Author Topic: Still struggling with career choice (Read 3872 times)

Cuda Cody · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2012 - 06:32:32 PM »

I disagree totally. Life it what you do with what you're dealt and I think you done pretty good. Look at you now! Imagine all the friends and people you wouldn't know if you did it all differently.

Quote from: Chryco Psycho on November 17, 2012 - 03:50:41 PM

I have nothing to add unfortunatly !!
I can tell you my whole life has been a comedy of errors , if I could do ti over I would do virtually nothing the same .

torredcuda · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2012 - 06:41:26 PM »

I would do things a lot different also.My parents pushed me into college even though trade school seemed to interest me more than regular high school.I made it thru one semester partying the whole time and dropped out.I ended up in a trade just like my father although instead of of working with wood I work with sheet metal.If I could do it over I would have got into auto mechanics or auto body and hopefully had my own body shop.I agree witht advice of finding a career that is not dying out and where you can make decent money-if you like it that`s a bonus.

RB2929 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2012 - 07:16:26 PM »

NC True Conservative,
May I interest you in a career in the Air Force after college? You�ll be an officer, thus, a darn good paycheck right away. There are a couple of different career fields to choose from. The first choice I�m thinking of is you can join as an Intelligence Officer, so you can get paid for your passion: politics.

As a brand new lieutenant, you�ll be in charge of a handful of airmen, thus, learning how to manage and lead people. You can that experience later on when you start your own business.

Yes, you�ll probably be sent overseas, but, as Intel, you won�t be in-harm�s way. You will, however, reap the rewards of tax free income and being part of the bigger picture. One of the best things about going overseas is that you appreciate the United States a whole bunch more. A little saying I said to my comrades is: The world is not America.

I�m not sure if the contract will be for 4 or 6 years. During that time period you�ll have a steady income, learn how to run a business, be able to save money for your own business, have AF on your loan applications (bank personnel love military folk), be able to use Veteran�s Administration benefits (home loans without mortgage insurance, the VA guarantees the loan), or use the benefits for a business loan.

Also, the AF will pay majority of your Master�s degree, if that�s what you want. And yes, your boss will want (insist) that you procure a Master�s degree.

Assuming that you leave the AF after your contract and don�t start up your own business right away, you�ll have the AF on any future resumes.

I�m a 20+ year retired AF sergeant. Before I retired, I was asked and accepted a Dept of the AF civilian position. Basically doing the same job but with a pay increase. The AF done me well; everything from growing up (but not growing old), to seeing the world (literally), getting an education (BS and MS in computer science), and health insurance for life for the wife and myself (and TriCare has been awesome with the wife�s health problems).

If you�re the least bit curious, please let me know, I can send you my phone number.
- I will tell you the truth; the good, the bad, and the occasional ugly chick you wake up next to.
You still have two years to graduation, I�m sure that you�ll be mulling over your options all that time. In two years I�ll still be here (God willing), because my Cuda car isn�t going to be sold and the restoration never ends.

Take care and God speed on whatever decision you go with

Ron

Cuda Cody · « **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2012 - 07:21:28 PM »

I would add that you are ahead of the game by not being in debt. That's a big deal! Way to go!!!! Try to keep it that way and you'll be very well off.

the_engineers · « **Reply #19 on:** November 17, 2012 - 09:16:56 PM »

Can I put in a plug for Engineering? Stay away from Mechanical or Electrical and the Math requirement can be pretty light.

Once you're out, assuming you don't pursue a PE, you'll do NO calculus. Life really is "word" problems. Go after certifications like Six Sigma or Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI and you'll be capable of cracking 6 figures in cheap locations, more in expensive locales.

Jamiez · « **Reply #20 on:** November 17, 2012 - 09:26:56 PM »

Well he said Chemistry was an issue. At least when I got my Electrical degree all the disciplines had to take Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Statics, Economics for Engineers, and Circuits as the core. In addition to the Calculus, Differential Equations, Physics, and all the university requirements (English, Electives, Cultural Studies, Etc)

slsc98 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 18, 2012 - 07:14:38 AM »

Quote from: HP_Cuda on November 17, 2012 - 01:32:10 PM

You should really sit down and figure out what you like to do and how you can turn that into a good paying career.

+1. Cody, I was in my own life precisely where you are at now and I can assure you of two things: 1) Do what you love / enjoy and the money will follow; and, 2) Precious few of us really know (or even have an inkling as to) what it it that we truly love / enjoy.
The answer for me came along quite by accident / chance. Every college has a course based on a now famous book, "What Color is Your Balloon?" Macho it is not. Not the point though. None of the courses are titled that but, instead, are typically an elective with monikers such as "Career Assessment and Life Planning", etc. Run, don't walk, to get a seat in your institution's version of that. The semester consists of series of a battery of tests which you are not "graded" on but rather which, at semsester's end will point you in a very, very specific direction. I have yet to meet anyone who was not surprised by that "direction suggestion" or who is not quite content and successful, in all aspects (heart, mind, body, soul and spirit). You asked, I chimed (based on my own practical experience) so, Best o' success!
PS - You'd be hard-pressed to go wrong with RB2929's advice (and offer), also! (That too is based on my own observation of friends and relatives who chose the USAF as their career path. Especially in these times!)

Gumby · « **Reply #22 on:** November 18, 2012 - 03:25:17 PM »

Man, I wish I had this kind of advice when I was a kid! Good stuff here. Take it all in and run with it!

RB2929 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 19, 2012 - 09:10:05 AM »

slsc98,
Thank you for reaffirming the military option.

I recommend AF because that�s what I know. I�m sure the other branches are just as well of a choice. Oh, and don�t forget the Coast Guard.

Had great times in the AF. The pic is me (in the green flight suite), my wife (it was a very hot 100+ degree day and my wife, Susie, was melting), and the skinny blue flight suit dudes are the Navy�s Blue Angels pilots. You never know who you�ll be drinking beer with.

NCtrueconservative · « **Reply #24 on:** November 19, 2012 - 11:05:06 AM »

Let me ask this- there's alot of talk about going into a trade these days. If I did, I would be most interested in the old cliche "owning my own auto shop" but from what I hear, everyone that does it, hates it. I do know one guy that owns a little shop and does pretty good. Good to remember that cost of living around here isn't near what it is in northern cities and such. My uncle never finished high school and owns his own concrete finishing business and does better than anyone in my family. He just got started in it, didn't have much overhead, and now he sets his own schedule, and half the time doesn't work in the winter. There's a lot of options out there...its just from talking to people in any profession, there is always a large percentage of people who hate it.

moparmaniac59 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 19, 2012 - 11:49:39 AM »

There are a lot of good technical schools out there where you can learn AC/R, welding, plumbing, diesel/automotive mechanics. If you are looking at a trade, might I suggest the US Navy? Norfolk Naval Shipyard has an excellent apprenticeship program. You'd have to relocate to Virginia, but that's something you would have to decide on. There are others programs out there, but the navy will pay you while you learn & provide excellent benefts. It's a 4 year program and you'll finish with an associate degree and will be licensed by the state of Virginia and the US navy in your particular trade. There is a wide range of trades such as electronics technician, electrician, machinist, pipe fitting, welding, sheetmetal mechanic, metalurgist, marine machinist, wood crafter, the list goes on. All the trade theory classes are taught while you are on the clock. The college class portion is done in the evenings on your own time. After the apprenticeship, there are programs offered to further your education. Many of the upper managers are former apprentices. I went through it 33 years ago and make a decent living now and have moved up the ladder over the years where I no longer turn wrenches, but am now a lead test engineer. The other private sector shipyards here also offer apprenticeship programs, but can't match the caliber of the navy program which has been on-going for well over 100 years. It's a great way to go and will cost you nothing but your time & effort and provide you with a skill you can take anywhere!!

Matt B.

Sleepychallenger · « **Reply #26 on:** November 19, 2012 - 01:41:07 PM »

Im going to throw another plug out there for the Military. I am going on 9 years now so I am still relatively new and on the enlisted side trying to move to the better paycheck side. Other than the medical, one of the best things that the military can offer is teaching you a trade. Like RB2929 said, as an officer you will be in charge of a couple people to start off with, and those people should be NCOs which means grown a$$ people that should know how to act. So right away you will have management skills setting in for your resume. I never thought of joining the Air Force until my dad bribed me with his Challenger and now I wont leave until I absolutely have to. Yes it has its ups and downs and there are times we do things that we dont agree with or jobs that just plain suck...but what job doesnt have that. Like RB said, if you wanna talk about it PM me and I will give you my number and shoot it straight. I'm currently "deployed" to Mississippi so I will have to call after work

1BADFISH� · « **Reply #27 on:** November 19, 2012 - 05:10:26 PM »

Quote from: the_engineers on November 17, 2012 - 09:16:56 PM

Can I put in a plug for Engineering? Stay away from Mechanical or Electrical and the Math requirement can be pretty light.

Once you're out, assuming you don't pursue a PE, you'll do NO calculus. Life really is "word" problems. Go after certifications like Six Sigma or Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI and you'll be capable of cracking 6 figures in cheap locations, more in expensive locales.

If you can do the math I think Mechanical is one of the most universal 4 year degrees you can get. I have friends I graduated with working in the auto industry, HVAC, Oil and Gas, aerospace, etc etc.

Lots of Oil and Gas down there too, anyone who is looking for work should take a drive up to N. Dakota, that place seems to be in a pretty good boom right now with their oil fields. I have been asked to go down and work a number of times but we are pretty busy here in western Canada as well. A good starting point is MWD (Measurement While Drilling) I did this job for a number of years and it was a great entry level oil and gas job that anyone with any post secondary education is able to apply for.

The time and investment that goes along with University is definitely something to be concerned about, but I think every situation is different. If you spend 100k for a 4 year arts degree and can't find a job, that's a terrible ROI. I spend about 50k on a 4 year engineering degree and the ROI has been exponential. The financial part is one thing, the experience is the second. If I came out of University with nothing, I still wouldn't regret going. I feel you are too young and immature to figure out a career path at the age of 18, the 4 years I spent in University gave me time to see the country, meet new and interesting people and give me lots of time to think about what I really wanted to do with the rest of my life/career.

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #28 on:** November 19, 2012 - 07:49:53 PM »

I can tell you straight most of my life I did what I love , unlike most I always knew what I wanted to do , working on cars is my passion , locksmith work is also fun what other trade is as diverse & changing where you learn every day & are constantly challenged ....... but the $$ never followed . I have lived below the poverty line most if not all my life . I have learned lots & can survive on my own & basically do anything that needs to be done which is a good thing !
Cody is right to a point I have 100s of friends & have done Ok but I would have done everything differently given a chance , I am not saying I would be a different person , I would still be paying it forward helping others & spending time here but from a career perspective there would be a whole different set of choices .

NCtrueconservative · « **Reply #29 on:** November 19, 2012 - 08:54:13 PM »

Quote from: Chryco Psycho on November 19, 2012 - 07:49:53 PM

I can tell you straight most of my life I did what I love , unlike most I always knew what I wanted to do , working on cars is my passion , locksmith work is also fun what other trade is as diverse & changing where you learn every day & are constantly challenged ....... but the $$ never followed . I have lived below the poverty line most if not all my life . I have learned lots & can survive on my own & basically do anything that needs to be done which is a good thing !
Cody is right to a point I have 100s of friends & have done Ok but I would have done everything differently given a chance , I am not saying I would be a different person , I would still be paying it forward helping others & spending time here but from a career perspective there would be a whole different set of choices .

Well I reckon the question would be, WHAT would you do differently? I wish the good Lord would put in my heart and mind what I'm supposed to do. It happens that way with some ppl-> They know what they want to do, circumstances fall exactly right for them, and they live happily ever after. Is that realistic? NO. But it DOES happen to some people. I'm a firm believer in "you need to do what the Lord wants you to do" and that's where blessings will come from (not necessarily money). I just need to know what it is he wants me to do

Author Topic: Still struggling with career choice (Read 3872 times)

Cuda Cody

Re: Still struggling with career choice

torredcuda

Re: Still struggling with career choice

RB2929

Re: Still struggling with career choice

Cuda Cody

Re: Still struggling with career choice

the_engineers

Re: Still struggling with career choice

Jamiez

Re: Still struggling with career choice

slsc98

Re: Still struggling with career choice

Gumby

Re: Still struggling with career choice

RB2929

Re: Still struggling with career choice

NCtrueconservative

Re: Still struggling with career choice

moparmaniac59

Re: Still struggling with career choice

Sleepychallenger

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1BADFISH�

Re: Still struggling with career choice

Chryco Psycho

Re: Still struggling with career choice

NCtrueconservative

Re: Still struggling with career choice