Becoming an electrician?

[rp]

Go into HVAC

I've heard that too, usually from electricians the grass is always greener. A bud does hvac in NJ NY, they're the first ones in so in winter it's no windows, walls, doors, sometimes 10 hrs days from first light. Screw that.

[cbass]

Beets the hell out of being stuffed into a cubicle.

[NickC]

I know an electrician (sole proprietor) in a dense population area of Southern California. His business took a nose-dive starting about 5 years ago. He complains mightily and often.

If you are looking for a career, there is only one I can heartily endorse ...... IF you can enjoy it ...... accounting.

I was in an MBA program and dreading the accounting courses. Until I got into the first one. Everything changed. All of the misconceptions about accounting/beancounting fell away. The veil was lifted. I've been in the accounting/audit field for 30 years now. No regrets. Recommended IF (and only IF) you don't absolutely hate it ....... but to find that out you have to learn it first. Don't believe the stereotypes ..... the field is vast, multifaceted, with excellent upward mobility if you work hard and work smart.

[tsutt]

OK i'm 51 completely broken down physically bad everything. out of money. and a really bad attitude. And no education, now what should i do? hmmm wheres that rope.

[NickC]

OK i'm 51 completely broken down physically bad everything. out of money. and a really bad attitude. And no education, now what should i do? hmmm wheres that rope.

I'm 58 with diabetes and a bad heart valve (although wife says I'm heartless). Retirement nest egg was ripped off when Executive Life of New York went bankrupt and defunct policies turned over to management by the state courts (we all know what happens when the "state" takes control of anything). Have one kid graduated from college, one in college now, and another entering college next year. Therefore, I also have NO money. No prospects for retirement apart from Social Obscurity and a pension that won't even pay my outrageously high New York State property taxes, which means I'll have to relocate in order to afford a daily allotment of pork-n-beans from the dollar-store. Not complaining .... just reporting the facts. It is what it is.

If it weren't for the ability to wire up a few more amps before I pass ...... I'd say "Hey Brother ....... hand me the other end of that rope, will ya?"

Hang in there buddy ..... but not by a rope ...... don't despair ...... okay?

[Cygnus X1]

Go into HVAC.

[EtherealWidow]

Alright. So aside from all your guys' silly banter , I've gotten either HVAC or accounting. HVAC seems like it would be doable, I'm wondering about accounting though. The best man at my wedding does accounting. Can't deny he makes good money now, and that's just with a paid internship. I'll have to ask him about what exactly accounting can entail. Because when I think of accounting, I definitely do think of being stuffed in a fluorescent-lit cubicle with a bunch of numbers, to which HVAC would seem like a much better option. I'll have to ask him about it. Thanks all. You're very helpful and entertaining.

[LeftyStrat]

One thing to keep in mind is that it is really hard to get up five days a week to go spend eight hours (or more) doing something you hate.

I once had a job that started ruining my Sundays, because I'd spend the whole day dreading going back to work the next day. Strange as it sounds, around that time the movie Ground Hog Day came out, and I saw it one weekend. I realized I was living the same day over and over. First thing Monday morning I went into work and quit.

Besides providing food and shelter for your family, you want to provide happiness, which is hard to do coming home from work every day in a sour mood.

Find something you enjoy or you're passionate about, and then figure out a way to make money doing it.

Here's a three minute video on the eight things that lead to success:

http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_joh ... ccess.html

[cbass]

I would definatly recommend getting a white collar job. but Some people just aren't cut out for it.You are young enough to do what ever you want.

Blue collar vs white will define your class in society and who your friends are.Beer drinkers vs cork sniffers.Some people will always look down their nose at you even if you make more money than them just because you don't wear a suit to work.

No matter how hard you work at a WC job you are never going to own the place.In construction its very likely you can work your way into your own business.Not always better than working for someone else.

I've been in Construction for over 20 yrs.I don't have much to show for it as far as money but I do waht i want when I want.If i feel like having a beer I have one if .I feel like going fishing I go fishing.Of course I still have to deliver and insatll my cabinets in a timely manner but its up to me how to get there.

However working for yourself there is no 401k, Insurance or anything.WHile everyone is getting their returns back I am trying to scrape up enough money to pay my income tax. I will probably have to work till I die. I could cut my hand off tommorrow and be a jobless one handed bum just like that.

Also a degree to get a good WC job is gonna cost a lot more than 10grand and take several years.If you just go for a two year degree you are probably just pissing that money away.

I'm not trying to sway you one way or another just sharing my experince.

[cbass]

Oh and one more thing.Its very Important that people like you.I don't mean kissin ass.Just that they like your personality.Always try to be upbeat and positive whatever you do.You can be 10 times better than the next guy but if your boss don't like you you ain't gettin promoted.

[cbass]

[quote="tsutt" Therefore, I also have NO money. No prospects for retirement apart from Social Obscurity and a pension that won't even pay my outrageously high New York State property taxes, which means I'll have to relocate in order to afford a daily allotment of pork-n-beans from the dollar-store.

Move down here when you retire I bet you could by an equivilent house for 1/3 or less here compared to new york.You can save money on shoes .You probably won't even get butt raped since you know a local.I can't promise though.

[NickC]

[quote="tsutt" Therefore, I also have NO money. No prospects for retirement apart from Social Obscurity and a pension that won't even pay my outrageously high New York State property taxes, which means I'll have to relocate in order to afford a daily allotment of pork-n-beans from the dollar-store.

Move down here when you retire I bet you could by an equivilent house for 1/3 or less here compared to new york.You can save money on shoes .You probably won't even get butt raped since you know a local.I can't promise though.

I was born and raised in Georgia.

I'd be back there now (or in rural Appalachia) were it not for the wife (born in Canada and raised in the great-frozen-north). I feel like Lewis Grizzard after he took a writing job in Chicago ...... he said he was a "prisoner of war". Oh yeah .... that's about the size of it.

[EtherealWidow]

You know, I would really love to have a job that I like doing. If I thought I could provide for my family I'd play guitar or record music or speak Arabic and French (but unfortunately becoming a translator isn't really an option). That's why I'm wondering about blue collar jobs. They're much more realistic at this point. Although if I don't completely hate accounting, that might be an option too.