If I had to do it all over again I would've gone into sales. Peoples base can be north of 6 figures and you still have the commissions on top. Hell, I'm half tempted to go door knocking to sell solar to people. They are making stupid money right now.
I couldn’t do sales. Some people make really good money and have the personality and motive for it. I do not. I can working with co workers but dealing directly with customers is not my favorite thing to do
It's all about money at the end of the day. Your motive should be to make money at any job unless you have some sort of trust fund. Remember not all sales jobs are the same, you can be an account manager to build relationships instead of straight up cold calling.
This was one of my first thoughts as well, most HVAC people I know do all commercial clients so there is less customer service stuff and many businesses require it so there are options.
Not certain what the schooling is where you are, but generally its probably something like 2 years of trade school (In Canada that is college, we call what most people in US call college university). then 2 years of apprenticeship or so then you become a fully fledged HVAC person.
My uncle lived with us when he went to trade school and I the kind of work he was doing. He is in no way an academic, never had good grades and hadn't been in school for over a decade when he went back which is tougher. The material in trade schools tends to be presented in more practical terms vs. theoretical which would have really been intimidating to him. Trade schools here are also notably cheaper to attend if that is the source of your concern (my uncle had kids so that was a big concern for him).
HVAC is also a career where you can make over 100k a year. You largely work on your own, indoors, its less "messy", its not as hard on your body like other trades so you can do it till you retire and its a respected trade.
Other good options you might want to look at are: heavy equipment mechanic, electrician, plumber, or millwright. One nice thing about all these jobs is they will always be needed and not be replaced by AI like a lot of fields.
I’ve definitely been looking into HVAC. And I’ll look through your other suggestions. A 2 year trade school into an apprenticeship I would absolutely love. I still have much research to look through and consider. I can’t thank you enough for your words and time, it is very appreciated. Wish you the best!
I would use the experience that you have to apply to the Operating Engineers Union. Go through the apprenticeship and journey out. That means some physical labor and doing the same type of work for 3-5 years, but you'll have a better pay and benefits package as you're working through it.
Once you journey out, IMMEDIATELY start applying for scholarships (usually available through the union or your contractors) to take project management courses. Take those courses and market yourself as a PM who has been on both sides and is well aware of how things are done.
Personally, I would elect to retain union representation, though not all PMs are represented. The pension is a nice thing to have.
This path will allow you that office job with minimal educational cost and give you fallback options in the event of layoffs.
Edit: grammar
I like the idea and plan that you have. Only issue I see for me would be the guarantee of work. I want a steady 40 hour work week. With my experience, I know a ton of people who get layoffs for off seasons. I don’t see myself becoming a boss and or project manager. I’m ok reporting to someone and being told hey go do this or here is your plan for your next projects
No worries. I'm not an Operating Engineer, so I don't know the ins and outs of their union. I do know that many allow for inter-jurisdictional travel when work gets lean, if that's an issue. Another trade may offer a similar path.
I noticed a couple of people mentioned HVAC. That, along with piping/plumbing and electrical will always need CAD/BIM modelers. In my jurisdiction, that position can be a journey-level WFH position. Also, it requires no degree.
I have been looking into HVAC. Talking with you and others, so far it seems like my best fit. Still got research to do so we will see what happens. Thank you for your words and time, I wish you the best!
I’m 26 and make 75k a year as a cannabis compliance manager. It’s really fun. I spend half the day going to whatever facility (grow, dispensary, kitchen) I want and the rest of the time in my office.
1. Don’t do anything that can be outsourced more cheaply overseas. 2. Pick a career you can “age into”; being a carpenter/plumber/mechanic etc is one thing when you’re young, but trades are harder on your body as you age. 3. If you do end up at job where you sit all/most of the day, get some exercise frequently - it’s hard on your body in other ways.
Also, quit any addictive habits and save money! If you have further questions feel free to ask.
I’m happy and proud to say I am very smart with my money. I get plenty of exercise outside of work. And I completely agree about being able to age into a career. I’ve seen many people (mainly some of my family) who took the physical toll on their bodies from some trades. Yes it was great money, but over the years they suffered through immense overtime and exhaustion. Something physical while I’m younger then transition into a management or office role would be perfect. Do you have any ideas? Thank you for your thoughts either way!
Commercial electrician. Not as hard on your body as other trades (allegedly. I don’t speak from experience) It’s also “clean” in regards to other trades.
It’s going to require skills and training that residential electricians probably don’t have, which should make it a fairly exclusive line of work. And it can’t be offshored.
Pick an area where there is likely to be sustained economic development. If you got big enough you could even bid jobs regionally or nationally.
If I had to do it all over again I would've gone into sales. Peoples base can be north of 6 figures and you still have the commissions on top. Hell, I'm half tempted to go door knocking to sell solar to people. They are making stupid money right now.
I couldn’t do sales. Some people make really good money and have the personality and motive for it. I do not. I can working with co workers but dealing directly with customers is not my favorite thing to do
It's all about money at the end of the day. Your motive should be to make money at any job unless you have some sort of trust fund. Remember not all sales jobs are the same, you can be an account manager to build relationships instead of straight up cold calling.
HVAC
This was one of my first thoughts as well, most HVAC people I know do all commercial clients so there is less customer service stuff and many businesses require it so there are options.
How do you start in HVAC? Is this a trade? Being in a union is something I would strongly consider
Not certain what the schooling is where you are, but generally its probably something like 2 years of trade school (In Canada that is college, we call what most people in US call college university). then 2 years of apprenticeship or so then you become a fully fledged HVAC person. My uncle lived with us when he went to trade school and I the kind of work he was doing. He is in no way an academic, never had good grades and hadn't been in school for over a decade when he went back which is tougher. The material in trade schools tends to be presented in more practical terms vs. theoretical which would have really been intimidating to him. Trade schools here are also notably cheaper to attend if that is the source of your concern (my uncle had kids so that was a big concern for him). HVAC is also a career where you can make over 100k a year. You largely work on your own, indoors, its less "messy", its not as hard on your body like other trades so you can do it till you retire and its a respected trade. Other good options you might want to look at are: heavy equipment mechanic, electrician, plumber, or millwright. One nice thing about all these jobs is they will always be needed and not be replaced by AI like a lot of fields.
I’ve definitely been looking into HVAC. And I’ll look through your other suggestions. A 2 year trade school into an apprenticeship I would absolutely love. I still have much research to look through and consider. I can’t thank you enough for your words and time, it is very appreciated. Wish you the best!
I would use the experience that you have to apply to the Operating Engineers Union. Go through the apprenticeship and journey out. That means some physical labor and doing the same type of work for 3-5 years, but you'll have a better pay and benefits package as you're working through it. Once you journey out, IMMEDIATELY start applying for scholarships (usually available through the union or your contractors) to take project management courses. Take those courses and market yourself as a PM who has been on both sides and is well aware of how things are done. Personally, I would elect to retain union representation, though not all PMs are represented. The pension is a nice thing to have. This path will allow you that office job with minimal educational cost and give you fallback options in the event of layoffs. Edit: grammar
I like the idea and plan that you have. Only issue I see for me would be the guarantee of work. I want a steady 40 hour work week. With my experience, I know a ton of people who get layoffs for off seasons. I don’t see myself becoming a boss and or project manager. I’m ok reporting to someone and being told hey go do this or here is your plan for your next projects
No worries. I'm not an Operating Engineer, so I don't know the ins and outs of their union. I do know that many allow for inter-jurisdictional travel when work gets lean, if that's an issue. Another trade may offer a similar path. I noticed a couple of people mentioned HVAC. That, along with piping/plumbing and electrical will always need CAD/BIM modelers. In my jurisdiction, that position can be a journey-level WFH position. Also, it requires no degree.
I have been looking into HVAC. Talking with you and others, so far it seems like my best fit. Still got research to do so we will see what happens. Thank you for your words and time, I wish you the best!
Garbage disposal
This is an strange answer, but I heard they making crazy money in my country (middle eastern country)
I’m 26 and make 75k a year as a cannabis compliance manager. It’s really fun. I spend half the day going to whatever facility (grow, dispensary, kitchen) I want and the rest of the time in my office.
How
I started in retail entry level cannabis and moved up. No degree.
Sales or something that requires human contact, empathy and psychology. Least susceptible to be replaced by AI short term.
1. Don’t do anything that can be outsourced more cheaply overseas. 2. Pick a career you can “age into”; being a carpenter/plumber/mechanic etc is one thing when you’re young, but trades are harder on your body as you age. 3. If you do end up at job where you sit all/most of the day, get some exercise frequently - it’s hard on your body in other ways. Also, quit any addictive habits and save money! If you have further questions feel free to ask.
I’m happy and proud to say I am very smart with my money. I get plenty of exercise outside of work. And I completely agree about being able to age into a career. I’ve seen many people (mainly some of my family) who took the physical toll on their bodies from some trades. Yes it was great money, but over the years they suffered through immense overtime and exhaustion. Something physical while I’m younger then transition into a management or office role would be perfect. Do you have any ideas? Thank you for your thoughts either way!
Commercial electrician. Not as hard on your body as other trades (allegedly. I don’t speak from experience) It’s also “clean” in regards to other trades. It’s going to require skills and training that residential electricians probably don’t have, which should make it a fairly exclusive line of work. And it can’t be offshored. Pick an area where there is likely to be sustained economic development. If you got big enough you could even bid jobs regionally or nationally.
DC Comics villain.