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

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by 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

Id like to respond about the HVAC edit. Yes, sheet metal is a good trade, but I wouldn’t recommend it out of the ones available. You deal with insulation just as much as anyone else, and it’s not uncommon to get some nasty cuts or metal in your eyes over your career.

Also speaking on the work, you’re in a sense stuck where the work is. If you’re in the trade, you may as well never think about moving because you can’t, unless you’re moving to a union that has better pay and more work (I was in California so hard to beat the union I was in).

I eventually left due to the fact that you are always tired when you get home, the work is shitty, you’re always going from site to site working with new people day after day and sometimes those people suck just as much as the work. You don’t really feel appreciated for your work and the climb to get into the office side of the work is pretty difficult and limited.

I’m working from home now doing the normal corporate America job and I’m much better and happy for it.

My work advice on HVAC comes from working in the Union btw, I was never non-union.... Unions great but it's in a sense socialism because everyones paid the same no matter how good of work you do, BUT people try hard because they don't want to get laid off and have to go work for another company, so it sort've sucks all around. You're not getting more pay for doing a better job, you just get to say that you got to KEEP your job.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by 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

Tell me you don't know any union ironworkers without telling me you don't know any union ironworkers. I have a nephew who is a union ironworker currently working in Texas. He makes about 90k per year.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by 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

I wouldnt say never without work as an IBEW inside electrician. Some guys are laid off a lot, some guys stay busy most of the time and wormy shits like me land a killer maintenance job. I have a great job sub contracted at a data center. 7-330 daily, new tech and challenges regularly. A solid work life balance. Some guys end up working on the road a lot, its killer money, but its not all sunshine and rainbows.

[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.

[Loneiguana]

Originally Posted by 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.

I just went through this lesson in my current job switch.

I had to leave my old job, as I was getting forced out (politics), and considered myself lucky to find a job an English major qualifies for, but unfortunately it's different then what I was sold in the interview.

I'm now more bored for less money. Sigh. But I don't have a toxic boss. Not sure I made the right move. But here am I finding a way to work through it and find something better.

[AdolfOliverBush]

Originally Posted by Loneiguana

I just went through this lesson in my current job switch.

I had to leave my old job, as I was getting forced out (politics), and considered myself lucky to find a job an English major qualifies for, but unfortunately it's different then what I was sold in the interview.

I'm now more bored for less money. Sigh. But I don't have a toxic boss. Not sure I made the right move. But here am I finding a way to work through it and find something better.

I personally would stay put and keep looking for a more enjoyable/higher paying job you're already qualified for.

[Loneiguana]

Originally Posted by AdolfOliverBush

I personally would stay put and keep looking for a more enjoyable/higher paying job you're already qualified for.

Difficulty: English major in a red state small town.

I know, I know. I choose that degree. I did have a great job for about 5 years with it.

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by Loneiguana

Difficulty: English major in a red state small town.

I know, I know. I choose that degree. I did have a great job for about 5 years with it.

If you quit your job as a teacher in a small town red state, you’re absolutely going to hate being a construction worker in that same area. I’m afraid you’re just too over the top with your politics, and the things that upset you. Best staying where you are.

[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

[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.

[Loneiguana]

Originally Posted by oldman

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.

38, almost 39. Definitely on the older side for getting into construction.

My dad retired from the labor union and I spend 3 summers working on job sites 20 years ago. I do have an idea what I am getting into.

Physical labor is one thing I know I can do, for now. Recently, I've been hauling rock by wheel barrow down to my shoreline from my front yard to build up a erosion wall.

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by Loneiguana

38, almost 39. Definitely on the older side for getting into construction.

My dad retired from the labor union and I spend 3 summers working on job sites 20 years ago. I do have an idea what I am getting into.

Physical labor is one thing I know I can do, for now. Recently, I've been hauling rock by wheel barrow down to my shoreline from my front yard to build up a erosion wall.

Are you looking at Union or Non Union? I can only speak to Union work, and what trade?