life question

[rsd53]

I know most people would want to choose their life path, but sometimes, life chooses it for you.

In 1971, when I was 18, I made a decision to volunteer for the Air Force, rather than be drafted. I was given my choice of 4 different types of work. I have great mechanical skills but decided I didn't want to end up working in a motor pool. So I chose electrical. From that I could select 3 different jobs. It was near the end of basic training when I found out I was chosen to be a facilities electrician. Nothing close to aircraft electronics, or computer technician, and some unknown pencil pusher (life?) made that decision for me. I was really upset when I found out.

Although at the time I had made up my mind to make a career in the military, I only stayed in for 8 years. During my time as an electrician, I gained a lot of experience. That experience earned me a lot of job offers.

It's funny how things work out. I ended up taking a job with Alcoa in southern California. Over the 16 years I was at that plant, I kept getting more challenging work assignments. Long story short, when the plant closing announced in 1994, I was asked to stay on as electrical engineer.

I was transferred to a plant in Pennsylvania. My job there involved the electrical design and construction of a new plant. After the plant was built, I was the engineer for the next 11 years. I applied for a job at another plant in southern Indiana. In this case I was involved in the installation of environmental equipment. This was a 3 year project, and cost over $500 million. I retired from there 2 years ago. I did some local consulting until I found a great job believe it or not, on Craigslist.

I know there's a lot of history above, but the point is, I can trace all of my success in life back to, a single choice life made for me. By the way, I never got a degree. Life didn't put that on my path.

My advice would be no matter what you do, be a good person, helpful with others, work hard, don't be afraid to pursue opportunities out of your comfort zone, and look for opening doors.

Rob

[Radio Control Trucker]

Originally Posted by sparkycuda

I agree wholeheartedly with RCT. If in school, take widely different elective classes - you never know what might light a fire in you. I know many people today guide you to whatever job pays the most, but payment comes in many forms and working at something you are passionate about makes up in so many ways for lower $$s. What is it that you really like to do? Identify those things and look for jobs that satisfy that desire. I've been very fortunate to work at the same company for 45 years, and filled many positions. But the one I've done the most is what I've enjoyed the most - teaching heavy equipment technicians and troubleshooting technical problems. Not everyone is as lucky, but look for what makes you get up in the morning and want to do all day. Perhaps people change jobs so often in the U.S. because they are still looking for the "right" one for them. Wishing you the best for your future.

Ken

Well said Ken, and in a more eloquent way than I had stated.

Originally Posted by rsd53

...

My advice would be no matter what you do, be a good person, helpful with others, work hard, don't be afraid to pursue opportunities out of your comfort zone, and look for opening doors.

Rob

All good points Rob. If you follow this advice in all aspects of your life, you'll live a full interesting life.

"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death." - Rosalind Russell

- RCT

[weemanch]

As far as the schooling thing, i am going to a tech school so they dont really have any optional classes other then what i need for my associates. Which they have ties to a couple specific types of jobs i would mind doing, as long as i keep my self focused and think long term goal and what will be best for and my gf and my son. The end goals for me following my associates degree in applied science i'd really llike to end up either in some type of aerospace engineer position or a management roll or something of that nature, not just the mechanic role of it.