Careers

[Templeton]

Hey Guys, 

Just recently graduated High School and am still stumped on what career route to go on.  I know the whole follow your heart and stuff, but was wondering what some of y'all do.  Kinda trying to get an idea of what to do in life.  Thought about going to college and becoming a teacher, but if there was something better out there that is interesting to me, might look into it. 

Thank you for your comments.

 

-Templeton

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Depends on what you like.

I'm an electrician and ironworker. I weld as well. Its enjoyable. I work with my hands all day. I also get to travel around.

Oh and electricians control freaking lightning.

[Redlinerobert]

Real estate broker/investor/all around good guy.

 

Love what I do.  Work for myself, took sometime to get to where I'm at but happy as a pig in you know what.

[Bluebasser86]

LEO

7 years now of working in a detention center (jail). Not a corrections officer because we still go through the same academy and are LEO certified just like an officer on the street and granted the same abilities/powers.

 

It's a career for very few and I wouldn't suggest it for anyone not willing to commit themselves 100% to it. Probably one of the only careers you can be both hated for doing or not doing your job. It will effect your life a lot if you get into it from the shift work (I'm at work just starting my shift at 0044 hours right now). It will effect who you are because you deal with some of the best and worse that people have to offer and see some stuff that nobody should ever have to see. It's very thankless work most of the time and a lot of time you'll only get noticed when you screw up.

That being said I've enjoyed a majority of my time doing it, made some great friends along the way, and have been given the means to support my family and still have enough left over to do the hobbies that I love. I have no desire to go to the road. I work in air conditioning when it's hot, heat when it's cold. If there's trouble I have backup 30 seconds away instead of 10 minutes (ever tried to fight with someone for 10 minutes?) Don't have to worry about getting shot at like several of my friends on patrol have been. A little fewer surprises, I know who I'm dealing with and what I'm going into each day for the most part. 

[Mr_Scrogg]

I run a printing press.  I make the labels you see on Coleman Coolers, store brand honey, BG Products, GoJo Hand Sanitizer, and kids stickers you see in doctor offices. 

[Templeton]

They all sound very interesting and I do have background knowledge in electricity helping my dad wire houses and garages. How would you go about getting into something like that?

[Raider Nation Fisher]

They all sound very interesting and I do have background knowledge in electricity helping my dad wire houses and garages. How would you go about getting into something like that?

Talk to the IEC board or the IBEW. Or call around to Electrical contractors and ask if they are hiring apprentices. I know indeed has got a few postings up right now with companys looking for helpers.

[slonezp]

Commercial refrigeration mechanic. I keep beer cold and food fresh.

 

I'm in my mid 40's and soon to be in the same boat as you. Do to an injury last year, looks like I'm not going back to work at full capacity if at all. My advice to you is to find something that really peaks your interest. It will seem a lot less like work. If you have no conscience or shame and want to become rich at the expense of others, become a politician

[J Francho]

Business Systems Architect for a leading IT consultant firm.  I did not go to college for this.  I love it. Try a few things, see what you like.  You never know.  Before this, I imported tropical fish, rare mammals, and reptiles for the pet industry.  Before that, I was a rock star.

[flyfisher]

take the advice of others and don't pigeon hole yourself just yet.  Most people switch majors in college a few times before one sticks and even more work in a field completley unrelated to their major.

 

Find something you like to do and see what careers are out there and unless you absolutely love money don't let the affect your decision as money isn't everything.

 

I am going back to school as we speak to get my teaching certification and wish i would have done it sooner.  Teaching, depending on the grade level, have different requirements and does not limit you to a school system.  You can be a trainer for a corporation, develop textbooks and lesson plans, teach at the college level etc...

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Homie assuming you are in Alabama. Judging by your fishing lake and creek. If you want to become an electrician. I can call around to some people and help ya find something.

Like the others said. Your young you can bounce around if ya want.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

take the advice of others and don't pigeon hole yourself just yet.  Most people switch majors in college a few times before one sticks and even more work in a field completley unrelated to their major.

 

Find something you like to do and see what careers are out there and unless you absolutely love money don't let the affect your decision as money isn't everything.

 

I am going back to school as we speak to get my teaching certification and wish i would have done it sooner.  Teaching, depending on the grade level, have different requirements and does not limit you to a school system.  You can be a trainer for a corporation, develop textbooks and lesson plans, teach at the college level etc...

How can you not absolutely love money?

Could just be me though' because I'm greedy. My money used to keep me warm at night too. Until it all went away.

[Redlinerobert]

Business Systems Architect for a leading IT consultant firm.  I did not go to college for this.  I love it. Try a few things, see what you like.  You never know.  Before this, I imported tropical fish, rare mammals, and reptiles for the pet industry.  Before that, I was a rock star.

I'm ready to be a rock star.  What do I need to do or am I too old?

[flyfisher]

How can you not absolutely love money?

Could just be me though' because I'm greedy. My money used to keep me warm at night too. Until it all went away.

don't kid yourself, you love what you do and have said so plenty of times.  Money came along with doing what you love to do and that is the key to any job really.  Love what you do and things are always better......

[Root beer]

"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
― John Lennon

[Root beer]

I'm ready to be a rock star.  What do I need to do or am I too old?

The easiest way to stardom is probably to wear very little clothes and shake your butt with your tongue out...

[Raider Nation Fisher]

The easiest way to stardom is probably to wear very little clothes and shake your butt with your tongue out...

ROFLMFAO!!!!!

[Raider Nation Fisher]

don't kid yourself, you love what you do and have said so plenty of times.  Money came along with doing what you love to do and that is the key to any job really.  Love what you do and things are always better......

Wouldn't trade it for anything. I might be going back into bucket truck work for a year or so to let my body recover some. My dang hamstrings are still jacked up and I jacked my knee up again three weeks ago. Can't work heavy industrial if you can't move.

Least with the bucket truck, the work is easy and doesn't demand much physically.

I hate this heal and work, heal and work system I'm in now. Plus I can't even lift or work out right now!!! I'm gaining all my weight back!!

[flyfisher]

The easiest way to stardom is probably to wear very little clothes and shake your butt with your tongue out...

 

You are forgetting one key piece....you have to be worth looking at in those types of situations as well

[J Francho]

I'm ready to be a rock star.  What do I need to do or am I too old?

 

You're never too old.

[Tony L.]

I just finished grad school and am starting into the field of vocational rehabilitation counseling. It fits my interests, but I know that not everyone would enjoy it. I think the same is true for any of the other jobs people have listed before me. People tend to gravitate towards their interests, so what works for one doesn't work for everyone. Its helpful to ask around to see what's out there, but I certainly wouldn't pick my career that way. It will take some soul searching. Ask yourself what you are interested in on the most fundamental level. How do you think through things and solve problems? SThen consider if you like working by yourself or with others. Do you prefer to build or create things, or are you more service oriented? Do you like working with your hands, or are you a paperwork kind of person? Are you mechanically oriented or are you more artistic? Want to work in an office or in the field? Narrow down some options based on your individual style of working and interacting with others in addition to your personal interests. Once you have it pinned down, it is a matter of figuring out what you need to get there (college, trade school, on the job experience, etc...). Don't panic if you don't know where to start, you are fresh out of high school- you aren't supposed to have it all figured out yet. You can take some of those career inventory tests if you would like, but just remember they should only be used to point you in a general direction. Don't feel pressured into the results because, as with any test, they are designed to do the best they can for everyone that takes them, but no one knows you better than yourself. Taking several different ones can get you on the right path though. You would be surprised at how many resources and employment centers are out there that you probably didn't know about. If all else fails, feel free to send me a personal message because I am in the field of career counseling, assessment, and evaluation and might be of some help.

[slonezp]

You are forgetting one key piece....you have to be worth looking at in those types of situations as well

...said the man who has never seen a pic of Steven Tyler, Lemmy, or Iggy Pop

[slonezp]

Wouldn't trade it for anything. I might be going back into bucket truck work for a year or so to let my body recover some. My dang hamstrings are still jacked up and I jacked my knee up again three weeks ago. Can't work heavy industrial if you can't move.

Least with the bucket truck, the work is easy and doesn't demand much physically.

I hate this heal and work, heal and work system I'm in now. Plus I can't even lift or work out right now!!! I'm gaining all my weight back!!

It's hell getting old

[Nice_Bass]

If you have a kid on the way- work whatever job you can find and then find a better one.

if you don't have a kid on the way...then ah....you got some time- go travel.

[gr8outdoorz]

As said before don't stress if you don't know what you want to do right off the bat. There is plenty of time in life to figure that out. You will more than likely change majors/careers at least once in life. I originally went to school to be a chef. After 12 years in the business I wanted a change so I went back to school and got a couple more degrees. I am now a medical scientist specializing in Immunology. Our laboratory is currently conducting research on stem cells. We are using them in Bone Marrow Transplants to regenerate the bone marrow of children with leukemia. I absolutely LOVE what I do now. Just keep your eyes and ears open to what you see/hear in life & you will find your path.

 

Good luck!