iaYakker Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I'm a 24 year old guy who is still unsure of his career path. I graduated college in 2014 and am coming to realize I cannot sit in an office all day. Does anyone recommend any careers they really enjoy that has to do with being more active or working outdoors? I will never be one who gets much out of doing things based solely on money. Thanks! Quote
Ronald K Smith Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I'm 67 yrs. old been in auto part, import parts and heavy duty truck parts most of my life. I have a college education. Been in retail management and decided I didn't like that work. I've been a purchasing manager for almost 30 yrs. buying heavy duty truck parts. I'm ready to retire but we bought a new house due to the loss of our house in April floods. Looks like I'll be working another 30 yrs. Always wanted to get a job working outside in the conservation area. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 Lover. Not a fighter Quote
wnybassman Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I went to school for four years for electronics.   Never worked a day in the field.  lol    Got out of college and stepped right into the building trades with my dad.  Soon after we formed our own business and did OK for ourselves for 25+ years.  Some jobs inside, some outside.  A few years ago I started working for the USPS part time as a rural carrier.  My dad is looking to retire and I am not sure I want to finish out my days as a carpenter.  The USPS job is now responsible for more than half my income, so I guess both jobs are part time now.   The mail suits me well also, half the day inside sorting and half the day enjoying the outdoors (kinda). Quote
stk Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Took me a while but I've always been doing computer stuff. Â Now I'm Lead Systems Engineer/IT Operations Manager at well known Chicago Museum. Â I get to fish lake michigan on my lunch hour and fish from my kayak on the weekends. Â Â I understand where you're coming from and I hope you find something you like doing or at the very least, lets you do the things you like doing. Â I see work as a thing that helps me do what I want to do. Â I work 35 hrs a week, plenty of holidays and no on-call rotation. Â I could make another 30% more in the private sector but I'd rather fish. Quote
iaYakker Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 Part of me wants to go looking for it, part of me wants it to come to me. I'm 24, single, and I should go out and explore something else. But I would like to take my kayak with me, so I don't want it to be some $10 an hour internship when I have to pay student loans, rent, car, phone..blah blah blah haha. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 was a process engineer for almost 10 years  after taking about 12 years to get my bachelors degree....and now am a 4th grade teacher...wouldn't trade it for anything and i wish i did it sooner. 1 Quote
PourMyOwn Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I'm a Financial Adviser-I help people invest for their retirement (or other life goals), plan for their future, and protect their assets...and do so in the most tax efficient ways. I do have a college degree, and it isn't in my field. I fish twice a week from April-September, my truck and trailer stay at the office, and I drive my car everywhere else. Quote
iaYakker Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 was a process engineer for almost 10 years  after taking about 12 years to get my bachelors degree....and now am a 4th grade teacher...wouldn't trade it for anything and i wish i did it sooner.  You know, I have thought about this. Did you go back to school to become a teacher? I actually majored in Elem. Ed. for a year in college and switched out due to my experience in one of the less privileged schools, which I sort of regret, but sort of don't. I wonder how long I would have to go back to school for... Thanks for the input. Quote
PourMyOwn Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 You know, I have thought about this. Did you go back to school to become a teacher? I actually majored in Elem. Ed. for a year in college and switched out due to my experience in one of the less privileged schools, which I sort of regret, but sort of don't. I wonder how long I would have to go back to school for... Thanks for the input. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher I taught for 15 years, PM me if you have any questions. If you're serious about getting a job, how you position yourself is everything. What is your degree in? You may be able to pass the teacher exam with a bachelors in your field and get moving right away. 1 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 You know, I have thought about this. Did you go back to school to become a teacher? I actually majored in Elem. Ed. for a year in college and switched out due to my experience in one of the less privileged schools, which I sort of regret, but sort of don't. I wonder how long I would have to go back to school for... Thanks for the input. i did go back to school.  i also majored in elementary ed for a semester or two but then changed to liberal arts.  depending on your state and the need, you can sometimes do alternative licensure where basically a school sponsors you and you have to take some classes within the next 3 years or so while teaching and you can get certified.  I chose to go get my masters which was also included certification aka i had to student teach.  the program took me about 18 months.  i could have gotten just my certification in probably half the time but after doing the math, it made sense to get my masters.  the difference in salary would pay for itself in less than 10 years.  oh and i teach in a title 1 school that services 4 housing projects and less than privileged is an understatement.  it takes a unique person to do it i think but there are tons of different school types out there to choose from.  If you are a male, which i am assuming you are, you have am much better chance of getting a job too as they are sought after in the elementary education field. Quote
BaitMonkey1984 Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Domestic Relations Lawyer here. Always knew I wanted to be a lawyer, just wasn't sure what field I would end up in. Never expected to be practicing in this area but I took an internship for a firm that specialized in this area my first year of law school and 7+ years later this is all I do.  I get stir crazy in the office from time to time, but nothing I can't handle. I actually am ok in the winter because ice fishing once a week and skiing once a week is enough to pacify me. From spring to fall I go nuts tho, because I sit at work and just count the hours until I can leave and get on my boat.  Whatever you do, maintain a good work/life balance. Life is too short to waste it working, even if it is something you love and is rewarding. Quote
Super User bigbill Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 Retired since '52yo,,,65yo now job bass fishing. Restoring tractors. Running the old tractors. Watching the corn and grass grow, mow the grass with the old tractors. Enjoy everyday I wake up on this side of the green. 1 Quote
Super User tomustang Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 Billionaire playboy 2 Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 I'm a 24 year old guy who is still unsure of his career path. I graduated college in 2014 and am coming to realize I cannot sit in an office all day. Does anyone recommend any careers they really enjoy that has to do with being more active or working outdoors? I will never be one who gets much out of doing things based solely on money. Thanks! Â Outdoor work with no worries about what it pays. Â Day Labor? Greens Keeper? Selling Firewood? Car Wash? Â Toss in a sense of duty. Â Infantry? Â Final option. Â Work on Doctorate for Life Avoidance? 1 Quote
PourMyOwn Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 Retired since '52yo,,,65yo now job bass fishing. Restoring tractors. Running the old tractors. Watching the corn and grass grow, mow the grass with the old tractors. Enjoy everyday I wake up on this side of the green. What kind of tractors? I collect and restore Simplicity/Allis. Quote
68camaro Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I am banker in large money center bank, been doing this for over 25 years now. I started out as forestry major in Adirondacks, not quite sure where I took the wrong turn:) However, I love what I do and money is very good. However, I stumbled into this and didn't start doing it for the money. Like Baitmonkey 1984 says, I do go stir crazy once in a while but I travel a lot so not to bad. I tell people "banking is what I do, it is not who I am". I am much more comfortable playing in the dirt. Over the years I have satisfied my love of outdoors by doing the following: Very active BSA leader in cub scouts and boy scouts - son obtained eagle. About 8 years member of Wildness Search and Rescue group, was board member for several years When kids younger heavily trout fished and tent camped. Our fondest memories were camping in miserable conditions. Major hobby for long long time was ultralight backpacking. Now that I am in 50's not doing this much anymore, but hope to do the AT when I retire. Also, certified instructor for Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course, it is 16 - 18 hour advanced first aid course that emphasizes what to do in a delayed help situation, with no first aid supplies and exposed to environmental conditions. Recently took up bass fishing, get out several times a week for 1 - 3 hrs each time. My point is even with a desk job and suit and tie I am still able to satisfy who I really am. My son is in college, I tell him one of his subjects/classes will sing to him and he will really follow that path and the rest will work out. I was a bit lucky as I found my passion for finance early and jumped into it 110% and its worked out well, but I never lost or let dwindle my love for outdoors. It helped my wife loves outdoors and came from a very active outdoor family as well. Quote
68camaro Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 What kind of tractors? I collect and restore Simplicity/Allis. Â http://www.keystonetractorworks.com/gallery2/ Â Keystone Tractor Museum is by me here in Richmond VA. If your ever driving down I-95 thru Richmond it is right off exit. 1 Quote
DubyaDee Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I own an Insurance Agency. When I was 24 (4 years ago) I was in a similar position that you are in now. I didn't have a good idea of what to do when I grow up. My job isn't physical at all, but I love everything about it. Lots of freedom and I don't have anyone telling me what to do.  Sitting behind a desk won't be great for my gut, but I'm not tearing my back apart doing physical labor.  Being a business owner is great. Find something you enjoy or you're good at and take a risk doing things on your own. You've got plenty of time to fail and learn from your mistakes. 2 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 My main job is as a freight desk manager at a custom clothing company. I pack boxes and do a lot of data entry and label making. Not going to lie, it's pretty lame other than it lets me be sneaky and spend some time on the forums here haha. I also guide part time, and in the winters I coach junior high boys and girls basketball. Quote
iaYakker Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 Go for park management! Also something I have considered. Guessing I would need to go get a masters degree somewhere if I pursued that. Another part of the struggle is wanting to move down south because I despise winter. I also have friends in GA, MS, TN, TX. But I don't have enough money to allow me to move before looking for a job. Quote
iaYakker Posted October 22, 2015 Author Posted October 22, 2015 I own an Insurance Agency. When I was 24 (4 years ago) I was in a similar position that you are in now. I didn't have a good idea of what to do when I grow up. My job isn't physical at all, but I love everything about it. Lots of freedom and I don't have anyone telling me what to do. Sitting behind a desk won't be great for my gut, but I'm not tearing my back apart doing physical labor. Being a business owner is great. Find something you enjoy or you're good at and take a risk doing things on your own. You've got plenty of time to fail and learn from your mistakes. Entrepreneurship is also something I've considered. I enjoy social media and I think I could market myself well. The only thing is finding a niche that is unique. Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted October 22, 2015 Super User Posted October 22, 2015 What kind of tractors? I collect and restore Simplicity/Allis.  The ones bigfoot can't operate. Quote
Josh Smith Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 I make sights, triggers, and accuracy kits for a certain popular rifle.  I've been to trade school for auto technology and college for law enforcement, computers (A+ Cert), industrial electrician and industrial maintenance, and CNA. Just knowledge I wanted/needed at the time. Been thinking about going back for some business classes.  I've worked as an auto tech, parts tech, CNA, and what I'm doing now. I like working for myself and will keep on; planning on turning the thing into an FFL-based gunsmithing business before too long. Been sorta' waiting for the political winds to shift a bit (and enough on politics; just a statement, not an invitation for discussion.)  Regards,  Josh Quote
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