Are there any tradesmen out there?

[Drake Farstrider]

So I was thinking about changing my job, possibly to some sort of trade. I am currently a pizza delivery driver/manager. One of the thoughts that I had was to learn a trade, so I am curious if there are any tradesmen out there and if they recomend their field or not.

Any other job suggestions would be fine too.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Jeremy

 

[MarkusTay]

Don\'t remember your age Jer, but as a carpenter who is 43 I\'d say stay away from physical work. Most guys my age are still going strong into their fifties, but I got a bad back from it, have breathed in some pretty toxic crap, have wound up in the hospital from job-related injuries, etc...

It was all well and good ten years ago, but it\'s amazing how out of breath you get going up a ladder with a 20lb toolbelt strapped on and carry a 75lb bundle of roofing.

I\'m kinda retired at this point, and plan on going back to college in the fall. I\'ll probably go back for computer networking or some such, since I\'m already pretty good at that.

Anyone in the comp. field want to give ME some advice now?

 

[Shawn R. L.]

Dont know how it is on the body but people always will need plumbers and the pay is quite good. Auto machanics is another one where there will always be a demand for. Like Markus said, some of the trades can be tough on the bod.

 

[Wolf Fang]

well im not a tradesmen but im just finishing a semester doing millwork... loud and noisy but i enjoyed it

 

[supervike]

YES Drake....I work for a Telephone company...which is the same one you have in your general area of Washington.

Check out the website for Qwest. I know they are always looking for new Network Technicians. The pay is good, and the skills you can learn there can transfer just about anywhere in North America.

I did that job for 5-6 years before taking another position within the company. Most of the training is on the job, but a completion of an AC/DC course is helpful (check local technical schools).

I\'d be glad to tell you more if you are interested...give me a PM or email...

 

[Drake Farstrider]

@ Mark, I am 31. Yeah I am not all that sure about carpentry. My dad was a carpenter and it semmed like he was lucky to work 8 months out of the year. That could of been the drinking too though.

@ Shawn, plumbing is an option, although I am not sure that I like the idea of having to cwral under houses and all that fun stuff. I have been advised on several occasions not to go into auto mechanics.

@ wolfie how is that fied?

@ vike, how is Qwest to work for? I may have to check out their web site.

 

[Ogrebane]

Man we are hurting for anyone in the building trade in OZ. They are always in demand and I cant see that being different in other countires.

I plan to do an adult aopprenticeship as a furniture maker when I hit the big 50. Im in the IT trade but companies would rather employ 20yo who know nothing than 40 odd yo who have all the experience.

Good luck with you choice tho.

 

[Wolf Fang]

its not bad at all. usualy this feild is always booming. as of right now tho its a little slow in this area. however if you can find an ACTUAL milling place im sure they are buesy all the time. where im at now (next week im done ) we take rough cut lumber and make \"clean\" boards out if it for customers. we also make moldings casings door jams and ocasionaly pannel cabinet doors. as the others said tho you need to make sure u dont hurt your back! during the time ive been there my streingh has increased a decent ammount my arms have also gotten just a little bit bigger lol makes me want to start working out and get bigger arms theres lots of lifting and lots of planing

 

[Frustrated Father]

Stay away from aviation work - no future there, not anymore.

Electrician is good work.

Contact the local union for Elevator Maintenance as well - good pay and good work - and a damn strong union (you work through the union, not for companies).

Lastly, I would say get into the medical field - always work there.

 

[Sand Rat]

Jer - are you looking for something permanent or something to put some money aside from so you can go back and retrain?

 

[darkartminiatures]

I used to be an Upholsterer before i decided that i should go on to higher education. I\'m planning on never going back to that job even though I\'m what you would call *coughs* skilled *coughs again*.

 

[Drake Farstrider]

Originally posted by steelcult
Jer - are you looking for something permanent or something to put some money aside from so you can go back and retrain?

Either would be cool. I would perfer to not have to go to school, but I will if need be. I just don\'t want to deliver pizza anymore. Plus me and the wife would like to have kids soon.

 

[Sand Rat]

Well, theres always the one year in SW Asia plan - pay is good, and you can put aside a good deal of cash to hold you over when you come home.

 

[Beelzebrush]

Landscaping is pretty good. I changed occupations last year and now design and build gardens. The money is pretty good and keeps you fit There\'s also a good deal of creativity involved, if that\'s a consideration.

Downsides are... You\'re at the mercy of the weather to a degree and it can be hard work, especially when you have poor access for machinery.

You do need a good knowledge of construction and also plants and planting (I\'m still learning this and tend to stick with a core of suitable plants and add others as part of the learning curve). Both of these can be learned and a lot of the construction side is common sense.

 

[TAB Studio]

Beelzebrush
I did not know you gardened

I have been in gardening for a very long time now. I love it .... As you get older it does effect the body but darn its fun.

Here in FL immigrant labor brings people willing to work for very low wage. The whole industry has changed.
I do not suggest the landscape/lawn man trade in this country anymore unless you wish to \"work the system\" (employ illegally).
I\'m looking into investing in owning a floral shop so I may make a better profit.
I have done floral work for others and spoken to a man I have watched many years in his flower shop. He feels it is a winning situation. We shall see

 

[tidoco2222]

Well I have been a signalling engineer on the rialway for 17 years I don\'t know if you would class that as a trade, before that I trained as a painter and decorator which is a trade but these days with the big trend in DIY and quick makeovers is not the most profitable of jobs.

 

[Beelzebrush]

Originally posted by TAB Studio
Beelzebrush
I did not know you gardened

I have been in gardening for a very long time now. I love it .... As you get older it does effect the body but darn its fun.

Here in FL immigrant labor brings people willing to work for very low wage. The whole industry has changed.
I do not suggest the landscape/lawn man trade in this country anymore unless you wish to \"work the system\" (employ illegally).
I\'m looking into investing in owning a floral shop so I may make a better profit.
I have done floral work for others and spoken to a man I have watched many years in his flower shop. He feels it is a winning situation. We shall see

Heheh!! I love it too! Very challenging at times. I have lots of construction experience and less gardenining experience but it\'s a great way to make a living...

Being in Florida with your climate, you would, no doubt be using the sort of plants that I\'d love to use.... our climate is unpredictable at best

 

[menace]

Electrician is a good trade if you can get into the industrial end of it... otherwise you end up with a bad back crawling through some filth infested roofspace:|~

Almost all my friends are mid 40\'s and looking to get out of trade work as they are all suffering from some major physical problems/ backs/ knees/ wrists etc... i\'d say go to school and get some sort of cushy government job with a pension and loads of holidays.. wish i had

 

[finn17]

Did someone call?

Originally posted by menace
...i\'d say go to school and get some sort of cushy government job with a pension and loads of holidays.. wish i had

:bouncy:

I guess I might fall into that category although my 40 days seems paltry compared to what my colleagues who are in teaching get. I\'m not complaining though.

I was kicked out of school at 15 and did everything; window-dresser, greengrocer, lifeguard, groundsman etc. etc. I then did an industrial apprenticeship with Ford Motors and became an electro-mechanical engineer. The bastards then put me in charge of a production line....
Since then I have done a first degree, studied for a PhD which I never completed, teacher training and a masters degree.

Point being...you never know where you are going to end up..you just have to take opportunities when they arise and \'go with the flow\'.

 

[TAB Studio]

menace
I took a Govt job about a month ago.....
It had its ups but mostly down.
Do not judge a book by its cover

I am back in the garden with a smile right now
Beelzebrush yes I am in the Sub tropics and soon to be the tropics as we are warming to a zone 10 here.
I use orchids and many perennials, palms bananas that you would enjoy. Here is a start to the business web site you might like to see, Becca has scanned loads of pictures I must add but this is a start...

http://theplantslovingdoctor.com/