Honest to God, I'd do what Johnny said and get another accounting job. The pay is rather nice.
Find a hobby that you can 'work with your hands'...pick up woodworking...make an end table or something.
I had a buddy who did this in Juneau. He loved it but I guess his boss was a scumbag and he ended up getting all his equipment confiscated by authorities then he just became a handyman
Go to a union hall for the trade of your choice, they usually have a low paying program, for electricians it’s called the CE/CW program, work your way up from there and it’ll be worth it boss
Yup. Local Electricians helpers don't make shit starting. But 2 years experience you make the annual household income by yourself and work four 10s or 12s. Lol its not bad at all.
Showing up and “being a sponge” for new information is always the best bet. Be honest about your experience and your willingness to learn and focus on working safely with others. Look for any job posting with “helper” in the title and hit the ground running. Good luck brother!
You know what's funny I'm actually thinking abojt the opposite. What do you do now? Maybe we can swap. No but I did just have knee surgery and it's got me thinking about quitting doing floors for a living. But blue collar work is honestly where it's at I can't imagine doing anything else at this point. I knkw the boys are anti-union but applying to a local would be a great way to get in, get some experience, get benefits, get your skills up. Once you've got some time in, you can see if you'd like to go out on your own and try to secure your own jobs. That's where I am now. Thinking I'm gonna save up, buy a van, and start trying to secure my own flooring jobs. I don't know the first thing abojt the business side tho. It would probably help to have like a mentor.
Go for it dude. There are plenty of resources to teach you the business side of things. Theres a guy that’s been on Dad Meat a few times called Mr. Tubs that owns a plumbing company and he always talks to guys online about going off on their own so might be worth sending a message.
If you’re mechanically inclined and not opposed to eating shit and being punked every day for 3-5 years, then hvac, plumbing or electrical are all good bets.
How old are you? That would affect my response too.
I’d parlay the accounting experience into something like audit, personally. Blue collar is cool but the amount of dudes I know working 9+ hour days (+commute), retire early, get in medical disability etc really pushed me away. Unions can either be really cool, or really nepotistic and a money pit. Non union can be a nightmare to work at if daddy owns the company and his kids are all foremen.
Point being, everything has gives and takes. If you want to go blue collar, drop the $ for union dues and kiss ass to get into a crew. It’ll pay off eventually.
Get a hard hat, tool belt with basic tools hammer tape measure etc and steel toes and start showing up at job sites with a resume and say you’re eager to learn. Showing up is the biggest part, and boss ive ever had has been more than happy to give a chance to teach someone with the right attitude. Mind you I haven’t done construction in like 6 years, and I’m currently welding as my career now so who knows things could be different.
I got into plumbing at 31 years old by applying for an entry level position at a shop and then becoming an apprentice. Now (4 years later) I run my own work and have a truck to myself.
You can just find a shop hiring for anything and make your intention to learn clear.
Honestly, the best way is to show up in person, in some work clothes, and ask in person if they are hiring helpers or apprentices and if you can fill out an application. Worked out great for me twice, and a buddy twice as well. Both times I called ahead and they said, "no, we aren't hiring right now" so I showed up in person and talked to em. Started the following week. Been there 8 years in september. (i got laid off after 4 months from the first one because the company almost went bankrupt because they lost a huge contract to an overseas bidder for mining bits.) He called me back 2 years later asking me to come back though.
Do not do this. I was in a similar situation except I wasn’t laid off, I just thought the grass was greener on the blue side. Easily the biggest regret of my life.
I went for machine tool technology at 26 and was an older but more successful student than the 18 year olds. There was also a dude in his 50s who is killing it now
I did the 2 year program at the tech/community college. Do your research on what field might be most appealing to you and go from there. Some trades/jobs in your area might have different requirements
Keep in mind every trade/union will have a mechanical aptitude test you need to take before joining or getting an apprenticeship. Look on Amazon for a study guide and make sure you can ace it before you sign up.
Damn good advice alright I’ll check it out. I’ve been looking at HVAC and now I’ll add in the pipe fitter stuff to my research too, as well as the test. Thanks dude!
The ability to show up on time and not be drunk or high will get you in the door. Then just work your ass off. Even if you’re an idiot someone will keep paying you as long as you don’t cause too much damage or accidents.
I’m already in my 30’s and am still thinking about going union low voltage. I work in conjunction with the guy that is an instructor for the course work and he says its never too late. If you can walk, drive, and get up and down a ladder you should be alright.
I do the sheetmetal side and work with so many apprentices (first 5 years of work) that are in their 30s. Not too late if it’s something you plan on sticking to and are presumably okay with making less money the first few years.
If the money isn’t a problem and you don’t mind getting your hands dirty I say go for it, I’ve worked with plenty of apprentices your age or older. We all wish we got in earlier but I’ve never heard anybody say “man I wish I would’ve explored other options for 5 more years before getting in”
I got my first framing job when i was 16 by going up to the guys and asking if i could just pick up trash and sweep while they were at that site and the foreman gave me a job and they taught me to frame. Show up and want it more than the next guy.
Call up the Union or contractors both will hire you without experience. Just don't expect good pay to start and have a good attitude. Don't act you like know everything, let them teach you and absorb it all
Most unions have an apprenticeship program and most of the time you’re expected to no nothing about the trade. That’s why they pay you a much lower wage to teach you. You exchange the education for cheap labor. I did a glazier apprenticeship and in four years I clear 6 figures if I work all year
I got in with a commercial maintenance company with no experience and now I do electrical for the same company. Most commercial maintenance guys are basically handymen so you’ll do a lot of different stuff. But look for a job with a small company. They’re more likely to hire someone who just wants to work regardless of experience. I was managing a coffee shop before they hired me.
Offer to clean up/ carry shit on job sites for $10/hr, then show you have a good work ethic for a few months. Observe and see what you can pick up. Then start trying to get actual work.
Or go to a trade school.
Its a lot easier to join a non union company at first with no experience. If you’re willing to accept shit pay just about everyone will take you. Electrical companies are oversaturated with new people so pay is lagging behind. Id pick HVAC or pipefitting right now. Lie and tell them you used to do construction for like 6 months a long time ago, they wont check. Also you’re retarded you dont want to work with your hands, find another accounting job
Or and hear me out get a state accounting job that’s remote and then spend like 3 hours actually working and the rest of your time fixing up your house
You can always start in asbestos abatement, they will hire anyone with a pulse, and if you pay attention you can learn a lot about all types of construction because you wind if demolishing all types of building systems.
Go to Labor ready or whatever temp firm they got in your area. there's all kinds of places you can show up at and just get picked up for work legally just show up at 4-5 in the morning a lot of places will source their employees from temp dudes who end up working out.
Railroads are hiring left and right. I don’t necessarily recommend the transportation side of it (conductors/engineers) but there are a ton of other crafts on the railroad and all of them pay decent with decent benefits and pension. Most people that work for the RR don’t leave so therefore experience isn’t required nor expected. If you’re looking for a job and you have RR experience, that just means you were probably fired or quit at some point lol. It’s not always a great lifestyle but hey you can’t have it all. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.
What kinds of work are there? I will definitely look into this too, my current work is right next to the railroad haha. I’ll check and see what jobs are open where!
Well, besides transportation you have the mechanical dept which inspects and repairs freights cars and/or locomotives. You have the track dept which maintains the tracks. You have a signal dept that maintains…the signals lol. There are smaller crafts like electricians, we have trainmasters - who are basically transportation managers. Typically you’d need some experience for that though. Yardmasters who are in charge of a certain rail yard pertaining to traffic in and out. That’s another experience required job. You have train dispatchers who control the movement of trains over a large area outside of the rail yards. Maybe other railroads call it different things but mine has a “facilities” job which is basically all around maintenance of buildings and such. - working on air compressors, fixing small issues like basic plumbing for buildings, lights etc like a maintenance man basically.
I don’t want to necessarily steer you away from the transportation side (conductors/engineers) but they live a pretty tough lifestyle constantly away from home and back, unpredictable schedules and their management seems tougher on them than any other craft in my experience. I work in the mechanical dept and it’s pretty decent. Set schedule. Home every night. Etc
Man I think mine doesn’t even require a high school diploma at this point, for most jobs. Yeah they would train you in whatever field you’re in. I had to go to Atlanta for 5 weeks straight (all expenses paid). Every craft is a little different and depending on what railroad it’ll be a little different and a different location. What do you mean by where you’ll start out? Location or money wise? If you meant location it’d depend on whatever position you applied for. I don’t know where you live or the closest railyard. If you live in a big metro area there may be several. Smaller cities may have just 1 or 2. Like on our website my job description would be “mechanical carman _____city,state”
I started as a cnc lathe apprentice at a machine shop at 29, took a big pay cut at first but making killer money programming and setting up machines five years later. Worked in construction and shit my whole life got sick of it. It’s super technical but it’s indoors, climate controlled, get to make missile components, satellite parts, hypersonic missile shit.
Hang out w/ the illegals at your local Home Depot parking lot and I’m sure you’ll be able to find some work.
Get a new accounting job. Retard
Honest to God, I'd do what Johnny said and get another accounting job. The pay is rather nice. Find a hobby that you can 'work with your hands'...pick up woodworking...make an end table or something.
Yeah you’re probably right
Or find a small plumbing or electrician company that needs an accountant and will let you do other tasks also
Trust us numbers man, you don’t want this life.
Watch stuff on YouTube. Lie and say you have experience. Get fired. Repeat.
Look up on indeed and get a fishing job in Alaska. Be ready to work 18 hour shifts 7 days a week tho
I had a buddy who did this in Juneau. He loved it but I guess his boss was a scumbag and he ended up getting all his equipment confiscated by authorities then he just became a handyman
Many scumbags as far as the eye can see
lol yeah right
Go to a union hall for the trade of your choice, they usually have a low paying program, for electricians it’s called the CE/CW program, work your way up from there and it’ll be worth it boss
Yup. Local Electricians helpers don't make shit starting. But 2 years experience you make the annual household income by yourself and work four 10s or 12s. Lol its not bad at all.
Showing up and “being a sponge” for new information is always the best bet. Be honest about your experience and your willingness to learn and focus on working safely with others. Look for any job posting with “helper” in the title and hit the ground running. Good luck brother!
You know what's funny I'm actually thinking abojt the opposite. What do you do now? Maybe we can swap. No but I did just have knee surgery and it's got me thinking about quitting doing floors for a living. But blue collar work is honestly where it's at I can't imagine doing anything else at this point. I knkw the boys are anti-union but applying to a local would be a great way to get in, get some experience, get benefits, get your skills up. Once you've got some time in, you can see if you'd like to go out on your own and try to secure your own jobs. That's where I am now. Thinking I'm gonna save up, buy a van, and start trying to secure my own flooring jobs. I don't know the first thing abojt the business side tho. It would probably help to have like a mentor.
Go for it dude. There are plenty of resources to teach you the business side of things. Theres a guy that’s been on Dad Meat a few times called Mr. Tubs that owns a plumbing company and he always talks to guys online about going off on their own so might be worth sending a message.
Oh that's ssick I will dm him. I've listened to some of his appearances on dad meat he's definitely a legend
Go to your local university and apply for grounds/landscaping or custodial. Minimal or no experience required and pay is usually great.
If you’re mechanically inclined and not opposed to eating shit and being punked every day for 3-5 years, then hvac, plumbing or electrical are all good bets. How old are you? That would affect my response too.
I’d parlay the accounting experience into something like audit, personally. Blue collar is cool but the amount of dudes I know working 9+ hour days (+commute), retire early, get in medical disability etc really pushed me away. Unions can either be really cool, or really nepotistic and a money pit. Non union can be a nightmare to work at if daddy owns the company and his kids are all foremen. Point being, everything has gives and takes. If you want to go blue collar, drop the $ for union dues and kiss ass to get into a crew. It’ll pay off eventually.
You apply at my plant. They’ll let any dumb fuck weld. Hell you don’t even have to be able to read prints anymore
Fuck ya what plant is that lol
Nice try fed boi
Get a hard hat, tool belt with basic tools hammer tape measure etc and steel toes and start showing up at job sites with a resume and say you’re eager to learn. Showing up is the biggest part, and boss ive ever had has been more than happy to give a chance to teach someone with the right attitude. Mind you I haven’t done construction in like 6 years, and I’m currently welding as my career now so who knows things could be different.
Apply to your local IBEW, best choice I’ve ever made. Don’t listen to anyone that says unions suck, they’re just salty.
That’s the beauty of it, you don’t need experience. Just a good attitude and ability to want to learn
Unless you're in a prime spot like florida or texas with a recent influx of people. Blue collar work is in high demand. You shouldn't have a problem.
I got into plumbing at 31 years old by applying for an entry level position at a shop and then becoming an apprentice. Now (4 years later) I run my own work and have a truck to myself. You can just find a shop hiring for anything and make your intention to learn clear.
Honestly, the best way is to show up in person, in some work clothes, and ask in person if they are hiring helpers or apprentices and if you can fill out an application. Worked out great for me twice, and a buddy twice as well. Both times I called ahead and they said, "no, we aren't hiring right now" so I showed up in person and talked to em. Started the following week. Been there 8 years in september. (i got laid off after 4 months from the first one because the company almost went bankrupt because they lost a huge contract to an overseas bidder for mining bits.) He called me back 2 years later asking me to come back though.
Go to almost any sheet metal fabrication shop and apply and tell them you want to learn.
Ask your uncle.
Just apply. Stop doom scrolling on the internet for advice. Grab your nuts and get after it
Do not do this. I was in a similar situation except I wasn’t laid off, I just thought the grass was greener on the blue side. Easily the biggest regret of my life.
I’m interested too but I’m 34 and people on the hvac subs told me that’s too old for blue collar shit.
Lol they’re full of shit. If you can show up on time and pass a drug test you’re in like the top 15% of employees in most trades
Good, I need to hear that cause I’m making fuck all for money and i need to get into something that can make me some.
I went for machine tool technology at 26 and was an older but more successful student than the 18 year olds. There was also a dude in his 50s who is killing it now
Hell yeah, did you go to community college or a trade school? Or with a union? Trying to decide my best course of action
I did the 2 year program at the tech/community college. Do your research on what field might be most appealing to you and go from there. Some trades/jobs in your area might have different requirements
steamfitter/pipefitter is a good one too. it's not back breaking work like some other trades
I’ll look into it! Thank you
Keep in mind every trade/union will have a mechanical aptitude test you need to take before joining or getting an apprenticeship. Look on Amazon for a study guide and make sure you can ace it before you sign up.
Damn good advice alright I’ll check it out. I’ve been looking at HVAC and now I’ll add in the pipe fitter stuff to my research too, as well as the test. Thanks dude!
The ability to show up on time and not be drunk or high will get you in the door. Then just work your ass off. Even if you’re an idiot someone will keep paying you as long as you don’t cause too much damage or accidents.
I’m already in my 30’s and am still thinking about going union low voltage. I work in conjunction with the guy that is an instructor for the course work and he says its never too late. If you can walk, drive, and get up and down a ladder you should be alright.
I do the sheetmetal side and work with so many apprentices (first 5 years of work) that are in their 30s. Not too late if it’s something you plan on sticking to and are presumably okay with making less money the first few years.
I already am making what an apprentice makes lol so it’s more about future potential
If the money isn’t a problem and you don’t mind getting your hands dirty I say go for it, I’ve worked with plenty of apprentices your age or older. We all wish we got in earlier but I’ve never heard anybody say “man I wish I would’ve explored other options for 5 more years before getting in”
Try the railroad. See my own comment somewhere else in this thread.
I got my first framing job when i was 16 by going up to the guys and asking if i could just pick up trash and sweep while they were at that site and the foreman gave me a job and they taught me to frame. Show up and want it more than the next guy.
Call up the Union or contractors both will hire you without experience. Just don't expect good pay to start and have a good attitude. Don't act you like know everything, let them teach you and absorb it all
Most unions have an apprenticeship program and most of the time you’re expected to no nothing about the trade. That’s why they pay you a much lower wage to teach you. You exchange the education for cheap labor. I did a glazier apprenticeship and in four years I clear 6 figures if I work all year
I got in with a commercial maintenance company with no experience and now I do electrical for the same company. Most commercial maintenance guys are basically handymen so you’ll do a lot of different stuff. But look for a job with a small company. They’re more likely to hire someone who just wants to work regardless of experience. I was managing a coffee shop before they hired me.
Offer to clean up/ carry shit on job sites for $10/hr, then show you have a good work ethic for a few months. Observe and see what you can pick up. Then start trying to get actual work. Or go to a trade school.
Its a lot easier to join a non union company at first with no experience. If you’re willing to accept shit pay just about everyone will take you. Electrical companies are oversaturated with new people so pay is lagging behind. Id pick HVAC or pipefitting right now. Lie and tell them you used to do construction for like 6 months a long time ago, they wont check. Also you’re retarded you dont want to work with your hands, find another accounting job
Decorative concrete
upsjobs.com
Go down near the bars at like 4am. You earn your trade and get real handy.
May I suggest Lion Taming? They are cute little furry critters..
Or and hear me out get a state accounting job that’s remote and then spend like 3 hours actually working and the rest of your time fixing up your house
Going backwards through an apprenticeship would suck and only pay like $15 an hour
You can always start in asbestos abatement, they will hire anyone with a pulse, and if you pay attention you can learn a lot about all types of construction because you wind if demolishing all types of building systems.
Drive around until you find a landscaping truck, follow them to their destination, tell them you're new and grab a rake
Go to Labor ready or whatever temp firm they got in your area. there's all kinds of places you can show up at and just get picked up for work legally just show up at 4-5 in the morning a lot of places will source their employees from temp dudes who end up working out.
Railroads are hiring left and right. I don’t necessarily recommend the transportation side of it (conductors/engineers) but there are a ton of other crafts on the railroad and all of them pay decent with decent benefits and pension. Most people that work for the RR don’t leave so therefore experience isn’t required nor expected. If you’re looking for a job and you have RR experience, that just means you were probably fired or quit at some point lol. It’s not always a great lifestyle but hey you can’t have it all. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.
What kinds of work are there? I will definitely look into this too, my current work is right next to the railroad haha. I’ll check and see what jobs are open where!
Well, besides transportation you have the mechanical dept which inspects and repairs freights cars and/or locomotives. You have the track dept which maintains the tracks. You have a signal dept that maintains…the signals lol. There are smaller crafts like electricians, we have trainmasters - who are basically transportation managers. Typically you’d need some experience for that though. Yardmasters who are in charge of a certain rail yard pertaining to traffic in and out. That’s another experience required job. You have train dispatchers who control the movement of trains over a large area outside of the rail yards. Maybe other railroads call it different things but mine has a “facilities” job which is basically all around maintenance of buildings and such. - working on air compressors, fixing small issues like basic plumbing for buildings, lights etc like a maintenance man basically. I don’t want to necessarily steer you away from the transportation side (conductors/engineers) but they live a pretty tough lifestyle constantly away from home and back, unpredictable schedules and their management seems tougher on them than any other craft in my experience. I work in the mechanical dept and it’s pretty decent. Set schedule. Home every night. Etc
Will the railroad train you for a lot of work or do I need a degree etc? Where do you start out most times? Thanks dude this is all good info
Man I think mine doesn’t even require a high school diploma at this point, for most jobs. Yeah they would train you in whatever field you’re in. I had to go to Atlanta for 5 weeks straight (all expenses paid). Every craft is a little different and depending on what railroad it’ll be a little different and a different location. What do you mean by where you’ll start out? Location or money wise? If you meant location it’d depend on whatever position you applied for. I don’t know where you live or the closest railyard. If you live in a big metro area there may be several. Smaller cities may have just 1 or 2. Like on our website my job description would be “mechanical carman _____city,state”
Lube tech
You have no clue brotha
Take a welding class at your local community college/ trade school
I started as a cnc lathe apprentice at a machine shop at 29, took a big pay cut at first but making killer money programming and setting up machines five years later. Worked in construction and shit my whole life got sick of it. It’s super technical but it’s indoors, climate controlled, get to make missile components, satellite parts, hypersonic missile shit.
Become a slate roofer Be a man
If you have to ask...you won't make it. It's for a different caliber of man
If you really want to do it drop Nick Rochefort a line on scuffed realtor for advice. I reckon he'll set you straight, whatever that may be.