JOBS

[Pachone]

Holy Smokes ! this Thread Blew UP!!!!!!!!

 

awesome

 

 

KEEP EM COMING!

 

oh and Thanks for all the comments & advice!!!!!!

[Rattletrap2]

I'm 49 and worked for deHavilland Aircraft out of high school for about three years. It was a good start, but constant threat of lay-offs and strikes, coupled with the "factory" mentality told me the future would always be in jeopardy. I had taken refrigeration courses in high school and also studied appliance servicing part time while working at deHavilland. This was truly what I had always wanted to do!

 

I started my Refrigeration apprenticeship in 1980 and it was a major decision to give up a decent paying job with good benefits, for something unknown. I had a rough go for the first 2 1/2 years working for some pretty bad employers, but things turned around through hard work on my part and I started working for better companies and gaining knowledge and experience. Eventually, I started managing a specific part of the company that serviced laboratory and medical equipment. We covered the entire country from coast to coast and I met and worked with a lot of very talented and dedicated people along the way.

 

I never looked back, and enjoyed the past 27 years or so working in a trade that I truly loved! How often do we get a chance to earn a good living doing what we would do as a hobby?

 

About 15 years ago, I started another phase of my career by teaching part time for the refrigeration workers union Local 787. Last October, I was offered a full time teaching position. This meant giving up a job at a company that I had worked at for 22 years! Time for another big decision, but again, it is one that I never look back on. I just completed my first 8 months teaching different levels of apprentices and absolutely love it! Classes finished on June 2nd. I have more free time during the summer than I have ever had in my life!

 

Coincidentally, I also moved away from the city last year and this time off allows me to enjoy looking after our country property.

 

Now, if I could just get out fishing, all would be well! (Soon )

[JohnF]

The job list is too long and boring to even start on but it began with teaching and is currently at real estate sales (and related stuff). Who knows what the future holds though? I've only been doing the real estate thang for about 33 years so there's still time left.

 

Seriously, play to your strengths and trust your instincts. By that I mean:

 

1. Make a list of your likes and dislikes. Avoid your dislikes.

2. Decide how you want to live (high and handsome, driving Porsches and Bentleys, or down to earth, driving Chevies and PT Cruisers). That determines the budgetary needs i.e income.

3. Where do you want to live? Weigh the economics (cost of living and job ops vs the attractions of an area)

4. Are you willing to raise a family and live without the security of a good benefits package and an organized pension plan?

5. Are you a self-starter, a go-getter wanting to shoot for the moon (as in run the show) or will you be content working under someone's direction all your life? This is an important one. I know some very intelligent, very skilfull people who either have no interest in being management or absolutely no talent for it. They understand the Peter Principle and are smart enough to live by it.

6. Are you willing and able to handle more time in school or other formal training?

7. Avoiding your dislikes doesn't just mean going straight to a career in fishing or some other hobby. A lot of people will tell you that if you love something, keep it as a pastime, not a career.

8. Once you've done all this, objectively, you'll have a clearer picture of your options.

 

There are lots of fun jobs out there. Unfortunately, too often fun translates into lousy pay, unpredictable future, or no opportunity for advancement. I envy those lucky few who turn their hobby into a career. I've seen too many try to do that and either have it or themselves fail miserably. I'm a good example of that. After university I accepted an offer to go into the snowmobile distribution business. I loved bikes and sleds. It was very cool at the time with something like 70 brands having hit the market over the previous few years. I had the world by the tail - a company car, great salary plus commissions, expense account, 4 place trailer with sleds for my personal use, free parts for racing etc. I was still in my late twenties and soon the company was trying to get me to come in off the road as sales manager. But then suddenly that world shrank - big time - to the few brands we see today. I saw the writing on the wall and bailed early. But that's what I mean about job security. You probably know a few folks who say they were "down-sized'. That's corporate speak for the market went away.

 

Another mistake I made was going against my instincts. I've always known I was outgoing and liked the interaction with folks, yet I was lured by the obvious future of computer technology and found myself in my early 20's running a big 360-20 IBM in the late 60's. I barely lasted a year before walking out of that one. I was going nuts being isolated all day long in an environmentally safe room with nothing but the MFCM and the card sorter for company. That's when I decided to go back and get a degree at Waterloo.

 

But then, a few years later, I lucked out. There was no good planning by me, just dumb luck. A friend was in the real estate business and he convinced me to get a licence and come to work for him. That was 33 years ago. Turns out this was what suited me and it has done a pretty good job of providing for us over the years. The upside is I'm not tied to a desk, I spend time with people, and my hours are my own. The downside is there's no formal pension plan, no benefits package, no guaranteed raises, no bonuses, and very little income security. On balance it's worked well for me. I've had stints in management when they needed help but I prefer to be on my own. Now I'm able to use what knowledge I've accumulated to teach the business to others.

 

The great thing about my business is that it's one of the few where the sky's the limit. Your income depends on your own initiative, your inherent people skills and your work ethic, not your education, looks, or seniority. I know guys in very small towns earning $400k per annum, going to work in Dockers and sports shirts much of the time. I know lawyers who've gone out and got real estate certs because they enjoyed it more than practising law. On the flip side I know people with degrees who failed miserably at it. It's really up to you what you make of it, not at all dependant on the letters that come after your name.

 

So what I'm saying is that an education is great. It will never hurt you. The experience alone of going to university makes it worth the effort. But at the end of the day it may not be enough to guarantee a successful working life. Decide what you want to do then get whatever formal training you need to do it. As some branch of the military says "Be the best you can be." Almost any career will reward you if you give it your best.

 

All the best

JF

[oxcowboy]

im 34 years old, grew up in the country on my family's farm along the ohio river about 60 miles east of cincy. graduated from Morehead state university in ky.(near cave run lake for you musky guys). i got my degree in agriculture education. i have been teaching agricultural science and horticulture for 10 years. i also have coached varsity softball and jr. high basketball. i also own a 200 acre beef cattle farm with my brother. often joke that im on vacation 9 months a year and work 3 months, because the farm work i do in the summer is way harder than the teaching. lol teaching is the perfect job for me, i get my summers of to work on the farm and although it isnt the best paying job, the benefits are great, plus i love working with the kids and trying to make an impact on their life. very rewarding when you know you have made a positive mark on their life.

 

jason

[tonyb]

The job list is too long and boring to even start on but it began with teaching and is currently at real estate sales (and related stuff). Who knows what the future holds though? I've only been doing the real estate thang for about 33 years so there's still time left.

 

Seriously, play to your strengths and trust your instincts. By that I mean:

 

1. Make a list of your likes and dislikes. Avoid your dislikes.

2. Decide how you want to live (high and handsome, driving Porsches and Bentleys, or down to earth, driving Chevies and PT Cruisers). That determines the budgetary needs i.e income.

3. Where do you want to live? Weigh the economics (cost of living and job ops vs the attractions of an area)

4. Are you willing to raise a family and live without the security of a good benefits package and an organized pension plan?

5. Are you a self-starter, a go-getter wanting to shoot for the moon (as in run the show) or will you be content working under someone's direction all your life? This is an important one. I know some very intelligent, very skilfull people who either have no interest in being management or absolutely no talent for it. They understand the Peter Principle and are smart enough to live by it.

6. Are you willing and able to handle more time in school or other formal training?

7. Avoiding your dislikes doesn't just mean going straight to a career in fishing or some other hobby. A lot of people will tell you that if you love something, keep it as a pastime, not a career.

8. Once you've done all this, objectively, you'll have a clearer picture of your options.

 

There are lots of fun jobs out there. Unfortunately, too often fun translates into lousy pay, unpredictable future, or no opportunity for advancement. I envy those lucky few who turn their hobby into a career. I've seen too many try to do that and either have it or themselves fail miserably. I'm a good example of that. After university I accepted an offer to go into the snowmobile distribution business. I loved bikes and sleds. It was very cool at the time with something like 70 brands having hit the market over the previous few years. I had the world by the tail - a company car, great salary plus commissions, expense account, 4 place trailer with sleds for my personal use, free parts for racing etc. I was still in my late twenties and soon the company was trying to get me to come in off the road as sales manager. But then suddenly that world shrank - big time - to the few brands we see today. I saw the writing on the wall and bailed early. But that's what I mean about job security. You probably know a few folks who say they were "down-sized'. That's corporate speak for the market went away.

 

Another mistake I made was going against my instincts. I've always known I was outgoing and liked the interaction with folks, yet I was lured by the obvious future of computer technology and found myself in my early 20's running a big 360-20 IBM in the late 60's. I barely lasted a year before walking out of that one. I was going nuts being isolated all day long in an environmentally safe room with nothing but the MFCM and the card sorter for company. That's when I decided to go back and get a degree at Waterloo.

 

But then, a few years later, I lucked out. There was no good planning by me, just dumb luck. A friend was in the real estate business and he convinced me to get a licence and come to work for him. That was 33 years ago. Turns out this was what suited me and it has done a pretty good job of providing for us over the years. The upside is I'm not tied to a desk, I spend time with people, and my hours are my own. The downside is there's no formal pension plan, no benefits package, no guaranteed raises, no bonuses, and very little income security. On balance it's worked well for me. I've had stints in management when they needed help but I prefer to be on my own. Now I'm able to use what knowledge I've accumulated to teach the business to others.

 

The great thing about my business is that it's one of the few where the sky's the limit. Your income depends on your own initiative, your inherent people skills and your work ethic, not your education, looks, or seniority. I know guys in very small towns earning $400k per annum, going to work in Dockers and sports shirts much of the time. I know lawyers who've gone out and got real estate certs because they enjoyed it more than practising law. On the flip side I know people with degrees who failed miserably at it. It's really up to you what you make of it, not at all dependant on the letters that come after your name.

 

So what I'm saying is that an education is great. It will never hurt you. The experience alone of going to university makes it worth the effort. But at the end of the day it may not be enough to guarantee a successful working life. Decide what you want to do then get whatever formal training you need to do it. As some branch of the military says "Be the best you can be." Almost any career will reward you if you give it your best.

 

All the best

JF

 

John, that is by far one of the best pieces of advice in this whole thread. Thanks for sharing it! and people, please re-read this!

 

Anyway, my story was that I graduated Fish & Wildlife Tech but the money wasn't in it that would support the lifestyle I wanted (Fishing is expensive!)

 

Went back to school and graduated as a Network & Hardware Tech and have been working in the IT industry for the past 9 years from Call center tech support up to IT Manager today. It has it's challenges (constant learning and certification required) but the pay affords me the lifestyle I choose to live.

 

E.g. 2009 Lund 1900 ProV on order!

 

Tony

[tbayboy]

Kind of an interesting thread. Us fishing folk sure come from all walks of life.

 

Myself, I did the comp. sci thing at U Waterloo then spent some time at one of the big consumer software companies in Toronto writing code and thats where I learned the power of networking and that's my only advice to you - NEVER BURN BRIDGES EARLY IN YOUR CAREER.

 

Thanks to contacts made there (and I'd hope my skillset and general likeability ) that was the last time I did an interview. I followed a manager down to silicon valley in the hey day to work for Netscape, that was quite the experience. After that I just can't do the corporate thing so I did helped found a startup up here that was one of the last IPOs before the bubble burst (learned a lot about investment diversification but not soon enough ) and am now doing another startup trying to figure out how to make a buck out of all these cell phones floating around. Trying to keep my hands in at the development level but being a startup its lot of management type stuff to but still - I do what I want to do and thats all that matters in the end.

[Wendel]

I got my degree in Computer Science about 12 years ago.

I worked at the casino in Windsor for about 5 years, hated every minute of it. I was a card dealer, can't go anywhere when you are at the table, had to stand there watching people lose their houses and blow smoke in your face all day long.

I got into the satellite business during that time, and the entrepreneur went wild... I was making more money then any 24 year old could ever make, my wife was spending it faster then I could make it still though lol

Soon after the gravy days of the sat biz were gone, too many people charging 10 bucks to program a card when I used to get 125!!! Okay 125 was unreasonable, but nothing wrong with 50.

I ended up getting involved in a small computer store, my dream job. Turns out it was my dream job. I went from being a bench technician building and repairing pc's to becoming an onsite technician/Microsoft SMB specialist.

It's so rewarding when you can go into a place find out what kind of problems and issues they have and come up with a plan of action to help them.

It's also rewarding not knowing exactly what you will be faced with next.

I've been on my own for about 6 years now. I have had a couple of jobs in between, but I honestly think I'm unemployable, I just don't agree with some people's business practices and I guess I let them know it!

I should be rich right now, but I've basically had to restart my whole business after a divorce last year, so a little setback, but one thing is for sure I will never give up.

I just wish I was not so shy, and was more able to go into places I've never had contact with and pickup some new contracts in the area, I would probably own the world if I could. I'm okay if the person calls me or if I've been there before, but man I get huge anxiety going door to door!

 

In any event, if you think you have the perfect career for yourself, you might, but my suggestion is get out of it quick if you don't. Nothing worse then going to work everyday hating what you do.

Since the Casino, I haven't worked a day in my life....I find it hard to believe that I can make a living doing something I love!

[edmichit]

General Manager for a Technology company that sells and implements CRM and ERP software, to mid to large size companies, in many different verticals.

This role allows me to feel the pulse of the economy(well at least where most of us work) I'll exclude the big oil guys (we know how tough it is for them right now...ya right) With an aging population, and the traditional manufacturing industry moving out of north america for good, whatever you decide to do, make sure it's related to providing services.

In 10 - 15 years the north american work force will be 80% services vs manufacturing based. At your young age, i think this is important to consider. You dont want to be 50 yrs old, and find yourself an out of work CAW worker, this is an extreme example, but true.

 

good luck

[lickmyarmpit]

Im a coke dealer!!!

 

No really im the guy that drives the big red and white (coke truck). The jobs alot of hard work but the pay is excellent and the union is strong CAW, so i cant complain.

[Burning Babies]

I'm a fisheries biologist for the state of Ohio. I coordinate creel sampling, habitat mapping, and angler access projects in the northeastern portion of the state, and I will be working on motorboat access soon as well. I also assist with many other sampling programs we run out of our office. We keep busy.

[troutologist]

Another U Waterloo, grad. worked as a bear biologist for a while. Most recently took a job as remediation coordinator for the st. marys river here in the soo with the MOE. I wanna be a full time fishing guide again, season is just starting back up on slave.

[Guest Fishing For Life]

Graduated from U of Toronto Mechnical Engineering ..

 

well, not too hard to guess .. I have worked as Quality Engineering in Automotive Industry

for 6 years. mainly focus on how to prevent terrible things from happening from processing/part design

point of view.

 

I love my job since it is 50% hands-on and 50% desk-jerk type of job and I get to

travel to customer/supplier locations from time to time instead of sitting at the same plac

24/7. Feel really accomplished to human societywhenever seeing cars I worked on running on the streets.

 

Currently working on the new Acura vechile which is coming on in 2010

[Bitsmith2k]

i'm another member of the comp. sci group.. almost went the cop route when i couldnt get a job out of university.. did all the tests and the day i recieved my certificate from ATS (dunno if they're still around) i got a job offer doing custom software in niagara.. i took it, crappy pay but i was doing what i wanted to do..

 

eventually i ended up in toronto, where i am now, doing development for a finance company..

 

i'm goin to agree with tbayboy and say dont burn any bridges... i've gotten a few opportunities 'on the side' because an old boss screwed over clients and they've hunted me down to do work for them..

[stbruce25]

Well im 25, I started off working in a plywood mill through High School, pretty good money but it was a depressing job! Then i moved on to saw mills, and well same atmosphere as the plywood but a way more physical job. Then i was a forwarder operator, Now that was fun!! It was like playing with a huge tonka truck and then moving trees through the frest. money was awsome to!! the downside is it was seasonal, but gives you lots of time to fish in the summer!!

I went back to school 3 years ago and took a paramedic program. Loved it!! I've been working for 1 year now and i'm looking forward to every shift. Even if i'm not busy, everyday we get to talk to ppl and help them with their problems.

 

Helping people, feeling like you make a difference in someone's life, well if that sounds good to ya look in to paramedecine.

 

Plus their will alwais be jobs in the healtcare feild, people get sick!! lol

 

Hope this helps.

[Tybo]

Heavy equipment tech.

Hard,dirty,work in all conditions.

 

Once you become a full round tech, their is nothing out there you can't fix,

If you have the right tools.

 

I have been in the trade for 27 years, and to this day. When I leave the job I

have a feeling of gratification.

[spinin jay]

Automotive Recycling,,,Started when I was 10,clean up garbage mainly,,then dismantled cars for years,finishing high school,was use to the money and employer,and never had the ambition to move on.Now 31 still here in sales now,,so I don't greasy anymore.Pays not the greatest but bills are paid.

Don't really know what else I'd like to do.I got my time in here now,it's got some hidden perks,I'm not pushed too hard.Still working on people skills,lol

[jace]

Dope Dealer.

 

 

 

PM sent. uhmmm. hahah.

[Rich]

Meat Cutter for Loblaws and could definitely continue cutting meat for the rest of my life. I really enjoy it. Of course, fishing for a living would be better.. but what can ya do?

[theRJ]

I am an Intern between my third and Fourth year of a Civil Engineering Degree at Ryerson University. I currently work as a technologist doing Research and Development in the Oil and Gas pipeline sector. I also work part time selling computers at a Best buy. Having two jobs sucks, but i know what I want in life and I know I gotta work my arse off to get it.

 

What am I doing when i graduate? I'll let you all know when i do.

 

RJ

[jace]

point being is with a licecsed trade....your able to get top buck as their are no newbies under cutting you...

 

 

They've been predicting this for quite a few years now and i think it's finally starting to kick into gear. Starting back in the early 80's, almost everybody and their dog was sent to university to the point where it was expected that school did not end at grade 12/13 and you would go to post secondary. The prediction was that all the skilled tradesmen would become very scarce in the glut of university grads and it's happening. Although the trade incomes willl never pass the top level accredited professionals, they're definitely getting paid more than the typical university grad. 4 of my friends' sons (different families) went to college for marine welding not long ago. They graduated from 3-5 years ago and they're all pulling in over $100K. not bad for people in their early 20's.

 

 

I went to university, got my CA, did that at a hometown firm for 7 years and didn't like it. I later found myself in IT, worked for canada trust then BMO in performance testing and systems migration and deployment. That was interesting work but i didn't get enough free time during the summers so i moved on again to an industrial coatings company where i've been the last 5. I don't find the place particularly stimulating because it's the same ol' same ol' every day but they allow me to take off for exntended trips whenever i want. The joke is i'm the teacher there because i only work between 9-10 months/year. I've been going up to Alaska every year for fishing about the last 15 years. When i started going, it was about 3 times/year and i tried out all the seasons. Man, some places up there get a lot of snow. I've cut back a bit the last few years to make it one mega trip for 5-8weeks and fish everything there is to fish in that time. I've made a lot of good friends up there over the years and a surprisingly huge numbers of people make the annual trip so i see a different bunch of familiar faces every time. Fishing has become part of my life and work and i basically won't make a career move unless it allows me to plan out good fishing trips. Do what you like and like what you do. There's no point otherwise, life is too short to spend it being a clock-watcher, hammering away at a job you hate.

[jace]

Photographer for local radio station.

 

 

that's a weird combination. I must be missing something. This is like being a CNIB cameraman or audio engineer at a school for the deaf.

[cthewrld]

I was in the pharmaceutical business for 29 years, working in the sales area. I worked my way up to the executive ranks, and then at the ripe old age of 49(last year), a major heart attack ended my career. I'm amazed at how quickly the whole thing came to an end. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself! The good part ...... I can now fish whenever I want to.

[lunkerbasshunter]

sales and marketing company, been there for 10 years. good at selling and good at business. am in the process of doing my own sales thing on the side for some outdoors companies. lots of interviews but hard to negotiate far and resonable commisions.

 

What i want to do is retire lol but at this rate i will not retire for about 30 more years. Good thing my wife is one heck of a sales person lol maybe i can retire off her soon lol

 

Cheers!

[mike hagan]

In the automotive trade, Best company to work for MERCEDES-BENZ-CANADA.

[TJQ]

This site ..... is what I do for a living... well its a small part of it anyway... my job is to get you to go to a fishing lodge I represent... all the best ones of course....

 

Ive been a prospector, a mapping geologist, an aggregate geologist, an environmental planner. Ive blown stuff up, trapped minnows and counted worms... I sell snowshoes and help owners sell their cottages.

 

What else would I do..... hmmmmm I like Jedi Master too .... but id turn evil pretty quick i think....

 

retirement... aint ever gonna happen....