looking to go to school and need your input

[80stepsideguy]

Hello all,
well as of late my body has been very worn out and burnt from painting for the past 16 years.I basicially painted stuff like lift equipment,sewage trucks,motorcycles,trucks,cars,airplanes,just bout anything that has wheels and rolls.Now that i am 32 i am looking to close my chapter in painting and move on to a new career.I been thinking about becomming a motorcycle mechanic.I was talking to my boss`s husband n he told me to go to college and do this as a side hobby.Problem is i am burnt out of the aviation all together and want nothing to do with it.I need some help in making my future a bright 1 and want some input in which way to turn my career too.I like motorcycles,computers,marine, and i could get into the HVAC field as well.My question is i want to do something that i can go to work and be happy and make sure my family is going to be happy for me and i can make it in life..

sorry bout the rant but i am ready for a new future, i have requested information packets to a couple of schools and before i etch my name on the dotted line for the career i am thinking your input will help me decide it...

thanks
pat

[Blazin]

Years ago I was sick and tired of auto body as well. I had done carpentry years ago in my teens, so I started doing that. Kinda worked into handy man type stuff,plus carpentry. Now I do a little bit of everything. Auto Body, carpentry, sheet rock, ceramic tile, install dishwashers, ovens, a little bit of electrical, I have a buddy thats an electrician and he checks all my work and signs off on it, any bigger electrical jobs a budy of mines brother inlaw is an electrician lisenced in Georgia but lives here now so I have him help me, etc. etc. Plus I have built up my plowing business over the years to about 40 drivewyas a year.
I have always said If I knew then what i know now I would have become an electrician. You don't get filthy dirty very often and its pretty basic. I couldn't afford to do it now as you have to be a journey amn for like 5 years at dirt pay before you can get your own lisence.

[Lt.Del]

Well, that is a personal type of question--input from your friends/family who know you best would be most beneficial.  You are still young at 32, surely, throughout your experiences you may have seen something that interests you. You may have friends/family that you admire for their occupation---depending on your economics, you may consider college or trade school.  

That is a tough one to answer in this forum, however, I will share my info.  I went to college and studied at George Mason (yeah-the famous University now as of last month).  I took many law enforcement classes and directed my career accordingly.  Been working in the Sheriff's Office for 15 years now.  When I am 50, I will have 27 years in--retirement in 12 yrs!!! In Law enforcement and fire, you can retire at 50 w/ full benefits after min. 20 yrs.   I will start a new career at 50, since my son will only be 13 years old then.

Directly after college before working for the Sheriff's Office, I worked as a pharmacy tech at a nearby hospital, until my real job came in.  I did that for about a year and loved it.  Stocking drugs, making IV's etc...I then started wishing I would have spent my college days studying pharmacy. Pharmicists get paid big, big, bucks.  

Who knows, after I turn 50 and looking for my second career...I will be older and in need of drugs myself....

Anyway, I am sure you have seen someone who really likes their job....ask around--choose something you'll like.  If you are an outdoors type  person, keep that in mind (HVAC may be the choice) If you want a desk job, well keep that in mind.

my $.02 worth

SgtDel
www.delbridge.net  

 

Edited by: SgtDel at: 4/4/06 8:51 am

[80stepsideguy]

I hope a lil more info here may help.
I live in florida and you know that this state is surrounded by boats and motorcycles,I know this was a off topic question but what a better place to ask to a bunch of gearheads..I am going to go to a open house at wyotech in daytona hopefully soon to get a idea of what i really want in life..Motorcycles has been something of my interest as well as marine technology..I guess going to that open house tour may help decide my future..

thanks
pat

[DnStClr]

Just a few of my thoughts, I have been a trades tech (machine repair machinist) since 1973, when I went thru an apprenticeship and have never regretted having a trade to get me by.
There's a lot of satisfaction being able to fix things. You use your mind and hands and learn an awful lot along the way. As you know,an electrician/electronics trade will be needed in the future, so it is a good way to go.
Go to the website www.48days.com
Learn what your likes/dislikes are, and put it into your mind that you are going to head in a certain direction. Then, do it.
Don't wait forever and say to yourself, "If only I would have..."  
And lastly, most important, ( and a lot of guys will scoff at this, but it's the real deal) ask God to show you what He has in mind for you to do.  

[ccb]

Burn out Yea, It a tuff one. I got over 30 year as A millwright Jack of all trades master of none. When your in the trades you get to a point when your just not young any more and your kinda stuck because this is all you know how to do. I have been there to. For me I had to keep working to take care of the family no choice and no time for school. I just moves in to project managing and doing my own thing. I'm 50 now and working with your hand taken it toll after 30 years.

I have been where you are now. I even moved out of state.
I found even when I had my own company after awhile it was still the same cr-ap but just a diffrent job. I just found for me I was the happest just doing my own thing. I didn't have to worry about employee management. I took in work I want to do  and so on.
So if you got some time to take off it might be a good Idea
to set down and think about why you feel burn out. Mabe set down with you family or who ever and check out you options.

Craig

[123 pugsy]

Motorcycles,Marine sound like stuff that would never get boring.  I've worked with stainless steel sheet metal for 27 years now fabricating.I work mostly in the office now and find its terribly boring.Got out in the shop this week and the day flew by.

Find something that's interesting.Its too easy to get bored.