what to even go to school for?

[travis91]

geez im 19 and i have no clue what to even go to school for. I want to do something with my hands.. ill make min wage before i ever work a desk job. Id like the ability to own my own business or work for a small one where i was more than just a number to someone. Id like to make enough money to be happy and not live anywhere near pay check to pay check. Just throw out some ideas maybe there's something i haven't thought about.

[Pam6]

Electrician, Industrial, with a minor in small engine repair.

[travis91]

explain more.. please

[Silverado]

Land surveyor. You'll be outside a lot. Many of them work for themselves.

[travis91]

i was thinking about game warden or something with fish and game dept

[Ed Norman]

Plumbing, heating, AC, electrician, septic, etc can't be sent overseas for cheaper labor.

[foxtrapper]

Originally Posted by travis91

geez im 19 and i have no clue what to even go to school for.

Then don't go. You don't have to, and you can always go later if you really want to. At 19 I would have been a terrible waste of a college tuition. When I was 25, it was a different storoy.

If you want to work with your hands, what are the things that interest you and what are your skills? Have you picked up any trade skills or training?

[MN Gardener]

I second the surveyor, especially if you are good with math and geometry. In our neck of the woods all the surveyors are old and retiring. There is a huge demand in that area. Possibly a timber cruiser or someone in DNR, soil and conservation or in the county's land dept.

[travis91]

My parents are making me go if i live under there roof. and you cant get a good paying job without going. we are over run with septic ppl here.. thinking about plumbing.. i would go insane with electrical. Ac doesnt pay enough

[springvalley]

I started farming when I was 19 Travis, now I had alot of help, and my Dad farmed also. So go live life and think about what you want to do, then take some classes at the community college. If you have common sense you can get through life much easier. > Thanks Marc

[stickinthemud]

What was the last job you (or your folks, or someone you know) paid someone to do? Could you learn to do it?

[lonelyfarmgirl]

Here is my 2 cents.

My husband went to a technical college for diesel mechanics. Afterwards, he got a job at a semi place, and worked under someone to 'learn the ropes'. He said the book knowledge was great, but it was nothing like the real thing. After he worked there for several years, he got a job as a mechanic for the county shop. He worked there for 10 years. All this time, he worked on his own cars, his dads cars, his grandpas tractors and at some point began doing side work for other people. After working at the county shop for 10 years, he had so much side business, he quit at the county and went full time at home.
As is now.

Also during this time, early on, he drove for a s*** hauler, thus learning to drive big trucks and obtaining his CDL with all the trimmings.

Prior to working at the semi place, he got a job with a friend who builds and repairs silo unloaders. They taught him how to weld. He did that for a couple years.

Its been a big learning process for him, and over the years, he has built up an enormous inventory of tools, as many specialty items are needed in his line of work.

The end result; he is busy 24-7. The driveway is full 90% of the time. He has never advertised. A GOOD, reliable shop employee would be a God -send, (I don't think they exist).

What I am getting at, is if you want to do something with your hands, that you can make a living off of, the opportunities are there. Here is a list of jobs and services that will always be needed regardless of how the country goes to crap.
Electrical
mechanics
plumbing
welding
building stuff
food grower
farrier
heating/ac
septic service
gunsmith

Other not so essential:
taxidermy
black smithing
vehicle body man
lawn care
dog training
manure hauling and pumping
tire shop
framer/drywall/painter

Where I live, alot of people have their own businesses. Many of these listed are businesses out of peoples homes right around here.

What ever you do, learn to weld, learn basic mechanics, learn how to build stuff. Get a job on a farm, or a shop somewhere. At some point you will find something that you like. It will take time to get to a point of self support, but you have to start somewhere.

What are you doing with your time right now?

[travis91]

Ive taken classes at the CC and even done a semester in aircraft maintenance. Id love to work in farming.. it has always interested me.. but its hard to just jump into here

[Old Vet]

Most any collage will get you a bachelors degree. From their you can get into most any carrier field. Even with a degree you can become assistant manager in most company. That is the minimum but you won't be making minimum wage. It is more than just having a degree that will get you promoted it is hard work. Work on making good work habits. At 19 even if you work for minimum wage look at bettering your self. There is no magical way you can be at the top unless you are trying to become a politician. You will have a leap on me at 19 I was in the military but their you can get a job experience. At 19 I would go into the Air Force and specialize in Fly By Wire. It is one thing that can be useful in getting a good paying job if you can't get into Collage.

[travis91]

hmm last job we paid someone to do. either install dish network, suck up the septic, or survey our land haha

[travis91]

I can weld, worked under a General contractor. i know how to build and frame. ive worked under a certified mechanic and have basic mechanic skills.

[Oldcountryboy]

What types of interest do you have? Have you checked out any technical schools or colleges for a list of their Majors?

I wished I was 19 again. When I was 19 a Electrician hired me to be his helper. Upon arrival at the job site I would get all the tools out and hook up the extension cords. Carry all the wire or conduit inside, plus anything else we would be using for the day. After working with him for a few months I decided this is what I want to do for a living. So I went to a technical school to learn more about it.

Most of the time I made good wages and brought home some nice paychecks. Worked as a Construction Electrician and sometimes a Maintenance person for 25 years or so. But then age and weight creeped up on me and I find myself unable to do that kind of work due to back problems and along with Arthritis settling in my joints. Now I look back and wished I would have chosen a different carreer.

What would I have chosen if I knew then what I know now? Well lets see, I was always a outdoorsman and just basically live to go on my next fishing trip or hunting trip. So why didn't I become a Biologist and work in the outdoors all the time? Something I could still be doing today. Also, I always have loved to garden. Attempt to raise a garden almost every summer. So why didn't I become a Horticultureist? Something I could still be doing today.

Although I didn't cook much when I was 19, it is something I love to do now days. I cook probably 50 to 60 percent of our meals here at home. I've often wondered "Why didn't I become a chef"? Should have joined the Navy as a cook and traveled the world and experienced foods from all around the world and put in 24 years service. Then retire and become a chef at a fancy resturant.

A lot of "What if's". Look at your interest that you have now and see if there's anything you can go to school for.

[travis91]

everything i like doesnt make any money.. like diesel engines.. i cant stand to sit in class and learn about history or english not because im stupid but i go insane sitting still i wanna be out working on something. or putting something together. or taking it apart.

-fish and game
-engines
-horticulture
-fishing


land surveyors dont make dirt where i live.. and no one uses them so thats pointless.

[Old Vet]

Originally Posted by travis91

everything i like doesnt make any money.. like diesel engines.. i cant stand to sit in class and learn about history or english not because im stupid but i go insane sitting still i wanna be out working on something. or putting something together. or taking it apart.

-fish and game
-engines
-horticulture
-fishing


land surveyors dont make dirt where i live.. and no one uses them so thats pointless.

If you want Fish and Game,Engines,Horticulture,and Fishing You need to be a mechanic at the Game and fish or a Nursery specialist at your local Forestry Commission. They are both State jobs and pay good but they are going to be around for a while.

[travis91]

those dont have to be combined