Job hunting.

[AKcharger]

Military is an option but ya' gotta be quick have to be IN BASIC TRAINING by 27 1/7. draw back is you'll have to take whatever job they offer.

how about oil industry in the Dakota's??? heard they can get enough people and pay $$$

[myk]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

I've got too much going on to go back.  I had a free ride through college if I wanted it, but spent that time and money dreaming about orange cars; I just couldn't stand being in a classroom.  Besides, I've decided that it's my duty to educate younger people into making more informed decisions about their lives, with a possibility of orange cars somewhere within it...

[Chad L. Magee]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

However, I must interject that a few letters earned behind your name does not guarantee a solid 6 figure income.  The key is to choose the right area that is fit for you and you for it.  That all depends on what you plan to do with what you learned and why.  So many people do not get that part of the equation right.  I see college students all the time that are going into the wrong area, just because they assume that they will make big bucks, when that subject area is not what they are good/interested in.  That is a recipe for unhappiness, no matter how much they make.  Not every profession is about the money, money, money.  Some careers have different types of rewards.  It does not make them any less important in the big scheme of things....

[Dino]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

However, I must interject that a few letters earned behind your name does not guarantee a solid 6 figure income.  The key is to choose the right area that is fit for you and you for it.  That all depends on what you plan to do with what you learned and why.  So many people do not get that part of the equation right.  I see college students all the time that are going into the wrong area, just because they assume that they will make big bucks, when that subject area is not what they are good/interested in.  That is a recipe for unhappiness, no matter how much they make.  Not every profession is about the money, money, money.  Some careers have different types of rewards.  It does not make them any less important in the big scheme of things....

I absolutely agree and therefor should have added to my post that I have been in the health care field for many years and this is where I want to be.  I have always been happy working in this sector so the rise in pay is just one of the many benefits.  I enjoyed my $40K job as well.  But since I could be happy in a number of places I picked one that I really want to do and has better pay.  The letters in this case will pretty much guarantee that salary range early on in the career, but it is true that more often than not, 6 figures will not be reached.  PA's make decent money.  I have never been someone who needed a lot and have lived a pretty simple life.  I make no excuse that if I can make some more money in the latter half (hopefully) of my life to give me a bit more security that I would not take that.  It's just not as big of a driving factor, the extra money is just a bonus.

I could not get myself through school if it was just for money, I would have dropped out a long time ago.  You need to have a strong desire to do this and come out on top.

My apologies for the misleading message.  Go get the degree for the job you want...but do make sure it makes something cause you're gonna have a lot of loans to pay back!   

[Bob T]

Hey Grim, have you ever considered a career in the marine industry aboard a commercial vessel?

Getting a start is quite difficult but it might only be a deck position on some coastal lugger, but in time, you can work your way up with experience and external study and qualifications ( which the ship will probably pay for) if you stick with it.
With a decent enough roster of maybe 3 months on 3 months off and a month of holiday a year you end up working the equivalent of 5 months for a salary package of 12.

Also,  the age you are at with few other commitments means it could take you anywhere you chose to go ( as a trade related or officer position onboard ) with guaranteed transferable skills that would get you a job anywhere. You sound like you have no problem handling responsibility or staff so it could possibly work well.
If you like the sea that is.

Time is marching on for me but I've made a lot of changes to my goals in the last two years and now am in a similar but marine aligned role and about to head offshore for a new set of challenges and adventure too.

[Grim Jhaixus]

Been trying for the utility boats that run supplies to the oil rigs in the gulf since I was 18. It's damn hard to get in, I even have names and numbers references and I still get passed over. I always saw it as a perfect fit since I was untied, don't get sea sick and love travel.

Also, I have no family. Mom is in Alaska and Dad is in Baltimore and I'm already doing better than either of them.

I already stated I want to get into engineering. I'm damn good at math and have an easy time understanding how a thing works often without even having to look at it. I know it's an ability not everyone has. One the flip side I can't dance, write poetry, sing, or understand women.

[twodko]

Grim,

You sound woefully normal.

[TUFCAT]

all of the above is true.....unless you win the lottery or find sugar mamma!   

[sunfire69]

location location location....getting on the rail road in Jacksonville might be tough.....try in the mid atlantic...freight runs up and down the east coast....there are jobs available here.....

[ws23rt]

It's not too late for you either my friend.   

I worked crappy jobs well into my thirties.  You alone can change that, nobody will do it for you.  As hard as it is to get through college, it's worth it.  A few more years and I have a few letters behind my name and a solid 6 figure income.  Yes it's worth it.   

However, I must interject that a few letters earned behind your name does not guarantee a solid 6 figure income.  The key is to choose the right area that is fit for you and you for it.  That all depends on what you plan to do with what you learned and why.  So many people do not get that part of the equation right.  I see college students all the time that are going into the wrong area, just because they assume that they will make big bucks, when that subject area is not what they are good/interested in.  That is a recipe for unhappiness, no matter how much they make.  Not every profession is about the money, money, money.  Some careers have different types of rewards.  It does not make them any less important in the big scheme of things....

This is the best advice for a career.  A job could be a stepping stone to a career.
Make a decision about what you can do and want to do.  What fits you and is engaging. If you miss on that decision you may need to make a career change in the future and most likely a step back financially as well.

Another important piece of advice is to not base your decision on money. If you chose the right path for yourself the money will chase you.

I'm in industrial construction for example and see many young'uns coming in joining a trade union. Too often they tend to focus on how to get hours on the job and neglect the doing the job part.  Those tend to get fewer jobs because of their earned reputation.

Again if you chose what you are good at and work to be the best at it you will get paid very well for that effort in the long run.  BTW the long run is what we are talking about here.  And since it is the long run you may as well have a fun and rewarding time with it.  Our working life is the largest single part of our lives.

[Grim Jhaixus]

I can agree with that.

My interest in engineering isn't money as much as it's something I know I can do well. That said I've had the recent experience of discovering I'm some kind of savant with decorative block walls and very skilled with brick pavers. There's not enough demand for the work tho so the prices drop to concrete competitive levels and everyone ends up broke and injured. Being the best in a niche craft isn't enough, better to be excellent at something with a broad application. Union politics seem a nightmare I can avoid so I think I will.

[Bob T]

Grim, how did you get on? Did you end up doing something new or away ?

I've recently got back home for Christmas after nearly 4 1/2 months in Abu Dhabi UAE on a ship project, it's been very interesting, challenging and a good earn too.
Heading back up there for another stint shortly, worth it for the experience and future career prospects.