slughunter Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 Here is my situation. Its not a bad one but its something that has been on my mind for a while. For the past 2 years I have been doing masonry during the spring summer and fall for a roofing company my brother is working for. I started off as a laborer but am slowly moving up, very slowly though. But I dont enjoy the work I am doing, even though I am learning a skill for my future. This winter while layed off I started doing snow removal for my best freinds dads company, which is a very well set development company and they offered me a full time job this summer in landscape design which I really enjoy doing. So I need advice of what I should do? stick with masonry or move on to landscape design. Here are my pros and cons of each. Masonary Pros: Career skill for my future Working under my brother I am already well set in the company Cons: Dont like the work envirenment Dont enjoy the work Do not like my work mates 30 minute drive to and from work Low pay for being a starter (10.50 hr) Landscape design pros: Working with my best freind Love what I am doing Better pay (guaranteed atleast 14 hr) Getting myself set up in a very up and comming company 5 minutes from home working with a lot of nice guys Cons: Not as much of a career path letting my brother down by leaving masonary What do you guys thing? I just want some opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunt or be Hunted Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 I mean, you really got to think about it. The way it sounds you liked the masonry job but as your moving up you don't like what your doing... And this new job pays 4 dollars a hour more then your job you got right now. And the new one is closer to home. Are you use to landscaping?? The way it sounds you would be really happy at the new job. I know i did not help out at all. Just hope it goes well for ya man!!. good luck with it all!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted February 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 I have been doing a lot of landscaping and landscape design my whole life. I have a whole portfolio of my work, a lot of it has been in the rich neighborhoods around madison, including work that was in the parade of homes. I could just never find a job in it but now the chance has come up. Its just a tough choice. -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 Apologize to your brother and explain it to him, like you did here. I would go with the landscaping job. I think it's important to like what you are doing, otherwise you'll grow up miserable. Take the landscaping job, and in the meantime, put your thinking cap on, for other possible careers you would like doing. No job is secure these days, so go with the flow. Just my humble opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 You will spend too much of your life at work to do something you hate. Better to switch now than 25 years from now. IF your brother loves you, he will understand, especially since he knows that you love landscaping. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slughunter Posted February 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 Yeah, everything with this landscaping job seems to be way better than the masonary. Would still like to hear other peoples input. -shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeaveragehunter Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 You can't live for someone else. Your bro will inderstand. Go with whatever makes you happy and the rest will work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 I'd say if landscaping is what you love, go for it! Don't do a job just because your brother is there....Obviously you have to make the decision but if it was me, I want to do a job that I will be happy with. You've been given an opportunity...take it:) God is opening a door for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 if your good at landscape then do it..masonry is a feast or famine thing anyways..plus you will be your own boss too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidd Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 i am pretty sure your brother is not paying your bills:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I did not read the above reponses to your questions, so if this is a repeat sorry. My first piece of advice is do what you love to do. If that is one of the two options then do it, if not, go to school and get the education you need to do what you love. My second piece of advice is never work for family or friends. The hardest thing to do is keep a personal relationship away from a working relationship when you are working for friends and family. Do not work for either. Go out on your own and earn the job you want to do, do not settle for something because someone hands it to you. It's your life and your decisions and the future is based only on you. Go after whatever it is you want 110% and never give in or give up untill you are dead. You make the best out of these choices and you only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Get into landscaping if you enjoy it. It's a great skill to learn and easy to start your own business with money to be made. It's what I do in my time off work from the pipeline and it easily pays my bills. I agree with Ben....working with friends or family is rarely a good idea. My best friend was my helper on the job before last and we ended up having a heated argument and he quit me. Of course we got over it, but we didn't speak for almost 3 months because of it. Just some advice from a guy your age...... Best of luck. Some landscapers here clear 6 figures profit in a year after expenses n payroll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 you're way too young and uncommitted to stay with a job you don't like. talk with your brother and your boss, and tell them you are moving on. then, move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Get into landscaping if you enjoy it. It's a great skill to learn and easy to start your own business with money to be made. It's what I do in my time off work from the pipeline and it easily pays my bills. I agree with Ben....working with friends or family is rarely a good idea. My best friend was my helper on the job before last and we ended up having a heated argument and he quit me. Of course we got over it, but we didn't speak for almost 3 months because of it. Just some advice from a guy your age...... A little advice; It is possible to work for relatives and friends, as long as neither they nor you use that friendship or kin connection as a wedge. What I mean is this, If you are working for a relative or friend, when you are on the job, they are your boss, not your friend, so remember that. I have worked for both, and never had a problem, because I know the difference between boss and friend, or boss and uncle. On the job, they were my boss...period. Remember that, and you'll be just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I'm a firm believer that you have to like what you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Anything you like to do you'll be best at. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Agree with the majority here, and i know from personal experience....Do what you enjoy doing, not what you don't enjoy...I absolutely hate what i do and i am miserable, and in the process of a career change...If you wake up everyday and hate what you do, it will reflect into your personal relationships, and could potentially lead to more negetives in your life....do what you love to do...Sure, every job had some crappy points to them, but most out wiegh the negetives with positives...You will be much happier doing what you love. good luck. dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Do landscaping. You can use your masonry skills in the landscape industry. You have no idea how many landscape companies have to sub out their masonry work. If you can keep it "in house" your company obviously makes more profit. Use that as leverage for your new boss. Once you learn the ropes of the trade, branch out on your own. There is money to be made, if you can get your business off the ground. Main point is incorporate the two together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 first off I would suggest to take peoples advice who actually have to work for a living.... how much will your brother be let down? If he cant be happy for you being happier in a better job then I dont think he really cares for you.... this is too obvious of a choice given the pros and cons.... if you do a job your not happy with how can you ever become the best at what you do? there is almost no pride in something you hate doing day in and day out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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