Careers/Jobs/Livelihood

[Aude_Aliquid_Dignu]

Whatever direction you decide to pursue....try to be over qualified for the role via education or experience.

If you want to be an interior decorator, be an Architect.
If you want to install HVAC systems, go get a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.

Paper holds weight.

 

[John]

@Poppy i.just said I enjoy painting,not having a boss.im not gonna go to school I hate school,I don't like being around people and I'm not gonna deal with some shit heel that just finished 12th grade.

 

[Poppy]

@Poppy i.just said I enjoy painting,not having a boss.im not gonna go to school I hate school,I don't like being around people and I'm not gonna deal with some shit heel that just finished 12th grade.

Yeah you better stay self employed

 

[John]

@Poppy and as far as I know,the VA won't let you use your gi bill for taking ALL of your classes online,or else I'd consider that.

 

[John]

If did give it a shot,I would take all easy classes,and just save money,the credits I did use,on top of paying for books and classes,they were giving me a living stipend,2600 a month on top of the 2gs a month they already give,my wallet was fat.

 

[JB_rD81]

I am a union pipe welder/steamfitter, I teach welding full time at our apprenticeship school. Spent 16 years in the field working mostly on the road building powerhouses, pharmaceutical plants, ethanol/bio diesel refineries…. Went to college, graduated on sports alone, and the original plan was Law Enforcement, however I was deemed not mentally stable by several surrounding departments and decided to give up… I love what I do, I get paid to hold the power of the sun in my hands and control absolute chaos..

 

[Poppy]

I am a union pipe welder/steamfitter, I teach welding full time at our apprenticeship school. Spent 16 years in the field working mostly on the road building powerhouses, pharmaceutical plants, ethanol/bio diesel refineries…. Went to college, graduated on sports alone, and the original plan was Law Enforcement, however I was deemed not mentally stable by several surrounding departments and decided to give up… I love what I do, I get paid to hold the power of the sun in my hands and control absolute chaos..

I remember you posting a pic of a giant ejector that was torn. Where you welded it…. Beautiful work.

 

[Poppy]

@Poppy and as far as I know,the VA won't let you use your gi bill for taking ALL of your classes online,or else I'd consider that.

Worth looking into. Online courses is a real thing these days. Community colleges have great courses like welding electrical etc.

 

[John]

School would interfere with hunting and fishing,and like my ex wife use to say,"THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE JOHN" LOL

 

[Islandswole2]

The fed gov is weird. You get great vacation/sick leave time. The health insurance is ok. Government contractors tend to get better health insurance. Pay is good but the contractors tend to get better pay.

Lots and lots of rules and regulations in the fed gov… that’s what helped me to decide to retire. In the contract world, we don’t have nearly as many mandatory rules and regulations…

The contractor matched my pay with a little extra right from the start.

Gov retirement has excellent matching funds for retirement plus a pension plus you collect ss.

It might be a whole new ballgame with trumps doge running wild. I do believe that folks like me and where I was are just a speck on the radar AND we actually produce a product that supports the warfighter helps.

Keep in mind all my perspective is from an area way out of the swamp.

My advice is submit resumes and see what turns up. Keep one thing in mind… government or contract… everything is negotiable don’t ever let em tell you “we can’t do that” … that’s a lie, they can do whatever they want.

Excellent advice and insight, Sir.

 

[Islandswole2]

One more downside to fed gov. Nepotism runs wild. Especially the farther you get from the swamp. My place employs 3500-4000 folks. I’m about 2-3 hours from any big metropolis so it’s the big money maker and baby bubbas are everywhere… there’s 4-5 generations working there. Sometimes it’s a good thing most of the time it’s a disaster

This is something I noticed even just when doing interagency trainings etc. so I can only imagine on a larger scale

 

[Islandswole2]

Whatever direction you decide to pursue....try to be over qualified for the role via education or experience.

If you want to be an interior decorator, be an Architect.
If you want to install HVAC systems, go get a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.

Paper holds weight.

I appreciate that, honestly I’m chasing my degree just cause it’s one of those things I wanted to check off my list but I’m already looking into a masters program for the heck of it .

 

[Islandswole2]

I am a union pipe welder/steamfitter, I teach welding full time at our apprenticeship school. Spent 16 years in the field working mostly on the road building powerhouses, pharmaceutical plants, ethanol/bio diesel refineries…. Went to college, graduated on sports alone, and the original plan was Law Enforcement, however I was deemed not mentally stable by several surrounding departments and decided to give up… I love what I do, I get paid to hold the power of the sun in my hands and control absolute chaos..

That’s awesome man, life sometimes have alternate plans for us. I’m glad it worked out for you.