Originally Posted by F250_

I feel for you, Tristan. When I first got out of school, I spent over 3 monts working for a guy hanging curtains and blinds, and then over 6 months working in a custom cabinet shop before I got into my first career position.... not as long as you've been looking, but I was married and supporting both of us on a cabinet shop laborer's wages for a while, so I know the kinds of stresses your under.

What kills me most about my current situation is that we have one group which is focused on power plant engineering/construction and they're hiring enw engineers. At the same time, we have other chemical engineers like myself who have anywhere from 20-30 years experience sitting on the bench because our own "specialty group" (Pulp & Paper Manufacturing) doesn't have the contracts for us to work with and bill time to.

The company honchos say "it's cheaper to hire fresh, inexperienced engineers and bill them out at low rates while they're learning the ropes", but I say that it is that kind of short-sightedness that ends up destroying any potential for company loyalty and eventually will crater the quality of work performed. I can climb that learning curve faster than someone who hasn't been in industry for 25 years, and end up being a more valuable player for the company in the process. But they're just not interested in making the "investment" of paying me my salary while only charging the client based on the salary of a recent grad.... and I dare say that none of these recent grads have to support a family with 6 kids ranging from elementary school to college-age.

I know full well that we need an influx of young engineers because of how many engineers will be retiring in the next 10 years, but if they're going to throw the older and more experienced ones out in the street in that process, they're cutting their nose off to spite their face because there won't be enough "gray heads" left to train the "young bucks".

Too, I'm not bitter about the situation, nor do I harbor any ill-will or lack of concern for young college graduates... but I have to take care of MY family and the principles at play here do bother me at the same.

Originally Posted by mongo75

I wanna try to say the following without sounding like a smartass, so here goes. I busted my hump trying to find kids I thought were good enough to be Marine when I was a recruiter from 03-06, and it was HARD. I worked many 30 day months, out of the house from 7am-11pm. I got a lot of "ef you" and "my son ain't gonna join the efin military" and a whole lot more of the same crap day in and day out. But I wonder where those same young, inexperienced kids in NY are these days. I don't understand why more young Americans don't see the military as a viable and steady employment option these days? Heck, I get 30 days vacation a year, a raise every year, I pay less than $50 for medical and dental for a family of 4, I make pretty good money, college is paid for (almost done too) and when I retire in 5 years, I'll have the leadership and mangement skills on par if not surpassing those of employees in my age group. Plus I've never been laid off in 15 years. I know it's not for everyone, there are some folks with medical issues at a young age, but with alot of young 18 to 20-something year old folks out there complaining about lack of work, I hate to say it, but in a lot of cases it's just another excuse..... Again my intent wasn't to offend anyone, just making a point......

Originally Posted by tjc transport

i have a good Marine story for ya Danny.
my nephew is getting a medical discharge because of a vision problem.
the navy and army doctors say he should not even be driving, let along touching a firearm.

the marine doctor says there is nothing wrong with him.
who does the pentagon listen to?? yup, the navy and army docs.

he wants to stay in, and has glowing references from his all his superior officers, and CO, missed expert marksman on his first time on the range by one point.

but he is out, and the drug addicts that are trying everything to get out are staying in.

it's kind of crazy that someone who made lance corporal by the time he got out of boot and will do almost anything to stay in is getting the heave ho, and the total screw-ups that are scraping the bottom of the barrel as privates after 1 year, and will do anything to get kicked out are staying in.

Originally Posted by Smokin'

Yeah I see a lot of you guys on yakin it up late at night!! Rebels.

Originally Posted by Powerstrokedlariat

Curt- P&P are great guys.

Oh ya i've known them for years,they are great.But we're in Anacortes. That part sucks.lol