Real Estate from 2005 to 2008 market tanked. Real Estate biggest mistake i ever made. But i loved the mining years. Hard on the body, but would do it all over again.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Opelika, AL
from a strictly want to be retired stand point i should have joined the military at 18 (i was oh so close to doing it). i could be retiring this year...if i made it thru all the conflicts that have occured over the last 20 years.
Like Nolan ...i wish i could go back and find something that was more rewarding like he has done.
but had i not went to college and done things like i have i would not have met my wife and had the wondeful family i have now.
i still have days where i think man i hate my job and wish i could help others in a more rewarding way.....but that would mean...???? i dont know. maybe im just to scared to take a leap like that and risk living on the street.
Like Nolan ...i wish i could go back and find something that was more rewarding like he has done.
but had i not went to college and done things like i have i would not have met my wife and had the wondeful family i have now.
i still have days where i think man i hate my job and wish i could help others in a more rewarding way.....but that would mean...???? i dont know. maybe im just to scared to take a leap like that and risk living on the street.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I work at a college and am seeing this first hand. There are way to many people taking 'classes' for a 'Degree' that there are no jobs in. It is a waste of time and money. Go to a two year tech/trade school where employment possibilities are high and your debts are low. In the jobs that you are now 'in', keep on learning and learning and shifting as technology and trends keep changing and shifting. Always step forward if your boss asks you or if you have chance to learn something new.
A little over a year ago the 'Jobs' of growth were 'Government', 'Education', 'Healthcare'. That has slowed to a crawl. 'Gov and Education' jobs are slipping and will continue to slip for the next five years. 'Healthcare' is now getting over crowed in Applications and the 'new' crowd is not in it for the 'Care' for the patient, but for the paycheck. these people will be eased out in two/ three years. Learn a 'trade' and be good at it and shift with technology to side step 'downsizing.
A little over a year ago the 'Jobs' of growth were 'Government', 'Education', 'Healthcare'. That has slowed to a crawl. 'Gov and Education' jobs are slipping and will continue to slip for the next five years. 'Healthcare' is now getting over crowed in Applications and the 'new' crowd is not in it for the 'Care' for the patient, but for the paycheck. these people will be eased out in two/ three years. Learn a 'trade' and be good at it and shift with technology to side step 'downsizing.
Not many people, except engineers, docs, nurses, and some teachers, get a job in the field they study...most people get a degree to prove that they can be taught, and to network with other people who come from families with enough money to spend on a college degree. College is all about networking, that is what you pay for (along with a piece of paper that says "This person is teachable").
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
Hmm, I've been a machinist for 15 years and I've just started a landscaping/lawn maintenance company. Navy said they didn't need me after they broke me or I'd be 3 years from retirement now. The MOST important thing is DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Find something you love to do and do that thing RIGHT. The money will come to those who do it best, and above all money, happiness will come to you. Until I started my business I never knew how miserable I was doing the job I used to "love". I followed my dad into my career. I'm happier in my "new" career. You need to listen to some Zig Ziglar.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Williamston, MI
I started college courses for early child development. Ended up as a database analyst at a very large computer corp. Been working from my "home office" for about 12 years. This is why I have time to surf here all day and I run away from all computers at 5!
At least the early child dev. classes help me deal with the big business executives
At least the early child dev. classes help me deal with the big business executives
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 756
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix Az
I spent the first three years of my adult life in the army and then was in the Merchant Marine for 14. Had to leave to raise my son. To do over, I would go in the Navy and stay for 25 or 30 years. I loved the big ships and the ocean, as well as travelling all over the world.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: Mission, BC
awesome posts guys.... i am strongly thinking about HD mech..... i know a few people in it and they love their jobs! maybe i should go back to school... im almost 30, gotta figure this out quick!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
If you are '30' that means that you are really only '22', unless you smoke and drink and cuss and drive big pick-em up trucks 'then' your 'only' 12 (or 80) as it depends on how much you smoke.
'Yesterday' is gone and 'never happened', 'tomorrow' will never come or be..... It is 'today' and what you do 'today' will effect your 'todays' 'tomorrows'...... The choices that we make today, we will think 'tomorrow' that "it may have not been the right choice", there are days when there is no 'right choice', only the honest choice'. Never get down or depressed, for you have many friends and family.
The biggest problem I see with 'kids' today.... they are 'afraid' to do.... Don't 'sit' there and do 'nothing'...do something. 'we' make our own 'worth' by the desitions that we make. go forward always and never look back.... there is no going back anyway.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Sometimes it's
sometimes it's
sometimes it's
sometimes it's 
and occationally it's 
sometimes it's
sometimes it's
sometimes it's 
sometimes it's sometimes it's 
(payday) sometimes it's 
but I've never seen it 
..
Just be careful with how you use your hands, don't put an undue strain on them.
I've been very fortunate so far, no carpal tunnel, no broken bones.
Getting a touch of arthritis in both my thumbs, but not enough to drive me out of the trade and I'm 54 years old now.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
I've been traveling all over the country for work for most of my life. When I was young and didn't have kids - it was a fun life. Artic Circle?
faghetaboutit! The only advice I have is never become good at something you don't like to do.
Otherwise, Miller_feed and Clux took my answers.....
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
I wore out a perfectly good body going the other way around
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
From: Buckingham, IA
What an awesome thread! The wisdom of the posters here shows why FTE is the best. And a couple of us like to live dangerously (Rick & Clux).
Always realize that whatever you have the opportunity to experience will benefit you in some way in whatever you do next. I have farmed all my life but went to 3 years of college, served in the military, served on school boards, worked in the parts department of a Ford dealer and did some contract work for John Deere. Each experience was a building block in what I have become. Not all were positive experiences but I gained something worthwhile from each of them. What's really scary is to look back and see what a real jerk I was when I was younger and "knew everything".
Mike, with the open mind that you are showing by asking your question shows that you are on the right track. All new experiences have some risk. You just have to decide if you want to take that risk. Good luck in whatever you choose.
Always realize that whatever you have the opportunity to experience will benefit you in some way in whatever you do next. I have farmed all my life but went to 3 years of college, served in the military, served on school boards, worked in the parts department of a Ford dealer and did some contract work for John Deere. Each experience was a building block in what I have become. Not all were positive experiences but I gained something worthwhile from each of them. What's really scary is to look back and see what a real jerk I was when I was younger and "knew everything".
Mike, with the open mind that you are showing by asking your question shows that you are on the right track. All new experiences have some risk. You just have to decide if you want to take that risk. Good luck in whatever you choose.