Change

[JimSnyder]

Well most of you know I was laid off again last week. It lasted 1 week. I'm back to work Monday for God only knows how long. I am an Electrician by trade residential and some lite industrial. With the economy the way it is we have taken a huge hit. Shop of 45 down to 6. I think before the year is out they will close the doors. My point is I'm sick of it. I'm thinking of a career change. Not an easy thing to do at 48. I'm not out much more then a weekly check since almost every benefit we have is now gone. If you guys had to start over what fields would you look at?

[East Bay Rider]

Good question. I'm looking for ideas as well.

[Ashley]

Unfortunately I cannot offer any advice, but you are in my thoughts. Good luck with finding a stable job

[dman]

Hope this one sticks Jim, keep the faith and attitude.

As for a career change, not sure. Hopefully there is something you love that you can make money doing. To me that is the real dream to chase.

[Leighton]

Hi Jim, I think you should leverage your core competency. As an electrician, your skill can be applied to a number of areas. But you may also have other skills that can be added to your core competency. Ask yourself a couple of questions:

1. What would you love to do for a living?

2. What skills do you have in addition to your current trade?

3. How can you take all of the skills that you have and apply them to what you would love to do for a living?

I know it may sound somewhat patronizing, but take some time and really think about this. In your case Jim, you are a skilled electrician. I'm sure there are a few other things you are really good at too. How can those be integrated into your total skill set? The construction market sucks right now, but where else could you apply your skills? Are there any recession resistant manufacturers or service industries in your area that could use someone like you? What about alternative energy companies that need someone with your skills to help in developing new energy technologies? What about your recreational interests? Can those be turned into a paycheck?

Lastly, I'm sorry you are going through this. Hang in there and don't get discouraged. In these days and times we're all going to need to think outside our normal comfort zones because the world is a new and different place.

Good luck and God speed, Jim!

[Art161]

Jim, no "silver bullet" idea from me.

Google around and see if you can find lists of jobs that are good to have in the present economy. I think there are aptitude tests you can take. You might find that you have an aptitude for something that you hadn't even thought about as a career.

Heck, plenty of people switch careers at your age or even later in life. You've still got a good potential to work for another 20 years or longer, so try and work at something you enjoy. Maybe a salesperson at a Rolex AD, although perhaps even the ADs are taking a hit with this economy.

In general, I think you are better off with a job that can't be outsourced. I joke with my barber that he is really set. Even there, though, his business could suffer. As the economy declines, people might have their hair cut less frequently, have the spouse cut it, go for the JJ look, etc.

Hang in there. I wish you good fortune.

[jdc]

Hi Jim glad to hear you will be back at work on Monday, sounds like it is a stressful time with all the uncertainty.
Sounds like you are doing the right thing in hanging in there and planning future options.
Sounds like you want to get out of the business altogether, but you sure have a lot of usable skills and experience which I am sure are transferable or could be used on a self employed basis.
I made a career change 20 years ago from banking/insurance into social work and am happy with the decision I took, maybe it is the right time for you to pursue a long held dream.
Anyway keep up your spirits, your posts are always worth reading, and make me laugh, and you know you always have plenty of friends here. Good luck Jim

[seantk]

It is slow all over - so no good advice here. Good luck in your pursuit

Sean

[2careless]

The property manager at our company used to be a sparky. He went to study a building/facilities management course and then started looking for building management work in commercial buildings, shopping centres etc. He once mentioned that the money isn't that good but more stable than a self-employed electrician.

Alternatively check our if there are any opportunities in datacentre work.

[AJF]

You could always take a Teacher Cetificate and train future electricians. I am guessing that the US is like the UK; training is partially hands-on coupled with college.

AJF.

[redshirt1957]

You will figure it out. If I can do it anyone can.

[Jimbits76]

Jim if I was you....electrical Health and Safety...it's a winner!

As for me starting over...I'd want to be a journo or correspondent! I would love to be a chef but I haven't the temperment.

I'd love to be a Doctor but I haven't got the patience...sorry I couldn't help it!

J

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by seantk

It is slow all over - so no good advice here. Good luck in your pursuit

Sean

X2!!!

[Terry Newton]

Jim:

A suggestion might be to meet with a career counselor and do a Strong-Campbell interest survey. It might point you in an area that you had not thought about. I still think computers and technology has a shortage of good people though this would involve some night schooling on your part. In spite of out-sourcing for some of our technology there is still a shortage of brains in this field and other countries are surpassing us in technology. Since you already have a great grasp on electricity your mind already works in a linear fashion to solve problems and troubleshoot which is a lot of what computer people do.

Just a thought and, to me, you're never too old to start a second career.

Hell; maybe you could become a watchmaker. you could then work on all of our Rolex watches.

Good-luck and hang in there. I'll be praying for you and your family.

Terry Newton

[JimSnyder]

Thanks to everyone for the input. It's a little voice that keeps telling me it is time for a change.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

Thanks to everyone for the input. It's a little voice that keeps telling me it is time for a change.

Running for President of the USA?

[Chozn1]

I'd become a salesman. Some of the highest paid folks in the world are salespeople, and they are trained, not born that way. At your age people will take you seriously and it's not something you need to go back to school for, other than training for whatever it is you'd be selling.

[pwrslider]

Go work for a Rolex AD......you already have a built in customer base!!!

[Teofilo]

Go for something that we will always need....no matter how bad the economy.
I note your age, but how about joining the Police. That is about as steady as they come. Or the Prison Service ?
Both jobs where life experience counts for a lot.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Teofilo

Go for something that we will always need....no matter how bad the economy.
I note your age, but how about joining the Police. That is about as steady as they come. Or the Prison Service ?
Both jobs where life experience counts for a lot.

I did not want to mention this, but Jim has done his time.

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

I did not want to mention this, but Jim has done his time.

Busted.