Has anyone here ever made a major career change later in life? Here's the deal... I've been involved in construction for almost 30 years. Mostly framing, but you name it, I've done it when it comes to const. Right now, I'm trimming and doing cabinets. Well, I had knee replacement surgery in Feb. '04 (got what my surgeon called the "Rolls Royce" of new parts), and she was kinda upset that I'm still doing my thing when I went in for a checkup last week. She was hesitant to do the replacement at my age (50), because I could only expect 20 years use on these parts, IF I got a sit-down job. But after 6 repairs and cleanups, it just was just too worn out to fix any more. The other knee needs to be replaced also (probably next summer). I love what I do, but it's gotten to the point where I just can't, physically. Superintendent and vo-tech jobs are almost non-existent here, and I really don't want to move. Never worn a suit, or punched a clock. Whatayado? Anybody been there done that?

 

Dang you're old.

You have a tough decision ahead of you, as you well know.

I'd think of a desk job or maybe some sort of construction supervisor job.

I know you mentioned non-existent jobs for superintendent and vo-tech jobs.

Maybe start a small construction company.

That's a tough one.

Hope it all works out for you.

 

That's what I would have said. Get some carpenters to work for you.

 

I know what you're saying, I'm only 18, but i've had a few jobs. This summer i worked for a nearby city water/wastewater utility, i know it sounds like a crappy job (no pun intended), but it was actually the best job i've ever had. I'll get to go back when this year of school is over, then probably off and on during college. But this year when i had to go back to school, and had to temporarily quit that job, i was very dissapointed. I needed money, so i applied at a local holiday gas station. I swear i'll never go back to that kind of retail again. I'm going to stick with the holiday job at least until this year of school is over, and do the best i can, but when i'm done i'm done. Punch in, punch out, form for this, form for that, listen to cutomers complain about gas prices, have people take out their bad days on you, get yelled at when you card someone for cigarrets and they're 25, get yelled at for someone else driving off with 45$ worth of gas (and possible get written up for it), then get written up for your till being 45$ short even though the till was put in under your name for at least 45 min before you get there, and everyone else has access to it and can open the drawer with a touch of the button.

The water wastewater job was a small town job, i got my own truck to drive, i knew almost all of the police officers, knew almost everyone from every department, and had a really good time doing it. I didnt always feel pressured and stressed out. Some weeks on fridays if we got all of our work done, and there wasnt alot going on, we would leave a little early. I would never get to do that on any other job i had.
Plus, all of our departments vehicles were fords. we had a 2005 F350 with the v10 in it (very powerful truck), 2002 F150 with the 6, 93 F250 with the 5.8L, 94 F150 with the 5.0, and a 1996 F150 with the 5.0l. Best of all, i get to work on every truck too.

As far as your situation, i'd warn you, dont get into a stressful job that your not going to like, dont settle for any old job. With your experience in construction, you should be able to find a good job somewhere. Good luck !

 

petes79f150, maybe get a second and third opinion on your knee situation.

I'm not insinuating that your current physician/surgeon is incorrect.

Just make sure without a doubt.

Maybe it's your opportunity to be pharaoh , and not the slave.

 

I would also say that you should start your own business. Then you can eventually build it up so that you do not have to be involved with the day to day operations and eventually retire.

 

I guess I forgot to mention that I've been self-employed for the last 10 years. My wife likes to call me the world's worst procrastinator. I've considered going back to college (I was a criminal justice major-psychology minor, does me a lot of good now, huh?), seeking financial backing to build homes (crappy credit), maybe even opening a pub (I quit drinking a year ago, so I don't want to be around it). That's why I'm still doing what I know. Thanks, sierraben for reminding me how young I am. This was my 10th knee surgery (7 left, 3 right) so I've gotten plenty of opinions. Anyway, thanks for the input. I was just kinda wondering if anyone else had done the career-change thing, and how it worked out. Anybody got a spare $100,000 to loan?

 

petes79f150, you're welcome on the age thing. I too am there.

$100,000. loan, huh? I need 3 pieces of I.D. and you current FICO score.

If you're self-employed, then you know the ins and outs of the trade.

Maybe it's a step closer to your own business involving your trade.

You have a tough one there.

Good luck on your decision.

Let us know what you decide.

 

Pete

Yes! Many have changed careers late in life and found it was the best thing they ever did. I worked in the Defense industry as an engineer until the big layofs in the early 90's.. I now have my own computer business.

As far as the knees I know what you mean.. Mine have been acting up.. I haven't been doing heavy construction like you , but I have been doing some carpentry and handyman stuff.

I would suggest taking your knowledge in the construction biz and maybe start your own Home inspection biz or maybe even open a store that sells kitchen and bath items.. People will always need a knowledgable person to help make decision when renovating a kitchen , bath or even a house..

Another option is if you are handy just open a fix it shop..

 

Wow. what a dilemma!!!! I say look into getting some employees to pull the weight. If you have to absolutly get out of what your doing than maybe look into a civil service position, like a postman or something. Thats about the best I can think of, they also have good insurance so they can pay for your next knee surgery.

 

Time to go get that inspectors license and either work for the city or the bank. It would probably mean a raise and benefits, but you could wear nice clothes to the jobsite. Plus, you'll still be walking in 10 years.

 

Ever thought about getting a government job as a building inspector?

 

I say go with the building inspector, in my water/wastewater job, that was one of the other guys i got to know. He seemed to have a good time doing what he was doing. He used his own car, got paid for mileage, has his own nice cushy office, and gets outside alot.