I need a new career! What are your thoughts? (warning, long)

[mctowalot]

I'm just taking a moment to thank all of you for your (incredibly fast) responses and input. This is good stuff, and y'all are the best!

[CrimsonSoul]

If you want I could probably get you a job working at railserve (contractor railroad workers at Dow in Freeport) it's rotating shift work 4 on 3 off if you don't mind the heat it's a fairly easy job starts at 12.00 an hour and up to a .25 cent raise every 3 months

[Hoi Polloi]

Your personality type makes certain careers easier or harder on you. Here's one of many tests that says what your personality type is. This is a short version, so if you're borderline, it might not have enough questions to be precise. http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

While they aren't exact, personality tests tends to group you with like-minded people and to get you in the ballpark of strengths and weaknesses. An exception would be if you have a neurological or developmental disability which would potentially change the way you think relative to the standard of respondents taken for those tests.

Once you know your personality type, it can make suggesting career categories easier.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

You live in Houston, Energy Capital of the World, get a job in Oil and Gas. Head down to HCC, Lee, or San Jac and enroll in a Process Technician program. It takes 2 semesters to get a certificate, 5 to get an associates and costs about $500 a semester. Process techs are about to be in very high demand as there are huge numbers of baby boomers with these jobs that are just waiting for stock prices to rise so that they can retire. Start off pay is about $20/hr with full benefits and you will have plenty of time off with your kids.

[Oldgringo]

However, when there is a labor shortage in a particular profession that requires a four-year college education, people pursue that field of study, and by the time they graduate there is a glut and they can't find a job.

That is when many [engineers] get their master's degree.

My best friend from college got a civil engineering degree, then a master's in geothermal engineering. He still is a PE, but got out of that profession many years ago. After working long hours and many years for an international consulting company he got tired of "making a lot of money for his employer" and started his own company. He bought some vending machine routes. For the last ten years he works three days a week running his company. His biggest problem is finding reliable workers who won't steal change from the machines.

Good point, Bill!

When I was in UT (GO VOLS!) Civil Engineering school, BSCE '67, we were taught the usual math and science crap and how to be employees by a bunch of guys who were working on obtaining tenure and a nice pension.

[mctowalot]

Well, prospects are looking good. There's some great ideas listed here.

I didn't mean to come off as desperate in my op. I'm doing ok with my current gig, I'm just trying to get a solid plan for the future.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

[Medic218]

Deffinitly look into EMS.
Depending on where you go you can knock out an EMT-B(basic) course in as little as three months and no longer than six.
You can get college credit for it and many jr colleges offer such a program.
I know there are several medics here so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
I've always said that I don't have to worry about staying in a job because there will always be sick people and stupid people that are going to need my help.
Good luck!

[hangfour]

Yes, I agree with you ... this forum is a great place to ask almost any question; the members are wise and of good cheer.

There is a wonderful little book titled: "The Millionaire Next Door". It chronicles the demographics, lifestyles, and 'jobs' of the rich in America. The big take away for me was that most multi-millionaires are people in the trades who have saved their money and built up small businesses out of that frugality. They are mostly glaziers, garage door installers, plumbers, and so fourth.

My recommendation would be to find a 'trade' school that does not cost an arm and a leg and do that. The key, as others have pointed out, is to get a skill that won't be exported and that technology won't eliminate.

Anyway ... I admire your forethought in this matter. Good luck.

[mrvmax]

Alright, you live in the Houston area and what do we have bountiful here that make lots of money and are not going away? Yes, refineries and chemical plants. Right now both refineries and chemical plants are short of process analyzer technicians due to a large amount of techs retiring. Even with the economy like it is there are a shortage of techs and experienced techs are making real good money. I know of a tech who has 20 years experience and is making 150,000 a year along with a company truck. Lee College and San J offer courses that will get you into the field. Most of the work is in air conditioned buildings, you do need mehcanical aptitude and an ability to troubleshoot to be good. It also helps to be able to understand some chemistry, that will be covered in the San J/Lee courses. If you want more details PM me.

[OldCannon]

I second or third a medical field.

You can't export hands-on medical care.

True, but this can be applied to a variety of things: Home Building/General Contracting, Bookkeeping, Auto Repair, etc.

I will give you one key suggestion: Follow your passion. If taking care of other people in desperate need is your thing, the medical industry might be your calling (or Loan Sharking, just depends on whether you're a "Light Side" or "Dark Side" kind of Jedi )

I am an engineer in the software industry. I am convinced that in 20 years there will be no engineers or computer programmers left in the U.S. They will all be overseas. The whole business is completely portable. I just want to make it to retirement.
- Jim

Amen, but not all tasks can be exported. I'm less of a software engineer now and more of a marketer. I've learned more about brand management, community relations, and customer support in the last 6 years than I could have through school. Now I'm a "dessert topping" AND a "floor wax"

[hangfour]

I am an engineer in the software industry. I am convinced that in 20 years there will be no engineers or computer programmers left in the U.S. They will all be overseas. The whole business is completely portable. I just want to make it to retirement.

Yes, I agree. Being a research scientist in the computer field I think the signs are ominous for the software industry not only because of the exportation of the jobs overseas but because technology is being developed that will (I believe) eliminate the need for designers and coders. There will be a need for high level specification people but only a few of them. I bet you will make it to retirement though.

[seamusTX]

You can't export hands-on medical care.

True, but this can be applied to a variety of things: Home Building/General Contracting, Bookkeeping, Auto Repair, etc.

There is a dire shortage of competent home remodelers. I can't find one. I mean someone who can think and plan, not just pound nails.

Let's just say that not many native-born American citizens are working in general construction these days—and this is coming from someone who despises immigrant-bashing.

Automobile repair is still good, though the $100 an hour labor rate that they charge is not passed down to the mechanic.

Then there are security-related jobs. I think the military has become a much better deal than it was when the draft was in effect (when I was eligible in the 1970s).

- Jim

[bdickens]

I hear that pimps and drug dealers make a lot of money.

Seriously, baldeagle gave the best advice here. You should do something you really want to do or you will be miserable.

[seamusTX]

I hear that pimps and drug dealers make a lot of money.

They handle a lot of money. They don't keep much. It's a loser game, like robbery.

- Jim

[mctowalot]

Loan sharking? Been there, done that! Pimp? I've been pimping my tows for years.

In the 16 years I've been driving the wrecker I've met a lot of EMTs, and I have to say they all seemed pleased with their career choice. In a few cases when I was the first to arrive on an accident scene I found myself performing some rudimentary first aid. I have to tell you being able to comfort a person by applying a bandage or even just holding their hand and calming them down when they are panicked is a good feeling. It's a great feeling to actually save a life!

I am passionate about helping people and I'm really feeling drawn towards EMT. There appears to be a tremendous amount of want ads for them as well. I'll be sending out some private messages to our EMTs on the forum.

Mabey I could team up with a lone shark. He breaks the legs, I apply a splint. It's a win win. Except for the guy with the broken leg.

I'll have to figure out how to cover up the towaway sign I got tattooed on my arm - just kidding.

Thanks everybody!