Career choice advice

[Like2hunt]

It’s getting time to start getting serious about what I want to do for work. I’m thinking about going into the trades since I’m not a big fan of desk jobs. Growing up I was taught that nothing in life comes free, if you want something you work for it, and to avoid debt. Got my first real job in 6th grade moving sprinklers on the farm to be able to pay for the hunting gear I wanted and then a truck. Haven’t quit working since then. Love farm work more then anything and the goal is to own a ranch some day.
I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask for others opinions on what they think would be a wise or smart career to get into. I’m not set on anything yet so any and all ideas and recommendations are welcome and appreciated.

 

[cgasner1]

If you wanna own a ranch find a rancher daughter. I’m a lineman felt the same way about a trade over a desk job. If you really wanna make money as a trade worker you need to be smart about it and go into business for yourself. You don’t get rich working for other people. You’ll probably wanna work for someone for a few years but be preparing yourself to go out on your own. I have buddy that does hvac and is killing it for himself


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[JBrown1]

You said that you like farming more than anything else. So I think that is your answer.

But, if you are looking other directions I would urge you to take a long look at how the careers you are interested in will fit in with your lifestyle. For example: an HVAC guy will be busy in the late spring through the summer, then again in late fall and through the winter. Depending on where you live, this is perfect for someone who wants a lot of time off in the fall for hunting. So an HVAC technician can often take all the time off that they desire during hunting season.

On the other hand, something like teaching gives you the entire summer of along with a couple of big breaks during the winter/spring. Unfortunately none of that falls during hunting season, and because we already have so much time off, we only get a few personal days a year.

I can’t stress how important it is to place yourself in a career that fits your lifestyle. When you are young you feel that you can change jobs/careers at the drop of a hat. A decade or two down the road when you have a wife and kids to support, two vehicle payments and a mortgage, not to mention a retirement account that you are trying to build, you will find yourself stuck.

You have to look at the big picture. The wrong career path can crush your soul.

 

[roadrunner]

If you wanna own a ranch find a rancher daughter. I’m a lineman felt the same way about a trade over a desk job. If you really wanna make money as a trade worker you need to be smart about it and go into business for yourself. You don’t get rich working for other people. You’ll probably wanna work for someone for a few years but be preparing yourself to go out on your own. I have buddy that does hvac and is killing it for himself


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Sound advice right here.

 

[loganwayne]

HVAC, electrical and plumbing are all fields you can find a job in and make good money with some work.

I was also going to say a lineman. I live in the south east and a lot of lineman also run some sort of farm as well. Although most had the farm handed down to them from family.

I went to school for construction management, I was looking at the long term goals for myself I have no problem being in the field and digging with a shovel but I knew I didn’t wanna do that till retirement age. I’ll probably be a superintendent for another 5-10 years than transition into an office position.

 

[BravoNovember]

Trades have treated me well. But that’s also because of where I live. And timing. And trades can mean a lot of different tasks

 

[707Veteran]

Be a firefighter. Most time off of any job.

 

[isu22andy]

Ill throw out something with technology or IT . Literally tons of jobs in this field . Even big name hunting fishing companys are looking for guys in IT .

 

[cnelk]

My son went to a Junior College for a Wind Turbine Tech. Upon finishing he was immediately hired by Vail Resorts as a full maintenance electrician at Keystone. Did that for 5 years.

Two months ago he applied for a different job and now is an Electrical Commercial Service Tech for Tesla - maintaining 900v super charger stations

He’ll be making $100k/yr and he’s only 25.

It’s out there, go get it.

 

[Wetwork]

US Coast Guard...retire at age 38 with all the possible bennies you could want. Steady pay check til your dead. You do have a bit of say in geographical areas to be stationed for four years at a time. So that's five moves to get to decide where to retire at age 38. Depending on your speciality you can... at one stop be a cop/fireman/rescue boat pilot/pollution specialist and in charge of a armory with all the training, all at the same time.-WW

 

[Jermh]

Depending on where you're located I would suggest going union if you're gonna go into the trades. I'm a union carpenter and this trade has treated me very well. I mainly do heavy commercial concrete work. Big jobs usually mean lots of hours. The money is out there, just gotta go get it

 

[Like2hunt]

Wheeler cat came to our school the other day and we’re offering paid apprenticeships. He was saying at least half his mechanics we’re making around 100k a year. He’s the recruiter so he might be a exaggerating but that might not be a bad idea. Hearing lots about electrical and HVAC right now though, I’lll have to look into that. A older guy I go roping with has a nephew that is a diesel mechanic and owns his own shop and he said he think he makes a couple hundred grand a year. I’ll look into the electrical and HVAC but what is your guys thoughts on diesel mechanics and opening a shop after I got the required training if I went that route?

 

[elkguide]

How do you make a million dollars on a farm/ranch?
Start out with three million dollars!

I left farming when I was in my twenties. My father sold the cows and wouldn't let me take over the farm as he said that he didn't want me to struggle as much as he had. (yes, I do still miss being on the equipment planting and harvesting crops)

I went to work building houses on a couple of big crews and then went to work for the most miserable boss in the world...... by becoming self-employed. The jerk has made me work lots of overtime and lots of weekends with no overtime pay. I don't get any paid vacation or even sick days.

Most any of the trades are well paying today. Nobody seems to want to get their hands dirty or use their hands except to hit the keys on a keyboard. Since you grew up on a farm, you know how to work and that in itself will help you go a long ways. My business name is "my name and sons painting" so with my name on it..... it has to be the best. I have never advertised and I always seem to be busy. I've had as many as 15 people employed but try and stay around 5. Even though I can and do do most types of construction, I'm mostly painting right now and as hard as it is, climbing ladders, scraping and everything else, at the end of the day you can really see what you have accomplished and be proud of your efforts.

It's been a great life so far. I have been able to choose to work when and where that I want to. When my kids were younger, I was the parent that was the assistant coach for all of their athletic, acting and other school/life projects. Now that they are grown and gone, I have been able to focus a little more on my business and while I work too much most of the year, last fall, I hunted in several states from October into December and plan to do the same this year with the addition of a late deer hunt in January.

Whatever you do..... make sure you can have fun doing it.

 

[jimh406]

Take a career aptitude and interest test to consider what fields are realistically good for you. Some are available online and maybe your school as one to take. It's important to match the type of work you want to do with what skills you actually have or want to develop.

For instance, you could become a mechanical or agriculture engineer and design farm equipment. But, if you aren't good at math and science or don't what to hit the books that will be tough.

If career growth is important to you, consider what makes it possible to advance. Maybe it's time on the job and doing an excellent job and maybe it's going to school.

There are also all types of government apprentice programs.

 

[dylanphelps]

[mention]Wetwork [/mention] Has got a pretty good idea. The military has an insane amount of benefits to it and you can retire young enough to then start another job to retire from, such as a rancher. As an Airman, I would suggest the Air Force though haha


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[Jkr61]

Diesel mechanic for Cat- while working for them build out your own mechanic service truck. Build good relationships with every single rancher, and excavation company while working for Cat. Learn how to do the business side of things- billing, taxes and all that jazz. Always build a reputation for honesty and doing what you say you will do. PICK up the damn phone! Also it doesn’t matter if you do diesel mechani, electrical or hvac you work on those other things i promise you will be killing it!

 

[colby12]

Be a pilot, costs something regardless of you do it. Pay for it up front out of pocket, look at the Army helicopter programs, or get a 4 year degree in something you’re interested in and look into the Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.

 

[thegrouse]

Either diesel mechanic or hvac would be fine career choices. We need plenty of both and if you work hard you can make a good living at either.

 

[jolemons]

In the Great Plains I'd say electrician that specializes in center pivots. Expect a 7 day work week in the summer and time off during hunting season.

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[MHWASH]

Water/wastewater. There is always a need in this field, especially now that the grey tsunami has hit. You won’t get rich, but will have lots of time off and you won’t wreck you body with hard work.