change jobs or shoot myself

[sleepy911]

I have been doing the same upholstery job since i was 16. Now a few days away from 40 i feel like if i dont try something else im going to nut up. What are some of the jobs avaliable out there for a high school grad with tons of life experience? I went to school and got my California water treatment licience but after 3 years of trying I haven't scored a job.

[look 171]

Are you burned out of upholstery or running the daily business grind. Do you own the place? If not would buying it in the equation and have someone do the actual work for you and you run the business end. Sorry I couldn't be of any help, but good luck and keep us posted.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You will be better off if you leverage your experience in some way. Could you just find a different employer or take on a different role? Maybe a supervisory or teaching role? Take a similar job in a different industry? Starting over means starting over, your pay and position will be that of a newbie.

[sc_rufctr]

How fit are you? I'm guessing you would be because apholstery can be physically demanding.

Is becoming a cop an option? What about a government job like FBI or similar?
@40 you're young enough to do just about anything.
Was there a job you always thought about doing but didn't for various reason like family or just having to pay the bills?

How about sales? Realestate, cars or boats? What are you passionate about?

There are so many options but if you do make a move you really need to give it a decent shot.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Is becoming a cop an option? What about a government job like FBI or similar?

That's actually not an easy gig to get into. My brother in law left the Marines after several tours in Afghanistan and wanted to be a cop, turns out that most police departments are looking for a criminal justice degree. I suspect that FBI is even more selective. He ended up in the Border Patrol, and is hoping that some experience there will help him get a job in more traditional law enforcement.

[sleepy911]

My father ownes the place and he is good to work for. I run the product floor with 3 other employees.. I guess I am just being a baby but I have always disliked doing upholstery. My skill set is diverse, welding, fabracarion, building,, ect. I have always been the go to guy for problems and I think that is one of the problems. 10 hours a day I baby set grown men. I envy just going to work, putting in 8 and going home.

[fintstone]

Your 911 upholstery work is amazing. I hate to see such an artist leave the biz. Do you need a break or looking to make more money...or both?

[fintstone]

Maybe you need to open your own shop and just do high end things...or specialize. With your fabrication skills...what about just building a sport seat or rebuilding sport seats, etc. Lots of skill in fab required plus you could use existing skills.

[mikesride]

I vote CHANGE JOBS!!!!!! The other option is somewhat drastic don't you think????
You may be in a good situation now.... discuss this with your father, see if you have this safety net to fall back onto if things don't pan out (lets be realistic). Then address your likes and dislikes.
The classic "people person" makes a great sales rep....there are lots of sales jobs out there. I work in on road sales for the parts department of a construction equipment dealer and do fairly well income wise. the guys who actually sell the
large equipment do very well.
Some trades around these parts like HVAC tech or sheet metal workers even construction laborers are in high demand around these parts and are pulling in $80,000.00 and year.
Maybe identify your true passion....can you turn that into something profitable?
If so it sounds like your Dads already got the business sense to help you out!
Good luck....going thru life and not enjoying almost half of it just doesn't seem fair to me.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

That's actually not an easy gig to get into. My brother in law left the Marines after several tours in Afghanistan and wanted to be a cop, turns out that most police departments are looking for a criminal justice degree. I suspect that FBI is even more selective. He ended up in the Border Patrol, and is hoping that some experience there will help him get a job in more traditional law enforcement.

Yes the FBI is very selective but not as picky as the CIA. To get to either one from the military you almost need to be a retired officer.
Did you know they have an official mentoring and internship program? Gotta have a spotless background check and very good grades or it's CI-yA.

My daughter is majoring in criminology and plans to get her master's in it, and she's on the Dean's list

[fintstone]

He is probably too old for most LE type jobs if he doesn't already have experience (military or civilian)...unless he want to run for elected office.

[Seahawk]

Need more data.

Married? Kids?
Enough bank to not work for awhile?
Willing to move?
When was the last time you got away from the business for a few weeks?
Etc.

Have you talked to your Dad? Is he willing to find help for you?

Hope it all works out.

[ted]

Is there another job you could do where you work now?
Outside sales or something else that would add to your experience.

My career and the people I worked for were less than inspiring.
I kept the job and looked for satisfaction in my hobbies.

[manbridge 74]

What level operator are you? Water, wastewater or both? I'd suggest trying for at least a B level cert and moving to CO where there are many more job opportunities in this field (at least a few years ago).

You could be the sole operator in a small community and still do your seats during off peak times making good money with benefits.

[bell]

I spent 20 years in mobile electronics. .....I literally walked away from it and became a porsche wrench. .. is been 4 years now...... going well...
I don't go home angry anymore......
Making decent money....
Looking back and having been told this it wasa very big risky step but had worked out....
The key is to find something which won't break the bank since technically you'll be starting at the bottom......

[jadewombat]

Oilfield. No experience won't get you any of the goods jobs, but after a year or so you can switch jobs. Getting on a rotation schedule you'll be home 1/2 the days year (vs. 30% with 40 hour work week). The sky is the limit as far as pay and opportunities though. You make about $50K the first year, $50-100K the second depending upon the job.

I would not try to get on with a rig company though, only young guys in their 20s start there because it's physically pretty hard on your body for a few years. I'd look to get on with a service company (mudlogging, gyro. shot hand, or MWD).

[Schrup]

Certs won't do much good without applicable experience. I would start taking entry tests for utilities. The pay cut can be tough for a few years, but pays off after the apprenticeship is complete.

Another thing to consider is schedule, I work 12hour days, 7 days on, 7 off, switching between days & graves, not for everyone. A lot of operators are shift workers.

[Bill Douglas]

How about just taking a year off. Do some traveling of just messing about with old cars

You may come back with a renewed interest/appreciation of your position.

I know what you mean though. I used to be the boss of an IT department and I felt that I was being everybody's mother and if anything went wrong it was my fault. But I did enjoy the money.

[icemann427]

If you have room, how about offering other services at your existing shop that you could tie into with your skill sets? Taking the greater share of the revenue from these additional services while giving your dad a spiff. Maybe you can start your own TV Chop, Cut, Rebuild series!

[RWebb]

want to see the world? (or least the less pleasant parts of the 3rd world)

get a job with an NGO working on drinking water issues; won't pay much but lots of young people do similar things; you will gain experience in your field, making you more employable here later on

also, depending on where you go, you will have no need to shoot yourself as others may do that for you