Life Advice

Whats up guys,
im looking for a little advice today. So here's the deal, I just got back from a ski trip with my college buddies in Colorado. We drank/ skied all over the whole state, and it was f**kin awesome. It seemed like a whole different lifestyle than what I'm used to/sick of here in New England.
I'm a 24yo single dude, working and living in CT. I grew up in Maine, and love hunting/fishing/trucks/skiing, all that shit. I went to school in the adirondacks, doing much of the same, while getting my engineering degree. I got a job right out of college, in fairfield CT and took it. My job is really awesome, I work with CNC machines make all kinds of stuff out of expensive metals, but here's the kicker: CT sucks balls....or at least where I am. The people are snobs and its generally a suburban hell.
When I'm at work, life's great, but when I leave I can't enjoy any of the things I really love, i.e the outdoors.
Over the past week, I've really been contemplating a change. I would love to be out west, but I'm not sure if its worth the risk of leaving a great job, especially if i don't have one lined up (I don't need the student loan companies going Tony Soprano on my ass for their money back!).
So do I wait it out for a few years, untill i have more professional experience, or throw caution to the wind and say fuck it? Anyone else make a similar decision and how'd it play out? Specifically any engineers? All advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Shane

 

Finishing school is the most important aspect right now, after you get your degree do what you love.

 

I wouldn't move unless I had a job out there. Too much to risk in this job market. Just start firing off resumes to anything you're interested in. That's my plan for getting out of Iowa after college. Engineers are needed everywhere. I would get out sooner, rather than later. If you find a girl that will tie you to CT, you're fucked.

 

Shane, Go West. Life is too short to not love every F'ing day. You are a young kid (I'm 47) and have a lot of time to live yet. Follow your instincts and things will work out. Obviously you are a smart kid. You'll be fine in the end. I moved my family 1500 miles to a relatively unknown job out West and it has made all the difference. Mountains, camping, off road trails that go on forever... I love it.

Follow your heart because if you don't you'll always wonder "what if" for the rest of your life. Good luck.

 

Do it while you are young!

 

Finish your degree first. Then go. I'm guessing you have family and/or friends in CT..if it doesn't work out, you can always come back to them.

 

I read it as he's already done with school and working full time.

 

He already has his degree people, unless I'm missing something.

I'd check out what jobs are available wherever you want to go. I say go for it. But I'd be hesitant to just straight up quit and go. See if you try and line up some kind of job.

 

Save $$, throw out some resumes to land a job than move west!!
As others have said, life is too short!!

 

Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated! And yes, I do already have my degree, and I've been working for this company a year and a half. I'd agree quitting and leaving is the wrong way to do it. But I'm worried I don't have enough job experience to get an equally interesting job in a great place. It seems like most companies want 2-5 years. I also don't have any family in CT, all my family lives in ME. Maine is a cool place, but there are virtually no jobs in the technical fields. Hence my CT move, plus the offer of decent pay....but I'm starting to think money really isn't related to happiness.....

 

Holy shi we just talked about this in philosophy class today. It's proven that it doesn't.

Even if you don't quite have the experience they desire, apply. Can't hurt any and networking is your ultimate goal. If you send out 25 resumes and cover letters, it's not too many.

 

wise words from a young man.

 

start applying for jobs out west buddy, remember its alot easier to pick up and GTFO without kids, a wife, and a mortgage. my advice, from one young dude to another, is do what makes you happy now so you can enjoy it later.

 

IMO...go do stuff while you're young. You have you degree....live!

12Tac

 

I'm a young fella but from what I've seen:
Disciplined now = relax later
Relax now = work forever.

Don't make a rash decision on a whim. Play it smart, keep the solid job, keep paying for school and wait for the opportunity to arise that is a smart choice.

You can always wait a bit and move at a later date.
You cannot take back your choice of moving now if it ends up being a poor one.

 

yeah.. i cant afford to spell rich...

 

There's some good advice here. I can see why you are interested in something new. I would say look into possible jobs out here, in a State that peaks your interest. There's a lot of really interesting places to live out here (Western States). Colorado is awesome, have you ever been to Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix?

If something/somewhere peaks your interest, check it out. Send out resumes, maybe contact a national head-hunting type company and see if they can point you in the direction of a job. As it's been said, engineers are needed everywhere.

Even if you don't end up moving anywhere, you'll be happy you at least looked.

 

Definitely try and line up a job..there's something you could never do before the Internet,at least not so easy.

Even though I know you moved from Maine, at least you could go back home if it didn't work out. You may not have that option later.

I could have moved to Florida when i was 26. I don't regret not doing it so much, I would have moved with my girlfriend and her mother who just have no initiative or ambition..but someday I will move out of New England. Right now my parents and father in law are still here and older so I won't leave them behind..