craig mack Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Well since it looks like GM will be buying Chrysler, I maybe out of a job real soon. I'm 36 and I have been working there for 12 1/2 years. I'm gonna have to go back to school, somewhere I havent been in a very long time. So my question is, if you were in the same position what field would you get into? I'm thinking I may look at something in the medical field. My wife is almost done in her nursing program and that seems to be the only safe type of jobs out there. Especially since once this GM/Chrysler thing happens and about 30,000 Michigan jobs are lost, there is not gonna be much out there job wise here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 You have NO chance in keeping your job? That bites big time. The medical field is always in need. There will always be sick people and cars too, and as long as there are cars, people will need autobody work done. With your background, would that help? Can you find any work with part suppliers? I wish you luck Craig...I know what your feeling. I'm out of work now and I saw the layoff coming:( Prayers coming your way Pal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Medical field. I am kicking myself for not majoring in Health Care Admin. when I thought about it, but I was talked out of it. It all depends on how much time you have or want to spend. You could try to get certified as a Medical Assistant, which doesn't pay much, but gets you in the door, then go on to nursing school later, or, if you want to stay more on the administrative side, major in Health Care Admin. You can't go wrong with the medical field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelund79 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Health care is a good one, however, one of the overlooked aspects of it is the medical equipment repair. Big dollars. A buddy of mine got out of the Army and started doing that (we are/were helicopter mechanics). He is making a very comfortable living around the Maryland area, which is not cheap to live in. Just a thought. I have another 10 years to worry about a second career....Sorry about the impending loss, and good luck in your job search Sir. On a side note, my neighbor was affected by the GM layoff here in Janesville, WI...He went back to school for accounting...That could be another idea, but then again its alot of not fun math....Again, good luck to you. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 If you can take it, definitely nursing. Saw a show on PBS the other night saying there's a real need for RN's. That or teaching RN's because apparently there's a real need there too. The only thing I can think that I would enjoy doing outside of teaching would be farming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 man thats to bad and im praying for you that things work out. for me i lean towards the skill professions. like Electrician, Machinist, Mechanic, Welder, Plumber. i got lucky, i was working for a company and they sent me to 2 year school for Industrial Maintenance. there will always be a need for people with repair skills. top companys require it and there are always more jobs available. for me after 13 years in a place and they closed the doors on me, i simply updated my resume and got my butt out selling myself again. its by far the best thing i ever could have happened to me. not only did i land me a job making top wages, but the biggest thing was that i realized that im pretty good at what i do and i still have a lot to learn. this gives a person the confidance that no matter what happens, the skills they have will always be in demand. but again it was easier for me, i dont have any family here, so i could basically go where ever i had to to find the job that i like. nursing sounds pretty good also. but i really dont know much about it except dont you have to have nice legs to be a nurse? Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 for me i lean towards the skill professions. like Electrician, Machinist, Mechanic, Welder, Plumber. Same here. I would fall back on my woodworking skills, I used to be an apprentice cabinetmaker. If you are honest and hardworking, there is a lot of work out there for a contractor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThethirdI Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Well speaking from experience...I started my own business and also work part time until my business gets off the ground. I worked for Chrysler for 15 years and my last day was this past March 31st. It was scary leaving, but I think one of the best things that ever happened to me. I hated that place for every day of that 15 years. I was a semi-skilled laborer and have had offers for other jobs, but won't be taking them unless my business goes to the dogs. Now is your chance to do what you always wanted. I am making half the money I did when I was at Chrysler and I'm twice as happy. Learn to budget your money and realize that money isn't everything and you will have a much happier life. I know I do. My wife says it's like being married to a new man. Good luck to you my friend! I know it's a big leap, but sometimes a big leap is what it takes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I think if I had to change jobs I would look at the remodleing industry. I'm a carpenter at heart, and there is ton's of work for remodleing and repair in most area's. JMO, I like leaving at the end of the day and being able to look back at what I did all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brutal Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Now is the time to do something you like to do... I was laid off this year, was a union block laborer, but now I am goin to school for Computer Science. The job demand in computer science is growing more and more every year and already there is a ton of jobs but not enough people. I have always liked fiddling with pc's so this is perfect for me =] If starting over just make sure it is something you are interested in. Follow a dream! Hard part was going from 2 good incomes down to 1. Once you budget it though you realize how much money was getting wasted each year. We are doing fine now on 1 income and we cut our gross income in half for the year. Still have the same amount of bills too. I look back now and just think about all the nice things we could have bought if we had budgeted our money like this 5 years ago =/ As for nursing well my wife is a RN and makes decent money. That was my other option but decided to go for my dream (sit behind a pc and get paid for it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksbowhntr77 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 If I were you and was good at math and such I'd look into a technical profession, ie. engineering tech, survey tech, you get the picture. There are alot of professional engineers but the number of surveyors is diminishing. It's a good profession to think about. There's always a need for a surveyor, people just don't know it. JMHO KS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 if i had a choice to stop doing construction to pay for my education i think i would want to try being a taxidermist , or even a DNR officer,, something to do with the outdoors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 My daughter is 3rd year nursing and will work an extra program for the Nurse Practitioner deal. I was at a health seminar with the FD guys and after it was over I asked the Hospital guy how the nurse hiring prospects are looking now that the economy is in an uproar. My daughter thankfully is at the head of the class (must have gotten her smarts from her mom) and he said she could write her own ticket. Nursing schools , however, have high standards and the accept less than apply. It is not an easy career. When you get in it will take all you have but once done you have a career where there won't be layoffs, that is for sure. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfletch7441 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Personally, I headed back to college a few years ago, and am almost finished with my engineering degree. I've always said that if I could do it all over again, I would get licensed as a plumber and electrician. Like someone mentioned earlier, if you're honest and hard working, the skies the limit with technical trades! However, male nurses are in high demand, and can pull down a pretty penny!!! Good luck in whatever you do, and let us know which road you take. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Ben- My wife is a mechanical engineer gone bad (MBA, now works in marketing.) Anyway, I would either teach, farm, or preach. Definitely not law. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Sauceman Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Not Disabled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 I would have done something where I can sit on my behind most of the day instead of standing all the time plus one that does not have mandatory overtime when needed. Life is short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Teaching...Be a teacher! There is always a high demand for teachers, and without em, we have no future. I know a lot of hunters who are teachers, and a lot of teachers who are hunters...if i had to do it again, it would be in the environmental science field, or the education field..Now, i am in the recreation field which really gives me a super flexible schedule...but i am not much of a PR person as i am learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 COMPUTERS !! Everything in this world is geared on the technology of some type of computer science ... There's a wide range of fields when it's comes to computers so the options are just about endless ... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Share Posted October 31, 2008 Sorry to hear that Craig... Hopefully you'll be able to keep your job. I'm in college now and undecided. Came out of high school thinking I would go into civil engineering. I don't think I want to do that however. Looked into coaching/teaching, landscape architecture, wildlife biology, and physical therapy; however, I think I'm going to end up going the accounting or banking/financing route. I like numbers and math so I think that is the way for me. Good luck whatever you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 I love what I do, but if I were to make a change, I would go into some type of ministry. Not a pastor, because I'm terrified of speaking in front of large crowds, but would love to do something more for the Kingdom of Heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 I would really like to get my degree in mechanical design. I was accepted to school for that, but changed to accounting. I would also like to do automotive engineering. That being said, I would really like a full-time job as a shipping manager. I'm the back-up shipper for our company and really like it. I've had zero training, pretty much figured everything out on my own. Kind of strange. I have an associate degree in accounting and I'd rather be a shipping manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativetexan Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 Let me tell you guys a story about government contracts. When I was stationed at Charleston, a new grounds maintenance crew took over to care for all of the newly remodeled buildings and grounds. He started with a few crappy trucks and some cheap labor. Now, many years after, the owner is doing quite well for himself. Sporting new trucks, top of the line equipment, and a tripled labor crew. Come to find out, this guy owned a small struggling home landscaping company. He got himself schooled on the government contract business, and when the time came that Charleston Air Force Base threw a bid out to the public for grounds maintenance, he beat out his more successful competition and built his business on the base. Truth is, the government is outsourcing everything. If you live near anything federal government, it might be worthwhile to check out the local contracting office. You can find their number usually in the Blue pages of your phone book. Here at McGuire, we have people that come in and clean our buildings. Which is kind of a sore subject with me considering I spent all of my young military career cleaning toilets, and now it is a struggle for me to get airmen to even take out trash.. There is nothing saying that you can't check out your local government employment office to see if positions are open in your area. Especially if you are a veteran. For you contractors, their is almost always employment for skilled laborers. With the Air Force, keep your eyes on new aircraft purchases. When the government purchases new aircraft, they ALWAYS dump tons of money into bases to renovate them and build buildings that will accomodate the workforce needed to support the aircraft. Again, here at McGuire/Ft. Dix/Lakehurst, a complete demolition and rebuild of base housing is occuring. It is not uncommon to see several different local contractor business vehicles parked at one home doing construction. Ft. Dix, will soon be reopened full time for the Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines and new buildings are being built to accomodate the aircraft and personnel they will bring with them. This is all public information, that is well published if you know where to look. Again, the best place to start is your contracting office. You can also try http://www.usajobs.gov/ This is the federal government's online job search. Small businesses will take priority. Installations get extra dollars to help small business grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 I'm in Corrections and unfortunatley I have better job security than most people.... The benefits aren't bad either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 Professional Golfer.:D:D There are many choices out there. You just need to find something that will make you happy and also pay for all of your bad habits. You might even look at picking up and moving to a new area of the country and start out fresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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