Researching switching jobs into the trades. Any advice?

[Loneiguana]

To try to make a long story short, I've spent the last 8 years working in front of a computer. I was using my college degree, but 2 years ago I was involuntary moved to graphic design. I tried to learn it on my own, no help from employer, but it was rough. I recently went out a got another editing job, but I don't like it. I'm tired of being bored. And I'm tired of not really building any skills, mastering my craft, and the day going by super slow.

I have some connections in the local trade unions and am looking at tech schools as well. Though I need to remain employed, I have 3 kids.

I have a meeting with a carpenter union this afternoon for some information, local job market and such.

My current job does offer things like pension, Healthcare, paid time off, sick leave. So I do have nice bendifits.

My wife is worried if I went into the trades, I'd hardly see my family, let alone be able to help her with sick kids or running them around. My father was a union labor, so I have experience with that as well.

I do have a good work life balance now, if only super bored and burned out at work.

Anyone here work for any of the unions or any trades? What's work life balance like currently? Any non union jobs out there with paid training? Anyone else make a similar career change in mid life?

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by Loneiguana

To try to make a long story short, I've spent the last 8 years working in front of a computer. I was using my college degree, but 2 years ago I was involuntary moved to graphic design. I tried to learn it on my own, no help from employer, but it was rough. I recently went out a got another editing job, but I don't like it. I'm tired of being bored. And I'm tired of not really building any skills, mastering my craft, and the day going by super slow.

I have some connections in the local trade unions and am looking at tech schools as well. Though I need to remain employed, I have 3 kids.

I have a meeting with a carpenter union this afternoon for some information, local job market and such.

My current job does offer things like pension, Healthcare, paid time off, sick leave. So I do have nice bendifits.

My wife is worried if I went into the trades, I'd hardly see my family, let alone be able to help her with sick kids or running them around. My father was a union labor, so I have experience with that as well.

I do have a good work life balance now, if only super bored and burned out at work.

Anyone here work for any of the unions or any trades? What's work life balance like currently? Any non union jobs out there with paid training? Anyone else make a similar career change in mid life?

I made a career change not too long ago. It wasn’t into a skilled trade though.

[scho63]

Plumbers or electricians are NEVER without work, just like auto mechanics.

The difficult part of the building trade is cyclical nature. Commercial is much better than residential and Union Ironworkers make $125,000 minimum, $250,000 in New York or Chicago.

Those 4 jobs all bring in big bucks and keep you very active.

Gotta like what you are doing.

EDIT: add HVAC to that list

[AdolfOliverBush]

Keep in mind that the grass is often greener on the other side. Being bored isn't great, but it could be far worse.

[FlaChief58]

I was a plumber for 30 years. I always had a job, even during the 08 crash. I worked in new construction, commercial and service work, which kept me employed no matter what. My only advice is, don't abuse your body. I have the knees and back of an 80 year old... I'm 54

[Rain Man]

I think that being a new construction plumber or electrician or tile installer would be kind of cool. It might get repetitive over time, but it seems like you wouldn't be involved in a lot of messy work.

[oldman]

Originally Posted by FlaChief58

My only advice is, don't abuse your body. I have the knees and back of an 80 year old... I'm 54

That advice is key. Just doing some quick math, you have to be in your 30s at minimum. While that doesn't seem to be all that old, you'll be the low man on the totem pole, in other words, getting all the grunt jobs. My advice to you is to do some heavy labor over a couple weeks and see how your body responds. It doesn't do much good for you to have a labor job if you can't work.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I think that being a new construction plumber or electrician or tile installer would be kind of cool. It might get repetitive over time, but it seems like you wouldn't be involved in a lot of messy work.

You've never cleared a drain...

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

You've never cleared a drain...

That's why I would go with new construction. Repairs and maintenance is probably a lot harder.

I did clear a drain once. After we bought our house, the kitchen drain stopped up. I couldn't clear it out with a plunger and eventually got one of those snake things down in there. While I was rooting around I discovered that the previous owner had somehow lost an entire spoon down the drain, which I discovered when I punched it through the bottom of the trap. The sink drained really well once that happened.

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Don't settle for something and don't try something new with the hopes you will like it. That's easier said than done... right? Does your wife have healthcare you can join if you can't land the union gig and want to go another route? It sounds as though you have a good job with good benefits, have you asked your boss how he could challenge you to make it more enjoyable? In the long run, find something you love and do it well... Best of luck.

[Eleazar]

Wouldn't you need to apprentice for a while at a low wage to get started? Might be hard with a family to support.

[Holladay]

You are in the tech industry. What better time to be in it!

Yes, it can be boring...all jobs can be at times. Get more certifications. Learn to program. Sharpen your resume.

The tech industry is very fluid. Of all the tech people I know, none have been with the same company. They get a raise during the switch.

Great boring industry to be in!

I bet your getting paid well. You didn't include that in the OP.

My son went into the Military. I told him to go IT not Infantry. He has been working for a tech co for 3.5 yrs "Dad, it is soooo boring". He doesn't say that now. He just got a pay bump of 20k, making 80k at 24 yro.

Work is work. Money is money. Take your money with the wife and kids and go have fun.

W - O - R - K is a 4 letter word. It is not suppose to be fun but a means to an end. You are VERY lucky if you love your job and get paid well.

[kcpasco]

Commercial HVAC is good work. I won’t do residential at my age. Going into the crawl spaces is a younger man’s game.

[kstater]

Give Billay a call. Choose your own hours, meet interesting people, clients pay cas.

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[Buehler445]

Lone,

I started my career change/business when I was 25. I don't think I could do it now, especially walking away from benefits. Seemed easier at the time.

Now what I did is a fair bit different from a union outfit. I don't have any experience here.

Just tossing ideas out here, so maybe you're not interested at all, but maybe you pick up a side hustle. I know there are lots of videos on YouTube about finish carpentry that you could look at. My buddies' wife has a little craft business that pulls in some cash. They don't care about net profit, so it all goes back out, but if you manage it for a profit, there can be some nice little side businesses out there. And if you get bored at work, use your mental bandwidth to focus on things for your side hustle. Keep the benefits and pay and get satisfaction elsewhere.