Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
Interesting thread.
For a kid who's grown up without any trade experience, does he just pick up a phone, call a union, and ask for work/education? How does that work? I keep hearing about all these jobs for welders but I can count on .... one finger...the number of people I know who grew up around garages and learned how to weld. Last time I checked, high schools aren't teaching it.
For a kid who's grown up without any trade experience, does he just pick up a phone, call a union, and ask for work/education? How does that work? I keep hearing about all these jobs for welders but I can count on .... one finger...the number of people I know who grew up around garages and learned how to weld. Last time I checked, high schools aren't teaching it.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
If you get hired by a company with union labor, you're in (like it or not). For example if you go to work for Verizon, depending on the location, you have to join the IBEW or the CWA.
For trade unions, to get into the local hall, which is basically a labor pool for contractors that have a contract with the union to use union labor, you have to know someone.
Unions may have at one time been a means for workers to get a fair shake, and sometimes are now, but for the most part they are just another political entity. On one side, they trade the political support of their members for laws and policies that ensure they'll get work at inflated rates. On the other side, they trade their ability to hand out these high paying jobs for favors of all kinds from members and prospects. And they control a lot of money with the pensions and fringies, which also lends itself to influence.
For trade unions, to get into the local hall, which is basically a labor pool for contractors that have a contract with the union to use union labor, you have to know someone.
Unions may have at one time been a means for workers to get a fair shake, and sometimes are now, but for the most part they are just another political entity. On one side, they trade the political support of their members for laws and policies that ensure they'll get work at inflated rates. On the other side, they trade their ability to hand out these high paying jobs for favors of all kinds from members and prospects. And they control a lot of money with the pensions and fringies, which also lends itself to influence.
But when I stand in front of the mirror and really look, I wonder: What the fuck happened here? Jesus Christ. What a beating!
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
I haven't read the whole thread but I agree with HVAC and will add electrician, welding (this does have heath drawbacks though), mechanic (Honda, Acura, Lexus and for big money Mercedes/BMW). Essentially, any trade like these that people are always going to need which equals job security. I've even thought about getting certified as an electrician. HVAC interests me as well.
Also, machinists do pretty well too. Along with auto mechanics I know heavy equipment mechanics and airline/hydraulic mechanics make good money.
I thought about going into welding like my dad did but to make really good money you have to travel.
Like Bob said, if I had to do it again I would go the trade route. I like my job but I hate sitting all day.
Also, machinists do pretty well too. Along with auto mechanics I know heavy equipment mechanics and airline/hydraulic mechanics make good money.
I thought about going into welding like my dad did but to make really good money you have to travel.
Like Bob said, if I had to do it again I would go the trade route. I like my job but I hate sitting all day.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
Some cc's teach trades and have decent programs. There are schools that specialize in teaching certain trades. I believe a couple of good ones are in the TX/OK/NE area. But they are also a barrier to entry-- if a kid isn't willing to buckle down and get good grades and do the work to get positive recommendations from the instructors; they aren't gonna get the better opportunities when they get out.T>1200 wrote:Interesting thread.
For a kid who's grown up without any trade experience, does he just pick up a phone, call a union, and ask for work/education? How does that work? I keep hearing about all these jobs for welders but I can count on .... one finger...the number of people I know who grew up around garages and learned how to weld. Last time I checked, high schools aren't teaching it.
Electrical work really depends on what kind of electrical work there is in the area. In general, when construction is booming, there is a lot of work for electricians; when construction's down it gets harder.
Shafnasty-- from your description, sounds like he needs to work in a structured environment with a boss that will stay up his ass. A trade that gives opportunities to work in union shops where someone will start him with simple apprentice tasks and gradually give him more responsibility may be a great way to go.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
Lots of people on YouTube who can't even spell are making huge cash by converting virtual gold to cash, writing e-books and doing something that requires no selling.
I know a guy who burned out of the corporate world and went to a tech school to become a welder. I'm fairly sure that he had enough set aside to live on but he claims he's actually making good money and never works past 5pm.
Internet porn is still ~$10 billion per year globally.
I have a friend who used to have a pair of roommates who sold their underwear to be distributed in vending machines.
I know a guy who burned out of the corporate world and went to a tech school to become a welder. I'm fairly sure that he had enough set aside to live on but he claims he's actually making good money and never works past 5pm.
Internet porn is still ~$10 billion per year globally.
I have a friend who used to have a pair of roommates who sold their underwear to be distributed in vending machines.
WildGorillaMan wrote:Enthusiasm combined with no skill whatsoever can sometimes carry the day.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
There's a zillion things that have barriers to entry and some of them should resonate with him from hairdresser to CAD technician, to optician, to the things listed here. It all depends on what resonates with him.Batboy2/75 wrote:You want a trade that has a barrier to entry. Anything that takes some education/training and or union that keeps the illegals and dumbasses out.
Electrical
Iron Workers
HVAC
Utilities
Cell Tower or cell Infrastructure
Fire Systems
Gas and Energy- Pipe companies
BTW- I have a cousin that makes crazy amounts of in the oil business out in the gulf. He's your typical HS guy that did 3 years in the Navy; no special education. He lives 30 minutes south of Houston in Texas City. I could ask him what is available in that industry.
Just to add something specific, don't forget the Operating Engineers union which can include anything from surveying building sites (including locating equipment), to operating tower cranes, to sitting his ass on an upside down bucket operating a man lift. It can be pretty high end stuff and it's clean & safe construction work.
Project management is something to consider it he wants to be in construction but being a tradesman doesn't resonate with him. His job will be to coordinate and expedite the myriad of things needed to manage either a whole job site or the work of a specific trade. He can work for a general contractor or a subcontractor. It can be a pretty good gig if you're organized and can handle the pressure. I'm sure there are bachelors degrees for this and almost certain that there are associates degrees.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
Turdacious wrote:Some cc's teach trades and have decent programs. There are schools that specialize in teaching certain trades. I believe a couple of good ones are in the TX/OK/NE area. But they are also a barrier to entry-- if a kid isn't willing to buckle down and get good grades and do the work to get positive recommendations from the instructors; they aren't gonna get the better opportunities when they get out.T>1200 wrote:Interesting thread.
For a kid who's grown up without any trade experience, does he just pick up a phone, call a union, and ask for work/education? How does that work? I keep hearing about all these jobs for welders but I can count on .... one finger...the number of people I know who grew up around garages and learned how to weld. Last time I checked, high schools aren't teaching it.
Electrical work really depends on what kind of electrical work there is in the area. In general, when construction is booming, there is a lot of work for electricians; when construction's down it gets harder.
Shafnasty-- from your description, sounds like he needs to work in a structured environment with a boss that will stay up his ass. A trade that gives opportunities to work in union shops where someone will start him with simple apprentice tasks and gradually give him more responsibility may be a great way to go.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
I hear nurses are often in demand.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
the wind industry is big in texas, esp western part of the state (where there are lots of feral goats to date).
wind tech training program here:
http://www.tstc.edu/programs/harlingen/windenergy
don't know anything about it's quality or costs.
wind tech training program here:
http://www.tstc.edu/programs/harlingen/windenergy
don't know anything about it's quality or costs.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
I have a nurse friend who makes lots of $$$. Also a lot of other technical jobs in a hospital. Decent bucks and the place is full of young women who look good in scrubs and are also making a decent buck.Pinky wrote:I hear nurses are often in demand.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
He could get his level 1 cert and open a box...
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
You're not my dad.Shafpocalypse Now wrote:Physically, he works hard...mentally, he's not dumb but he's lazy, which was the issue with jr college.
Any of you have any suggestions? He's 20 and doesn't have much to show for it. He's about 300# so I'm not sure the military is an option either.

Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
There isn't a quick route to a nursing job any more though. Lower end nurses (e.g., LPN) are grandfathered in to current systems but it seems you pretty much need to be an RN to start from scratch now.DrDonkeyLove wrote:I have a nurse friend who makes lots of $$$. Also a lot of other technical jobs in a hospital. Decent bucks and the place is full of young women who look good in scrubs and are also making a decent buck.Pinky wrote:I hear nurses are often in demand.
I wish I had gone down the trade route but no one even suggested it when I was young. Now I'm not willing or able to give up my salary to switch. When I retire though I think I might see about making furniture...
Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
Pushing your kid to a career is stupid. Don't give him money anymore.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
He could work as a ghostwriter for PowerBears who suffer from writer's block.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
johno wrote:He could work as a ghostwriter for PowerBears who suffer from writer's block.



One of the downsides of the Internet is that it allows like-minded people to form communities, and sometimes those communities are stupid.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
johno wrote:He could work as a ghostwriter for PowerBears who suffer from writer's block.





"Liberalism is arbitrarily selective in its choice of whose dignity to champion." Adrian Vermeule
Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
You can't make him drink, but often leading him to water will help. No kid wants someone choosing a career for them, but it would have been helpful if someone had at least explained the money side of things to me - what benefits are really worth, what a student loan really costs you, how much various careers really make.Andy80 wrote:Pushing your kid to a career is stupid. Don't give him money anymore.
I also wish that rather than all the feel good career counseling, someone was honest enough to just explain that everyone kind of hates work, you're supposed to kind of hate it, that's why they have to pay people to do it, it isn't the end of the world.
But when I stand in front of the mirror and really look, I wonder: What the fuck happened here? Jesus Christ. What a beating!
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
law school. the recent settlement of the ncaa concussion lawsuit is paying out this way:
Arrington and three other former athletes would be paid $5,000 for being deposed as part of the lawsuit, while eight others would receive $2,500 for being named plaintiffs. The players’ lawyers would receive $15 million and up to $750,000 for expenses.
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Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
God that's disgusting
Re: Skilled trade/Associates degree etc suggestions
I need to find someone (can't be me, that much is certain) to tell my wife this. She has been job hopping lately and getting more and more mental all the time. The only positive is that my kids (17 and 20 years old) are being provided with a really obvious example of how not to do things...ccrow wrote:I also wish that rather than all the feel good career counseling, someone was honest enough to just explain that everyone kind of hates work, you're supposed to kind of hate it, that's why they have to pay people to do it, it isn't the end of the world.