What do you do for a living?

Well it would seem our OP is not cut out for a job in IT. Same exact question twice? Yeah try that on a certain Linux sites, see how well that works out for you.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-do-you-do-for-work.99/

 

I didn't know what I wanted to do so I picked a career that could support a family and go camping in our free time so I became an accountant.

A lot of my family became teachers and that was probably a smarter move in CA because teachers are very well paid and they work half as much as everyone else.

 

Medical field in general

been a emt/paramedic for 14 years. I love it, but limited opportunities.

Nursing pays very well, great schedule, and a million different ways to use it.

Or look into Bio-med, equipment always needs calibration/maintenance.

 

I ran a landscaping business with employees making 100k$ a year but dealing with employees was a pita, I live in Los Angeles a lot of illegals out here, I do it the right way and I get punished they do it under the table and mistreat workers, but ima fair guy I never want to hire someone to work like a dog for cheap, plus the govt makes it hard to run a business so much that look at big buinesses they get rewarded to take ther business to china, im tired of these politicians bending over to every fucking country how bout america first, okay ill stop, but after I had enough of my lamdscaping business I went back to school and got my license for hirticulture, so now I run my own business again but the plus is that I work on my own I dont need to hire no one, to break it down to you I spray lawns, flowers bushes, etc etc, i build a calender study the environment report a lot to clients about landscape health and solution, with over 200 accounts I make as much as before but i dont have the stress of looking after employees, im 24, i never worked for no one in my life just my father, i feel your pain though its tough but you gotta think smarter not harder

 

I’m an auto tech and make great money, except I live in the Bay Area which is stupid expensive. It’s a job where the pay is all the place but if your good and can actually diagnose and repair things effectively then you’re in high demand. It’s easy to find a parts changer but good, solid, experienced mechanics are hard to find. Heck, there are places that cost 1/4 to buy a house but the pay is similar if you’re qualified. Now if I could only convince my wife to move our family. Anything will be bad for your body, hell all the geeks where I’m from have neck issues and sit too much. At the end of the day it’s all about living healthy and having balance. For me I love manual labor and creating/fixing things with my hands. I think HVAC or getting into a utility company might be good. You’re young, try different jobs and just see. You never what your good at or what really interests you unless you move around a bit. The one thing I can suggest is stay the hell away from debt and don’t get comfortable or stuck in a rut. You’d be amazed what you can get done before your 30 if you just keep chugging along.

 

I spray lawns, bushes, trees, take care of landscapes, like pest comtrol but for agriculture, comstant files, communicating with over 250 clients, dealing with chemicals, etc etc my own business, 100k$ a year im 24 i’ll retire when I cant no more, not taxing at all i enjoy nature, only work mon-friday 6am-2pm

 

I work for an insurance company as a risk analyst. After 7 years with the company I'm making over 100k and I have great benefits, almost a month of PTO. I recently got into buying real estate to setup a "passive income" stream to retire early.

 

I'm an aircraft mechanic working for one of the big boys we all fly on.

I love my career, but with this whole COVID19 happening. Aviation is on the rocks, but so far my company is sitting good.

My work hours do suck, but as seniority builds. It'll get much better.

Pay is great! Especially living in the bay area.

If you are interested in Aviation career my first question to you is. "Is your head always looking in the skies?" Even though I see it everyday. I still love watching all aircraft landing and taking off. That's a spark of interest that could lead to a happy job.

 

I’m an executive chef. I love what I do, and all the controlled chaos of running a kitchen never makes for a dull day.

I do get paid very well, but when you first start out in the industry you get paid shit until you gradually get promoted.

Simple, seasonally driven food is the trend right now and cooking simple food well with peak seasonal ingredients is where is at.

 

WORK SMART NOT HARD

maybe give the mortgage industry a try. I worked construction just out of HS then became a certified welder fabricator and then (long story) learned the auto detailing trade and started my own business as a Mobile detailer. Did boats, RVs, airplanes and exotics. I charged $60 an hour so it wasnt a bad paying gig. Just retired at 52 and my body is shot.

My wife on the other hand has always worked smart. She got into the mortgage industry starting out working at a bank. 20 years later she's VP of operations for a 1.2 billion a year mortgage origination company. She does very well and we live comfortably and it has allowed me to rest my body and retire. But the insane money is made by the loan officers. She has LO's who are making $80k a month or more. Yes thats right and all with no higher education and college loan debt. It's actually quite disturbing how much money is made on the front and back end of a mortgage. Oh the things I probably shouldn't know.... but my point is use your brain to make your living and save your body for fun things. You'll be glad you did as you get older.

 

“The work itself is taking a toll on my body and life outside of work, and the people in this industry are taking just as much a toll on my mental health.”

 

I want to add that the op said “mental health” and thats the most important part here, just this week ive seen 2 people commit suicide over just life in general, get help and dont be afraid to talk to someone op irl about your mental health

 

ahh I have to respond. I am a teacher. Let me clarify the teacher gig... I’ll give some facts that people don’t realize or don’t want to realize. We need Masters Degrees, mine cost 100k and took 7 years. During my 7 years of school I didn’t have full time pay so therefore didn’t pay into retirement or social security. So now I’m 7 years behind and my first teaching job paid 26k!! Second yeah low 30’s, add 3-5% year after that you eventually get to a decent salary but not after you sacrificed 7 years of not working and low pay for another 7ish. Finally at 12 years in, I’m making decent money with max raise of 2% each year for 4 years (our new contract.) We get paid for 185 days of work. We do not get paid for any school events, correcting homework at night, planning assignment, holidays, vacations, or summer. We get paid only for the 185 days we work. 185 days is not half of the normal working man, a non teaching full time job including vacation is about 230 working days. So as you can see, teachers DO Not work half of normal persons. It’s a common misconception..And one more thing, starting pay at my school is 35k. Who wants that job???
Point: learn about business and open any company you want. Plain and simple.

 

Yup exactly why i never cared for school, trade work is where its at, i see these kids with a car loan school loan and i just shake my head

 

yeah, I guess I missed that. Well... there’s always the Navy

 

Something about boats and goats....a rhythm of sorts.

 

I'm a HVAC Controls Engineer. Being in controls, I work with a lot of Electricians which I highly recommend if you go trade route. Every electrician I work with loves it and they get paid very well. If not, construction management is a good way to go to. Very versatile profession.

 

I wouldn’t recommend construction management. When the virus hit, they furloughed and laid off like 75% of them. Better off being an electrician.

 

I appreciate all the replies. I love a challenge and constant growth, so I tend to always be looking to the top of whatever industry I'm in. Construction management has been something I have considered, but I'm leaning more toward starting a business. I tend to be really ambitious, work hard and take risks by my own initiative to further progress in my line of work. For those of you that have or had businesses, what is it like? Is it working non-stop, or can you create your own hours? How long should I expect it to take for a new business to get off the ground?