Advice for career for my son

my 25 yr old got in at a Ford dealership, he started as a lube tech and is now taking classes to go into their line work. He loves it

 
If he already hasn't resigned, I'd be re-thinking this decision. He's a fireman by 24-25 years old. He has no formal education or trade school certificate. Those will cost him tens of thousands of dollars to receive and he will be making the same amount as he would a fireman if he was to stick it out but with a student loan payment. There are many avenues to the fire department he maybe hasn't heard of. paramedic, engineer, arson investigator, promotions, etc... Has he recently become a fireman? Is the hardship of probation and being the new guy difficult? We've all been there but the reward at the end of that tunnel is nice. We've all seen some $hit and public safety has certainly taken a lot of humanity out of my life, but I'll retire at 50 years old with nearly 90% of my salary with lifetime medical. Plus, everyone loves firefighters.

Andrew

 
Personally, I would steer people away from the auto industry.  If you were to take the pulse of the techs at any shop about how much they like what they do, most will probably tell you they are looking for a way out.  Problem is they can make decent money, but most wont take the initial hit in pay to move on to something else. 

I struggled for quite a while after I finally had enough.  But, not enough to go back though..

 
wapawekka said:
If he already hasn't resigned, I'd be re-thinking this decision. He's a fireman by 24-25 years old. He has no formal education or trade school certificate. Those will cost him tens of thousands of dollars to receive and he will be making the same amount as he would a fireman if he was to stick it out but with a student loan payment. There are many avenues to the fire department he maybe hasn't heard of. paramedic, engineer, arson investigator, promotions, etc... Has he recently become a fireman? Is the hardship of probation and being the new guy difficult? We've all been there but the reward at the end of that tunnel is nice. We've all seen some $hit and public safety has certainly taken a lot of humanity out of my life, but I'll retire at 50 years old with nearly 90% of my salary with lifetime medical. Plus, everyone loves firefighters.

Andrew
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^^^This

My buddy Greg I grew up with since 3 years old became a paramedic then Fire Fighter...he got burned out to but switched jobs within the Fire Dept.

He now drives the truck...that is it. He doesn't work the knobs or valves, he is solely in charge of getting the fire truck to the emergency location and back.

He's my age, 51 and will probably retire soon with a killer pension.

Friend of my brothers just retired as Captain of Monrovia Fire Dept. He's maybe 51-52...my bro says he's bringing home $19k/Month being retired. $228,000. Not bad and still young enough to do something else. If he wanted to.

:cheers:

 
Fire departments even have police officers ( I am sure they are called something else).  If I was him, I would talk to HR or his Captain and discuss options.  If they like him, they won't let him walk away and might find another career path in the Fire Department, heck they have mechanics as well.

 
 Couple guys have mentioned sticking the fire route out above. Not saying he should or shouldn't stay but has he exhausted all his resources from the department? Mental health days are now a thing. It's basically an IOD and he could be off an extended period of time. Have him reach to a peer support team. If his department doesn't have one he can reach out to me. I can help him and put him in touch with the right people. The job has a ton of stressors but they've created an open environment now that allows us to seek help.

Like everyone has said above. It's going to be hard to find the benefits and salary from the fire service. Plus the time to get back to where he is now as far as pay.

 
Kraut_n_Rice said:
Personally, I would steer people away from the auto industry.  If you were to take the pulse of the techs at any shop about how much they like what they do, most will probably tell you they are looking for a way out.  Problem is they can make decent money, but most wont take the initial hit in pay to move on to something else. 

I struggled for quite a while after I finally had enough.  But, not enough to go back though..
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This  X 1000......it's all getting really bad....customer's  demand , demand, demand...and the are always right....even when they are wrong.  No respect for line level workers by the owners or the customers anymore... to quote a customer "low level nobodys"........... 

 
Getting into a job like the Fire Department isn't easy. I know a couple guys who tried and never could make it thru the extensive interview portions.  He made it thru that pretty hard application process I would advise him to find a path inside a system that will continue to give him great vacation, medical and retirement benefits for life. 

If he loves working on cars tell him to buy a project car or work on them as a side hustle ( Firefighters usually have the best side hustles, Grandfather was a Pasadena FF and some of the guys from his station were the founders of Malibu Grand Prix) I swear most of them I knew growing up only remain FF to take a break from the side hustle.  

 
zilla68 said:
your son is 25 now? jesus I have been on this site that long? I remember pics of him as a child lol. man I apparently spend WAY to much time on this place
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I know, it's crazy huh! We joined in 2006... he was 10, will be 26 in October

 
jigggawatt said:
I have a 25-year-old son. I’m trying to help with a new career choice. He’s very mechanical, sharp, and works hard. He builds motors and tunes them as a hobby. I’ve worked in commercial/ industrial A/C my entire life. Our industry isn’t what it used to be, and I think there are better choices.  Any advised on where to steer him would be appreciated. He was a firefighter and what he’s witnessed over the last few years has gotten to him. It was a great job just not the right fit. He would like a trade.
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I work for Amazon and we are always looking for Electro Mechanical techs.  They work on conveyors, PLCs, sorters, robots, and just about anything else.  They work indoors in the AC and Heat, all tools and training provided.  You can transfer around to different states or cities,  401K Great Medical etc.  

 
alot of great suggestions here.

If he likes the trades, and he is already been in the fire department, look at State Fire Marshall. Its construction based mostly plan review and has alot of perks.

Aside from that, look at a Division of the State Architect (DSA) certified inspector or OSHPD/now HCAI state certified hospital inspector. Same code books and information basis. He can make $250/yr on a 40 hour workweek schedule. He will need to start with some specialty inspector certs but virtually low cost to get in and can make $ right away. The beauty of it is he doesn't have to do the work and can work until mid 70's if he wants.

Follow the supply/demand. Lots of college degrees and relatively minimal jobs asking. Blue collar lots of jobs and few to fill them for the foreseeable future. Just my opinion.

 
On 7/14/2022 at 5:26 AM, raspadoo said:
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Thank You to everyone that took the time to respond. My son has read the comments a few times.

 
wapawekka said:
If he already hasn't resigned, I'd be re-thinking this decision. He's a fireman by 24-25 years old. He has no formal education or trade school certificate. Those will cost him tens of thousands of dollars to receive and he will be making the same amount as he would a fireman if he was to stick it out but with a student loan payment. There are many avenues to the fire department he maybe hasn't heard of. paramedic, engineer, arson investigator, promotions, etc... Has he recently become a fireman? Is the hardship of probation and being the new guy difficult? We've all been there but the reward at the end of that tunnel is nice. We've all seen some $hit and public safety has certainly taken a lot of humanity out of my life, but I'll retire at 50 years old with nearly 90% of my salary with lifetime medical. Plus, everyone loves firefighters.

Andrew
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He resigned I tried to point out all the positives. I don’t understand his decision fully. As a dad I knew as a firefighter he would be set for life. I want him to be happy and stable so I have to respect his decision. He now will have to live with that decision.

my 23 year old son has a BSN in nursing and is a ER nurse and is doing very well. The pay for his age is incredible. He loves his job. What he sees everyday doesn’t bother him. I think his Dirtbike and weight lifting keeps his mind healthy. Two different kids.

Thanks for responding.

 
Spacex is always hiring, I’ve been there for about four months and it’s an absolute blast. Very wide variety of positions and having welding and fabrication skills goes a long way. 

 
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