Sitting at work...

[mcan]

...browsing the planet and not getting much done. They moved me to Sundays to sit here as the only tech in the building and take care of walk ins. I work for a local ipod/iphone repair shop, and generally like the work. The holidays have us behind by quite a bit and the techs around here put in a ton of unpaid hours to keep the place as close to "caught up" as possible. But moving me to Sundays means I'm not here on Fridays (which is usually a day we get a lot done and don't receive as many shipments). Without me here though, Fridays are now putting us further behind.

Anyway, the pay is kinda garbage ($11/hr) but I do have some benefits and it's full time. Just frustrated that I'm here on Sundays and still not making a living wage. So, now to my question:

What the hell do I have to do in this freaking city to make $30 or $40K a year? I have a college degree and generally work my butt off and make myself valuable to my employers. Just... Frustrated that the only jobs out there seem to pay in the mid $20Ks at best, and companies are so freaking stingy with raises. I'd have to work here for many many years it seems to even build up to what anybody would call "middle class" earnings.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by mcan

I actually love fixing phones.

If you like fixing phones, I'm guessing that you like "techy" stuff. Go down to your IBEW Local, and sign up for testing. You will be tested on math, reading comprehension and some other deal, then given an interview. You will then be scored on both, and put on a list for the apprenticeship program based on the total cumulative score.

Sounds to me like you would like the low voltage VDV(voice, data, video) classification. Install and maintain computer and phone networks, install security, cctv, catv, fire alarm possibly low voltage lighting, fiber optics, nurse call and all kind of cool systems.

Your first year apprenticeship wage might even get you a raise. You will have school for at least 3 yrs, while working a 40hr work week, gain benefits after 90 days and wind up making $25+/hr(don't know the actual scale in your local) PLUS health and welfare benefits on top of that, and a 401k, plus other retirement benefits. Possibly vacation, depending on your local contract.

I'm currently a in my 7th or 8th yr, make enough to pay 2 mortgages and all associated bills, plus car payments and such all while the old lady makes dirt.(something in the 30's/yr).

I'm doing a 16 story hotel right now. Data, phone, cctv, catv, door controls, paging, fiber out the ass, fire alarm. It's fun, rewarding and helps to know you're "the guy" for the company. Stressful, but rewarding.

If you're a good employee, you will get the security of working for a single employer instead of jumping shops constantly like some guys. Not that that is all bad, some guys like it, get "vacation" and unemployment when things get slow that way.

If things ever go South with my employer, whom has been my only employer since I was a first year Cub, I'd probably just start my own company, possibly non union and do more low voltage systems our local electricians won't give up, such as low voltage lighting.

Good living if you're into it...

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by mcan

Also not a terrible thought. Plus, those jobs looks better on resumes years down the road... Certainly better than working at a mall at tmobile anyway... Which was a waste of a year.

Well, they're 8-5 gigs for the most part. If you're seriously considering the MBA route, it would help to not have a 60 hour a week job.

The other thing to consider if you're considering the MBA route, you will most likely need to take some prerequisites, so a year job won't be doable (probably).

[nstygma]

would you be interested in a job installing gfiber?
they'll be around for years, pays good, has benefits
http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH14/ats/car...C&cws=1&rid=28

[nstygma]

Originally Posted by aturnis

Go down to your IBEW Local

when you did this process, was there a waiting list? i think its fairly huge in KC

[JoeyChuckles]

Not sure if it helps, but I graduated with a degree in Geography in 2005. It's taken me seven years to get a "living wage" in computer tech support. I didn't know anything about computers going in, but I learned as I went. With your electronics repair knowledge, I'd look for a tech support job.

[soopamanluva]

Work for kcpl...we make good money