Career help? I need direction BIG UPDATE

Just curious, what do you do for him?

 

"Warehouse manager" self proclaimed.

the business is De/Mar flooring. We sell all types of flooring. Carpeting, tiles, hardwood.

And i am in charge of the warehouse. Drive the forklift, cut carpet, load/unload trucks, handle pickups, go on delivery, answer phones, clean floors, clean bathroom/kitchen, do garbage.

Do basically everything that no one else wants to do.

 

I totally agree that we should love what we do, building homes came with its own rewards upon seeing the finished product, but no matter what work I have done, there are good days and BAD days! I love working with my hands and my head, I have loved doing CAD drawings and I have loved brushing a pool in the rain. No job is perfect and every job is work. We work so that we can enjoy our family, friends and pets!
Doing what you enjoy is a lot harder today than is was in previous decades, and the jobs that we have now seem on the verge of moving to someone/somewhere who can do it cheaper (to the detriment of care and craftmanship)!

 

BIM (building information modeling) is getting more and more traction. Various Architectural and Engineering firms are always looking for drafters who can use Autodesk Revit type software. Manufacturing companies too!

If you can see yourself infront of a computer using software to create 3D layouts of buildings and building infrastructure components, or 3d models of industrial products, then it could be something that would pay pretty well. Think using programs sortof alike Google Sketchup and AutoCAD to create floor layouts, models of HVAC units, ductwork, electrical, elevators, etc. Software is not all that difficult to learn. I believe Autodesk Revit and ArchiCAD software are the ones with most traction in the industry.

 

I boxed shoes. Are you a close family? Unpleasant jobs not withstanding, do you like the guy?

 

If you are very mechanically inclined and have an eye for defects you could try a defector position. There are company's that employ these people at other companys. They are 3rd party inspectors. Some companys cannot keep their products defect free and start losing contracts, so they hire an outside company to inspect them. Look around on the internet. Usually there is a lot of travel involved with these; but, its all paid for and your wage is highly competitive. Transportation, aerospace and electronics industries use 3rd party inspectors all the time. Its not really that dirty, depending where you are put.

 

Yea i like him, but they are pushing me to do something more productive with my life, they arent firing me, just want me to do something better for myself. Just not sure what that is yet haha

 

I wanted to comment on that because it's a big distinction between a lot of people and how they approach life.

You do not need to give it 100% to be successful at it (whatever "it" may be).

Whatever you choose, IMO, give it maybe 30%. You can't give 100% of yourself to everything, obviously. You have yourself, your health, your family, your home, hobbies, etc. to worry about besides work. I tell you, the folks who give 100% to their job have no friends, no social life, etc. These are the folks who have a mile long list of things to-do around the house that never get done. These are the folks who have bratty kids bc mom and dad don't spend time with them.

That ties in to what I said earlier about work funds my life, it is not my life.

Only bring it up because, to me, it changes how I approach things in the first place. How i prioritize. And then later, how I feel about my self and the job I did, what I've achieved, what I'm proud of, etc. Things that define my self-worth. I do not care to be defined by my employer. If anything should define me, it's how my kid turns out - that's my real legacy. The condition of my household. Work funds these things, that's it.

but that's just me. ;D

 

How did I decide ? I ran out of time! I was in college, taking comp sci. Was not sure i loved it, but had to start working !

Hey.... try a few more options buit at some point just go for it... then while you are in the field find a niche that works for you. If you can do university the MOney and flexibility may be best. but who knows. Hey.. if you can find a career you will alway love, then great....but its a job, its not the sinlge thing that defines you. Its a means to making money !

 

This is so TRUE ^^

You've gotten a ton of advice here so I'll give my .02. I advise you to do what FB said, go to the library and read through the Occupational Outlook handbook. It's a great reference and gives you the projected outlook down the road for demand as well as salary ranges. There may be some jobs/fields that you hadn't even thought about.

You should get something be it a four year degree, associate's degree, or some type of technical certificate. I'm partial to the welding idea you had earlier. My husband sells welding equipment and there is big demand out there all over the country for skilled welders. Nuclear welding will have a very good future outlook. However, it is a "dirty" job but if you can read blueprints, you can start out at least in the 40K range. Training is not that long. As with any job, at your age, you'll have to start out at the bottom and put in your dues to maybe move up into management or maybe your own company who knows.