Post: #1

After having turned down a job offer as a consultant because the company headquarters turned out to be in a house in a slum and wanted me to sign a non compete clause for simply doing my profession anywhere around where I live, I am beginning to see that my choice of working in a combination of economics, finance, and computer programming has been a mistake.

Many on the forum suggest one learns a trade. I think that I am beginning to agree with them. It's hard to know where to begin, though, and I found my google searches to be surprisingly unhelpful.
As well, I have poor motor skills (my handwriting is terrible), so a job that would require a steady hand is probably not for me. I am pretty sure that I have the head for a trade, just not the hands in some cases.

I have no illusions that this will probably take years and much hard work.
I would just like to know what common pitfalls to avoid and how not
to get ripped off. It would also be nice to know what are the quickest
(not quick) paths to being paid at least a normal US metro areas' median
wage as soon as possible.

Post: #2

(12-21-2012 02:34 PM)beta_plus Wrote:  After having turned down a job offer as a consultant because the company headquarters turned out to be in a house in a slum and wanted me to sign a non compete clause for simply doing my profession anywhere around where I live, I am beginning to see that my choice of working in a combination of economics, finance, and computer programming has been a mistake.

Many on the forum suggest one learns a trade. I think that I am beginning to agree with them. It's hard to know where to begin, though, and I found my google searches to be surprisingly unhelpful.
As well, I have poor motor skills (my handwriting is terrible), so a job that would require a steady hand is probably not for me. I am pretty sure that I have the head for a trade, just not the hands in some cases.

I have no illusions that this will probably take years and much hard work.
I would just like to know what common pitfalls to avoid and how not
to get ripped off. It would also be nice to know what are the quickest
(not quick) paths to being paid at least a normal US metro areas' median
wage as soon as possible.

You really want to change from economics, finance, and computer programming to a trade?

Although I loved it, working construction was by far the hardest job I have ever done.

My body thanks me today that I still don't do it.

Post: #3

(12-21-2012 02:39 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 02:34 PM)beta_plus Wrote:  After having turned down a job offer as a consultant because the company headquarters turned out to be in a house in a slum and wanted me to sign a non compete clause for simply doing my profession anywhere around where I live, I am beginning to see that my choice of working in a combination of economics, finance, and computer programming has been a mistake.

Many on the forum suggest one learns a trade. I think that I am beginning to agree with them. It's hard to know where to begin, though, and I found my google searches to be surprisingly unhelpful.
As well, I have poor motor skills (my handwriting is terrible), so a job that would require a steady hand is probably not for me. I am pretty sure that I have the head for a trade, just not the hands in some cases.

I have no illusions that this will probably take years and much hard work.
I would just like to know what common pitfalls to avoid and how not
to get ripped off. It would also be nice to know what are the quickest
(not quick) paths to being paid at least a normal US metro areas' median
wage as soon as possible.

You really want to change from economics, finance, and computer programming to a trade?

Although I loved it, working construction was by far the hardest job I have ever done.

My body thanks me today that I still don't do it.

Good point. I was thinking along the lines of doing a skilled trade. Is that just not realistic w/o doing construction first?

Again, I don't know the first thing about this and finding good sources has been harder than I realized.

Post: #4

What kind of trade do you want to learn? If your interest is construction you'd learn the most from a general contractor.
You'll learn everything there is to know about building a house.

Just find a friend that is somewhat involved in what you're interested in and tag along with him until you pick it up.
Guys love to talk shop.

If you have computer skills I'd open a PC repair shop somewhere.

Post: #5

(12-21-2012 02:50 PM)beta_plus Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 02:39 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 02:34 PM)beta_plus Wrote:  After having turned down a job offer as a consultant because the company headquarters turned out to be in a house in a slum and wanted me to sign a non compete clause for simply doing my profession anywhere around where I live, I am beginning to see that my choice of working in a combination of economics, finance, and computer programming has been a mistake.

Many on the forum suggest one learns a trade. I think that I am beginning to agree with them. It's hard to know where to begin, though, and I found my google searches to be surprisingly unhelpful.
As well, I have poor motor skills (my handwriting is terrible), so a job that would require a steady hand is probably not for me. I am pretty sure that I have the head for a trade, just not the hands in some cases.

I have no illusions that this will probably take years and much hard work.
I would just like to know what common pitfalls to avoid and how not
to get ripped off. It would also be nice to know what are the quickest
(not quick) paths to being paid at least a normal US metro areas' median
wage as soon as possible.

You really want to change from economics, finance, and computer programming to a trade?

Although I loved it, working construction was by far the hardest job I have ever done.

My body thanks me today that I still don't do it.

Good point. I was thinking along the lines of doing a skilled trade. Is that just not realistic w/o doing construction first?

Again, I don't know the first thing about this and finding good sources has been harder than I realized.

What do you mean when you say a "skilled trade"?

To me, construction work is a skilled trade.

Are you talking about being a clockmaker? A Jeweller? A locksmith? A cobbler? A baker? A candlestick maker? What?

Give some examples of what you are thinking.

Post: #6

@Beta_plus- since you do computer programming why dont you write code as a freelance programmer? There are plenty of online companies (most are legit but do your research regardless) that hire programmers on a per job basis and that normally pay pretty well depending on the assignment. What languages do you know?

Post: #7

(12-21-2012 02:55 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 02:50 PM)beta_plus Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 02:39 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 02:34 PM)beta_plus Wrote:  After having turned down a job offer as a consultant because the company headquarters turned out to be in a house in a slum and wanted me to sign a non compete clause for simply doing my profession anywhere around where I live, I am beginning to see that my choice of working in a combination of economics, finance, and computer programming has been a mistake.

Many on the forum suggest one learns a trade. I think that I am beginning to agree with them. It's hard to know where to begin, though, and I found my google searches to be surprisingly unhelpful.
As well, I have poor motor skills (my handwriting is terrible), so a job that would require a steady hand is probably not for me. I am pretty sure that I have the head for a trade, just not the hands in some cases.

I have no illusions that this will probably take years and much hard work.
I would just like to know what common pitfalls to avoid and how not
to get ripped off. It would also be nice to know what are the quickest
(not quick) paths to being paid at least a normal US metro areas' median
wage as soon as possible.

You really want to change from economics, finance, and computer programming to a trade?

Although I loved it, working construction was by far the hardest job I have ever done.

My body thanks me today that I still don't do it.

Good point. I was thinking along the lines of doing a skilled trade. Is that just not realistic w/o doing construction first?

Again, I don't know the first thing about this and finding good sources has been harder than I realized.

What do you mean when you say a "skilled trade"?

To me, construction work is a skilled trade.

Are you talking about being a clockmaker? A Jeweller? A locksmith? A cobbler? A baker? A candlestick maker? What?

Give some examples of what you are thinking.

What do you mean by "construction" ? Mixing mud and carrying lumber all day is not a trade but plumbers, electricians, HVAC guys are. My buddy is a stone mason in CT and makes bank.

I think the OP needs to be a helper on a job for a couple weeks. No matter what school you go to you start at the bottom and learn as you go anyway. I think if you're not used to doing real work you'll run back to the computer pretty quick though.

Post: #8

(12-21-2012 05:03 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  What do you mean by "construction" ? Mixing mud and carrying lumber all day is not a trade but plumbers, electricians, HVAC guys are. My buddy is a stone mason in CT and makes bank.

I think the OP needs to be a helper on a job for a couple weeks. No matter what school you go to you start at the bottom and learn as you go anyway. I think if you're not used to doing real work you'll run back to the computer pretty quick though.

Yeah, masonry, carpentry, hanging rock, plumbing, electric, HVAC etc.

Post: #9

(12-21-2012 05:06 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 05:03 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  What do you mean by "construction" ? Mixing mud and carrying lumber all day is not a trade but plumbers, electricians, HVAC guys are. My buddy is a stone mason in CT and makes bank.

I think the OP needs to be a helper on a job for a couple weeks. No matter what school you go to you start at the bottom and learn as you go anyway. I think if you're not used to doing real work you'll run back to the computer pretty quick though.

Yeah, masonry, carpentry, hanging rock, plumbing, electric, HVAC etc.

Most those dudes are sucking ass right now. I was thinking about building a new house the last few weeks and for anything decent it's $150 a sq ft which is way more than what you could just buy an existing home for. I'm trying to figure out why it's that much if they are all starving. They say material costs...

Post: #10

the the OP
have you tried contacting local trade unions in you area? IIRC they will train you and once you're employed you pay them back with union dues

Post: #11

I encourage you to get into a trade but continue your research and choose wisely. Some factors that you may want to consider are your local economy or if you're willing to move, what trade would be relevant that that area.

Also what sector of the economy would you want to work in; residential, commercial or industrial. Some trades, such as electrician, can work in all three sectors while others, such as a pipe fitter or scaffolder, cannot.

G makes a decent point about the trades being hard on the body, some are harder than others, although just because you start out on the tools, doesn't mean that you'll be on them forever. All construction companies have management, sales departments, HR, etc and with your previous experience in finance, economics and computers, that would be an easy transition. I'd say you should get your journeyman ticket in a skilled trade (usually takes 3-5 years, depending on trade) before making the move into management or starting your own company.

Also, as a manager or business owner with your JM ticket (as opposed to someone in such a position without a trade), if your company goes under or you lose your management position, you can always go back on the tools and make a decent living, no one can take that skill away from you and it will always be needed.

So keep researching, check out videos on youtube, union websites, schools, etc.

Post: #12

I learned my trade at a vocational school/community college. First, do some research and figure out what you'd like to pursue, then figure out which schools teach it. A lot of trades can be approached either through formal education or via apprenticeships (and then sometimes certification exams.) I think in the grand scheme of things, the formal education path is easier and more comprehensive, but it is also no-doubt more expensive, and perhaps more complicated logistically. Some of my classmates had moved across the country and left their wives behind, flying to see them every few weekends, for example -that specific issue probably won't be a problem in your case, I'll wager!

Post: #13

(12-21-2012 05:12 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 05:06 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(12-21-2012 05:03 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  What do you mean by "construction" ? Mixing mud and carrying lumber all day is not a trade but plumbers, electricians, HVAC guys are. My buddy is a stone mason in CT and makes bank.

I think the OP needs to be a helper on a job for a couple weeks. No matter what school you go to you start at the bottom and learn as you go anyway. I think if you're not used to doing real work you'll run back to the computer pretty quick though.

Yeah, masonry, carpentry, hanging rock, plumbing, electric, HVAC etc.

Most those dudes are sucking ass right now. I was thinking about building a new house the last few weeks and for anything decent it's $150 a sq ft which is way more than what you could just buy an existing home for. I'm trying to figure out why it's that much if they are all starving. They say material costs...

I will admit that I was hoping this thread would get your attention. For example, if someone wanted to work for you (I've gotten the impression that you are an auto mechanic in Tampa - please correct me if I'm wrong), what would you expect them to do beforehand? Are there schools for auto mechanics that are respected, or are you expected to learn on your own?