Advice for career for my son

My background is a bit different. I worked many jobs including maintenance then logistics for Target for almost 10 years, then being coowner of an express car wash, to now being an account executive in the network hardware sector of technology.

I found my groove in sales and have never been happier. It does take a certain personality and drive to be successful in sales but I feel if your successful you will gain a skill set that you can use for years to come.

Just my two cents.

 
Jtmoney714 said:
Send him to the elevator union hall and have him apply. 
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That job will definitely have it's ups and downs!

:bag:

Sorry, I had to....   :lmao:

A friend of the family...her EX works in that field and is killing it! Makes a crapload.

But too bad he's a d-bag and doesn't even pay child support! 

 
I would always suggest something construction related.  Its pretty recession proof and people always need work done.  i dont feel that companies will ever stop building.  I do commercial landscape construction and i am slammed and cant find enough laborers and its been that way since way before the covid bs.

Something self employed is always a great option.  Theres quite a few industries with fairly low starting costs where guys can do pretty well and make their own schedules.  Synthetic turf is a big one up here.  Lots of competition but a ton of people want it due to the california water restrictions.  Metal fabrication is always a needed trade.  Getting degrees etc is always a back and forth argument.  Now a days i dont feel like having a degree or education in a certain industry is that much of a game changer.  Mostly depends on work ethic and skill level.  Most of the young kids just want handouts and work from home easy jobs now so somebody thats motivated and driven and is a self starter is alot more beneficial traits then a couple more years of school in my opinion. 

 
Thank You for all of the good ideas!. I'm going to have my son read this topic. He can weld and fabricate. I've been in the union for 35 years and our pension isn't what it used to be, I'm hoping for something better for him. 

 
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Mac said:
Just a few ideas.

If being a firefighter got to him, does he claim any mental health issues?  Maybe he can get educational benefits/occupational retraining?  Just a thought.

As Cookie mentioned, what benefits can he get?  Sometimes the highest paying job right now, doesn't pay off in the end.  Pensions are VERY hard to come by the days.  I'm sure glad I have mine.  I retired at 43 and never had to work again, even though I still do.  If he does find something high paying, factor in retirement savings.  What people "think" they need to retire and what you actually need are 2 VERY different things.  Don't forget about medical.  A lot of places have stopped that as a retirement benefit.  Medical will bankrupt even the richest of us, especially as we get older.

Education.  "IF" he knows or decides, then pursue a degree.  If he's undecided, do general education now at a junior college. Don't waste time or money at a private college like PIMA, ITT, ect... the will be overpriced, not accredited (even though they say they are), 4 year schools are overpriced and don't have as flexible of schedules.  Doing 2-3 years at a JC and then transferring...you still get your degree from "University of" whatever.

Trade schools.  Be careful.  These can be WAY overpriced and not worth anything.  Again, not all are accredited like they say.

Look 5-10 years in the future.  Mechanics must be computer savvy.  What about drone/UAV mechanic or pilot?  Big futures in that.  I see automotive as too volatile right now.  We have no idea where that is going. 

Lastly, it's not crazy but...what about going to places that interest him and request a "reverse interview"?  You go to them and see what opportunities and future they have.  You might find that something great now, has a 5-10 year shelf life and then now older...maybe with a family...he'll be looking for a new career.  I never saw myself working in logistics, but our company has grow so much and there is no end in sight.
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Thanks for all of the ideas!

 
Cookie said:
I am 55 years old and watching my friends that were lineman retire at 55 sure makes me look back some on what I did.  I didn't graduate college until 24 yr old, so a bit late to the game back then.  I have worked in my field for 30 plus years, mostly as a 1099 sales person.  So like most I wasn't good at saving until 35-40 years old, so a bit behind with my Retirement fund.  They all have huge pensions and never need to worry about the future, while I see my retirement take a 18% negative hit this year.  It is hard for a 25 year old to look 30 years ahead..................sorry I am no help
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I'm in the same boat.

 
Turbo_Manx_Maniac said:
Nobody mentioned porn......

Not sure what it pays, but who cares. 
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Highest percentage of male porn stars..well..there's usually two guys on the set, and zero chics..lol

A young guy that used to work for us Chippendale's type stripper on the side.  He quit working for us after a short time.

 
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https://www.neiep.org/bst-Default.aspx
 

As for the elevator union to start the application process select careers on the site above. That link will show what locals are accepting applications. A good way to get in is to apply and start your apprenticeship outside of Califorina ie. Little Rock, Charlotte are taking application now. I herd local 18 which is LA,SD and Vegas will be taking application in October but only 500. 

 
jigggawatt said:
Thank You for all of the good ideas!. I'm going to have my son read this topic. He can weld and fabricate. I've been in the union for 35 years and our pension isn't what it used to be, I'm hoping for something better for him. 
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As many others on here I have a friend who is a welder. He doesn't care for it to much. Says it is a nice hobby but not something you want to do all day. 

I work IT and depending on what field you go into you can make a lot of $$. Network engineers seem to make good money and they are always in demand. You can go almost anywhere with that knowledge. Take some Cisco classes and get Cisco certified. I work for a police department and I am "the guy" here. I do it all and enjoy every minute of it. I get to hang with all the officers, ride along when I want, I feel like an officer some days...... except IT doesn't get a gun and a badge !!! but I am working on that. 

 
Kraut_n_Rice said:
Highest percentage of male porn stars..well..there's usually two guys on the set, and zero chics..lol

A young guy that used to work for us Chippendale's type stripper on the side.  He quit working for us after a short time.
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RACIST!   EDUCATE YOURSELF!



Yeah no... :lol:

 
I wanted to be in porn but came up short LOL. Three of my four kids went into the trades right out of high school and are doing extremely well. One was a welder for a  few years and got burned out. I'm self employed and health insurance is 100% out of my pocket, retirement is out of my pocket, no company match, vacation pay, etc is all on my dime. There is some freedom being self employed but it also comes with a lot of headaches especially when you have to have employees or have to work with subs or contract labor.

 
 Be your own boss, do not go to work for the man, get the 2 year business degree, not really needed but will help, get a general contractors license, create  a business, in the beginning take all kinds of work learn all of the trades and become dam good at what you do. Be a man of your word,  never do chit work, ever even if it cost you money, be honest, a man of integrity. Learn project management, and related, like dealing with difficult people, lol. You can create unlimited income, there are less and less of out there that actually are good. It will take a few years but you can build a good name hire a few good workers and build your company. Or go work for the man and take a pay check, nothing wrong taking a paycheck, less stress and you drive away at 5pm.

 
Lineman is a good trade. I am a lineman and once you have your Journeyman card, you are set for life. There is a massive shortage of union lineman and wages and benefits are going up with the competition to attract and hire linemen. The company I retired from at 58 yrs old was offering $30k signing bonuses, and that was 4 yrs ago. Base wage here is over 100k per year, all OT is double time, no defined benefit pension (I was grandfathered and kept mine) but they contribute heavily to your 401k, great medical benefits, and the potential to earn north of $250k if your willing to work OT. I think wages are higher in CA.

It's a great trade, but not for everyone. Working at heights and playing with high voltage isn't everyone's cup of tea. But if that doesn't bother you, and you are a hard worker, it's a very good trade.

 
Lineman sounds great, but when I screw up at work, I get yelled at..... when linemen screw up, well lets say it's more immediate and intense.  

Either get a job where you are government protected in your job, or one where you call the shots... any of the stuff in between sucks...Bean counters and wokeness is getting worse everywhere. 

Has he talked to the older firemen?  They all feel the same thing as him, maybe he can find a better way to deal with it. It's a hell of a career to walk away from. 

 
Realbadlarry said:
Lineman sounds great, but when I screw up at work, I get yelled at..... when linemen screw up, well lets say it's more immediate and intense.  
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True. When I was an apprentice, the old hands would say "if you eff up kid you will end up wiping your ass with a hook the rest of your life if you're lucky".

In my almost 40 yrs in the trade there were a few hands that lost limbs or had holes blown out where a hole doesn't belong, but fortunately no fatalities at our company. Every incident was a head up ass moment.

 
Realbadlarry said:
Lineman sounds great, but when I screw up at work, I get yelled at..... when linemen screw up, well lets say it's more immediate and intense.  

Either get a job where you are government protected in your job, or one where you call the shots... any of the stuff in between sucks...Bean counters and wokeness is getting worse everywhere. 

Has he talked to the older firemen?  They all feel the same thing as him, maybe he can find a better way to deal with it. It's a hell of a career to walk away from. 
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He has talked to his department. They were very supportive and  continue to reach out. He has decided that it isn’t for him. It was a extremely tough decision. 

 
jigggawatt said:
He has talked to his department. They were very supportive and  continue to reach out. He has decided that it isn’t for him. It was a extremely tough decision. 
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Has he thought about maybe keeping the same career but changing settings? I have had friends experience burn out as firefighters as they became taxis in urban environments for those without cars, drug addicts and the mentally ill. Maybe transfer to a more total area or out of state? Pay is not as good but cost of living could be less... 

 
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