Considering a change in careers

[Devel]

so as some of you know ive been goin to school at weber state to get my degree in automotive technology. recently i recieved my associates degree and am working on my bachalors. but i am considering changing my career. here is my small list of things ive considered:

Firefighter

Welder

CNC Machine

or just stickin with what ive got

Let me know what you think

 

[I Lean]

That's not a decision anyone else can really help you with, unfortunately.

 

[Chevycrew]

Its hard to say... Our new guy at work is 1 credit from his bachelors at weber for auto tech.

Now he is working on locomotives and not really using any of what he learned in school...


Do what you want, get paid what you want, etc...

 

[Spork]

Its hard to say... Our new guy at work is 1 credit from his bachelors at weber for auto tech.

Now he is working on locomotives and not really using any of what he learned in school...


Do what you want, get paid what you want, etc...

Happens more than you would think, I'm an IT guy and I've had co-workers with Forestry, Political Science, and Accounting majors.

 

[sibeta]

i would say getting your degree is a good thing. I've never met anybody that told me that they were sorry that they had got a college degree once they were done. The US. Census bureau has tons of stats to show that on the average a college graduate makes $10,000 to $15000 more a year than someone with a high school diploma. So stick it out and graduate. You are pretty close with your associates degree already finished.

 

[lewis]

If I were looking to change I would try to find a career that wasn't as affected by the economy. Everyone is somewhat, just some more than others.

 

[Corban_White]

Judging by your profile you currently work at pepboys? I can't tell you what career is good but I have worked as a machinist and welder and can say that 95% of those jobs can be VERY tedious. The same thing at the same place every day. If that is for you then go for it but I didn't last long. (I get bored easily ) Some welder/ironworker jobs will vary and be exciting but they can have their own drawbacks. Being a firefighter can be exciting, and hard work, it can be dangerous, and stressful but if that appeals to you try it out for a while. I have wished many times that I had a ton of money or no family to support and I would switch jobs every 6 mos. so I could learn something different. I love learning how to do new things. But, I have a family (which has turned out to be the better decision), a mortgage, etc. so I have gone the route of a better paying stable job. Sorry for all the rambling-that's my .02.

 

[TimB]

Stick to what you are doing and complete it. As an employer, it looks bad to me when I am hiring if a guy never finishes what he starts or keeps changing his mind. The ability to follow through and complete something tells me a lot about someone - what the education is in matters less. I recently filled a position that I usually hire people with electronics degrees to fill. The guy I hired has a degree in food industry management or something like that. He has been working as a contractor for several months for me so I knew what he was capable of, but he beat out several others with electronics degrees.

 

[Cody]

firefighters have some pretty cool benefits (lots of time off, pretty good pay etc). It can be a shitty job and hard to get into, but most people seem to like it.

 

[sixb]

Judging by your profile you currently work at pepboys? I can't tell you what career is good but I have worked as a machinist and welder and can say that 95% of those jobs can be VERY tedious. The same thing at the same place every day. If that is for you then go for it but I didn't last long. (I get bored easily ) Some welder/ironworker jobs will vary and be exciting but they can have their own drawbacks.

Very true unless you work for a small job shop, but the pay and benefits wont be near as good. Even small job shops get lucky every now and then and gets a big production run which is good for the books and bad for the brain and butt:greg:

 

[Maverick]

Good advice about finishing your degree. Get it done. Even if you don't use it specifically, it shows people that you can finish a project and jump through hoops. You will not regret it.

There are a lot of people that do just fine without, but since you are already close, get it done. If possible, take some classes in other areas that are interesting.

In the meantime, learn about some of your other interests and position yourself. Get an internship if at all possible.

Brett (my degree has been good to me)

 

[Bart]

Astronaut was not on the list.

 

[Caleb]

IMO, After working as a welder and with many welders over the years, I would say avoid that profession at all costs. That has to be the most negative bunch of guys I've ever met. My brother-in-law is a machinest and he loves his job. I've never heard him ***** about work...ever. But, he is also pretty simple minded and as long as he's busy with work, he's fine. I think it would drive me nuts to do that for the rest of my life. Of those careers listed, I would go for the Firefighter. I mean come on, what kid doesn't want to be a Firefighter. (...and aren't we all just a bunch of oversized kids )

 

[Greg]

Astronaut was not on the list.

I thought the same thing! Need to add 'Cowboy' too.

 

[Greg]

IMO... follow thru with your bachelors degree, for the reasons mentioned above and the fact that your education will apply to many, many other jobs. You're already 1/2 way there. Just follow thru and finish it.

As far as job advice, find something you love. It may take a long time, IMO a good career isn't something you choose, it chooses you. That will make all the difference in the world.

I like railroading, but it's nothing I ever thought I'd be doing. There's really no way to prepare or get an education for that. Well, actually I'm wrong... there are a couple railroad schools. But anyway, I have a strong automotive/mechanical/fabrication background and that has helped with my work. I'm surprised how well my background has helped my in my job, I'm more mechanically-inclined than many other co-workers. I like that kind of stuff, it fits my personality and railroading pushes me and my skills.

 

[Chevycrew]

I agree with Greg. My career picked me, and keeps picking me when I go off and try other things. I find that I really like working on locomotives. There really isnt any way to train for it, it just kind of happens. Even with our company they like for the applicants to have degrees, whether its related or not.

Get the degree, then start trying things till one makes you happy..


My $.02

 

[Corban_White]

Get the degree, then start trying things till one makes you happy..

Very good statement right there.

 

[Magerdgr]

Firefighting rules man, I've done it for 3 years now. Pretty hard to get on FT in Utah, but well worth it. Never know what your gonna get when the day starts, always something new. Plan on getting certified as a Paramedic or at least EMT though, most deptartments require it. Depending where you live, try to get on with a vol. dept. or at least tag along for some training if you can just to see if its what you really want. Its a lot of hard work, but also a ton of fun, plus every kid thinks your the coolest person around and the girls love it! That being said, I have to agree that you should finish your degree, no matter what its in. It will almost always bring more money no matter the field.

Edit: You could start by checking here: [url http://www.laytoncity.org/public/Depts/Fire/default.aspx[/url]

 

[TRNDRVR]

I like railroading........it fits my personality and railroading pushes me and my skills.

Skills for getting in the way?

Dispatcher 78? I need track and time.......

 

[Coreshot]

Skills for getting in the way?

Dispatcher 78? I need track and time.......

No sh!T!! MOW, get outta the way.