I have no father/figure and never really have. Luckily I was able to teach myself about things like social skills, relationships, basic finances, fitness, kikes, etc. I know I will never go to college and I need to learn a trade. The question is which fucking one?
I know a lot of people will say just pick one and go with it but honestly I don't know where to begin and I can't afford to waste much time. I've only ever worked in restaurants and warehouses. I'm not the type of person that needs to be "passionate" about my work. If it pays well and the environment isn't retarded that's all I care about. Boredom does not phase me. I plug in a podcast and do the work.
How am I supposed to commit to one thing without knowing what the average day is like doing that thing? Welding seems to be the popular choice but what if I hate it and 3-5 years later want to do something else completely? HVAC seems decent but then again CNC machining looks pretty straightforward and pays well. Maybe I'd enjoy being a plumber or driving a truck I don't fucking know.
Unfortunately I don't have family connections and my networking skills aren't great. Any advice is appreciated.
One thing to bear in mind is that the world will always require building and repairs. If you're good with your hands and posses a constructive aptitude then look at the trades ie "Tool and Die" , Machinist, Millright, Heavy Duty or Automotive. The highest paid Blue Collar job is Hoisting Engineer(crane operator) but if you lack heavy equipment experience and are mathematically deficient then stay away. Look at servicing the masses ie home renovation (carpentry, framing basement leakage repairs etc), homeowners always need work done. A very lucrative market also is landscaping and lawn maintenance and snow clearing. Being without a father figure sucks but seems common today but hopefully you can help turn that around for when you have a family. One thing I must mention, and don't get discouraged, is that the entire world is in an economically fucked situation right now because of the BULLSHIT GREEN PLAN, climate change fraud has temporarily stunned the job market but it will return after everything collapses. Being successful today doesn't cut it, you have to be exceptional and by that you have to supply a goods or service that exceeds common supply...simply put, ten guys might offer grass cutting but don't limb trees and if you offer both then your service is better, just make sure your work is done with pride and with respect for your customers. Best of luck OP.
1. Pick an industry. 2. Ask yourself, can you do this without a functioning society? 3. A) If yes, try it out with an internship. 3. B) If no, then pick an industry that your previous industry relies on. 4. Repeat step 1-3 B) add nauseum until you hit a baseline industry, i.e. and industry that can function without other industries and without a functioning society. 5. Start into that industry with the intention of continuously moving upwards in industries until you reach your starting industry.
If you do the above, then you will have purpose of being able to single handedly resurrecting major parts of society in the event everything goes to shit, which will be your main driving force. You will never risk hating your job, as you will be moving from industry to industry every couple years. Likewise, you will be able to return to any industry you like once you have completed your goal.
If this is too complicated for you, then take up farming. Farming is a baseline industry that will always provide you with what you need. Between farmers markets, craigslist, growing distrust between the corporate and public sector, and stores looking to buy local produce to meet supply gaps; You will never run out of buyers and your prospects will only increase.
people will do without a lot of things. But when they need a plumber THEY PAY! HVAC, at least in Fl. , dont pay unless you work for yourself. Electrician is a good trade. Decent pay once you get a few years under your belt. I refinished antique wood floors from 1999-2010. I worked by myself and cleared $1K a week.
I gravitate towards CNC for a few reasons. Seems like it would remain steady in the future when more and more robots are being created to automate things. Might be a good way to get out in front of that? Then again the total opposite could be true depending how "smart" automation actually becomes.
[ - ] localsal 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:19:01 ago (+1/-0)
CNC might depend on the location and what other businesses are around. I've toyed around with the idea, and haven't really found a need so far. YMMV.
CNC is very expensive per part compared to other processes due to the equipment required and man hours, and is generally done for low volume or new designs. Is there an industry in the location that justifies setting a shop to produce what they need? Supposing they did go into production, could you produce x amount in y time? etc.
I worked on a project that needed an aluminum cutout for a display housing. It took a solid block of aluminum (not cheap, from what I recall) and machined away essentially 90% of it. Very expensive prototype.
Then again the total opposite could be true depending how "smart" automation actually becomes.
No matter how smart it gets there will always be human oversight. So long as you don't stick around too long in a job being automated out from under you there'll be plenty of work.
its not that easy, ive seen experienced operators snap multiple cutters in a row and each time they snap its $200 so you better have a good idea of the material and speeds it needs.
Also you need to know how to draw vectors properly and most graphic designers dont even know how to use them properly
Look into Mechatronics. Essentially it's building robots. With everything being automated these days, the skills in very high demand is someone who is a mechanic and electrician in one. That is Mechantronics. Not a very wildly known trade, but the demand is high and is getting higher.
It's control engineering. I fucking hate the term mechatronics. Some leftist liberal arts major who doesn't know what controls engineering is came up with that gay ass designation.
While the industry sucks, I still say learn to code. My wife and I spent 1 year self studying and now we have 6 figure jobs. You do have to wade through woke bullshit tho.
Most coding will disappear as we come out of the digital age. Too many products are unnecessarily digitized and require programing with no actual gain in function over analog products. The future is going to require robust technology and most digital products will not meet muster.
[ - ] allahead 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:56:32 ago (+1/-0)
Upvoated for pole shift reference. Maybe he should get into mining since we're all going to be living in caves in 20 years or so, or not living at all.
Possibly. But it is a low barrier entry to easy wealth in the short term at least. Only those who can adapt fast will survive. I am one of those people.
Most coding will disappear as we come out of the digital age.
Unless there's a polar flip and a solar storm it's not going anywhere. If that does happen most trades and jobs will be useless.
Too many products are unnecessarily digitized and require programing with no actual gain in function over analog products.
Sort of. They tend to be cheaper to design.
The future is going to require robust technology and most digital products will not meet muster.
Partially agree. Most software does not come close to the standards required of any other engineering discipline. Whenever I have to learn a new framework I'm usually horrified by how slapdash it is.
That said, the solution to that is usually hiring better paid software engineers to redevelop it from scratch, not going for a pre-digital solution.
If you have a technical mind and can handle lots of boring reading, I recommend electronics technician. General electrical is a bit over-saturated in my opinion. You'll always have a good paying job if you can do electronics or industrial instrumentation.
With the rapid expansion of everything digital and boomers retiring en masse, in my opinion getting into the field as an electronics technician at the moment is an excellent career path and probably the most promising trade at the moment.
Just bear in mind it takes a special type of person to be interested in this. You'll need to be a scientist/engineer type that likes to be hands on.
Feel free to message me as I have some knowledge in this.
Did that for a couple of years. ITT and all that route. HATED every minute of it! Wish I had gone into straight electrician route studying to become a Master Electrician! Those men are in demand & pay is premium!
As I mentioned above, I have electrician friends who make 120k a year and are never out of work. Heck, on the side, in a upper mid puddle class town, you can get $150 a piece to hang ceiling fans. Cash.
Wish I had gone into straight electrician route studying to become a Master Electrician! Those men are in demand & pay is premium!
Yes and no. If you are a master electrician and have your own business then you can do well. I know a guy with his own business who got out of secondary electrical work all together. His company does primary electrical as part of a focus on underground utility work. They also do stuff like underground plumbing (line boring, sewer pipe, water lines etc.). The biggest problem he is having is finding young guys who are worth a shit and want to stay in the field. He will hire people with no experience and train them, but they typically quit after a couple of years and go into something easier.
With the rapid expansion of everything digital and boomers retiring en masse, in my opinion getting into the field as an electronics technician at the moment is an excellent career path and probably the most promising trade at the moment.
"At the moment" is the key phrase in what you wrote. Electronics are going to rapidly diminish as we come out of the digital age — a trend that will start very soon.
The highest paying trades were always said to be printer and panel beater, not withstanding Code 10 welders are mostly the highest paid workers in industry .. every trade has it's drawbacks, occupational disease from fibreglass fillers and such has put many a' panel beater out.
The most common complaint from tradesmen goes something like this, "I started my apprenticeship at age fifteen since then there has been nothing but unremitting toil" .. they know not everybody works like they do yet they see those same non workers getting on ok just the same.
This can effect their sociological outlook and they have been known to harbor grudges, and to formulate plans of revenge against mainstream society.
Plenty of other tradesmen absolutely dig what they are doing and enjoy every minute they spend on the job .. I was that kind, 40 yrs as a journeyman rigger, scaffolder and crane operator in petrochemical, mining, telecommunications and construction, had a great time, made a lot of money and journeyed to a lot of great locations. Edit.
To answer your question, look at your country's high priority visas for special skills. Your country might badly need aircraft technicians, for example, and will fast-track foreign workers into the country because such skills are so badly needed.
Draw up a shortlist, and use that to research potential apprenticeships.
If you take an electrical apprenticeship, study plumbing at the same time, as they are similar in principle in some ways.
You sound like my old man. He would say, "Shit flows downhill.", however.
On a serious note, I wouldn't exactly call plumbing "easy". A lot of tards think they know what they are doing until an expensive to correct problem arises. It is a pretty good field to get into, however.
Ahhhhhh, just fuckin around. Old school electrician. The Master I worked for used to always say that whenever plumbers were around. Got a chuckle every time. Nothing wrong with any trade. Just bringing a little levity to an otherwise complicated discussion.
As a former A&P I would avoid the field unless you're going into avionics. Even then I'm not sure how good of a field it is.
I have done plenty of electrical and plumbing and don't see much correlation. Being able to do both trades however would definitely give somebody a leg up on the competition.
Next to concrete that is the hardest trade. I did masonry labor for 8 years before getting my degree. Like said below, too many illegals are doing it now.
It really is, many pulled muscles and near carpal tunnel from grabbing blocks all day. You’re also breathing in brick or block dust all day when cuts are being made. I was solid when I was doing it though, I could take two 12 inch cinder blocks and lift them over my head in each hand.
Whatever you decide to do, you will want to be passionate about it. Otherwise, it's just a paycheck and you'll hate it.
One low-cost skill to learn is CAD. It is a skill in high demand throughout many trades and industries. Most community colleges have classes. I'm sure there is also remote learning available.
Many trades offer apprentice programs to train you, especially if it's a specialized trade. Some trades have special schools you can go to and have job placement afterwards.
You're locale will need to be a big part of your decision making process. If you live near a large city you can find a wide variety of trades, including the specialized ones where the pay is much higher. If you're in a more rural area you may want to go with one of the basic trades like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, welding, masonry, heavy equipment operator. Ability and willingness to travel and/or relocate should also be a part of your decision making process. It is, from my experience, the biggest factor in putting a ceiling on the salary you could earn.
Do you work better alone or with a team?
Would you be willing to or able to manage people and do you have a the social skills to interact with strangers?
Do you want something fairly routine or do you want to be presented with different scenario's each day?
Will you physically be able to do the job proficiently up to the age you're ready to retire? Be mindful if you pick a trade that involves a lot of physical work, in 20 years will you be able to keep up with the younger folks?
Will there be a market for your skill in 30+ years?
Now, get the hell off of here and go research your future.
In my area there’s 112 companies in 135,000 person city. It’s a good job but 9/10 electricians make squat because there’s to many outfits with apprentices doing the work $17/hr to compete going on your own as a self employed guy trying to charge $50
What Zyklonbeekeeper mentioned about having high uncertainty in the economy right now is probably the most important thing in this thread. We're starting to have to pay down the damage caused by the lockdowns. (((Globohomo))) is pushing corporate ESGs to Chinify the West. If they can't do that, they'll just keep moving more money to actual China.
The money printers are driving up the price of everything via inflation. If you can get credit and spend it on something that has real, intrinsic value; there's a good chance you could repay your loan with inflated dollars. There's always money to be made in owning expensive tools and knowing how to use them well.
Obamacare has gutted hospitals financially. Mandates have pushed critical thinkers out of that and other industries. If you can figure out a way to fly under the radar and connect to a parallel economy for healthcare that competes against the FDA echo-chamber, you'd probably find a lot of under-employed colleagues to help you take over.
As trust in the mainstream erodes, a lot of people are willing to give alt-tech a try.
If you'd have asked 5-10 years ago, I'd have said what follows. It's hard to know, though, how much of it might be timeless wisdom vs. how much is an old general preparing for yesterday's war.
\ "If you do what you love, then you'll never have to work for a living." Not entirely true (you still have to e.g., bill and file taxes), but I think has some merit. Mike Rowe is also correct that work ethic is more important than passion. That said, all else equal, choose from among multiple hard job options by which one you're most passionate about. \ Try to collect data about what prospective industries will be like in 5-10 years. There are often articles like "experts predicting a shortfall of X in as existing workers retire" or "companies are having a hard time finding workers who are familiar with [recent industry trend]"
Most likely you will not have downtime. You can leave your headphones at home. If that bothers you pick something else. It will be you and a journeyman working together. And later it will be you working with an apprentice. These relationships will determine the toll your job will take on you. Copes will arise ie alcohol, drugs, lazy work. You have to maintain a healthy mind, which is rare in the construction trades.
Personally I feel like the electrical trade , if you are good, will reward you with the most respect for your bodily sacrifice. But understand there is sacrifice in all building trades. Injuries and maiming can happen at any moment, and it could be somebody else's fault.
Electrical is the last bastion against the Mexicans too. Luckily their culture is still in fear of just how our electrical systems work. They can pull wire all day but will leave the complex work to gringos. this won't last forever.
[ - ] 3Whuurs 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:59:36 ago (+1/-0)
HVAC is kind of a sweet spot. Specialized enough that not every swinging dick can just give it a shot, but can pay really well.
If you think the chances are high you’d get restless and want to try other trades, just start with the highest paying one you can get and go from their.
I’d stay away from the exterior trades though, cause no matter how well they pay, it’s lot of dirty grunt work with high odds of getting sick of it. But that’s just me. I’m highly OCD organized the so I like to organize my tools and environment to work for me. Hard to do that outdoors when all our shit just has to sit on the ground.
One small niche I learned about last year was appliance installers in my area make$125/hr and have less then $4000 worth of tools. Takes no training And always seem to have more work then they an handle
Find an electrician willing to hire you as an apprentice. DO not go out and party after work, study. Work a few years, get your licenses, you WILL make money. Much more in demand & skilled than so many other professions.
Good luck & hard work go a long way.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone this route instead of the hospitality industry which is a dead end!
[ - ] beece 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:14:00 ago (+1/-0)
I worked in concrete construction and up to being a foreman years back. I dug it, brutal work and long hours at times. I think that the career path would be that before your knees and back give out, you become an owner. Save your shekels.
Buddy did that as a residential electrician and is killing it right now. Keep your overhead way down so that you can weather the next recession.
Framing carpenter here. Just pick one. If you're comfortable with electricity, be an electrician. If you're cool with heights and weather, build the house. Go to a company that does it and ask if they'll train you on the job. Most places will today.
1) try different things and figure out what you actually like 2) figure out how much money you need to have the lifestyle you want 3) find a balance between 1) and 2)
Military defense contractors. We are building a lot of nuclear submarines right now. I think they’re trying to get 12 of the big ones done in the next 20 years which will just about carry you to retirement. Are hiring anyone with a high school degree. 4 to 8 months of paid training. Full union benefits, I think the starting package is worth 60 or 70,000 a year.
I'd say plan for collapse. Learn a trade that will still be useful even if the economy is dead and people are having to make do with a reduced supply chain. I'm thinking carpentry, plumbing and metalwork of various kinds might make a lot of sense.
Yep,your a prime candidate for the US military service,if you can even get in-if so the experiences you will endure are a lifetime gift-travel.armory training,PhysEd.training & a paycheck as well.
I'm in aviation and I never regretted becoming an aircraft mechanic. To be licensed, you essentially become a jack of all trades. Newer tech is "fly by wire" so if you have a knack for robotics, it would be easy to pull 200-300k a year.
Ive worked in plumbing and know a lot of plumbers. You can make a killing working for yourself, but its often miserable work in shitty conditions, and the older you get the greater of an everyday toll it will take as it can by very physically demanding. I would suggest to steer clear. Electricians seem to be fairly happy and in high demand. There are a lot of idiot electricians, so the good ones really stand out.
Do you want to build or design? If you like design then go for a drafting associates degree. It can be done part time classes in 2 years. They will cover most fields so you get a taste for each.
hey man. grew up the same way. no father figure uncle role model. nada.
I did all kinds of odd jobs and eventually settled into IT.
Do something you're passionate about, and, have a backup plan. do something skill wise that you can do to fall back on, and then pursue your passion.
chin up goat. keep yourself free of debt, keep your head on you, keep ties with friends, take a moment every day to find something that makes you happy to be alive. hope for the best but plan for the worst.
Plumbers do house calls, work on construction, and occasionally have to deal with feces. A lot of people's houses are absolutely disgusting, it's one of the reasons I decided to not do computer repair house calls. I'm talking bags of garbage, food wrappers and containers months old all over the floor, roaches, roaches everywhere, even in their computers. I've even seen C-pap machines with roaches in them. Then there's the smokers...
Electrician, sort of like plumbers, you can choose not to do house calls with electrician or plumber though.
Welding can take you to job sites and a lot will be outdoors. Sometimes the welding crews/pipe fitters can be a rough crowd, it depends on what kind of people you are used to.
Machinist, indoors, there are machine shops everywhere that you never noticed. Most decent sized factories also have their own fabrication.
I wish I could give you advice. When I was in my late teens/early 20s I thought I didn't need to learn a trade because I was good with computers and could just do computer repair for home users. Then smart phones came around and that turned out to be a big mistake.
You can join a local networking group after you have chosen a profession. If you are charismatic and capable of higher communication i would advice you consider sales.
If you are here you should realize you won't be able to function in your standard office setting. In a world of niggers it still takes a White Guy to close a high ticket item. You can sale yahts, cars, businesses, contracts, homes, exterior work, interior work, real estate, etc etc. There is loads of work and the pay is extremely high.
Right now within 100 Miles of your location is a Man wiling to be convinced to give you the opportunity to make 150k+ USD right now this moment without any further qualification other than having the balls to do the work. The mental and inner dominance. If you master yourself, thats all the trade you need to make money.
Bear in mind money alone won't save you and is often more cost than its worth. You'll need land most certain and a Wife to bear children. Fortitude for the dark times that are yet to come.
I started an appliance repair business with no trade schooling for under $1000. Set my own hours and rates. Worked out very well. Today, you can learn most repairs for free with YouTube videos.
Before that, 16 years long haul trucking. Sit-on your-ass easy for the most part. See America.
Go into the electric power industry. Become a lineman and do as much storm response as you humanly can and make bank. Be wise with your money and retire.
I'm late to the show and will likely echo others, but here is my two cents. Mike Rowe has a foundation that will give you money for schooling in the trades. Check it out. I suggest calling industrial contractors and ask them if they have internships. They will pay you to learn. Start with electrical. If you go electrical try to move towards drives (motor controllers) inductrial wiring (panel building) then PLC programming. Take some business courses and go to work for yourself. Set up a 10 or 15 year plan. Have a great work ethic. Learn to anticipate what your boss wants and get it done before he asks. Become valuable. You can pave your own path.
The good thing about being young is that you have time. Try a trade. If you absolutely hate it, join a new one. It's okay to start over when you have very few responsibilities.
If the job can be idiot proofed to the point of anyone being able to do it, then it doesn't have a future as a well paying trade.
Look for the trades that can't be idiot proofed and done by anyone, and/or can't be done by computer and machine.
CNC for example - It's becoming idiot proof. CAD software is becoming more user friendly, machines are getting to the point of any hobbyist having one in their garage.
My suggestion is electrician. Lots of different directions you can go in. New home builds, installing or repairing car chargers, various different industrial work. And the vast majority of the work can't be done by machine or computers. So the job will be high in demand until you're old enough to retire.
There are other trades, that when they become idiot proof, will be done by people who took a week long course. But for electricians, no matter how simple many tasks are, they will always HAVE TO be done by a certified electrician.
As a high school dropout and nearly a millionaire from hard work in the trades and business ownership, I can tell you this: find a trade, learn it, go into business for yourself in that field. I did it in construction. I started at a window company as an installer/assistant. Got licensed five years later. The rest is history. However, we (me and the other window guys) used to talk of how we should have become electricians, as they are the highest paid trade on the job, hands down. There are apprenticeship programs in that field everywhere. Union guys make a bundle. I have a friend who knocks down 120k as an electrician in a position with the city, not even union. HVAC would be a second best. Plumbers do well. Welders, like you said, but welding has its health risk issues. Check out your local electricians union and see if they can get you in on an apprenticeship. You’ll have classes of course, but you could probably be working fairly quickly. The trades need people. Good luck.
I’m biased toward the electrical trade, but if I could offer a second opinion, I might say HVAC. There is a great opportunity there in repeat work. People want their heating and cooling systems regularly serviced, and that means steady employ.
You don’t have to join the union if you don’t want; you can also find a small company and stick around. The trades (every one) are dying to find young people with enough maturity to simply show up on time and put their phones down. (This also means, in many cases, no podcasts. In certainty not on headphones.) Also it helps if you are not a complete dumbass.
If you aren’t a complete dumbass, and find the right opportunity giving you at least some experience in multiple areas of construction (residential, commercial, and industrial) you can leverage this to pivot into inspection before your body gives out.
How is the average day? It depends. They’re not all great, and you don’t have to love it. You just need to keep your wits about you so you can support your family.
You don’t need connections. I don’t know a single tradesman in my area who wouldn’t take someone with a pulse and get them to work… it is that busy right now.
"...I don't know where to begin and I can't afford to waste much time."
Look at the ones that pay the most. Typically, it is either because people don't want to do the type of work because it is shitty (Plumbing), or it takes extra skills and talent that most do not possess. (Refrigeration).
You also want to avoid work that is disappearing or going to disappear. Aircraft maintenance, for example, is dying because they've shipped a lot of the work overseas, but more importantly because there is going to be a dramatic reduction in flying going forward.
Some fields are shifting like diesel tech. Currently, they're training everybody on the latest crap that's overly digitized. The techs don't understand the basics and can't work on the old equipment because there aren't any computers to help them diagnose. (They have no feel for it.) As we come to the end of the digital age and go back to analog, however, there will be a big demand for techs who can work on basic equipment.
The best way to learn a trade this is from some old guy currently working in the field. If you show eagerness and aptitude, most of these places will hire you and train you on the job. But don't be a faggot. Show up on time, every day without exception. Always go the extra mile and for god's sake, keep the fucking phone away from your work area. Old guys can become your "father figure" if you show them that you can be a 'good son'.
HVAC seems decent...
Stay away from HVAC. It's full of retards and the industry has a bad reputation. If you have the aptitude, Refrigeration is a much better choice because it is much more difficult so the majority of tards don't understand it. Refrigeration techs generally get paid more and the work is steady versus HVAC techs who can find themselves out of work for periods of time during the year.
Trucking is good right now because young people are too lazy and quite frankly too stupid to handle the responsibility.
The real answer here is to simply try something. Whatever you pick stick with it for a couple of years. You are not going to know if you like something or not until you've done it long enough to get a feel for it. Unfortunately, trade school will not help you decide what you like or dislike. Trade school only helps you get your foot in the door. Actually working the job is the only way to find out if you like it.
Personally, I've had a number of 'careers' in various trades. I've also done cube farm, corporate retard, office work. I changed fields as opportunities presented themselves or if I saw the writing on the wall. I can say this, however, my diversified background has helped me immensely regardless of the job I am doing.
Find out what locals are in your area. Call all the local trade unions: carpenters, plumbers, pipefitters, electricians and sprinklerfitters, Ask them when their next apprenticeship test will be. Go to whichever of these tests that you want, and try to get into a trade union. They will teach you the job, you do not have to have experience to become an apprentice.
If you have any friends or relatives that are in a trade union, ask them. If not, just do the legwork yourself and call the union halls.
I'm not the type of person that needs to be "passionate" about my work. If it pays well and the environment isn't retarded that's all I care about. Boredom does not phase me. I plug in a podcast and do the work.
First, yes you do need to be passionate about your work because it will show if you don't. This apples to any job.
Second, NEVER take a job just because it pays well or because "the environment isn't retarded". Take a job you like because you'll be doing it for a long time. I've seen guys that hate their jobs. They're fucking miserable and everyone hates them because their hate of their job transfers into their work and makes them pieces of shit. See line above.
Third, keep your little air pods the fuck in your pocket dickhead. You need to pay attention to your surroundings and the directions given to you. Oh my god, I want to slap the shit out of you already.
You're going to need to park the attitude of "it's about me" and what you need. God help you if you run into someone like me.
How am I supposed to commit to one thing without knowing what the average day is like doing that thing?
Ask someone who does it. Try it out. The problem is that you know nothing so there will always be a company who is willing to "try you out" and take advantage you. Sometimes there are people you work with who will take advantage of you. It's a tough road. But hang out, try one job and then line up another for a few years until you find someplace/something you like. You're young(?). You've got time.
My best advice is the same as I'd give to a college student. Pick something that people can't live without or that only a few people can do but is always required.
HVAC seems decent but then again CNC machining looks pretty straightforward and pays well. Maybe I'd enjoy being a plumber or driving a truck I don't fucking know.
Underwater welder. Oil, gas etc. Small niche, high risk. Or electrician. Everyone needs an electrician at some point. HVAC. I know firsthand that when my furnace or air conditioner doesn't work price is not a question. When it can get done is.
Listen, you've got a lot of comments here. I've got good advice. Go to union halls or job sites or local plumbing shops etc, ask the old fuckers. You'll quickly notice which trades ruin your knees or back or whatever. Pick which one you can live with.
I'm not being negative at all. Join a trade, but use the old guys as a litmus test.
You're right. He could probably find out testing dates and all the forms online.
That's not what I said, though. I want him to take a look at where he'll be at 50 from the old guys. Stuff like knee problems or carpal tunnel etc. The old service plumber will have different ailments than the excavator operator, for example.
Having been there, done that, gotten old and seen it all...become a merchant marine. Go to maritime academy for 2 years, graduate making well over 100k working 6months on/off. For a youngun it doesn't get much better than what that industry pays.
[ + ] Zyklonbeekeeper
[ - ] Zyklonbeekeeper 19 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:01:22 ago (+19/-0)
The highest paid Blue Collar job is Hoisting Engineer(crane operator) but if you lack heavy equipment experience and are mathematically deficient then stay away.
Look at servicing the masses ie home renovation (carpentry, framing basement leakage repairs etc), homeowners always need work done. A very lucrative market also is landscaping and lawn maintenance and snow clearing.
Being without a father figure sucks but seems common today but hopefully you can help turn that around for when you have a family.
One thing I must mention, and don't get discouraged, is that the entire world is in an economically fucked situation right now because of the BULLSHIT GREEN PLAN, climate change fraud has temporarily stunned the job market but it will return after everything collapses.
Being successful today doesn't cut it, you have to be exceptional and by that you have to supply a goods or service that exceeds common supply...simply put, ten guys might offer grass cutting but don't limb trees and if you offer both then your service is better, just make sure your work is done with pride and with respect for your customers.
Best of luck OP.
[ + ] con77
[ - ] con77 7 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:18:25 ago (+7/-0)
[ + ] zezima
[ - ] zezima [op] 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:27:46 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] Zyklonbeekeeper
[ - ] Zyklonbeekeeper 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:33:16 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] Ragnar
[ - ] Ragnar 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:34:38 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] 3Whuurs
[ - ] 3Whuurs 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:23:09 ago (+1/-0)
Not unless you own the place.
[ + ] account deleted by user
[ - ] account deleted by user 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:16:10 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] s23erdctfvyg
[ - ] s23erdctfvyg 10 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:08:21 ago (+10/-0)
2. Ask yourself, can you do this without a functioning society?
3. A) If yes, try it out with an internship.
3. B) If no, then pick an industry that your previous industry relies on.
4. Repeat step 1-3 B) add nauseum until you hit a baseline industry, i.e. and industry that can function without other industries and without a functioning society.
5. Start into that industry with the intention of continuously moving upwards in industries until you reach your starting industry.
If you do the above, then you will have purpose of being able to single handedly resurrecting major parts of society in the event everything goes to shit, which will be your main driving force. You will never risk hating your job, as you will be moving from industry to industry every couple years. Likewise, you will be able to return to any industry you like once you have completed your goal.
If this is too complicated for you, then take up farming. Farming is a baseline industry that will always provide you with what you need. Between farmers markets, craigslist, growing distrust between the corporate and public sector, and stores looking to buy local produce to meet supply gaps; You will never run out of buyers and your prospects will only increase.
[ + ] con77
[ - ] con77 9 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:16:45 ago (+9/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:48:02 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] 3Whuurs
[ - ] 3Whuurs 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:33:34 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] ToNigIsToNog
[ - ] ToNigIsToNog 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 00:01:49 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] jqueso
[ - ] jqueso 7 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:02:12 ago (+7/-0)
Start podcast. Prep machine. Press start. Collect paycheck.
[ + ] zezima
[ - ] zezima [op] 3 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:13:37 ago (+3/-0)*
[ + ] localsal
[ - ] localsal 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:19:01 ago (+1/-0)
CNC is very expensive per part compared to other processes due to the equipment required and man hours, and is generally done for low volume or new designs. Is there an industry in the location that justifies setting a shop to produce what they need? Supposing they did go into production, could you produce x amount in y time? etc.
I worked on a project that needed an aluminum cutout for a display housing. It took a solid block of aluminum (not cheap, from what I recall) and machined away essentially 90% of it. Very expensive prototype.
Other processes can be much cheaper and faster.
Just some thoughts.
[ + ] PotatoWhisperer
[ - ] PotatoWhisperer 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:33:08 ago (+0/-0)
There will always be the need for people who can tell the machines what to do. CNC can easily translate into whatever machine replaces it.
[ + ] Broc_Liath
[ - ] Broc_Liath 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 02:41:55 ago (+0/-0)
No matter how smart it gets there will always be human oversight. So long as you don't stick around too long in a job being automated out from under you there'll be plenty of work.
[ + ] drhitler
[ - ] drhitler 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:57:48 ago (+0/-0)
Also you need to know how to draw vectors properly and most graphic designers dont even know how to use them properly
[ + ] GoatsAdvocate
[ - ] GoatsAdvocate 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:14:39 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] natehiggers
[ - ] natehiggers 7 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 17:40:35 ago (+7/-0)
[ + ] texasblood
[ - ] texasblood 3 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:42:12 ago (+3/-0)
I've been at it since 1981 with no pride left in my career.
[ + ] germ22
[ - ] germ22 5 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:02:35 ago (+5/-0)
Essentially it's building robots. With everything being automated these days, the skills in very high demand is someone who is a mechanic and electrician in one. That is Mechantronics. Not a very wildly known trade, but the demand is high and is getting higher.
[ + ] pshawman
[ - ] pshawman 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:59:25 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] SparklingWiggle
[ - ] SparklingWiggle 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:15:58 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Yargiyankooli
[ - ] Yargiyankooli 5 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 17:31:03 ago (+5/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:03:44 ago (+1/-0)
This problem is only going to get worse:
The Universe is Hostile to Computers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaZ_RSt0KP8
As Earth's protective magnetic field continues to deteriorate:
THE Earth Disaster Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihwoIlxHI3Q
[ + ] allahead
[ - ] allahead 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:56:32 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Yargiyankooli
[ - ] Yargiyankooli 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:18:53 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Broc_Liath
[ - ] Broc_Liath 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 02:47:09 ago (+0/-0)
Unless there's a polar flip and a solar storm it's not going anywhere. If that does happen most trades and jobs will be useless.
Sort of. They tend to be cheaper to design.
Partially agree. Most software does not come close to the standards required of any other engineering discipline. Whenever I have to learn a new framework I'm usually horrified by how slapdash it is.
That said, the solution to that is usually hiring better paid software engineers to redevelop it from scratch, not going for a pre-digital solution.
[ + ] HeyJames
[ - ] HeyJames 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:40:12 ago (+4/-0)
With the rapid expansion of everything digital and boomers retiring en masse, in my opinion getting into the field as an electronics technician at the moment is an excellent career path and probably the most promising trade at the moment.
Just bear in mind it takes a special type of person to be interested in this. You'll need to be a scientist/engineer type that likes to be hands on.
Feel free to message me as I have some knowledge in this.
[ + ] dontknowwhatiwant
[ - ] dontknowwhatiwant 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:31:05 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] 1Icemonkey
[ - ] 1Icemonkey 2 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:10:13 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:25:09 ago (+0/-0)
Yes and no. If you are a master electrician and have your own business then you can do well. I know a guy with his own business who got out of secondary electrical work all together. His company does primary electrical as part of a focus on underground utility work. They also do stuff like underground plumbing (line boring, sewer pipe, water lines etc.). The biggest problem he is having is finding young guys who are worth a shit and want to stay in the field. He will hire people with no experience and train them, but they typically quit after a couple of years and go into something easier.
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:17:31 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] TankTinker
[ - ] TankTinker 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:33:26 ago (+4/-0)*
The most common complaint from tradesmen goes something like this, "I started my apprenticeship at age fifteen since then there has been nothing but unremitting toil" .. they know not everybody works like they do yet they see those same non workers getting on ok just the same.
This can effect their sociological outlook and they have been known to harbor grudges, and to formulate plans of revenge against mainstream society.
Plenty of other tradesmen absolutely dig what they are doing and enjoy every minute they spend on the job .. I was that kind, 40 yrs as a journeyman rigger, scaffolder and crane operator in petrochemical, mining, telecommunications and construction, had a great time, made a lot of money and journeyed to a lot of great locations. Edit.
[ + ] Aetherian
[ - ] Aetherian 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:32:21 ago (+4/-0)
Draw up a shortlist, and use that to research potential apprenticeships.
If you take an electrical apprenticeship, study plumbing at the same time, as they are similar in principle in some ways.
https://www.electricianschooledu.org/aviation-electrician/
[ + ] Sturmgeschutz
[ - ] Sturmgeschutz 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:22:07 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 3 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:56:25 ago (+3/-0)
On a serious note, I wouldn't exactly call plumbing "easy". A lot of tards think they know what they are doing until an expensive to correct problem arises. It is a pretty good field to get into, however.
[ + ] Sturmgeschutz
[ - ] Sturmgeschutz 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:00:14 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:53:21 ago (+0/-0)
I have done plenty of electrical and plumbing and don't see much correlation. Being able to do both trades however would definitely give somebody a leg up on the competition.
[ + ]deleted
[ - ] deleted 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 17:58:41 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] con77
[ - ] con77 9 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:19:22 ago (+9/-0)
[ + ] natehiggers
[ - ] natehiggers 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:47:23 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] deleted
[ - ] deleted 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:59:10 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] con77
[ - ] con77 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:38:43 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] deleted
[ - ] deleted 7 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:22:47 ago (+7/-0)
[ + ] SteppingRazor
[ - ] SteppingRazor 5 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:47:00 ago (+5/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:49:57 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] SteppingRazor
[ - ] SteppingRazor 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:00:28 ago (+1/-0)
I was solid when I was doing it though, I could take two 12 inch cinder blocks and lift them over my head in each hand.
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:06:29 ago (+1/-0)
I believe you. It really builds the body when one is young, but did you notice how broken down and in pain the older guys were?
[ + ] SteppingRazor
[ - ] SteppingRazor 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 19, 2022 16:17:03 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] ItsBacon
[ - ] ItsBacon 3 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:41:29 ago (+3/-0)
One low-cost skill to learn is CAD. It is a skill in high demand throughout many trades and industries. Most community colleges have classes. I'm sure there is also remote learning available.
Many trades offer apprentice programs to train you, especially if it's a specialized trade. Some trades have special schools you can go to and have job placement afterwards.
You're locale will need to be a big part of your decision making process. If you live near a large city you can find a wide variety of trades, including the specialized ones where the pay is much higher. If you're in a more rural area you may want to go with one of the basic trades like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, welding, masonry, heavy equipment operator. Ability and willingness to travel and/or relocate should also be a part of your decision making process. It is, from my experience, the biggest factor in putting a ceiling on the salary you could earn.
Do you work better alone or with a team?
Would you be willing to or able to manage people and do you have a the social skills to interact with strangers?
Do you want something fairly routine or do you want to be presented with different scenario's each day?
Will you physically be able to do the job proficiently up to the age you're ready to retire? Be mindful if you pick a trade that involves a lot of physical work, in 20 years will you be able to keep up with the younger folks?
Will there be a market for your skill in 30+ years?
Now, get the hell off of here and go research your future.
Good luck OP!
PS: niggerfaggot
[ + ] texasblood
[ - ] texasblood 3 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:38:35 ago (+3/-0)
THINK ABOUT IT!!
Everything needs juice these days.
The field is vast and so much more than just light bulbs
[ + ] 3Whuurs
[ - ] 3Whuurs 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:54:54 ago (+0/-0)
It’s a good job but 9/10 electricians make squat because there’s to many outfits with apprentices doing the work $17/hr to compete going on your own as a self employed guy trying to charge $50
[ + ] Temp20210918c
[ - ] Temp20210918c 2 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:16:12 ago (+2/-0)
The money printers are driving up the price of everything via inflation. If you can get credit and spend it on something that has real, intrinsic value; there's a good chance you could repay your loan with inflated dollars. There's always money to be made in owning expensive tools and knowing how to use them well.
Obamacare has gutted hospitals financially. Mandates have pushed critical thinkers out of that and other industries. If you can figure out a way to fly under the radar and connect to a parallel economy for healthcare that competes against the FDA echo-chamber, you'd probably find a lot of under-employed colleagues to help you take over.
As trust in the mainstream erodes, a lot of people are willing to give alt-tech a try.
If you'd have asked 5-10 years ago, I'd have said what follows. It's hard to know, though, how much of it might be timeless wisdom vs. how much is an old general preparing for yesterday's war.
\ "If you do what you love, then you'll never have to work for a living." Not entirely true (you still have to e.g., bill and file taxes), but I think has some merit. Mike Rowe is also correct that work ethic is more important than passion. That said, all else equal, choose from among multiple hard job options by which one you're most passionate about.
\ Try to collect data about what prospective industries will be like in 5-10 years. There are often articles like "experts predicting a shortfall of X in as existing workers retire" or "companies are having a hard time finding workers who are familiar with [recent industry trend]"
[ + ] Greatmuta
[ - ] Greatmuta 2 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:11:39 ago (+2/-0)
Most likely you will not have downtime. You can leave your headphones at home. If that bothers you pick something else. It will be you and a journeyman working together. And later it will be you working with an apprentice. These relationships will determine the toll your job will take on you. Copes will arise ie alcohol, drugs, lazy work. You have to maintain a healthy mind, which is rare in the construction trades.
Personally I feel like the electrical trade , if you are good, will reward you with the most respect for your bodily sacrifice. But understand there is sacrifice in all building trades. Injuries and maiming can happen at any moment, and it could be somebody else's fault.
Electrical is the last bastion against the Mexicans too. Luckily their culture is still in fear of just how our electrical systems work. They can pull wire all day but will leave the complex work to gringos. this won't last forever.
[ + ]deleted
[ - ] deleted 2 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:19:52 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:28:03 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] 3Whuurs
[ - ] 3Whuurs 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:59:36 ago (+1/-0)
Specialized enough that not every swinging dick can just give it a shot, but can pay really well.
If you think the chances are high you’d get restless and want to try other trades, just start with the highest paying one you can get and go from their.
I’d stay away from the exterior trades though, cause no matter how well they pay, it’s lot of dirty grunt work with high odds of getting sick of it. But that’s just me. I’m highly OCD organized the so I like to organize my tools and environment to work for me. Hard to do that outdoors when all our shit just has to sit on the ground.
One small niche I learned about last year was appliance installers in my area make$125/hr and have less then $4000 worth of tools. Takes no training And always seem to have more work then they an handle
[ + ] dontknowwhatiwant
[ - ] dontknowwhatiwant 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:27:18 ago (+1/-0)
Good luck & hard work go a long way.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone this route instead of the hospitality industry which is a dead end!
[ + ] beece
[ - ] beece 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:14:00 ago (+1/-0)
Buddy did that as a residential electrician and is killing it right now. Keep your overhead way down so that you can weather the next recession.
[ + ] Wemustremainpure
[ - ] Wemustremainpure 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:00:47 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] SteppingRazor
[ - ] SteppingRazor 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:48:11 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ]deleted
[ - ] deleted 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 17:27:34 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] account deleted by user
[ - ] account deleted by user 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 15:52:13 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Breeder
[ - ] Breeder 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 14:28:45 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] carnold03
[ - ] carnold03 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 09:23:44 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] 11hrr
[ - ] 11hrr 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 08:28:21 ago (+0/-0)
2) figure out how much money you need to have the lifestyle you want
3) find a balance between 1) and 2)
[ + ] Tav
[ - ] Tav 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 06:51:03 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Broc_Liath
[ - ] Broc_Liath 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 02:39:37 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] zr855
[ - ] zr855 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 02:23:11 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] xmasskull
[ - ] xmasskull 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:39:12 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ]deleted
[ - ] deleted 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:35:22 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] account deleted by user
[ - ] account deleted by user 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:13:42 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] GoyimNose_1948
[ - ] GoyimNose_1948 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:10:27 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Hobama
[ - ] Hobama 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 01:02:36 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Deathstalker
[ - ] Deathstalker 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 00:58:49 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] ToNigIsToNog
[ - ] ToNigIsToNog 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 00:00:37 ago (+0/-0)
I did all kinds of odd jobs and eventually settled into IT.
Do something you're passionate about, and, have a backup plan. do something skill wise that you can do to fall back on, and then pursue your passion.
chin up goat. keep yourself free of debt, keep your head on you, keep ties with friends, take a moment every day to find something that makes you happy to be alive. hope for the best but plan for the worst.
Cheers buddy.
[ + ] Vrbllpollushin
[ - ] Vrbllpollushin 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 23:32:02 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] allahead
[ - ] allahead 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:52:07 ago (+0/-0)
Electrician, sort of like plumbers, you can choose not to do house calls with electrician or plumber though.
Welding can take you to job sites and a lot will be outdoors. Sometimes the welding crews/pipe fitters can be a rough crowd, it depends on what kind of people you are used to.
Machinist, indoors, there are machine shops everywhere that you never noticed. Most decent sized factories also have their own fabrication.
[ + ] GhostCow
[ - ] GhostCow 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:34:34 ago (+0/-0)
I handle lumber now.
[ + ] Ifuckdolphinseverday
[ - ] Ifuckdolphinseverday 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 22:13:54 ago (+0/-0)
If you are here you should realize you won't be able to function in your standard office setting. In a world of niggers it still takes a White Guy to close a high ticket item. You can sale yahts, cars, businesses, contracts, homes, exterior work, interior work, real estate, etc etc. There is loads of work and the pay is extremely high.
Right now within 100 Miles of your location is a Man wiling to be convinced to give you the opportunity to make 150k+ USD right now this moment without any further qualification other than having the balls to do the work. The mental and inner dominance. If you master yourself, thats all the trade you need to make money.
Bear in mind money alone won't save you and is often more cost than its worth. You'll need land most certain and a Wife to bear children. Fortitude for the dark times that are yet to come.
[ + ] Panic
[ - ] Panic 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:57:31 ago (+0/-0)
Before that, 16 years long haul trucking. Sit-on your-ass easy for the most part. See America.
Either one worked out well.
[ + ] Noctis_Labyrinthus
[ - ] Noctis_Labyrinthus 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:51:54 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] SparklingWiggle
[ - ] SparklingWiggle 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:32:46 ago (+0/-0)
I suggest calling industrial contractors and ask them if they have internships. They will pay you to learn. Start with electrical. If you go electrical try to move towards drives (motor controllers) inductrial wiring (panel building) then PLC programming. Take some business courses and go to work for yourself. Set up a 10 or 15 year plan. Have a great work ethic. Learn to anticipate what your boss wants and get it done before he asks. Become valuable. You can pave your own path.
[ + ] DonaldJTrump
[ - ] DonaldJTrump 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:22:25 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Not_C
[ - ] Not_C 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:21:53 ago (+0/-0)
Look for the trades that can't be idiot proofed and done by anyone, and/or can't be done by computer and machine.
CNC for example - It's becoming idiot proof. CAD software is becoming more user friendly, machines are getting to the point of any hobbyist having one in their garage.
My suggestion is electrician. Lots of different directions you can go in. New home builds, installing or repairing car chargers, various different industrial work. And the vast majority of the work can't be done by machine or computers. So the job will be high in demand until you're old enough to retire.
There are other trades, that when they become idiot proof, will be done by people who took a week long course. But for electricians, no matter how simple many tasks are, they will always HAVE TO be done by a certified electrician.
[ + ] 1Icemonkey
[ - ] 1Icemonkey 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 21:01:45 ago (+0/-0)*
[ + ] heygeorge
[ - ] heygeorge 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:56:16 ago (+0/-0)
You don’t have to join the union if you don’t want; you can also find a small company and stick around. The trades (every one) are dying to find young people with enough maturity to simply show up on time and put their phones down. (This also means, in many cases, no podcasts. In certainty not on headphones.) Also it helps if you are not a complete dumbass.
If you aren’t a complete dumbass, and find the right opportunity giving you at least some experience in multiple areas of construction (residential, commercial, and industrial) you can leverage this to pivot into inspection before your body gives out.
How is the average day? It depends. They’re not all great, and you don’t have to love it. You just need to keep your wits about you so you can support your family.
You don’t need connections. I don’t know a single tradesman in my area who wouldn’t take someone with a pulse and get them to work… it is that busy right now.
[ + ]deleted
[ - ] deleted 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:45:57 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] FalseRealityCheck
[ - ] FalseRealityCheck 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:45:17 ago (+0/-0)
Look at the ones that pay the most. Typically, it is either because people don't want to do the type of work because it is shitty (Plumbing), or it takes extra skills and talent that most do not possess. (Refrigeration).
You also want to avoid work that is disappearing or going to disappear. Aircraft maintenance, for example, is dying because they've shipped a lot of the work overseas, but more importantly because there is going to be a dramatic reduction in flying going forward.
Some fields are shifting like diesel tech. Currently, they're training everybody on the latest crap that's overly digitized. The techs don't understand the basics and can't work on the old equipment because there aren't any computers to help them diagnose. (They have no feel for it.) As we come to the end of the digital age and go back to analog, however, there will be a big demand for techs who can work on basic equipment.
The best way to learn a trade this is from some old guy currently working in the field. If you show eagerness and aptitude, most of these places will hire you and train you on the job. But don't be a faggot. Show up on time, every day without exception. Always go the extra mile and for god's sake, keep the fucking phone away from your work area. Old guys can become your "father figure" if you show them that you can be a 'good son'.
Trucking is good right now because young people are too lazy and quite frankly too stupid to handle the responsibility.
The real answer here is to simply try something. Whatever you pick stick with it for a couple of years. You are not going to know if you like something or not until you've done it long enough to get a feel for it. Unfortunately, trade school will not help you decide what you like or dislike. Trade school only helps you get your foot in the door. Actually working the job is the only way to find out if you like it.
Personally, I've had a number of 'careers' in various trades. I've also done cube farm, corporate retard, office work. I changed fields as opportunities presented themselves or if I saw the writing on the wall. I can say this, however, my diversified background has helped me immensely regardless of the job I am doing.
Good luck.
[ + ]deleted
[ - ] deleted 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:38:48 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ]deleted
[ - ] deleted 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:38:02 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Spaceman84
[ - ] Spaceman84 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:31:02 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Scrimmmy
[ - ] Scrimmmy 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:59:43 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Centaurus
[ - ] Centaurus 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:57:54 ago (+0/-0)
If you have any friends or relatives that are in a trade union, ask them. If not, just do the legwork yourself and call the union halls.
[ + ] RMGoetbbels
[ - ] RMGoetbbels 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:57:08 ago (+0/-0)
First, yes you do need to be passionate about your work because it will show if you don't. This apples to any job.
Second, NEVER take a job just because it pays well or because "the environment isn't retarded". Take a job you like because you'll be doing it for a long time. I've seen guys that hate their jobs. They're fucking miserable and everyone hates them because their hate of their job transfers into their work and makes them pieces of shit. See line above.
Third, keep your little air pods the fuck in your pocket dickhead. You need to pay attention to your surroundings and the directions given to you. Oh my god, I want to slap the shit out of you already.
You're going to need to park the attitude of "it's about me" and what you need. God help you if you run into someone like me.
Ask someone who does it. Try it out. The problem is that you know nothing so there will always be a company who is willing to "try you out" and take advantage you. Sometimes there are people you work with who will take advantage of you. It's a tough road. But hang out, try one job and then line up another for a few years until you find someplace/something you like. You're young(?). You've got time.
My best advice is the same as I'd give to a college student. Pick something that people can't live without or that only a few people can do but is always required.
Underwater welder. Oil, gas etc. Small niche, high risk. Or electrician. Everyone needs an electrician at some point. HVAC. I know firsthand that when my furnace or air conditioner doesn't work price is not a question. When it can get done is.
[ + ] ruck_feddit
[ - ] ruck_feddit 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:48:59 ago (+0/-0)
I'm not being negative at all. Join a trade, but use the old guys as a litmus test.
[ + ] Centaurus
[ - ] Centaurus 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:02:54 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] ruck_feddit
[ - ] ruck_feddit 1 point 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:32:40 ago (+1/-0)
That's not what I said, though. I want him to take a look at where he'll be at 50 from the old guys. Stuff like knee problems or carpal tunnel etc. The old service plumber will have different ailments than the excavator operator, for example.
[ + ] zezima
[ - ] zezima [op] 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 20:37:12 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Cantaloupe
[ - ] Cantaloupe 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 19:41:52 ago (+0/-0)
Busy presently, so a few updates will be made later.
First of all you can be poor and go to college. Just don't take any loans. Have companies pay. So don't make such assumptions.
What you need to do is data analysis. Get statistical data on jobs. And the environment you could live in.
The following affect the choice
What approximate age?
Teen, low twenty, high twenty, etc.
Goals? Finding a wife?
Also you have to find out what sucks about any job, or place to live.
[ + ] BoraxTheFungarian
[ - ] BoraxTheFungarian 0 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:19:39 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] mongre
[ - ] mongre -1 points 2.3 yearsJan 18, 2022 07:59:48 ago (+0/-1)
[ + ] 2Drunk
[ - ] 2Drunk -8 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 17:31:32 ago (+0/-8)
[ + ] Zyklonbeekeeper
[ - ] Zyklonbeekeeper 8 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 17:35:54 ago (+8/-0)
[ + ] zezima
[ - ] zezima [op] 4 points 2.3 yearsJan 17, 2022 18:09:03 ago (+4/-0)