Change in Profession?

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm considering a change in profession. I work in computer retail, but no one is buying computers anymore. Last year we'd sell a couple pc's and laptops a day, but now we sell a couple a week at best. I'm just sooo bored at work that I'd do just about anything. My wife keeps telling me that a local place is hiring plumbers with no experience needed with salaries starting at $40K a year. I am so tempted to do it, even though I have no interest in such things.

Do you work in technology? How's the computer business where you are?

[Airbozo]

While I have worked in the trades (framing, drywall, roofing, siding, etc(I keep my pants pulled up too far the be a plumber ;) ), I knew I was not going to make a career out of it. Mostly it was just too seasonal for me to keep paying bills. If you are good, you can work whenever you want. Plus it is hard work. Not that I don't mind hard word, I just don't like being physically wasted when I come home. Too many chores for that. ;)

If you want to check out the trades, visit your local union hall. I am by no means a "union man" but they do have advantages like apprenticeship and other training. They can at least show you the demand for each profession and put you in contact with the right people to get started in whatever field you seem interested in. $40k is conservative depending on where you live. I know a retired plumber that was pulling in $130k when he retired over 10 years ago... I have 2 friends doing framing, one runs his own business and makes at least double that and he is 12 years younger than me. He doesn't have much of a life right now though because of running the business. The other guy has almost 15 years under his belt and he makes around $65 an hour when he works. He is good enough with his money that he picks and chooses his jobs and plans for the slowdown months and still goes on some nice vacations. Plumbers around here make similar pay.

BTW: The computer business where I work is great and getting better. We have grown 50% in just the last year and recently hired 2 people to help build systems.

Where you live does matter too. Depending on economics you could be doing great, fair or so-so. People in depressed areas tend not to spend much on luxuries and only on necessities.

Good luck!

[Luke122]

I'm in the same boat.. I quit my job today as a sysadmin.. the stress and the ridiculous hours just finally got to be too much. I've already been contacted by a couple departments, who want to contract me in to get some projects done, and I'm considering it, though at MY rate, not what I was getting paid before. If they are still ok with that, then I'm all for it.

As far as changing careers goes, I've basically got 7 weeks of banked time coming at me (paid out! so THAT's how you get it!) so I've got some time to try a few things and see what I like. I have a few friends who are electricians, and that's always appealed to me, so I might try my hand at it and see how I do.

Other than that, I've always loved landscaping and working outside, so who knows what will happen!

[Snowman]

Satellite Installers can make a mint. Although you have to be prepared for long hours sometimes as well as a few dry spells every once in awhile. Also you are kind of like a post man: work rain, sleet, snow, anything within logic. Roofing is not for the light of heart, I have an uncle that is a master electrician and I have met some of his friends and let me just say that being hit with high voltage multiple times makes you a special person. There are a lot of great professions out there just have to take the pros with the cons. I know I am tired of doing computer work for free I am half tempted to start telling people that I don't know anything about computers.

[Luke122]

I saw a tshirt that said, "No, I will not fix your computer".

I would "..for free." on the back. :)

[TheGreatSatan]

I do occationally make side money. For instance, I have a woman coming in tomorrow to pay me $100 to reinstall a fresh copy of XP on her laptop. Cheaper than a new laptop for at least $400.

[blueonblack]

Suppose my best advice here is choose carefully and don't get into it too deeply until you know if you will enjoy it (or at least tolerate it well). I am in transportation and I despise my job. I would honestly rather clean toilets or shovel manure all day than go to work, but I let myself get heavily into debt, I have a family to support, and I make a lot more money than I will doing anything else, so I go to work. Don't put yourself in that position, it's not fair to your family (if you have one) or yourself. If you need a change make one, but be careful, all I'm saying.
________
Ford ltd history (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Ford_LTD)

[BerticusPryme]

see I was in the same boat but foudn this job. I live in Alabama(insert redneck joke here) and I got lucky to find this as there isnt alot of computer jobs. I got in as a Admin here and make damn good money for the area. The average pay around here is really low. To show the cost of living my wife and I just bought a house. It is a 3 bedroom,2 bath,full laundry,kitchen,dining room,living room, and den with 2 acres of land. We just bought the house for 50,000. It sounds like a slum right?? the average cost of rent here is 300 a month for a 3 bedroom 1bath apartment with gas,water,and garbage included. As far as a trade job goes choose wisely. I have done construction,mechanic,and plumbing. By far out of those i think i would rather take a beating that do them again.

[jdbnsn]

In the medical field there is a growing demand for IT and other computer related professionals and as the medical charts are giving way to digital charts the demand will be even higher. I don't have much specific info on the jobs in medicine, but if curious it would be a good place to look.

[halcyonforever]

My brother is director of an IT department in a hospital, I'll see what he has to say.

I've been thinking about getting into the trades, My mother was a master carpenter and architect, (yes my mother). So as a child I spent most of my time assisting with her carpentry projects, and I did alot of the wiring for various house additions which I enjoyed doing. (basically we would do the labor, then pay an electrician/plumber/etc to inspect and sign off on it).

My actual degree is Television/Film but I don't want to go to New York/LA to make a career of it (and local is just news and commercials).

[simon275]

BerticusPryme's you bought a house for $50,000 was that the down payment on a loan or something?

[TheGreatSatan]

Problem is that every IT job requires a Bachelors degree

[Snowman]

Problem is that every IT job requires a Bachelors degree

Dropped out before my associates because i hadn't learned anything that I hadn't learned at a vocational school my Jr and Sr years of high school and went straight into IT work

[halcyonforever]

It can be hard to get a foot in the door without a degree, but it is definately doable.

The big thing is experience goes along way, certifications help, and work ethic is huge any more.

Example, my company hired a guy who had every certification and degree they could think of, problem was, he had 0 work ethic, and for a small-mid company that didn't fly well.

[Airbozo]

Problem is that every IT job requires a Bachelors degree

Not true.

I have worked in IT for the last 20+ years with no BA. But I do have an impressive resume that helped me get those jobs.

Specific certifications help, like ccna, rhce, msce, etc...

[Airbozo]

...

Example, my company hired a guy who had every certification and degree they could think of, problem was, he had 0 work ethic, and for a small-mid company that didn't fly well.

You sure we don't work for the same company?

[Drum Thumper]

Would this (http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/fbi_launches_nationwide?utm_source=onion_rss_daily ) possibly fit the bill?

[Snowman]

I fell one semester short of my ccna i have several other types of courses under my belt but I have to agree the thing that got me in the door was work ethic and a good resume.

[TheGreatSatan]

Would this (http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/fbi_launches_nationwide?utm_source=onion_rss_daily ) possibly fit the bill?

I'm shocked, it specifically asks for a CAUCASIAN man or woman

I have two Associates Degrees and One 1-Year Electronics Training Certificate. Every place I've see an ad for around here wants a BA

[Airbozo]

I'm shocked, it specifically asks for a CAUCASIAN man or woman

I have two Associates Degrees and One 1-Year Electronics Training Certificate. Every place I've see an ad for around here wants a BA

Even though they post that they want someone with a BA, it is usually to scare off those that don't feel up to the task. If you feel confident about your abilities you can get the job without one. Send your resume with an impressive cover letter and then follow up if they do not contact you in a couple of weeks.

My SO used to recruit for SUN Micro and other small companies in Silicon Valley and part of the reason they put that in the job requirements is to prevent thousands of _almost_ degreed people with little or no experience, from flooding their inbox. If someone had good experience and no BA they still would consider them. Most of the companies I have worked for value experience over a degree. That was my in.

[Snowman]

requirements is to prevent thousands of _almost_ degreed people with little or no experience, from flooding their inbox.

Taking a jab at me are ya?? Just kidding. On a serious not what airbozo says is extremely true. I know people without degrees that have taught me more in engineering and electrical engineering than some with million dollar engineering degrees. In my opinion I would rather have someone with experience than someone who has book experience. Take for example microsofts engineers, need I say more?

[Luke122]

I'm shocked, it specifically asks for a CAUCASIAN man or woman

Well, it was a link from theonion.com

I wouldnt take it too seriously.